18

Natasha

“Hey big brother,” Bobby says as we walk in the front door. Alex stands beside me, hand on my lower back.

“Hey kid. You better give me that niece of mine,” Alex spots the baby and reaches out to grab her out of Bobby’s wife's arms.

“Hi. I’m Bella,” Bobby’s wife introduces herself, “and you must be Natasha.”

“Yes, thank you for inviting me to your home,” using my best manners. The home is beautifully decorated but cozy with that lived in feeling. There are some carefully placed pumpkins and cornucopia around the fireplace.

I look over at Alex who looks so comfortable with that baby in his arms. If my ovaries weren’t so old they'd seen the days of rotary telephones, they'd be doing flips right now. Bobby is practically crowding him as if he’s afraid his brother will drop the little bundle but Alex just straight-arms him and tells him, “Back off papa bear. I can handle a six month old. I used to take care of your ass, didn't I?” Bobby looks at him with uncertainty but bac