Tyler slid the hood of his costume off. “I feel like an idiot. Only my sister would go into labor during our Halloween party.” He looked down at his full-body lion costume. He spoke again as he began to peel off the getup. “The only good thing is that I’m fully clothed under here. Unlike Superboy over there in his cute tights.”
Luc was jealous of Tyler at that moment. “You know what? Now that I think about it, I do have a set of clothes in my gym bag in the car. Kass, do you mind staying here with Tyler and Paige while I run to the car? I really don’t want to hang around the hospital in blue tights if I can help it.”
“It’s fine.”
“Do you want me to see if I have anything in the car you can put on?” He was sure there’d be something for her.
“Just a jacket or hoodie would be great.”
“Yo, Marcella. I have one in my car if you want it.” Tyler tossed Luc his keys.
Luc hurried down to the garage, wishing he would’ve thought of this before they made the walk all the way up here. Ironically, it was easy to forget they had costumes on.
He was right. His bag was in the backseat, and thank goodness there was a pair of blue jeans in there, and a t-shirt. He could work with that. And there was a hooded sweatshirt for Kassie. He checked Tyler’s car and grabbed his sweatshirt in case Paige wanted it. On his way through the parking garage, he realized that Kaden would be there soon.
They were on good terms, but this was still going to be awkward, sitting in a little room together. Taking a deep breath, he hurried back up to the waiting room, not wanting Kassie to be stuck there too long by herself. He didn’t think Kaden would start anything, because he was trying to accept the way things were, but he didn’t want to take that chance.
When he got back, Kaden wasn’t there yet, but Dom and Hailee had arrived. So now they had Superman and Supergirl, a sexy Dorothy, and two characters from the Suicide Squad.
“Sweets, here’s my hoodie. Paige, I brought Ty’s for you.” Luc tossed the sweatshirt to Paige and his to Kassie. “I’m going to find a restroom and change.”
“Anyone want anything? I really could use some coffee.” Kassie quickly stood up, holding the hooded sweatshirt, and grabbed his arm.
“Yeah, I’ll take a coffee if you don’t mind, Kassie,” Tyler said, handing her some money.
Luc and Kassie walked arm-in-arm down the hallway, searching for a public bathroom and a coffee machine. “You okay, sweets?”
She nodded. “Yeah. Dom told me that Kaden and Ali are on their way. They stopped to check on Kaleb.”
“And you didn’t want to be there when he showed up?”
Kassie shrugged.
“It’s fine. I’d rather have you on my arm, anyway.” Luc hugged his girl. Everything just seemed so much more enjoyable and easier now that their secret was out.
Kassie nodded as she snuggled closer and brushed her lips against his. “Well, there’s a restroom, and here’s a coffee machine.” She placed another quick kiss on his lips and slid off his arm.
“Catch you on the flip side, Supergirl.” Luc winked at her before closing and locking the restroom door. He still wasn’t sure if they should be here or not. But Sam was the closest thing he had to a brother, so he felt this was the right decision.
After he changed out of his costume, he rejoined Kassie, who was happily drinking a hot coffee, and was now wearing his sweatshirt. She looked adorable in the hoodie and her blue Supergirl leggings and boots.
“If you put on a pair of dark-framed glasses, you could totally be Superman’s alter ego.” Kassie ran her hand across Luc’s cheek with a sexy grin on her face.
“And you’d like that? Hmm, I’ll have to keep that in mind.” The look in her eyes, as she squinted at his face, imagining what he’d look like in glasses, made him hard. Definitely tucking that bit of info away for later.
Kassie’s cheeks turned pink, and she got a little shy before she changed the subject. “Want to check out the gift shop? Maybe we can find something for the new baby, or maybe something to give Willow.”
“Oh? Do you think someone will bring Willow in?” Luc asked. He hadn’t thought about that. And Kassie was right; he should have something to give her. Willow was becoming a big sister, and that was a big deal.
Kassie shrugged. “Yeah, I would think so.”
Not knowing about Willow, and wanting to be prepared for his little buddy if she did show up, he texted Tyler to be sure. “I just checked with Ty, and you’re right. The babysitter will bring her in after the baby is born, and then Ty and Paige will take her home with them.”
“Do you know what Trina is having?”
“A boy.” Kassie’s question got him thinking about what he was going to get for the new parents. “Let’s detour into the gift shop.”
Luc searched through everything, looking for something for Willow. After a few minutes of looking, Kassie found a princess crown that said “Big Sister.”
“You think she’d like that?”
“Absolutely! What little girl wouldn’t like a princess crown?”
He agreed, and also grabbed a stuffed unicorn and a multi-colored lollipop.
“You really like to spoil their little girl, huh?” Kassie looked at him, her head tilted to the side and a sweet smile on her face.
“Yeah, I do.” He shrugged. “I spend a lot of time with Sam, and over at their house. Sunday dinners, cookouts, pizza night. Not having any family here in Pittsburgh, that’s who I spend my time with. Willow is part of that package. I’m the cool, fun uncle.”
“But isn’t Tyler her uncle?”
“Yeah. But, like I said, I’m the cool, fun one,” Luc said with a chuckle.
Once they were back with the group, he sat with Kassie leaning against him, and searched the internet for somewhere that would same day deliver a gift for the Morris family.
He found a place that would deliver a balloon arrangement the same day, and he added a stuffed teddy bear and a box of chocolates. He’d have a case of beer delivered to Sam’s house for when they went home, and maybe something Trina would enjoy.
“That’s so sweet,” Kassie fussed after Luc ordered the gifts.
“What’s sweet?” Tyler looked up.
“Luc ordered something for the new parents,” Kassie said before Luc could.
“Oh? Well, Trina is my sister and the kid will be my nephew. No way you’re showing me up, Rock-Star.” Tyler frantically searched his phone, and Paige helped as if this was some kind of contest.
Not long after, Kris and Kat showed up, so now they had a gangster and a flapper sitting in the group, too. They, along with Dom and Hailee, joined in the online shopping for the new parents. It was a team thing. The guys always needed to outdo each other.
“Hey, Rock-Star,” Tyler called, breaking the silence.
“What?”
“What’s in the bag?” Tyler asked, nodding at the bag from the gift shop.
Before Luc could tell Tyler to mind his own business, the way teammates do, Kassie answered for him. “A gift for the new big sister.” She saw the look on Tyler’s face, and then the look on Luc’s face. “Oh, was I not supposed to say anything?”
“No, that was perfect, Kassie. And thank you.” Tyler grinned at Luc as he quietly went back to his phone, typing away. Paige was pointing and nodding to things, and shaking her head to others.