“I don’t think I’m his type,” I tell her honestly.
“I don’t think that boy knows what his type is,” she says, laughing. “But, I also think that when he finds a woman that has potential, he’ll change his ways to be with her.”
“Why’s that?” I ask. I don’t know a ton about JJ, but what I’ve figured out from the amount his name and picture gets posted in the media, and what Derek has mentioned over the years, paints him as the classic sports star playboy. The guy that jumps from model to actress to whatever next beautiful woman is waiting to hang off his arm.
“He’s never been in a relationship since we’ve known him, or at least one that he’s told any of us about. He likes to party and be unattached. So, as I said, I don’t think he even knows what his type is.”
I scrunch my nose up at her confirmation of my suspicion that he’s nothing more than a playboy. “Yeah, no thanks. I have no desire to be the girlfriend at home while he’s out being flashy and cheating on me.”
“Has he said anything about you helping him with Evie until he can get things figured out?”
“We’re supposed to talk about it more today. I told him I hadn’t found a job yet, so if he wanted to hire me as a full-time nanny, I am available.”
“That would be perfect for you!” she tells me, flashing me a huge smile. “Think of all the time we could spend together with the kids. Penn and Addy would love having you and Evie around all the time.”
“That would be fun,” I agree with her just as Evie starts to wake up and squirm in her arms. She lets out the cutest baby cries. I reach for the diaper bag and pull out a diaper and the wipes just as Jillian lays her down on the couch. She snags a receiving blanket from the top of the bag to slide under Evie before she unzips her sleeper and starts changing her diaper. While she does this, I grab the bottle I packed in the bag and add the formula to it, shaking it up so that it is ready for her once she's all put back together. “Want me to take her?” I offer once Jillian zips the sleeper back up and coos at Evie.
“I can.” She picks Evie back up and cradles her against her chest as she reaches out for the bottle. I hand it over and watch as she offers it to Evie, who immediately accepts it and starts sucking it down greedily.
“Mommy, can I hold the baby?” my oldest niece Addison asks as she stands in front of Jillian.
“Maybe in a little bit. Evie’s eating right now.”
“Okay, Mommy,” she says, and then climbs onto the couch between us.
“Come here, munchkin, Auntie needs some snuggles,” I say as I reach for her. She starts to giggle before my fingers even graze her skin as I tickle her side.
“Auntie,” she belly laughs. “Don’t tickle me if you want snuggles.” She finally gets out, and I stop and pull her into my lap.
“How’s my favorite five-year-old?” I ask as I push some of her curls from her face.
“I’m not five yet,” she dramatically tells me.
“You’re not?” I playfully question her.
“Not until next month,” she reminds me as if I didn’t know when her birthday is.
“Ohhh,” I exaggerate. “Are you going to have a party?” I ask, even though I already know all the details.
“Yes!” she practically yells right in my face due to her excitement. “A big party!”
“Awesome, think I can come?” I ask her, squeezing her in a hug as I do.
“Of course, Auntie Ry. You’re my favorite,” she tells me with a smacking kiss to my cheek.
“You’re my favorite,” I tell her, kissing her on the cheek in return. “What do you want for your birthday?” I ask, keeping this conversation going as Jillian stops to burp Evie.
“A pink bike and helmet, a sparkly dress, a new baby doll, and clothes, um…” She stops to think, tapping her cheek with a finger as she does so.
“Wow, those are some pretty cool things,” I tell her.
“Auntie Ry, is that your baby?” she asks out of the blue as we watch Jillian cuddle with a now very relaxed and full Evie.
“Nope. That’s JJ’s baby. I’m just helping him watch her while he’s at work.”
“Uncle JJ’s?” she asks, the question and disbelief evident in her voice. “No, Uncle JJ doesn’t have a baby,” she states matter-of-factly.
“Yep, she’s his. He just found out about her last night.”
“Wow,” she says as her eyes get big. “Mommy, can I hold her now?” Addison asks again.
“Sure, you can, bug. Sit back on Auntie Ry’s lap,” Jillian instructs, and she does just as she’s told.
“Look at you, such a big girl. You’re going to be all trained and ready for when the baby comes,” I tell her as she supports Evie’s head correctly. I’ve got my hands on either side of her, just in case she needs someone to swoop in and help her support Evie’s weight.
“When can I play with her?” she asks, smiling at Evie, who’s starting to squirm around just a bit.
“Not for a few more months. Evie’s still pretty little and can’t play much,” I explain. “It will be the same way when your baby sister or brother comes home. He or she will be small and fragile for a while. You’ll have to be super careful and help Mommy whenever you can,” I tell her quietly as I shift Evie in Addison’s arms, taking most of the weight off of her, so she can touch Evie’s face and grip one of her tiny fingers.
“Who’s dis?” Penelope asks, joining us as she stands in front of us.
“That’s baby, Evelyn,” Jillian tells her as she scoots forward and picks Penelope up and sets her on the couch between us. Penelope looks over the baby and up at me, obviously very curious where this baby came from. “Uncle JJ is Evelyn’s dad,” Jillian explains to Penelope. She has almost the same look her sister had only a few minutes ago when she found out the same news.
“Okay,” she says, leaning forward to place a kiss on Evie’s forehead before she slides off the couch and goes back to her toys and watching her movie.
“Oh, to be three and not have a care in the world.” Jillian laughs as we watch Penny go back to playing.
“Did you think of anything that JJ might need for this cutie that I didn’t bring over this morning?”
“Nope. I got the pack-n-play and swing all set up after you left. I’m sure we’ll need to buy some more formula before the week is over, but that’s easy enough to grab. He did give me his credit card and said to buy whatever she needed, so if I think of anything, I can either order it or go pick it up. I might see if I can find another base for the car seat. Either for my car or whoever he ends up hiring to watch her.”
“That’s a good idea. So much easier to just snap in than fumbling with the seat belt every time,” Jillian confirms.
“That’s what I figured, and I don’t think JJ is going to want someone else driving his car everywhere.”
“Hell no. His prized possession is his car. He doesn’t let anyone, and I mean anyone, drive that thing.”
“Do you know anything about what he has to do for paternity and with the courts?” I ask Jillian once both girls have gone back to playing.