This is Addie’s. She can decide what to do with it, whether I record it for her, or we keep it just for us.

The music came first with this one. Songwriting is never the same for me. Sometimes the lyrics come first, and sometimes it’s the music.

Every time I have her in my arms, this music plays in my head. Sometimes the melody is faster, and sometimes slower, but it’s always this melody.

I reach for the sheet music I brought in from the studio last week and begin to write the notes, then grab a notebook to start jotting down lyrics and lose myself in Addie’s song.

“YOU’RE LATE,” CHRISTINA says with a smile as she answers the door on Sunday night. She takes the flowers from my hands and gestures for us to come inside. “Kevin is manning the grill.”

“It’s his fault that we’re late,” Addie says, immediately throwing me under the bus.

“Why was it my fault?” I ask with a frown. “You’re the one who couldn’t decide what to wear.”

“You’re the one who kept taking all of my choices off of me,” she reminds me with a smile, then links her fingers with mine and gives me a squeeze. This seems to be the form of public affection that she’s most comfortable with, and that’s fine.

For now.

“If you didn’t look hot in everything you wear, I wouldn’t have to take you out of it.” I glance down at the simple red dress she’s wearing now and begin to salivate all over again. I lean in to whisper in her ear, “And I can’t wait to get you home so I can strip you out of this one too.”

“God, you’re such a man,” Christina says with a roll of the eyes as she leads us back to the kitchen. “And welcome, Addie. Next time, you can just come by yourself and leave that one at home.”

“That one?” I pull Christina into my arms and twirl her around the kitchen in a quick dance. “Admit it, you love me.”

“Oh, you mean the one with the ego,” Addie says with a nod. “Got it.”

“You’re crazy about me,” I remind her and hand Chris off to Kevin as he comes in the back door with a plate full of grilled steaks. “Take your woman.”

“Gladly.” Kevin wraps his arms around his wife and kisses her soundly as I reach for Addie and give her a turn around the kitchen.

“Why are we dancing?” she asks with a laugh.

“Because I like to dance,” I reply and kiss her nose. “Even though Chris has horrible taste in music.”

“Don’t start,” Christina warns, pointing her finger at me. “You like my music.”

I lean in and whisper loudly in Addie’s ear, “I tolerate her music.”

“I heard that.” Christina laughs, then turns to toss the salad, but has to lean against the countertop and presses a hand to her belly. “Ugh, I wish I didn’t get so crampy after the doctor visits.”

“Are you okay?” I ask just as Addie speaks at the same time.

“You’re pregnant too?” Addie asks with an excited smile.

“Too?” Christina raises a brow. “Don’t tell me you’re pregnant.”

“No!” All of the blood leaves Addie’s face, and then she laughs. “No.”

“Me neither,” Christina replies, shaking her head. “But we’re trying. I had in vitro today, so now we cross our fingers and hold our breath for a couple of weeks to see if it works.”

“Oh, I’ll cross mine too,” Addie says with a wide smile. “I’m sure it’ll work.”

I hope so.

“So who’s pregnant?” Kevin asks.

“Tiff’s pregnant,” I reply, watching Addie. How would I feel about having babies with this woman?

Why am I even asking myself that question?

“That’s exciting,” Kevin says.

“Yeah, seems babies are in the air.” I reach to grab a slice of green pepper out of the salad, but Chris slaps my hand. “Ouch!”

“I’ll have to call her,” Christina says with a smile. “If all goes well, maybe we can go baby shopping together.”

Addie joins Christina. “How can I help?”

“Are you any good at chopping tomatoes?”

“I can handle it,” Addie replies.

“Good, ’cause I suck at it. They’re too slippery.” Christina winks at me, and I can almost hear her thoughts. I like her. She’s helpful. She’s not lazy.

I wink at Chris and steal the pepper anyway, chewing happily.

“How did you and Jake meet?” Addie asks her.

“He asked if he could cheat off me on a math test in the tenth grade,” she replies automatically.

“And did you let him?”

“No,” I reply for her. “She refused, but then offered to tutor me.”

“That was nice of you,” Addie says as she cuts a cucumber.

“He was pathetic in math,” Chris says as she grins at me.

“Pathetic is a strong word.” I glare at her and cross my arms, but she just rolls her eyes.

“You don’t intimidate me.”

“Nothing intimidates you,” Kevin says as he passes by her, stopping to kiss her on the back of the neck. “That’s just one of the reasons that I love you.”

“So did you tutor him?” Addie asks.

“Yes. And then I never could shake him loose.”

“I think it’s the other way around, C. I couldn’t shake you off. You’re a clingy woman.”

Christina snorts, then laughs out loud as she pulls salad dressings from the fridge and sets the table. “Maybe we just found that we were kindred spirits.”