Everybody and anything familiar belongs to Janet.

"Now give Dada a nice, big, drooly kiss," I heard Steph suggest to Olivia.

"Babe."

"What? She's got the drool-thing down anyway, I'm just letting her know it's funny, not gross."

It still surprises me how alike and unlike we think depending on the situation. "I'm sure that was your intention."

It wasn't, but I did meet my daughter's kiss. Wet, dry, food-covered, or post spit up, the conditions don't matter to me. My baby is enthusiastic in her affection and I welcome every second of it. Before Stephanie, I felt I had to keep my emotions in check like I was trained to. I still have to consciously remind myself that a joke or a laugh can be shared with those I'm closest to, but I'm now free to show Steph, Julie, and Olivia, just how much I love them. And I've since learned how to allow them to love me in return.

"There really is nothing cuter or sweeter than a warm baby in soft, snuggly, footed pajamas," my wife said into our daughter's neck.

"There's nothing sweeter because you guys put Olive in pj's that are covered in pastel-frosted doughnuts with cartoon animal faces in them," Cal pointed out.

"Ranger couldn't ruin the moment I first saw those by calling them "Illness-inducers", and you're not going to lessen Olive's glow or my gloating over how adorable she does look in them. I bought these for her because she's delicious, too."

"Are you guys going now?" Bobby asked. "You said we'd be in charge, but I'm thinking telling us to come over was actually a setup ... and is in fact payback for losing our shirts on the beach."

"What makes you think it's payback?" I asked him.

"We came here expecting to be kid-sitters, but we can't get the kid away from the Mama."

"Aren't you a funny guy?" My wife told him. "I love my baby. There's nothing wrong with that, especially since there are tons of parents out there who really need to love their kids more."

"Olivia loves you right back, Babe. Now give her to Cal."

"Cal?" She asked.

"Yes. He's complaining less."

"Uncle Cal is pretty awesome," she agreed.

"Thank you," he said to her. "Now go have a good time. We'll take excellent care of her."

"I'm not worried about that. I told Olive to give you hell, but I know you guys can take whatever she dishes out."

"And they know I'll kill them if anything happens to her," I reminded them.

"That would definitely be motivation, if the girl herself wasn't motivation enough."

"Good answer."

"And here's your prize," she said, kissing Olivia one more time before letting Cal take over. "You already have both of our cell numbers, and now all the emergency numbers for the island, and the number and address for the restaurant ..."

"Bye, Steph," Bobby said, holding her evening bag and dress coat out to her in a not-so-subtle hint.

Although Cal is the one holding our baby, Steph's black heels still managed to put her at eye level with Olivia. She leaned in close and said something quietly to our daughter. They smiled at each other, but the men and I suddenly felt uneasy. I waited until she and I were on our way to the car to ask what she whispered to Olivia.

"I told her Mommy and Daddy love her," she said to me.

"And?"

The smile she's still wearing had me knowing there's more.

"And I might've said that while we're out eating our dinner, if hers decides it needs to make an appearance again ... aim for Uncle Bobby."

A bark of laughter escaped before I could stop it. "Proud of you, Babe."