to be where Patrick and Madeline are.” I wasn’t convinced what prompted my statement. It could be the baby who was about to arrive or perhaps it was the toddler yesterday. Nevertheless, the idea of a child had been recurring in my thoughts.
Lorna’s lips curled. “I think it would be better to be where they will be after Madeline pushes out an eight-pound baby boy.”
I squeezed my wife’s hand. “I’m open to talking about it again.”
“I’m open to sex as much as you or I want because talking won’t give us a baby.”
My thoughts went back to this morning. “Neither will coming in your ass.”
Pink filled her cheeks. With a twinkle in her eyes, Lorna looked around the common area beyond the elevator, no doubt verifying that we were alone. Her tone lowered. “No, Mr. Murray, it won’t.” Her smile dimmed and her breasts moved with her respiration. “We can have this conversation another time, maybe when Madeline and Patrick aren’t about to be parents again or you aren’t out for revenge. You know that I haven’t taken birth control in over seven months. Maybe we should face the possibility that having a child might not be in our future, but” —she forced a smile— “I can make a kick-ass surrogate aunt to this little boy and Sparrow and Araneae’s baby.”
Though the doctor said we were prematurely concerned, we’d had a few preliminary tests run. There was no detectable issue stopping Lorna from getting pregnant, and my swimmers were given the doctor’s seal of approval. So far, we simply hadn’t conceived.
My chest twisted with my wishing I hadn’t mentioned a child, at least not right now. “Sweetheart, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be,” Lorna said. “Let’s not talk about it now.”
I nodded as she released my hand and walked toward Patrick and Madeline’s apartment door.
Before Lorna reached the barrier, it opened inward, and Ruby rushed out, rolling a travel suitcase behind her. “Hold the elevator,” she shouted.
Following the suitcase were both of her parents. Madeline’s fingers blanched as her grip of Patrick’s hand tightened. Her expression was contorted as she blew short puffs of air.
“Ruby, please keep us posted,” Lorna said. “Text me or your aunt.”
Excitement sparkled in Ruby’s blue eyes while her lips tightened with worry. “The last time Mom did this she was my age.”
Lorna turned to Madeline. “Every eighteen years.”
Madeline shook her head, her expression softening. “I’m afraid I will be too old in another eighteen years.” Her hand went to her midsection as her eyes went to Patrick. “I can’t believe this is real, that we’re doing this together.”
I stepped from the elevator. “Go, because I don’t think you want one of us delivering your son.”
Patrick slapped my shoulder. “Thank you. I’ll keep you updated. Let me know how the security is going.”
“I sure will.”
As the elevator doors began to shut, Patrick reached out and stopped them. “Reid, I began searching for that money trail we discussed this morning. You’ll see some programs running on my computers on 2.”
“Everything else can wait, Patrick. Go, Reid Kelly is ready to meet his mom and dad.”
Patrick smiled as the doors shut.
“Do you know the name they chose?”
“No. They’ve both been very tight-lipped about it.”
“I’m sorry if we never have a little Reid.”
Wrapping my arm around Lorna’s waist, I pulled her close. “I don’t need a little Reid. As a matter of fact, I don’t think I’d want to name a son after me.” My mind went to Little Gordy and the way Gordon Maples boasted about having a son. “I think it would be good to give a boy or a girl their own identity.”
For the moment, we were stuck on our floor, waiting for the elevator to return.
There were stairs for safety purposes, but the stairwell was monitored, physically blocked by faux decor—much like the elevator in the penthouse was hidden behind a pocket door—and attached to a very loud alarm. If Sparrow could have constructed the tower without stairs, he would have done it. The fact that they’re well-hidden and protected was completely due to his need to keep the tower safe.
Going to the elevator, I scanned my palm again, telling it to return once Madeline, Ruby, and Patrick were in the garage and hopefully in Garrett’s car under protection.
“I need to get back upstairs and clean the kitchen,” Lorna said.
“I’ll be on 2. And with the baby coming, no one will be leaving town.”
“I like that.”
When the doors opened again, the elevator was empty. Lorna and I entered.