time and rest. As for her splenectomy, she lucked out and was able to have the procedure performed laparoscopically. This thankfully means her healing time will be shorter than the alternative method.
“It won’t be that bad,” I assure her.
Her eyes grow so wide I fear they’ll fall out of her head. “Do you hear yourself? She asked me if I was taking prenatal vitamins, Angel. Like for pregnancy.”
My body shakes with laughter and her glaring intensifies. “I told her I wasn’t pregnant. She assured me taking them ahead of time would be good for the baby.” She leans in and her voice grows louder, “THE BABY, ANGEL. She’s planning ahead for our hypothetical children!”
Two hours ago, Jax was damn near green at the thought of bringing Oakley to his mom’s house while we take care of business, but I wasn’t worried at all.
All Mama Mendez has ever wanted is for Jax to be happy, and I have to give it to the woman—she didn’t bat an eye when we walked in, hand in hand with Oakley in tow and announced we were together. In the time we’ve been here getting her settled, Mama has already started a slew of Mexican soul food and brought Oakley a steaming bowl of soup.
Before I can calm her, Mama Mendez comes in. Oakley’s mouth snaps shut and twists into a smile for the older woman. Mama sets another bowl of soup on the table next to Oakley.
She frowns when she sees the first bowl is still full. “Drink, drink. You need your strength.” She thrusts the bowl at Oakley, and I won’t be surprised if she offers to spoon feed it to her as well.
“Mama, leave her alone. She’ll drink the soup when she’s ready,” Jax says, coming to Oakley’s rescue. His mother’s face falls. Before we can blink, Oakley grabs the bowl from Mama Mendez’s hands and lifts the rim to her mouth, taking a healthy gulp.
“That’s so good,” she praises, and Mama beams.
“What are these herbs?” Oakley asks as she swirls the soup around in the bowl before taking another swallow.
Mama waits until she finishes the bowl before listing off several herbs and spices.
“Well, it’s delicious, thank you,” Oakley adds.
Excitement crosses Mama’s face and she clasps her hands to her chest. “It’s a recipe my mother passed down to me. A much healthier alternative to modern day fertility enhancers.”
Oakley pales. “I’m sorry?”
She explains, “The herbs in your soup, they’re all natural fertility enhancers.” Mama glances at me and Jax and winks before leaving the room.
“Are you kidding me?” Oakley looks like she may hyperventilate and Jax drops his hand from where it was pinching the bridge of his nose. He drops to his knee next to Oakley’s chair and takes her face in his hands.
“Do you not want children?” he asks softly, and my gut clenches. While we’ve never discussed it, I never considered the possibility that Oakley may not want to be a mom.
“I…” She pauses and looks between us. “Is that something you both want?”
“Yes,” we answer together.
Jax is quick to rush in. “But we also understand and respect your decision... if it’s not something you want,” he adds, and it takes me an immeasurable amount of restraint to keep from kicking him in the shin.
Confusion crosses her face. “But... how would that work? There’s two of you,” she points out.
We both nod and smirk, because… obviously.
“And one of me,” she reminds us.
I chuckle. “We’re quite aware, sweetheart.”
“Maddox—” she growls her adorable little growl that only makes her sound like a needy little sex kitten.
Jax clears his throat. “I think what Oakley is trying to say, Madd, is if she gets pregnant, obviously only one of us will be the biological father.”
Ah, now it makes sense.
Oakley nods, her teeth digging into her lip. I drop down and pull the abused flesh into my mouth and soothe it with my tongue. “Sweetheart… being in love with both of you means that even if Jax were to father our child, I wouldn’t love him or her any less.” Jax nods in agreement, and I continue, “If anything, I would love them more because they would be the embodiment of two parts of my soul.”
A choked sob startles us, and we all turn in time to see Mama rushing into the room, arms wide and tears streaming down her face. “I’m going to be a grandmama!” she screams, acting for all the world as if we just announced that Oakley is already carrying