would be like?” He kissed my neck. “Are you going in to see your sister?”
My heart was racing. Wedding?
Babies.
His baby—ours?
No, she was his. Technically.
But God, she felt like mine. Maybe she would be the only baby that would ever be mine.
Nothing seemed as important and amazing as the love I had for this man. But would it still be the same when he found out that maybe all of this wouldn’t be part of our future? That we could only share it with others. Could I really take that from him?
He’d flourished so much since Sami had come into his—our—life.
Dios, I couldn’t think. I couldn’t breathe around all the joy and emotion overflowing in the room.
I nodded, but I took a moment to hold him closer, to press my cheek against his warm, bearded one. The earthy scent of him wrapped around me as surely as the warmth from his arms and chest.
“I need to see Ric. Sisters.”
He kissed my temple. “Understood. I need to do the blood test for my lawyer. I’m going to duck downstairs before the lab closes for the day. See if they can get me in.”
I turned in his arms and hugged him. “I’m so glad you’re getting a little closer to her being yours. Not that she isn’t already.”
He drew back and cupped my face. “She’s as much yours as she is mine. And not because I expect you to step into the role, but because you were made for it, Bee.”
Oh, how I wished I was. But I would always feel like Sami was mine. Even if there was no future for her father and I, she’d always know how much I loved her.
He frowned. “What’s wrong?”
I shook my head and sniffed back the tears that wanted to come. “I’m just a little overwhelmed.”
Seeing Jake’s happiness at being a father had brought all of what I was hiding into sharp focus. I didn’t want to shut off any roads for Jared and being with me might mean he’d only be a dad to one.
Could I do that to him?
“Hey, Tia Bee. Let’s go before the animals bust in there,” Gabby called from just outside the waiting room. “I need to get my hands on that baby.”
I covered his hands on my face, the tears falling anyway. “Guess that Tia Bee is going to stick.”
“As well it should.” He leaned in and kissed me quick. “Go enjoy. I’ll be here waiting for you.”
“Okay. Good luck.”
“Gina!”
I crossed my eyes at Brooks, gave him a goofy grin, and then backed away and ran to my sister.
The hallway down to the private rooms was much quieter. Grumbles and congratulations and the general chaos of a full room made everything seem even more solemn.
“She’s in 409.” Gabby grabbed my hand and dragged me after her.
Outside the door to Erica’s room was a sweet little elephant on a tiny shelf below the number. A little blue flag was tucked in the end of his trunk.
Gabby’s face went utterly soft. “Aww. I can’t with this place. It’s like a complete mom overkill with cuteness.”
She peeked in the skinny window and another squeak came out. “She’s doing the boob thing. Should we wait? You know, bonding and shit?”
“I’m sure she won’t care.” I knocked and Erica looked up from the little bundle in her arms to wave us in. “Hey.”
Gabby blasted by me. “Oh, Ric.” She slapped her hand over her mouth. “I knew you’d have the cutest baby, but wow.” She sat beside her on the bed. “He’s the most handsome baby in all the world.”
Erica lightly stroked the dark hair swirling around the crown of his head. “I might be a little biased, but I agree.”
I peeked over Gabby’s shoulder and my heart melted. His little eyelids were still swollen from the whole birthing thing. He was a golden pink and utterly perfect—even if he looked a bit like a wrinkled old man.
His little fingers had ridiculous nails already. They curled tight against the skin of my sister’s breast.
“Guess he took to the whole food source thing quick, huh?”
“Boob man like his dad.”
I giggled and a tear slipped down my face. I didn’t even realize I was crying until it dripped off my chin. “You did good.”
Ric gave me a soft smile. “Little Leo was in a hurry to be born. His mama didn’t even get to have any drugs.” Her voice was soft and singsongy.
“Oh, no.” Gabby shoved Erica’s legs over a little so she could sit cross-legged.