JAX (The Beckett Boys #2) - Olivia Chase Page 0,60

okay?”

I sniffle and pull away, grabbing toilet paper to blow my nose. “Yeah, sorry.” We decided in the car that we’d wait to tell about the pregnancy for a little while, at least until I get into the doctor and make sure everything is okay. Besides, the news of our engagement is going to be enough of a shock for this visit.

We emerge from the bathroom to find Mom setting the table. I help her finish up, and we take our seats.

Jax sits on my left, and he reaches down and takes my hand, squeezes it. The gesture reminds me we’re a team and we can do this together. God, I love this man. “I got off on the wrong foot with you guys,” he says, his usual straightforward self. “I don’t blame you for your reaction. But I need to tell you that I love your daughter. I love her with everything in me. And I’m going to stay by her side.”

“Guys, we’re engaged,” I tell them, trying not to cringe in fear of their reaction.

There’s silence for a moment. Then, Della squeals. “Oh my God, seriously? Let me see the ring,” she demands.

I laugh. “Oh, no, we didn’t get one—”

“Actually, I wanted to wait until we were here to give it to you,” Jax says beside me, and I turn my head to look at him in confusion. On the table between us sits a black velvet box.

My heart surges to my throat, and I swallow hard. “What…is this?”

Mom says in her usual brusque tone, “Open it up, Brooklyn.” I turn to look at her but can’t tell what she’s feeling.

I crack the box open and see a rich green emerald with a white-gold band.

“I know it’s not a traditional diamond, but this reminded me of your eyes.” Jax takes the ring out and slides it on my finger.

“It fits,” I say in wonder.

“Hey, I do my research.”

“Well,” Dad says, standing up and walking around the table. “Let me congratulate you both.” He reaches out a hand and gives Jax a hearty shake. Then he pulls me into a hug.

“Thank you, Dad,” I whisper against him.

When I pull away, I see Mom standing beside me. A bunch of emotions are flying across her eyes. “I just want you to be happy,” she says.

“I am,” I tell her. “He’s not holding me back. He’s my support system.”

She turns to face Jax. “I’m sorry about your brother. And I’m sorry I blamed you for my daughter’s grades. That wasn’t fair.” She licks her lips. “I know we don’t know each other well, but I’d like the chance for us to.” She reaches up and gives him a hug, then hugs me, too. “Congrats to you both. I want all the best for you. I mean that.”

Cam, who’s in his high chair at the end of the table, begins clapping and laughing. That makes us all spin around and smile with him.

Dinner is a lighter affair. We laugh and talk as we eat. Jax shares stories about his brothers, and my parents chuckle at their adventures. They give kudos to his single dad, and Della opens up about embarrassing stories from my past…just to embarrass me. I reach across the table to slug her.

The whole time, I can’t stop staring at my ring.

“How long have you had this?” I ask him.

“A long time.” He smirks. “It took a lot of strength to wait on giving it to you, especially since I was afraid of losing it.” The inside joke about our first real interaction together makes me chuckle. “But I thought they might want to feel like they’re part of us, too.”

His thoughtfulness makes my heart erupt. “You’re the sweetest.”

“Don’t let that get around,” he teases. His gaze drops meaningfully to my belly. “I’m so excited to start a life with you.”

“I am, too,” I tell him.

We eat dessert, then Della busts out an old Jenga set we kept in the basement, and we play. Cam reaches over—he just wants to knock the whole thing down. I give him a block to play with, and he gnaws on it, drooling happily.

When it’s time for bed, Jax heads upstairs. I go to follow him but I’m stopped by my mom’s hand on my arm.

“So, how far along are you?” she drawls.

A hot flush crawls up my throat and across my cheeks. “How…did you know?” I can’t lie to her about it.

She rolls her eyes and laughs. “I wasn’t born yesterday. I’ve had