Page 129 of Finding Hayes
“What’s that?”
“Well, the reason I didn’t want kids was because I feared I would fail at it. Fail at being a father. I wouldn’t want to put my kids through what I went through growing up. But he reminded me that I’d been more of a father to Saylor than I’d realized. I’d already proven I would be better at it than my parents were, because she’s fucking amazing. So, I’ve got this, Sav. I’m going to do my best to be a good father to our children, and they’re already winning because they’ll have the best mom anyone could ask for.”
“This is all I needed to hear,” I said over the sobs escaping my throat. “I just wanted you to stay. To be here with us.”
“I’m not going anywhere, baby.” He pulled me close and wrapped his arms around me. “I love you, and I love our babies that are growing in your belly. I love the life we’re building together. It’s a life I never dreamed of, and that’s all because of you.”
“Me, too.”
“This will be something positive for your father to fight for, too. Knowing he has grandchildren on the way. Old people live for that shit.” He chuckled.
I looked up at him. “I haven’t told him yet. I haven’t told a soul. I wanted to tell you first, but I couldn’t do it over the phone.”
“Well, then, let’s go tell him the good news, and then I’ll book myself a ticket and take you home.”
I nodded as he scooped up his duffle bag and intertwined our fingers.
“Let’s go.”
And we walked hand in hand down the bridgeway toward where my father was receiving treatment.
Today had ended up being filled with more good news than anyone had expected.
And that felt damn good.
thirty-five
. . .
Hayes
“I still can’t believewe’re moving in here. You made some awfully big decisions without me, Captain,” she said, as we walked toward the barn.
“Well, that serves you right for not taking my calls.” I chuckled before turning to look at her. “When Nash and I came out here to talk about a few things that I’m about to show you, I saw it, Sav.”
“You saw what?”
“Our life here at this farmhouse. I saw us filling those bedrooms with a bunch of rug rats, and”—I scratched the back of my neck and looked out at the acres of green—“I could see our family growing here. Before you even told me you were pregnant, I saw it. And it’s a damn good life.”
She tilted her head to the side and smiled. “It’s a damn good life, hubby.”
“Come on, let me show you my plan for the barn.” I led her inside, where there was a rectangular table in the middle with the drawings that Nash and King had had drawn up by their architect.
“Don’t tell me you want horses. You hate riding.” She chuckled.
“Nope. If you want horses at some point, we’ve got plenty of land to build another barn. But this structure is sound, and right now, it fills a need for something more important.” I stopped at the table and tapped on the drawings. “We’ll add dry wall and a private drive and do a full renovation on this place. And that way, you’ll have your business right here on our property.”
Her eyes widened, and she studied the plans. “Oh, my gosh, you want to turn this into my office space? This is brilliant. I love it.”
“I had the architect add in this little enclosed area over here after you told me about the babies. We can make a little nursery in here so when you’re working, you can have the babies out here with you. And when I’m not at the firehouse, they’ll be with me in the main house. And if you want to hire a nanny on the days you’re working and I’m not around, that works, too. I just wanted you to have options.”
She just stared at me as she shook her head. “Wow. You’ve thought of everything.”
“I want you to know we’re in this together.”
“I know we are. And I love that you aren’t assuming I’d stop working and that you took the time to think of all the different scenarios.”
“Two kids are a lot, Shortcake.”
