But it turns out there’s a new elephant in the room, and the pack isn’t so sure where they stand when it comes to giving birth.
“Wait.” I spin around to go after her, but the door’s already closed.
That’s probably for the best. This isn’t the time to start long conversations about when we should take the next step in our relationship. I should just focus on the wedding, and deal with this what-if later.
“You want me to go find her, Daddy?” Amelia asks.
Yes.
But no. Not now.
Instead, I launch myself at my daughter and wrap my arms around her in a big bear hug.
“How ’bout we spend some time just you and me before you go to hang out with the girls?” I reply, and as we play animal trivia and discuss Amelia’s latest favorite books, I’m as present as I can be.
But all the while, her question replays in my mind.
When are you going to have a baby?
I thought I knew the answer, but it turns out, I don’t.
And that conversation that should have been quite easy?
It’s really damn difficult.
23
Ransom
I am most definitely a mantra guy.
But I don’t need a mantra to tell me this: My wife-to-be is an undeniable babe. Also, she owns both my heart and my dick, because both are enjoying the photo of her on my screen. The light-blue dress clings to her curves in a way that is almost indecent.
Almost.
After all, indecent wasn’t the dress code for this afternoon’s wedding.
Fitz gives a low, appreciative whistle as he sidles closer to me in the private bar area and glances at my phone. “No idea how such a hot babe wound up with you, Ransom.”
“I could say the same thing about yourself.”
“It’s true. My man is hot AF,” Fitz says just as Dean joins us and slides his arm around his husband’s waist.
“You two are disgustingly in love,” I say dryly.
“Just like you,” Dean replies.
I raise my glass. “Madly and passionately. I am well and truly committed.”
“Did someone say you need to be committed?”
I grin at the sound of Logan’s voice and swivel my stool to face him and Oliver as they walk into the bar.
“Very funny.” Fitz stands and rolls up the sleeves on his button-down shirt before opening his arms out wide. “C’mere, asshole. Give me your last hug as a free man.”
“I’m getting married, not going to jail.” Logan laughs and claps him on the back, then slides onto the stool next to mine as he signals to the bartender for a round of drinks.
But there’s something slightly off about him. This doesn’t seem like the same man who gave me a pep talk about marriage all those months ago in the park.
Interesting.
“Where’s your lovely little lady?” Dean asks Logan.
“I just dropped Amelia off with the girls,” Logan replies as the bartender places five beers in front of us and we raise them in a toast.
“To Logan, the man of the hour,” I call out. “May you enjoy a long and happy marriage. And may said marriage not impede on your ability to commit to paintball or laser tag or kickball.”
“Hear, hear,” calls Fitz, and after our glasses clink together, Logan takes a sip.
A long sip.
Then another one.
“You okay there, man?” I ask, setting my beer on the counter.
“Yeah. Fine. I’m good.” He nods. “I’m okay.”
“You sure?” I narrow my brows.
He nods, but he doesn’t meet my gaze. “Yeah. I’m fine.”
“Do you think he’s fine?” Oliver deadpans.
“I think he might not be fine,” Dean replies. “But cut him some slack. It’s not every day you get hitched.”
“It’s not.” I shake my head, checking out the scene, kind of amazed. “Whoever thought this would happen? All of us studs, married or getting married.”
“I, too, am amazed you’ve found someone to put up with you.” Oliver needles me, but his eyes are on Logan.
Mine are too.
Is he simply a bit nervous? Maybe. He’s been married once before. Perhaps he’s worried that the second time around won’t be a charm.
Nah. I dismiss the idea with another sip of beer. Logan’s head over heels for Bryn. No way that could be it.
“Have you and Teagan set a wedding date yet?” Fitz asks me, changing the subject.
“This summer.” My shoulders pull back a little in pride. “We want to have a baby soon, so we thought we should tie the knot first.”
“Congrats, bro. Can’t wait to meet the little Norths.” Fitz holds out a fist to bump, and I meet it.
“How did you know that was what you wanted?” Logan asks, intensely serious.
I almost spit my beer across the counter. What?
“Dude, that’s a little out of the blue.” I laugh. “But to answer your question, we both want kids. Always have. I love my sisters, and I’m super close to them, and Teagan wants a family too. We really want to start one together.”
