Page 121 of Too Sweet
She props Noah on her hip, wiggling her ring finger in my face. “You’re not getting a baby until this finger is dressed.”
Little does she know I already have a ring. Grandma gave it to me a couple of months ago when I picked Mia up from the weekly Bridge session.
It’s in the safe, waiting for... fuck knows what for.
For Mia to finish college, I guess.
My grandmother pulls me aside while Mia’s helping Kenneth and my grandad clear the table.
“I have something for you,” she says, squeezing my hand as she glances over her shoulder at Mia. “I’m glad you found her. She’s a good person, kind with a big heart.”
“I got lucky.”
She pinches her mouth like she wants to agree, but not aloud.
I get it. Now that my head is clear of the clutter, I realize I’ve been all over the place the past ten years, slowly losing sight of what’s important and paying too much attention to work.
Mia evened out the field. She helped me find balance, tamed my chaotic personality, and helped me forge one clear path through life instead of eight at a time.
Grandma slides her engagement ring off her finger, glancing around to make sure no one saw as she pushes it into my hand.
My pulse soars, kicking into a disorganized thrum, a sense of panic seizing my muscles. “That... it’s—” I stutter, closing my fist around the emerald. “Why?” I finally ask although that’s not close enough to thewhat the fuck, Grandma?dancing at the tip of my tongue.
“This ring is supposed to stay in the family, Nico. I wanted to give it to Shawn because he’s the oldest, but it wouldn’t suit Jack.”
I step from one foot to another, my hand still between us, as I open my fingers, taking a closer look. It’s a simple ring, nothing fancy. Not a diamond like I’d choose if I thought of proposing, but the emerald means more than any diamond I’d ever find.
Still, I shouldn’t be the one getting Grandma’s ring. I’ve got two older brothers already engaged or married, and Logan’s planning to propose soon. Why isn’t he getting the family heirloom? Why didn’t Theo?
“What about Theo or Logan? Why are you giving this to me? Why not them? Why not one of the triplets?”
She smiles fondly. “I love Mia like she’s my own, honey. I love Cassidy, and Thalia, too, but Mia has a special place in my heart.” She glances over her shoulder, looking at Grandad and Mia talking by the piano. “It’s thanks to her that Grandad agreed to retire, and I’m sure you’ve noticed it made a difference. He’s happy, Nico. He’s enjoying life for the first time in years.” She wraps her arms around me, curving herself into my chest for a quick hug. “Whenever you’re ready.”
My chest squeezes tightly. I’m grateful. I don’t think I’ve ever felt this grateful, but it’s too fucking soon. We’ve only been dating a few months.
“Thank you. You’ll be the first to know when the time comes.”
“Don’t rush, but don’t wait too long.” She points at herself with a cheeky grin. “You’ll be old sooner than you think.”
“Dress that finger whenever, but no babies until she finishes college,” Jimmy warns, joining Toby in the kitchen.
“It’s my life, Daddy,” Mia shoots back. “You were sixteen when Aisha was born. If I got pregnant now, I’d be—”
“You’ll be pregnant in half an hour if you don’t stop talking.” I gently push her toward the bedroom. The image of her, round with my baby...nope. Not going there again. It’s too soon. She’s too young. “Deal with the diaper, Mia.”
The first time I saw her holding Noah was enough to wake my paternal instinct, stirring brand-new hell inside my head.
We were at my parents’ house. Mom played the piano, and everyone was scattered around the living room, chatting.
I sat on the couch, watching Mia on the other side of the room with Noah in her arms. He grasped a thick tangle of her blonde locks, and Cassidy jumped to the rescue, unclasping his little fist before he tore Mia’s hair out.
“What’s wrong?” Logan asks, plopping down beside me. “You’re looking at Mia like it’s the first time you see her.”
“It is the first time I see her like this.” I motion my chin toward her, squeezing my glass tighter. “She’s too young.”
He turns to me, eyebrow raised as he quietly says, “No way... you want her pregnant? You want kids? I never pictured you as a dad.”
The images of Mia with a bump flicker before my eyes, and even though it’s not happening yet, my protectiveness kicks up some more. I’ll be fucking unbearable when she’ll be carrying my child. It’s good that I’ve got enough cash in the bank to last three lifetimes because I’ll be breathing down Mia’s neck for nine months straight.
