Gage let out a heavy sigh. "I guess we'll find out when you're twenty-two."
Figuring it was time to put my husband out of his misery, I went into Maya's room to start our nightly bedtime ritual.Out in the living room after Maya fell asleep, I climbed into my husband's lap and wrapped my arms around his neck.
"Nice try suggesting Maya become a librarian," I teased.
He grimaced. "Why does it have to be acting?" he griped.
"Probably because it's in her blood," I chuckled.
"The press is too interested in her as it is. The thought of her being even more appealing to them makes me punchy."
I couldn't argue that. Gage and I did whatever we had to do to keep Maya out of the public eye, but from time to time, someone would catch us out and then sell a photo of her. Every time that happened, the cycle of interest in her would start all over again. To some extent, I could understand why people were interested in her. She was the most perfectly sweet little girl ever, both of her parents had won multiple Oscars, and her godparents were both Oscar winners as well.
I knew none of those things were the primary reason for the interest in her, though. The truth was that the public was fascinated by the fact that one-time confirmed bachelor Gage Ryan had become a loving and devoted husband and father. Seeing someone so adamantly opposed to marriage and children loving the experience of having both gave people hope that meeting the one could change their lives. There was nothing wrong with that.
"Maybe she'll change her mind," I said in an attempt to appease him.
He gave me a pointed look. "She's a mixture of us, beautiful. She gets her beauty, her sweet nature, and her smarts from you and her tenacity, stubbornness, and single-mindedness from me. We're doomed."
I couldn't hold back a giggle. "Probably," I admitted.
"Most actors segue to producing or directing at the end of their career. It looks like I'll be transitioning to full-time bodyguard duty," he said gruffly. "I'll do whatever it takes to make sure that no creepy lechers ever take advantage of her."
I smiled as I leaned in and dropped a soft kiss on his lips before I pulled back and spoke. "I won't lie—it's crazy hot watching you go into full-on overprotective dad mode."
He laughed and hugged me to him. "How about we take this to the bedroom, and you can show me just how hot it makes you?"
I laughed as I climbed off his lap, stood, and held my hand out for him. "Lead the way, Mr. Ryan."
He grinned as he took my hand and did just that.