“I was thinking that I really like it out here.”
“I like it out here, too. I think of this house as more of a home than the penthouse,” Jameson said.
“I don’t know. I like being able to change things up a bit. It’s like there’s a separation of business life and personal life having both places,” Jax added.
Jameson squeezed her hand and brought it up to his lips. He kissed the knuckles as he held her gaze. “This is a great place to raise a family.”
She felt her heart race and her belly flutter. She smiled.
“Oh yeah, it will be wonderful to raise a family out here. The schools are really good, too,” Jax added.
Mariana thought about that and about the life her unborn child or children might have. Especially with fathers like Jax and Jamison. Then came the feeling of fear gripping her insides.
“I know you two will make great fathers, but do you–do you think I’ll make a good mommy someday?”
Jax sat forward. “Are you kidding me? You’re going to be an
awesome mom. You’re so loving and caring and in tune to people. You’ll be fantastic.”
She smiled at his show of support and encouragement. This was what being parents was all about. They needed to communicate and talk things through.
She thought about her mother, and then suddenly she thought about Freda.
Mariana sat forward. Her jaw dropped as the tears hit her eyes.
“What’s wrong?” Jameson asked. She looked at him and then at Jax.
“It’s crazy, but the moment I thought about my mom, Freda popped into my head.”
“Freda, really?” Jax asked.
“Sure she did. She loves you like a daughter already. I’ve never seen her so concerned over anyone ever,” Jameson told her. That just validated her emotions.
“I like her a lot. I think she would love being part of my life, of our lives, especially if there is a baby involved. She can be like the grandmother,” Mariana said then chuckled.
“I think she would love that,” Jameson said.
“I think we should go to the drug store, get a test kit, and just find out if you’re pregnant or not already. This is ridiculous,” Jax said then stood up.
Mariana smiled.
“I was supposed to get my period yesterday. I’m game if you two are.”
Jameson smiled.
“Let’s get some breakfast and take the drive into town. We’re only here a few more days until the art gala event at the community college that Rothesburgh is hosting,” Jax said. They stood up and headed into the house. Mariana smiled as she covered her belly with her hand. She was pregnant, and she just knew she was.
* * * *
Mariana, Jax, and Jameson were back in Houston for the art exhibit. Mariana made plans to have lunch with Freda, so Jameson dropped her off at the estate. She was sitting in the dining room along with Freda, and they were talking about the house in the country and about Casper’s.
“They are a great group of young men. They all had a difficult time serving in the military. I’m glad that you, Jax, and Jameson had time to spend together,” Freda said then smiled.
Mariana felt so comfortable with Freda, she wanted the woman to be part of her celebration and her future.
“Freda, I’m moving in with Jax and Jameson and probably going to be living at the house in the country more often than the penthouse.”
“That’s wonderful news,” Freda said but then seemed to be sad. Mariana reached over and covered her hand with her own. She held Freda’s gaze and smiled.