“You’re welcome,” she said in a sassy, cute tone. “But that was as much for me as it was for you.”
“You planned to have me all along, didn’t you?”
“It’s why I brushed my teeth and peed first thing.” She raised her head to look at me. “We needed to connect, honey. With everything going on, it’s easy to forget about each other.”
“I never forget about you.”
“I know. But I’ve been preoccupied and haven’t been available.” She grimaced. “I’m sorry, love.”
“Don’t apologize.” I squeezed her tightly. “Even when life gets crazy, we’ll always have each other’s backs. I’m here for you, baby.”
“And I’m here for you.” She took my hand and placed it on her stomach.
“Tina?” A breath caught in my throat, emotion building in my chest. There were only two times she had put my hand on her stomach. Both times were her way of telling me she was pregnant.
“We’re not too old, Raul. The proof is right here.” She covered my hand with hers. “Are you angry?”
“No, mama. I’m not angry, just surprised.” I kissed her softly. What timing. Next week, all hell would break loose, and there was no telling how it would all play out. I was already out of my mind with worry for Tina. Now there was another person to protect. “You’re really pregnant?”
“Yes. Let’s keep it between us, though. Just until the dust settles, okay?”
“Anything you want.”
“You’re not upset about the baby?” The way she saidbabymade it all real.
“I’m not upset. How far along are you?” Another baby? I couldn’t believe it, and at my age? People would think I was the grandpa, but Tina could pull it off at only thirty-nine.
“Nine weeks.”
“What? And you’re just telling me now? Why?”
“Don’t get upset, Raul. Remember your blood pressure.”
“Jesus, Tina. You should’ve told me when you missed your period.”
“And I would have if I suspected you knocked me up again. But you know my periods are late sometimes, and well…” She exhaled a heavy breath. “I barely took the pregnancy test yesterday. Doc did an ultrasound to confirm it. So technically, it hasn’t been that long.”
I growled low in my throat.
“We’re having a Christmas baby, honey. I’m so happy. It’s like God knew I needed to have another baby. I only hope it isn’t because things will go south with our children in Montana. I’m preparing my heart either way.”
“A baby is always a blessing, sweetheart.” I relaxed as I processed her words. If Brynne rejected Tina, it would destroy her. But a baby could mend her broken heart.
“My thoughts exactly.”
“Just know, I’m going to keep a close eye on you and keep you out of the line of fire.”
“I know, Raul. I won’t do anything to put our baby in danger.”
I stroked her back lightly. No wonder she beamed brighter than the sun. Perhaps her weepiness was due to pregnancy hormones. That made more sense. Tina had a tender heart and cried easily, but she had become one of the strongest women I knew. I was relieved that the baby was the reason for her tears.
“I think it’s a boy.”
I looked at her beautiful face. “Really?”
“Mhm.” She flashed me a brilliant smile. “I just have this feeling.”
My chest tightened as I remembered a sad time in our lives. We were thrilled when Tina found out she was pregnant three years after Valerie was born. The timing seemed to be perfect. Another baby would have completed our family, but a week after we found out we were having a boy and named him Izan, Tina miscarried. I hadn’t been so sad since losing Jessica. And Tina? It had taken her a long time to recover from the loss.