“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner,” I say softly.
He shakes his head and winces. I tell him to stay still and stop talking, and he nods. I hide my smile as joy takes over. He’s okay. We’re okay.
“I’ll tell you about my mom later, what happened when I saw her, but the important part is I’ve chosen to move forward with you. Our family.”
“Tuck, shh. Rest, darling.” I card my fingers through his hair.
A few moments pass; then his eyes open wide, and he turns his head to me. “Francesca, we’re going to have a baby. I hope you know all the things because I don’t know shit about kids. I’m still trying to imagine her. I’m scared—not gonna lie. I never thought it would happen to me ...” A vulnerable look flashes over his face.
“When I get scared, I do this. Give me your hand again.”
I place his hand on my stomach and talk to her, telling her I adore her and her daddy does too. The baby kicks against him, and he starts, then smiles. I gaze up at him and see the wetness in his eyes. I scoot up and brush my lips over his.
He cups my scalp. “Thank you. Thank you for believing in me. For not giving up. We’re going to give her everything she needs. Two people who love her—”
Jasper sneaks into the room. He exhales. “Sorry to interrupt this touching moment, but I had to put my eye on you. Big T, you look like shit. Meh, I’ve seen worse. What about my arm, huh?”
“You pushed me,” Tuck grumbles.
“Sorry.” He puffs up his chest. “So if the baby is coming in June, I’ll still be around, yeah? Instead of moving out, you know, I’d be a great nanny until camp starts.”
Tuck narrows his eyes at him. “She won’t need a nanny. I’ll be there.”
“But I like babies!”
“She’s my daughter,” Tuck growls, and I hold up a hand.
“Okay, you can both change diapers and feed. It’s not a contest. Jasper, I don’t care if you stay until your place is ready. Now get out of here so I can kiss my baby daddy.”
He leaves, and I stare down at Tuck, taking him in. Harmony settles in my gut.
His gaze softens. “My brave little princess.”
“Yours. All yours.”
His arms wrap around me, and we hold each other. “Me and you and baby makes three,” he says softly. “Will you stay with me? Marry me?”
“You have a concussion.” I press my face into his throat and giggle. “You’re on meds, Mr.Avery, and while I love your ideas, we’ll chat later.”
“Jasper!” I come flying out of my and Tuck’s bedroom and into the den. “Where’s Tuck?”
“He left for a meeting with some investors.” He doesn’t take his eyes off the women’s volleyball game on TV. “You need me to make a french fry run?”
I stop in front of the screen, the only way to get his attention.
He peers around me. “Can you move a little to the left? Your ginormous belly is in the way.”
“That’s because I’m nine months pregnant and ready to give birth.”
He leans over to see the screen. “Uh-huh. Is everything all right? You aren’t due for another week.”
I take in a calm breath. “This is true, but a baby comes when it wants to. And this is a determined child.”
He tosses a Cheeto in his mouth.
“Jasper, I think I’m in labor.”
He munches. “Did you see how high that player jumped? Dude, these female volleyball players are kick ass.”