“If it was us, would you want to know if the baby was a boy or a girl?” she asked.
He met her gaze, surprised by the question. They’d talked about everything and anything … except having children. “I don’t know. I haven’t given it any thought.” He paused, then asked, “Do you want kids?”
He held his breath. He’d always desired a family, but he hadn’t thought about kids since he and Sasha had gotten engaged. He’d been too busy enjoying her. But now that the subject was on the table, he did not want her to take the possibility away from them.
“Of course I do,” she said softly, squeezing his hand tight. “I want a little boy who looks like his daddy,” she murmured.
He grinned. “How about a girl with Mom’s blond hair and both of our blue eyes?”
She nodded, obviously happy with the idea. “But not quite yet, okay? I need time with you for a while. I want to build a solid foundation before we bring children into the mix.”
He nodded, in total agreement. “I also want you to have the time you need to establish our production company and fulfill your dream.” She’d spent too much time trying to succeed so her mother could validate her own existence.
“Xander, I wouldn’t put this career over us having a family any more than I would have chosen acting over us being together again. We’re a team. We’ll build a business, and when we’re ready, whenever that is, we’ll have kids.” She pushed herself up and kissed his lips before settling into the chair beside him again.
He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her against him, glancing up at the clock. Poor Linc. He must be losing his mind watching his wife in pain. The family had been here for three hours, but Linc and Jordan had been here for twenty hours now.
About forty minutes later, Linc stepped into the room, looking as exhausted as he was exhilarated. “It’s a boy!”
The room broke out in applause, whoops, and yells of congratulations. Everyone rose and shouted questions at him at once until Linc finally shushed everyone, raising his hands and indicating everyone should quiet down. No doubt Linc had to pull strings to get them all to be allowed to wait as it was.
“He’s healthy. Eight pounds, nine ounces and twenty inches long,” Linc said proudly.
“Oh, God, that’s a big baby,” Sasha muttered, causing Xander to chuckle and hug her in reassurance.
“What’s his name?” their mom asked.
“Jasper,” Linc said, still grinning.
“I love it!” Basically everyone said a version of the same thing and Xander chuckled.
“Can I see my daughter and grandson?” Tamara asked.
Xander stopped paying attention and glanced at Sasha. “Want to congratulate Linc and head home? There’s too many people here to get in to see them tonight.”
Sasha nodded. “We’ll make arrangements to visit when Jordan says it’s okay.”
Xander turned to see Dash hugging a wall near the back corner of the room. “Give me a minute?”
Her gaze landed on his brother and she nodded. “Of course.”
Xander headed over to Dash, who was shifting from foot to foot. “What’s going on?”
Dash shook his head. “Nothing.”
“Bullshit.” For a guy who was usually the life of the party and the loudest, happiest guy in the room, Dash was subdued. And it had nothing to do with the new addition to the family.
When Dash remained silent, Xander put a hand on his shoulder. “Do not make me beat it out of you in front of everyone. Talk to me. I’m here for you.”
Dash glanced up at him with glazed eyes, like he hadn’t slept in days. “Don’t judge me. And I don’t want to fucking hear it was bound to happen one day.”
Now Xander was worried. “Sounds like you’re doing enough of that to yourself.”
Dash inclined his head and spoke so low Xander had to lean close to hear. “Some woman claims I’m the father of her baby.”