His eyes narrow and he ignores me.
I sigh. “Jace, it’s exhausting trying to have a conversation with you.”
He offers me a genuine smile, lighting his eyes. “Your life is more exciting than mine.”
“I don’t think so, and I think I’m going to get Ryder to take me down to the field after this one arrives so I can check her out. I’ll find out what’s going on with her.” I ignore his frown. “Ryder’s told me she’s always drooling over you.” I grin as I notice his blush.
“At least I’m safe for a while as baby isn’t due for at least another week.”
Little does he know.
“Um, Jace, about that.” I wince.
“About what?”
“My baby. I think she’s going to be here before the week’s out, actually, I think she’s going to be here before the weekend is over.”
He looks back at me and drops the hammer.
“Fuck. You sure?”
“Yeah, I am. Can we, um, maybe call Suzie before we tell Ryder, because I have a feeling he’s going to panic more than me?”
“I’ll call her. Where’s your bag?”
“Bedroom.”
Jace disappears and five minutes later, he reappears with my bag in hand.
Before he can move toward me, the apartment door bursts open and Ryder dashes through.
“She’s coming,” he says, breathless.
“She is.”
Epilogue ~ July
Ryder
Our beautiful daughter arrived an hour ago, and I don’t think it’s actually sunk in yet. I’m responsible for the little bundle currently being cleaned up along with her mama.
Faith Louise Stone, let her presence be known the minute she left Dahlia’s body. Her tiny face had been scrunched up, her fists clenched as she screamed her lungs out. Frightened the shit outta me. The nurse reassured us that it was a good thing while she passed our daughter to her mama.
Both Dahlia and I smiled through our tears of joy as Faith settled down and took on a somber expression. She’d been doing some looking of her own¸ her eyes wide as she took in this strange new world.
My heart feels so full of love for both my girls that I think I might be in shock or something. I can barely move from the spot in the waiting room where I’m supposed to be making some calls, having already got my call to an excited Max out of the way, while they transfer Dahlia and Faith to a private room.
I’m a father, who’d have thought?
“Do you think he can hear us?” Jace asks, waving his hand in front of my face, which brings my attention back to him.
“Don’t be a dick.” I knock his hand away.
I’m good really, although I’m not sure if my legs will still hold me up if I tried. Not only am I exhausted from not sleeping throughout the night, but, holy fuck, I’m a daddy.
I grin, which I’m sure looks wrong, when Jace gives me a strange look.
The door opening distracts me, and Mom and Dad come into the waiting room.