Enzo (Jinx Tattoos 1)
“No, but you can’t keep dodging work.”
“True.” He sighed.
They’d managed to rough out a schedule. At the moment, she was invested in a project with a local group of artists. She would watch Aoife while she worked from home, and once they felt comfortable, they’d begin the hunt for a nanny and figure out her hours.
“It’s like a Band-Aid, rip it off fast and it’ll hurt less.”
“You do remember my mother, right?” he asked.
She snickered. “Mine’s on cloud nine right now. Trust me, the engagement will counteract the baby,” she said, looking down at the baby he held in the carrier.
“We’ll see.” He rang the doorbell.
Rhys answered.
“Everyone’s here, man. You ready for the fireworks?”
“You’re enjoying yourself, aren’t you?” he asked.
“Immensely!” Rhys smirked, inviting them in as he kissed Aibhlinn’s check and closed the door behind him. “Mom’s in the kitchen and the guys are in the game room around the pool table. They’re between foster kids right now, so it’s just us.”
“Let’s go to Mom first,” he said.
They shrugged out of their coats, and removed a bundled up Aoife. She cooed at Aibhlinn and his heart melted. The hell he faced now was worth it. After he helped remove Aoife’s jacket, he placed a hand on Ave’s back as they walked through the living room.
He paused in the kitchen, studying his mother as she cleaned off the counter. “Give me a minute,” he said to her.
“Are you sure?”
He nodded, kissing her forehead. She walked back to the living room and he entered the kitchen. “Hey, Mom.”
His mother turned. “Enzo?” She frowned. “I thought you were bringing Aibhlinn with you?”
“I did, she’s waiting in the living room. I need to talk to you first.”
His mother set down the towel. “What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Well ... I have good news and bad news.”
“Bad news?”
“A few days ago I found out I fathered a baby. The mother has no interest in taking care of Aoife, so I now have full custody of her.”
His mother’s jaw dropped. “How could you be so careless?”
“Ma, I wasn’t. But things happen. Nothing’s one hundred percent, you know that.”
She looked up and sighed. “I know. I know. But this isn’t what I wanted for you.”
“I know, Ma. But it’s the best thing. I know it sounds crazy, but she’s a little miracle.”
His mother smiled. Tears made her brown eyes glisten. “And the good news?” she asked, sniffling.
“You finally got your wish. I asked Aibhlinn to marry me and she said yes.?
??
His mother let out a squeal and jumped up and down. “Yes! Finally!” She rushed to him and he lifted her into a bear hug, laughing.