Misconception (Coming Home)

“I’m sorry.” Riley turns to me. “I’m sorry you missed the pregnancy and him being born. I wish I could take it all back. I wish I had written a letter every day until I heard from you. I wish I would have told the people we love so they could have told you too. I have so many regrets.”

“It’s all in the past, Riles. We’re moving forward. No one hates you for the choices that you made. Certainly not me. It happened, and we’re where we are supposed to be now.”

“Yeah, changing a diaper,” April says, lifting Hayes away from her body.

“Yeah, he does that.” Raven laughs.

Riley stands, and so do I. “What are you doing?”

“He needs his diaper changed.”

“I can handle it.”

“I know you can, but I’ve missed out on enough. I told you that we’re in this together, and I meant it.”

“I don’t know, man. You might want to sit this one out,” Brett says, scrunching up his nose and backing away from the couch. “How can something so cute and so tiny smell that bad?”

“It’s the formula.” Riley laughs as she takes Hayes from April’s arms. “Come on, bub. Let’s get you changed.”

I follow her down the hall to the nursery. The one that was painted and the furniture assembled by my friends. I will remember that when they have their children and repay the favor. I’m glad she had them.

“You want me to do it?” I ask her.

“No, I can get it. You should go chat with everyone. It’s been a while since we’ve all been together.”

“They’ll be there when we’re done.” I move to stand next to her and place my hand on the small of her back while offering Hayes my index finger. He grips hard, and it reminds me of the day they were leaving the hospital. We did the same thing that day, and I felt something move inside my chest. I didn’t understand it at the time, but now I do.

He’s my boy.

Riley works quickly and efficiently, changing the dirty diaper with no mess, and is zipping him back up in his outfit in no time at all. She lifts him from the table and turns to face me. My hand that’s on the small of her back pulls her close. I press my lips to her forehead. “I love you.”

Her eyes soften and become glassy. “I love you too.”

“Marry me.” I know I’m not asking her like I should be. I know I need to get a ring, but I also know she’s going to keep telling me no. At least until she figures out that I would be asking her even if we didn’t make this handsome little boy she’s holding. I’m asking her because I can’t imagine my life without her. Without either of them.

“One day at a time, Daddy.” She shakes her head.

“I’m not going to stop asking you.”

“Let’s just see how it goes, okay?”

“Can you at least tell me you’re mine? I know you are your own person, but my girl? My girlfriend, baby momma, soon-to-be fiancée?” I ask.

“How about we’re together? Neither one of us is seeing anyone else, and we take it day by day.”

“No dice.” I shake my head. “I’m all yours, Riley. I need to know someone isn’t going to swoop in and steal my family.”

Her shoulders relax, and I know I’ve gotten through to her. “Okay.”

“You’re my girl?”

“Yeah, Hudson, I’m your girl.”

“I can’t wait to marry you,” I say, and she dissolves into laughter.

“Hayes, tell Daddy he’s crazy.”

“Crazy in love, my boy. Crazy in love.”

CHAPTER 23

Riley

My hands are fisted on my lap as we pull up to Hudson’s parents’ house. I’ve been here many times over the years. I’ve been to dinners, celebrated holidays and birthdays, and numerous other things. Janice and Rick are like my second parents. I love them both, and there is a heavy load sitting on my chest when I think about what I’m about to do. I lied to them as well. I denied them their first grandchild, and the thought of them never forgiving me is terrifying.

Hudson turns off his truck and spins to face me. “Baby, they love you. We’ll explain it all to them, and it will be fine. Do you trust me?”

“I trust you, Hud, but you don’t know how they’re going to feel. Your mom gave me your blanket. It was for her grandson, and she didn’t know it.” Hot tears burn my eyes.

“It’s not like you kept us from him for years. He’s not even a week old yet. Let’s go inside and put it out there. No matter what happens, I’m in your corner.”

“You can’t choose me over your parents.”

“I can choose you and our son over everything. My parents built their family, and now I’m building mine. That sounds harsh, and it’s not meant to be, but nothing comes before you and Hayes. Nothing. Trust me, Riles, it’s going to be just fine. Let me help you out of the truck, and then I’ll get our boy.” He presses a kiss to the corner of my mouth, snatches his keys and phone, and hops out of the truck.