Changing Lines (Bellevue Bullies 5)

Jude moves his nose along my temple and says, “Name?”

I smile as I gaze down at the baby. “I don’t know that he is a River Phillip.”

Jude nods. “I was thinking the same.” He takes the baby’s hand, and his little fingers wrap around Jude’s. “I was always a fan of Harrison.”

“Oh, I did love Harrison.”

“Harry for short.”

“It’s so classic and adorable.”

“So,” he says slowly. “Harrison River Phillip Sinclair?”

I smile, loving it. “It’s a mouthful.”

“Yeah, but I think I love it.”

Tristan cries out a bit, and when I glance over to her, she’s giving us a thumbs-up. “I love it. Harrison. It’s good. Wholesome. He’ll be smart with that name.”

I shake my head as Jude laughs. I look down at my sweet Harrison and sigh. “Hello, Harrison. Mommy loves you so much.”

“So does Daddy,” Jude says then, and something inside me breaks. The waterworks start, and I hold Harrison closer to me. Jude wraps his arms around my waist, his hand coming to the back of Harrison’s head, and I close my eyes as the tears leak out. Jude leans into me, his lips at my ear. “Don’t you say you’re worthless ever again. We need you, all of you.”

I nod slowly as the tears drip off my chin. “Thank you. Really, Jude. For everything.”

He kisses my earlobe. “I married you for you. I love you because I want to. Nothing will ever change that, and don’t act like you haven’t been there for me through every injury, every stupid thing with my dad, or anything else that gets me upset. That’s what is so great about us. We’re a team.”

I turn my head so our eyes meet. “Now we have another teammate.”

His eyes are misty as he nods. “Yeah, and we always win, okay?” His voice is rough, gutting me as our lips meet. I never in my life thought I could feel such love, but I’m shaking with it. I’m overflowing with it. All my dreams are coming true in this little bundle of preciousness.

But even so, I’m worried for Tristan.

* * *

“I knew the kid was big. But nine pounds… Jeez, he’s made to be a hockey player, huh?”

I smile over at Tristan from where I am sending pictures to our family and updating my Instagram. They have taken Harrison for tests and to make sure he is totally okay. Of course, Jude isn’t leaving his side, and while I didn’t want to either, I knew I needed to talk to Tristan. “With a daddy like Jude, I’d say he’s destined.”

She nods as she brushes a curl out of her face. “That was awful, by the way. I don’t know if you want to do that.”

I cover her hand with mine. “My test came up negative today.”

She arches a brow. “I’m sorry. But there is still the blood test, right?”

I nod. “But I don’t feel confident about it.”

“I do,” she says, taking my hand with hers. “This will happen for you guys, and then I’ll come and tell you ‘I told you so. Shit hurts.’”

I laugh as I lace our fingers together. “Are you okay?”

“Well, my vagina still hurts, but yeah. I mean, I’m good. Tired.”

“Thank you, Tristan,” I say, my voice breaking. “I mean it. You have made all my dreams come true.”

She swallows hard as she nods. “I know, which is why this is so easy. He’s gonna be so much better off.”

“I will love him so damn much—”