He comes into view, not really searching for the missing envelope—too distracted by his ice cream. “Yeah. I saw it then. But I don’t see it here.” He slides into a chair at the table. “Anyway, Daddy, Grandpa said some big school is coming to Uncle Waylon and Uncle Owen’s game after Christmas. That if they want them, they’re going to be moving.” He frowns and buries his head in his ice cream.
Jade ruffles his hair. “We’ll visit them, and the boys will come home if it happens. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” She shoots me a look to say it’s probably happening.
Her brothers have made a name for themselves on the hockey circuit and will most likely be going to play in college soon, which will mean a big change for Bodhi. He loves Jade’s brothers.
“Let’s wait and see what happens. No matter what, we should be happy for them. They’ve worked really hard to get that opportunity,” I say.
Bodhi doesn’t respond.
Jade sits down next to him and rests her hands on her stomach, shoulders sagging. “I lost it.”
“I’m sure we can call the office tomorrow, right? I can pick another envelope up as soon as I get back.”
She doesn’t say anything. I’m pretty sure she’s retracing her steps from today in her head. “Yeah, that’s true. It’s not the end of the world. We probably lost the ultrasound pics, but maybe they have some way of retrieving them.” She smiles at me, then looks at Bodhi. “Okay, bud, time for bed.”
He groans, but when she gives him theI’m seriouslook, he slides off the chair and slides up on Jade’s lap, placing his hands on her belly. I tear up from the emotional turmoil of seeing my entire world through the phone.
“I’ll be up in a minute. Say good night to Daddy,” she says.
He hugs her tightly around the neck, then leans down, pressing his lips to her belly. “Good night, baby.” Then he turns to me and picks up the phone. I’ve never wanted to reach through a screen as much as I do right now. “Love you, Daddy. See you tomorrow.”
“Night, Bodhi. I love you.”
“I know.” He passes the phone to Jade, and I hear him run through the house toward the staircase.
“You must be exhausted.” I frown.
“My ankles are swollen, and my foot massager is on a Greyhound bus.” She smiles, and it lights up every cell in me.
“He’ll be there tomorrow night, and he’ll massage more than just your feet.”
“Careful there—you’re on a bus and I heard Conor’s seatmate doesn’t like him much. Someone will think you have a foot fetish and report it to the press.”
I chuckle. “Tweetie’s seat partner has been feeding him nonstop.” I glance at my seatmate—a guy who looks as if he’d rather sew his own lips shut than speak a word to me, which is fine with me. “Go get some sleep. I’ll fill you in on when I’ll be home in the morning.”
She sighs and runs her hand over her stomach. “We love you.”
“And I love you both. Sweet dreams, baby.”
She blows me a kiss. “Only of you.”
“Better be me.”
She laughs. “Well, I will say Hayes is kind of a charmer.” She gives me a saucy grin.
“Is he now?” I arch an eyebrow.
She nods. “A little too pretty-boy for me though.”
“Aren’t I a pretty boy?”
She scoffs. “You’re a hockey player. You’re rough and tumble. You play the hardest sport.”
I seesaw my head back and forth. “Hayes is the catcher, so he’s pretty badass and tough too.”
She laughs again. “Are you trying to pawn me off on him?”
“Never. You’re mine until my last breath.”
