Beau shrugs. “I’m a stranger. I’m glad he’s wary.”
I bite the corner of my lip. “I guess that’s true. He’s only really asked about his dad once, and I only briefly said that he was really far away. I didn’t want him to have any false hope.”
He nods. “I understand that. Thanks for not writing me off entirely.”
We stare at each other until my mom snaps her fingers.
“Someone help me. You can make googly eyes at each other later,” she says with a teasing smile.
I point my thumb over my shoulder. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to hang out with Theo. I’ve missed him.”
Beau shakes his head. “Of course. I understand completely.”
“Plus, it gives Beau and me time to talk, discuss what the future of this family looks like since I’ll more than likely be stuck in the middle,” my mom teases.
I give her a sad smile. “Sorry we ruined Christmas.”
Her eyes widen. “Are you kidding? Theo has his daddy. This is the best Christmas surprise.”
A laugh escapes me. “Right, a full-on miracle, huh?”
Beau gives us both a small smirk. “Maybe it just worked out the way it’s supposed to.”
Chapter 10
Kayla
“Good try, buddy!”Beau calls out as Theo chases the ball he didn’t manage to catch. He glances at me, a heated desire growing in his intense stare.
My hands rub at my growing bump, my shirt clinging to it.
“Stop doing that, or I’m going to call your mom to come get Theo so I can fuck you thoroughly,” he teases throatily.
I raise an eyebrow. “Don’t threaten me with a good time.”
He growls, turning his attention back to our son. “Throw it over here, bud!”
A smile breaks out when Theo attempts to toss the large rubber ball, but it only goes a few feet, and Beau directs him to try again. Theo runs in the opposite direction, causing Beau to take off after him.
I lift my hand, blocking my eyes from the sun as I watch them chase each other. It’s only been six months since Christmas, and I never imagined my life could be so perfect.
After we left the cabin, it was a tremulous few weeks dealing with Kendall, and she’s still fighting the divorce. But Beau doesn’t care. He packed up his life, bought a house down the street from my mother, and asked us to move in with him.
We told Theo about him being his dad. It took no time before their bond grew, and Theo adjusted to Beau being in his life. I don't think he grasps that he'll have a sibling soon, but I'm sure he'll be just as happy.
He loves having his own room, and it's more than I could have ever given him myself, which makes me sad for the years we both spent with less than we should have.
It’s everything I’ve ever wanted in our life, and while I had to forfeit any relationship with my sister, it hasn’t been a hardship on my part.
Nothing was going to repair that, especially since she knew who Beau was and kept him from Theo. She finally confessed that a co-worker of hers had found that he looked familiar after seeing the photo I sent, and then Kendall went to his work event and confirmed it, all in casual conversation about vacations.
The only thing she refused to share is why she kept it secret, why she chose to pursue him instead, and I’m sure she’ll never admit to it out loud. I gave up on caring why, focusing on the future we’re building instead of the years we lost.
Tossing a pod into the dishwasher, I close it before taking a moment to catch my breath. I never thought somethingas simple as loading that up would make me winded, but sometimes even talking is a lot as I grow larger with this baby.
I don’t remember struggling this much with Theo, but I also didn’t gain nearly as much weight. Fucking Beau and his need to feed me whatever I’m craving every day. The man refuses to tell me no.
Beau’s arms wrap around me, and he kisses my neck as he rubs my belly. I giggle, turning my head to kiss him back briefly before glancing behind him and realizing how quiet it is.
