“There’s a baby in Mommy’s belly.”I place my hand on Winnie’s stomach again, hoping Tali will understand.
We’ve never referred to Winnie as Mommy before, but I think it’s about time we start.
“Win-Win Mommy?”Tali glances at me.
“Yeah, Win-Win is your new mommy and she’s having a baby.”
“My baby?”
“Yes, sweetie.You’re going to have a baby brother or sister.”Winnie brushes the hair away from Tali’s face.I didn’t tell her I want Tali to refer to her as mommy from now on, this is all being sprung on her.A tear slips down her cheek, but she’s happier than I’ve ever seen her before.
“I love Mommy.”Tali leans forward and hugs Winnie.
“I love Tali,” Winnie whispers.
“I love Daddy and baby too.”Tali tries to put her hand on Winnie’s stomach.I'm not sure if she fully understands what’s going on, but she seems to.
“How far along are you?”Lils speaks up first.
“Ten weeks.”Winnie brushes the moisture from her cheeks and glances at our friends.
“Jeez, is the baby ok after the accident?”Smithy runs his hands through his hair.
“Yeah, we just had another checkup.Everything is ok right now.”I pull Winnie into my side and press a kiss to her head.“Winnie was a rock star that day.She protected both of my kids even with her life on the line.I’ll forever be grateful for what she did.She’s an amazing mom and I couldn’t ask for a better mother to my children.I couldn’t ask for a better wife.”
“You’re getting married?”Wheeler’s brows furrow as he watches us.I'm not sure if he thought he had a chance or if he just didn’t know yet.“And you’re pregnant?”
“Jamie proposed when I showed up on his doorstep to talk… Wait, how did you already have a ring?”She pulls away from me and stares up at me.
“Because I was planning on asking you the day after the accident.I had a romantic evening planned and Liliana was going to babysit Tali so we could have some time alone.”
Liliana nods her head, confirming I really was planning on proposing before all of this happened.
“It wasn’t just because you felt bad?”She blinks up at me.
“Is that really what you thought?”I arch a brow.
“I'm not sure what I thought.I just… I didn’t think about it.”
“Baby, I love you.I think I’ve loved you since the first day you watched Tali.She was so happy with you and I realized you were exactly what our family was missing.”
“You guys are exactly what my life was missing,” she whispers.
I lean down and press my lips to hers.I don’t care if we have an audience or if Tali’s in my arms.I'll show the woman I love how much she means to me whenever I want to.
Tali presses a kiss to my cheek, then to Winnie’s, making all of us chuckle.
Chapter 33
Winnie
TaliandIwaitin the hallway for Jamie to come out of the locker room.Tonight was the last game of the regular season and he did an amazing job.All of the Pit Bulls did.
Now, they need to keep it going through the post season.I think they might have a shot at the World Series this year.
“How are you feeling, Winnie?”Owen approaches me and gives me a gentle hug.
“I'm hanging in there, but I'm really ready for this baby to be born.”I place my hand over my round stomach and shake my head.
