“Sounds like he takes after his aunt,” I said, glancing at her. She was completely absorbed in watching him, and the contentment on her face created a warmth in my chest.
“I can’t believe he’s really mine,” she whispered, then looked up and caught me watching her. “For now. Until this is all sorted out.”
The possessiveness in her voice when she said “mine” told me everything I needed to know. She wasn’t giving up this baby without a fight.
The SUV came to a stop in the driveway. Cora was already reaching for the car seat handle, eager to get Elias inside.
“Let’s get him settled,” I said, though I found myself becoming a little anxious about her surprise.
I handed Thomas the diaper bag and helped Cora with the car seat. The baby was still sleeping peacefully, completely unaware that his entire world had just changed.
“I should probably put him down somewhere safe while I figure out where everything goes,” Cora said as we approached the front door. “Maybe the couch with pillows around him?”
I unlocked the door and stepped aside to let her enter first. “Actually, I have a better idea.”
She looked at me curiously as we walked through the living room. “What do you mean?”
My heart was beating faster than it should have been. I’d negotiated black market arms deals worth millions of dollars with less anxiety than this moment was causing me.
“Jason?” Cora’s voice held a note of concern. “What did you do?”
Thomas snorted behind us. “This is going to be good.”
I shot him a look over my shoulder before leading Cora up the stairs. “I may have… taken some liberties.”
“What kind of liberties?” She was walking more slowly now, the car seat handle gripped tighter in her hands.
I stopped in front of the third bedroom door and turned to face her. “Before you say anything, just remember that Elias needed these things. You didn’t have them, and I had the means to get them.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Jason, what did you do?”
I reached behind me and turned the doorknob, then stepped aside.
Cora’s sharp intake of breath was audible in the quiet hallway. She stood frozen in the doorway, staring into what had been an empty guest room earlier today.
She stepped into the room slowly, gently set the car seat on the plush area rug, and then turned in a slow circle, taking in every detail.
Elias grunted as I stooped to take him out. I divided my attention between holding him and watching Cora take it all in.
The crib was positioned against the far wall, made of solid cherry wood with a mobile of soft woodland creatures hanging above it. A matching changing table sat nearby, already stocked with diapers, wipes, and everything else a baby could need. A comfortable glider chair occupied the corner by the window, perfect for late-night feedings. The walls had been painted a soft, calming sage green, and blackout curtains hung at the windows.
“How did you do this?” Her voice was barely audible.
I watched her face carefully, trying to read her expression. “The crib converts to a toddler bed later. The mattress is organic, hypoallergenic.”
“When did you… how did you…?”
“Thomas coordinated everything while we were in court today. The team had it all set up by the time we left the courthouse.” I leaned against the doorframe, trying to appear casual while my pulse hammered in my ears. “If there’s something that doesn’t work for you or anything needs to be changed, just let me know.”
I walked to the crib and laid Elias down, covering him with the blanket and faced her.
“There’s a humidifier, sound machine, night light,” I continued, the words tumbling out faster than I intended. “The monitor connects to your phone. I got the one with the breathingsensor pad under the mattress. Extra batteries for everything are in the?—”
“Jason.” Her voice stopped my rambling. When I looked at her, tears were streaming down her face.
My stomach dropped. “I’m sorry, I know?—”
She lunged at me, throwing her arms around my neck. “You’re the most wonderful man I’ve ever known.” She leaned back. “I will pay you back though.”
