“Yes, sir.”
“Softie,” Alex mumbles under his breath, and I’m about to tell him to go to hell, but Oliver beats me to it.
“I’m sure Kat will be happy to know you helped her.” I steal a glance back over my shoulder as we move from the club door to the restaurant next door and get the joy of watching Alex’s jaw set when he realizes how right Oliver is.
For a man who wasn’t interested not that long ago, he sure knows her pretty well.
Not that I’ll call him out for it; the last thing I want is for him to pull away. Kat wants him and Vince, too, and what my Queen wants, she’ll get.
I pull the door open and…
“Mr. Lawson, your table is ready. The young Master Desmond is already seated. I’ll let Dale know that you’re here as well.”
Dinner isn’t quite as celebratory as I’m sure Alex had hoped it would be. Instead, a dark cloud hung over Kat the whole time and, by proxy, us as well.
How could we enjoy something meant for her when she was so clearly upset?
On the car ride home, I debate having that little insignificant piece of shit blacklisted despite my claim not to.
He more than deserves it, but even still, if Kat ever got word of it…
Damn it.
The moment we’re back at the house, Kat all but runs upstairs to put Addy to sleep. It’s impressive, really, watching her move in heels, no matter how small they might be, in that damn dress, up the stairs with Addy in her arms as if it’s nothing.
She’s amazing.
“I could have handled him,” Vince says the second she disappears. “I still can.”
He’s itching for me to give him the approval, and I’ll be damned if I don’t want to, but one look at him tells me he knows as well as I do that’s not really an option.
“She doesn’t have to know.” Des still whispers as if worried she might hear; it’s ironic, considering what he’s saying.
“Women always find out.”
Des rolls his eyes at Alex but doesn’t argue, which is smart because he’s right.
We disperse, everyone going their separate ways to do whatever they want with their night, and as usual, my first instinct is to go to Kat. Unfortunately, more often than not, I don’t get to give in to my every want; I have a company to run, and despite being the boss, that doesn’t seem to give me more free time. If anything, it occupies more of my time than I sometimes feel it should.
It’s worth it, though, to have this life, this family.
I wouldn’t trade all the work, sleepless nights, and hardships we faced to get here for anything in the world.
All of it led us here, to Kat.
I make my way upstairs and hear Addison’s laughter ring down the hall.
It’s impossible to explain the feeling this woman gives me; it’s not quite butterflies, but it’s damn close. I feel like a child, giddy for a future, excited for more, eager to please.
All things I’d have sworn I’d grown out of.
I stand outside her door but don’t go in, unwilling to ruin their easy moment. Instead, I listen as Kat reads to her in funny voices and an energy that pulls a smile to my lips as well.
Not every woman is mother material; some can be if given the opportunity, but Kat shines with Addy.
I can’t wait to see the way she shines carrying my child, or any of ours, for that matter. The way her body will change and grow, little boys and girls running around the house with her hair or eyes.
Soon.
