I’m honestly still in shock at how fast time flies. It feels like only yesterday I was coming over to the penthouse to check on Hayden, and now I live here with him.
The sound of laughter snaps me out of my musings. Hayden is busy promoting his new single, and I’m watching one of the many podcasts he’s been on. I listen to them all, though I haven’t told him that.
“So let’s talk about ‘Hades.’ The internet’s on fire.” The host smiles. “People are saying in this song, we see you at your most vulnerable—and that includes the Sabotage tribute album that made us all cry ugly tears. That’s a pretty solid statement.”
I rub my belly, enjoying the waves of warmth spreading through me. He hesitated to release the song, but I pushed, telling him his audience deserved to hear him like that. Now, “Hades” is everywhere. An instant hit. The fans are losing their minds. The label’s calling it magic. I know in my bones it’s because it wasn’t just a song. It was him in his rawest form. It was me. Us.
“Who’s it about?” the host asks.
I chew on the inside of my cheek, already knowing his polished answer, the one Glenn insisted he give.
Hayden clears his throat, and his voice dips lower. “It’s about someone I love.”
My heart practically leaps out of my chest.No way.
“Wow.” The host whistles. “So…are you in a relationship?”
“Yeah,” he admits without hesitation, a handsome grin playing on his face. “I am, and I’m also going to be a dad. So there you have it.”
Just then, our little girl kicks my palm. It lights me up further. I so want Hayden to feel it, but he’s been so busy, and she always seems to be active when he’s gone.
“This person must be special to cause such strong emotions…”
Hayden smiles. “She’s not just special. She’sthe one, and she’s the reason I can still write music, the reason I still get up in the morning and do this. She saved me, and I wanted the world to know about her.”
He’s never said it publicly before, not like this. Glenn won’t be happy about it.
The host chuckles, leaning in. “Man, I think you just broke the hearts of half our listeners.”
Hayden presses his hand to his chest, dipping his head slightly. “Well, guess they’ll just have to forgive me.”
I’m on cloud nine, his words replaying in my head, making it hard to focus on the rest of the interview. When the elevator dings, I shut the laptop. There’s no way I’ll let him see me hanging on his every word.
Hayden steps into the living room, wearing a black hoodie and light blue jeans. His bleached hair is messy, probably because he’s been running his fingers through it, and he’s carrying a bouquet of dark blue irises.
“Hey.” He hovers over me and plants a kiss on my lips. “For you.” He holds out the flowers.
“I still have roses and lilies!” Even so, I press the flowers to my chest and inhaletheir sweet scent.
“The more the merrier, baby. We can have a bouquet in every room. You know that.”
I shift, making room for him on the couch, and when he sits, he presses a kiss to the crown of my head and splays a hand over my belly. “How’s she doing?”
“She’s good. Happy her daddy’s home.” I can’t hold back my smile—not that I want to. “And she’s active.”
“Good. Maybe she’ll finally stop ignoring me.” He frowns at my belly, like our baby girl really is snubbing him.
Head thrown back, I laugh. “Is she ignoring you, or are you always busy when she’s active, hm?” I snag his hand and drag it lower, to where I’ve felt her rolling all day. “Here. Wait.”
He obeys, his palm hot against my skin, and then it happens—a sharp little kick, right into his palm.
His eyes go wide. “Was that…?”
“Uh-huh.” I nod, tears stinging my eyes. “That’s her.”
“Our girl is strong.” He lets out a light laugh then drops his forehead to mine. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” I cover his hand with mine.
