“Not when that girl is just down the hall.”
“Then you will tell me everything later?”
I nodded. The truth was I had so much to tell her, more than she could probably imagine. Once I had told Bishop, I realized I should be honest with Mama Beth and Deacon, and I would just as soon as I could get a moment alone with them.
Our conversation was thankfully interrupted by the back door blowing open. “Over my dead body are we naming our son Diesel or Axel,” Alexandra huffed, as she stepped into the kitchen.
“Just what the hell is so wrong with those names?”
Alexandra didn’t respond. Instead, she just threw him a death glare. Deacon’s eyes lit up at the sight of me. He crossed the room in two long strides to meet me. “When the hell did you get back?”
“About an hour ago.”
Deacon gave me a tight hug. “Glad you’re home.”
I thumped his back, appreciating his show of emotion. “Thanks. It’s good to be back.”
Once Deacon released me, Alexandra quickly replaced him. When she pulled away, she tenderly kissed my cheek. “I’m so glad you’re safe.”
I could see the concern for me in her eyes, and I hated that I had been the cause of it. “I’m sorry for worrying you.”
“It’s okay. Just don’t do it again,” she replied with a smile.
“I’ll do my best.”
She smacked my arm playfully. “You better.”
“So what’s this I hear about a boy?” I glanced between her and Deacon. “You two have some news for us?”
Alexandra shook her head. “Not yet. But we did get to see the baby at today’s appointment.” She thrust a grainy black and white image in front of my face. Once her hand steadied, I surveyed the picture of my future niece or nephew. My heart swelled with pride at the sight of the new life.
“Looks strong and healthy.”
Beaming with happiness, Alexandra replied, “The doctor said everything looks great. The baby is even measuring a few days ahead of its due date.”
I smiled at her. “I’m glad to hear that.”
“Tell him about the heartbeat,” Deacon urged.
With a slight roll of her eyes, Alexandra huffed, “Just because the ultrasound technician commented it might be a boy because of the heart rate, Deacon has it in his head it’s one hundred percent a boy.”
Deacon grinned as he placed a hand on Alexandra’s stomach. “I’m telling ya that’s my son in there.”
Jutting her chin out, Alexandra countered, “It could just as easily be a girl.”
Deacon grunted. “We already have a girl. We need a boy—a son to carry on the Malloy name.”
“You’re impossible,” she muttered.
“But you love me anyway,” he countered. He then wrapped his arm around her waist and drew her closer to him.
She grinned up at him. “Yes, I do.”
It was at that moment Willow came into the kitchen leading Annabel by the hand. From Annabel’s lighthearted expression, I could tell she enjoyed being around Willow. That wasn’t surprising to me. Despite all the horrible shit she had been through in life, Willow possessed a carefree nature that was infectious.
At the sight of Annabel, both Deacon and Alexandra’s brows rose in surprise. Then they both looked from Annabel over to me.
Swinging Annabel’s arm back and forth, Willow said, “This is my mommy and daddy. This is Belle.”
