They’re all laughing and talking.
I don’t hear a single word. I look at Jordan, then at Roman, then back at Jordan.
The first baby I ever held was Cole, and Jordan was right there beside me.
My heart squeezes tight in my chest, aching like it’s trying to tell me something I’ve been ignoring for too damn long.
If this is really what she wants—if this is even a fraction of what it would feel like—I’d give her all the babies she wants to have.
Jensen wandersinto the waiting room. “She’s done feeding the baby. I’m gonna grab a coffee.”
“I think I’ll come with you, if you don’t mind,” Jordan says as she stands. “You wanna come, babe?”
There it is again.
I give her a smile. “Nah. I’ll go hang with Alley and the baby before we leave.”
We’ve been here most of the day. Megan and Kevin left about an hour ago. They’re staying at a hotel nearby. Jensen’s parents were here earlier; they came the second Alley went into labor. Then her brother and dad stopped by.
I’m sure they’re exhausted and ready to be left alone.
“Alright. Be back soon,” Jordan says, turning to meet Jensen.
I watch them walk down the hall until they disappear around the corner, then make the short walk back to Alley’s room.
A few minutes later, I’m back at her bedside.
“What do you need, Al?”
“Nothing,” she says. “Just sit and hang out with me. God, you’re like my dad. Always hovering. You’re a hoverer.”
“Fine.” I pull a chair up to the bed and sit. “Better not ask me for a damn thing.”
I grab her water bottle and scoot it just far enough that she can’t reach it.
She laughs. “Has anyone ever told you what a dick you are?”
I grin. “Every day.”
I push her water back to where it was.
“So…” she says, trailing off, brow raised like I’m supposed to just fill in the blank.
“So?”
She rolls her eyes. “Come on. Don’t pull that shit with me. I’m not Megan.”
“I know you’re not,” I say. “Doesn’t mean I know what you’re thinking.”
“I’m thinking…” She smiles softly. “That you look happier than I’ve ever seen you.”
I lift a brow, not saying anything while she quietly assesses.
“But you also seem… I don’t know… something else. Hesitant? Conflicted?”
Jesus. It’s like she has a magnifying glass to my thoughts.
She shakes her head. “Never mind. Sorry. You look really happy. Have you guys talked about what you’ll do after the final hearing?”
