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Chapter Twenty-Eight

Now

I sigh as I sink back into my pillows, completely exhausted from the day. Telling my family about the babies went as expected. Tucker and Trey got all pissy with Nix, like this is his fault or something. Well, I guess it’s half his fault but I wouldn’t change it for the world. Once my shock wore off, I was ecstatic. Daddy reacted about the same as my brothers — asking Nix when he planned to marry me — but Mama made him back off. She was also thrilled, once she got over the surprise.

I think Moe had the best reaction of all. He just smiled, the same smile Nix gives me that makes me melt, and thanked me for bringing his family back together. Blaze, however, is a different story. Of all the people we told, he was the most excited. I thought he was going to do a happy dance. I have to admit, I would love to see that big, bad biker acting like a little kid.

“Hey, Em, can I talk to you about something?” Nix asks, directing my attention to him.

“Sure, babe. What’s up?”

He nervously licks his lips three times before finally speaking. “I really want you to move in with me.” When I just stare at him, he continues, “I want to spend the rest of my life with you, but I know you may not be ready for that yet so we can go at your pace. Just let me be there for my babies, though. My house has more room than the apartment and we can set up a little nursery for them.”

I’ve been thinking about his request to move in together ever since he asked me that night and I had pretty much decided to say yes. Plus, everything he just said makes sense. His house does have more room and there is a yard for the babies to play in when they are older. Two days ago, I probably would have freaked out about the thought of marriage and babies, but not anymore.

I know this is different than Ryan. Even as I said yes to Ryan’s proposal, I had lingering doubts, and if Ryan ever brought up having kids, I tried to change the subject. Now, though, I find myself wanting to sit here and talk baby names all night long. Somehow, deep down in my gut, I know this is right.

“Baby, please say something.”

I giggle in response. “Yeah, I’ll move in with you.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“We’ll take things as slow as you want. Hell, I’ll keep paying for your apartment if you want so you have a place to go.”

“You don’t need to do that, Nix.”

“Baby, I’ll do whatever I have to do to keep you comfortable. I don’t want to rush you and mess this up.”

“Phoenix, I want to move in with you. Not because of the babies, but just because I want to live with you. Besides, I’m not sure you could do anything at this point to mess this up. I’m head over heels in love with you.”

“How didI get so lucky?”

I shake my head.

“Yes, Emma. You know, I wasn’t looking for anything. I was pretty happy with my life and then you walked into my tattoo parlor and my whole world changed. I couldn’t imagine going through a day without seeing you. I thought about you all the time and even though I knew it would be hard, I wanted to be with you. I’ve had to be careful sometimes but it’s all worth it.”

“Don’t treat me with kid gloves, Nix. I want to be your partner, not someone that you have to take care of. I’m strong enough to handle whatever you can dish out.”

“I won’t treat you with kid gloves then. Promise.” He draws an “x” over his heart. “I know you’re strong enough, Em. I just didn’t want to do something that would remind you of him.”

“You could never remind me of him, baby. Never.”

* * * *

The sun shines down on me, warming my skin as I sit in the rocking chair on the porch, watching him and my brothers carry my things into Nix’s house.

Or our house now, I guess.

It took about a week to get all my things loaded up in boxes. Of course, Nix wouldn’t let me lift a finger. He made me sit down and order him around. And the crazy thing? He actually seemed to enjoy it. I don’t know where this man came from but I thank God every day for him.

“You could help us out, lazy,” Tucker teases.

“Nope. I was ordered to sit right here and relax.” I shoot him a smug grin and lay my hand over my still flat belly.

“That’s right,” Nix agrees, coming out of the house after dropping off a box. I beam at him and he winks at me as he leans down and kisses my forehead. “You feelin’ okay, baby?”