“I see that.” He bowed his head, contrition settling over him. “I thought you knew I’d realized I want everything with you, Aya. Everything—the big wedding, kids, as in more than one. I loved having a brother, Ay. He was the best person in my life until I met you. It just took me some time to get past the pain and remember that.”
My jaw dropped. “More than one?”
He cupped my cheeks and met my watery gaze. “I’m sorry I wasn’t clear. I’m so sorry you were worried. I hate that you worried over this.” He pressed his forehead to mine. “I am all for this. Let’s do it.”
I huffed. “I’m mad you figured out I was pregnant before me.”
He slid his fingertips down to my chest and over my breasts. They ached at his gentle touch. “They’ve been sore, huh? And definitely plumper.” He licked his lips. “And we’ve had sex every day—at least once—for the past seven weeks.”
“Oh.” My eyes widened. “Oh.” I sucked on my lower lip. “I guess I’ve been kind of preoccupied with the launch of the nonprofit and the clinics opening.”
He raised an eyebrow. “I guess so.”
“And I guess this means you really do pay attention.”
The left side of his mouth curled up. “Guess it does.”
“You…you’re not mad? About me being pregnant? I’ll give up the money in the trust. We can donate it to a nonprofit or something. Or just toss it up in the air and let people grab it—whatever. But I don’t want it. I don’t need it. I’d never do that to you or our baby.”
His smile nearly blinded me. He sank to his knees and cupped my cheeks in his big, warm hands. “I know. And I put that stupid fear of mine to rest months ago.”
I studied his eyes, searching…and finding calm acceptance and lots of love.
My lower lip quivered. “You’re not mad?”
“Ah, love.” He kissed my lips before pulling me tighter into his embrace. But then he set me back enough to see his face, his palms once again cradling my cheeks. “I literally could not hold any more happiness inside me. You’re mine, Aya. We’re going to have a baby that’s made from the deep well of love I have for you. This is everything—everything I wouldn’t let myself actually hope for.”
I clasped my hands around his wrists. “Do you think we’ll be good at parenting?”
Nash snorted, a look of disgust drifting across his face. “We had shit role models. So we know what not to do.” He considered for a moment. “I guess that’s going to have to be our something.” He leaned in and kissed me. “I want you and this baby. All we need to do is get hitched and we’ve got it all, pretty girl.”
I shook my head. “You can’t call a mother that.”
He chuckled. “Want me to call you little lady?”
I scowled.
“Wifey?”
My lips kicked up, but I narrowed my eyes.
“Baby mama?”
“Nash!”
His eyes twinkled. This is what loving me, me loving him did: he let down his guard. He let me in, and I loved how playful he could be.
“Mamacita?”
“What is wrong with—”
He chuckled. “Love, you are my everything. Never forget that. But it’s fun to watch your face tic when you’re annoyed.”
I sighed as I let my lips drift back over his. “With you.”
“With me. We’re good, okay?”
I exhaled out some of the tension as I leaned forward. His eyes were clearer, his love shining through. “Okay.”
He kissed me long and thoroughly before he bounded to his feet. He offered me his hands and pulled me upward, wrapping his arm around my waist. He opened the door and ushered me out.
Kate and Jenna looked up and waved, knowing smiles on their smug faces. I had to laugh. Yeah, yeah, they were in married bliss. Soon I’d be there, too.
Nash nudged me gently toward the door. “Let’s get you home, love of my life.”
Once we were buckled into the back seat of the car, Nash glanced over.
I placed my hand on my stomach. “I can’t wait to find out if we’re having a girl or a boy.”
Brandon asked. “Are you two ready?”
“Yes,” I said. I turned my head, facing Nash. “What?”
He hesitated for so long that I wondered if he’d simply ignored me. “If we have a boy, do you think…”
Ah. I clasped his hand and placed his palm against my tummy. “I’d like to honor Lev, too.”
Nash nodded, eyes damp. “That would mean so much.”
“You know what else would mean a lot? Us getting married, pronto. I know it’s probably silly—definitely old-fashioned—but I don’t want to be showing in my dress.”
Nash nodded, eyes narrowing. “I had an idea.”
“Is that why you’re here?”
“Yeah.”
“Will I like it?” I asked.
Nash shrugged. “You won’t hate it.”
“That may be good enough.”
6
Nash
I couldn’t help but smirk at this change of events: I was planning a wedding. Excitement bubbled and popped through my chest. Never in all my life would I have thought I’d be so excited about bouquets and venues and vows. But I was.
I so was. I was marrying Aya Jane Aldringham. Soon, she would be Aya Porter, and we’d have a kid.
Damn, life had a strange way of knocking you around. Not that I was complaining—I was fucking giddy as I chose pale pink blooms. I had no idea what half of the flowers were, but they looked nice, supposedly smelled good, and Aya loved pink. Score and win.
Now all I needed was the cake, and we’d be set.
“Hey, love?”
Aya stuck her head out of the bathroom. Her long, wet hair cascaded over her tanned shoulder. Damn, she was cute. And gorgeous. Sexy as sin. And the mother of my baby.
Pride swelled in my chest…and in my dick. I wanted to fuck her senseless, but first, I needed to ask, “White or chocolate cake? They have some lemon flavor, but I bet it’s drier than cardboard. Looks like piss.”
Her brows scrunched, and she stepped into the bedroom, hugging a towel around her still-wet body. Holy…I wanted to drink the droplets from her tanned skin.
“Lemon cake? For what?”
“Our wedding.” I was distracted by the hard little nubbins her nipples made through the damp terrycloth.
She plopped on the bed and crawled toward me. “You were setting up our wedding while I showered?”
“Yeah, I told you I’d take care of it.”
“Where, pray tell, are we getting married?” she asked.
“On the private island I just bought.”
“Well, that’s…ostentatiously rich.”
I shrugged. “Not like I couldn’t afford it. Actually, I let Pop Syad buy it for us—you know, a wedding gift and all.” I fidgeted. “It’s the best way to ensure who’s there.”
She hesitated. “But a whole island?”
“It’s not huge. Here, look.” I moved my laptop so that she could better see the images as I clicked through them.