Page 41 of The Sacrifice
Tammy tucks her against her chest and strokes her finger over her cheek. “At least you have better taste in women now.”
“Yes, I do.” Jackson wraps his arm around my waist and kisses my temple–warmth fills every part of my body. Making love to him was one thing. Having him openly acknowledge our relationship to his parents is another thing entirely.
“It’s good to have a strong woman in your corner.” His dad nods at us as he also gives us his blessing. “But try not to have another child out of wedlock. Pastor Paul gives ‘the look’every time someone’s kid has a child out of wedlock. The look that means we did something wrong while raising our kids and need to atone for our sins.”
My shoulders tense. There won’t be another baby. At least not without medical intervention. But we’re a little new in the romance department for me to spill my guts to God and everyone.
Jackson brushes his lips along my temple as his parents fawn over Hadley. He whispers, “Sweetheart, don’t stress over it. We’ll work it out. Whatever we need to do, we’ll do it.”
I bite down on my lips to keep from bawling as the sadness morphs into complete adoration of the man. How did I never see him for who he is? I was too narrowminded to see past my own nose. I always thought I was mature, but he has me beat.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Several Days Later
Jackson
As I jog off the field, my mind drifts to Hadley and Mia. Two weeks ago, I didn’t know Hadley existed, and Mia thought I was worthless. It’s amazing how things can change on a dime. And I couldn’t be happier with the results. A beautiful baby who stares at me with adoration and a stunning woman who makes the cutest little snoring sounds in her sleep.
“Hey, bud. How are things going at home?” Tony slings his arm over my shoulders.
“Good.” I grin. “Actually, great.”
“Really?” He arches his eyebrows. “I thought you were in over your head with a surprise baby, a nanny who couldn’t stand you, and a family that was going to freak out over the baby bombshell?”
“I was,” I say as he drops his arm to his side. “I am in over my head. I will not pretend I have this parenting thing all figured out. I don’t know what to do if she gets sick, or when she sits up on her own, or how not to freak out when she gets her first boyfriend, but I’m getting the hang of feeding, burping, diapering, and sleeping.”
He nods while pressing his lips together. “Way to go.”
“What’s up?” Gunner joins us on the sidelines as the warm afternoon sun beats down on us, leaving a sheen of sweat covering my entire body.
“Jackson here was telling me that he’s got this baby thing down pat.”
Coach Slater barks at the defense as they run down the field, turn, and run back to the fifty-yard line.
“Right.” I roll my eyes. “That’s not what I said.”
“Nah, man. I’m serious. From the sounds of it, you’re doing great. Parenting is about mastering something to be smacked in the junk when the next stage hits. And don’t even think you’ve got it all figured out when the next kid comes along. They’re all different.”
Gunner’s head goes backward as his eyes widen. “You’re having another baby?”
“No. Mia’s not pregnant.” Although, once Hadley gets to be a year old, I’d like to explore the situation in greater detail.
“Mia? The nanny? What in the hell is going on?” Tony braces his hands on his hips as Gunner frowns.
“I feel like I missed a part of the conversation.” Gunner frowns.
“No.” Tony gives me an exasperated look. “He failed to provide this information to me also.”
“Yes. The nanny. But she’s more than that. She is my girlfriend. I didn’t see it coming, but it’s great. She’s nothing like Roxanne. She’s responsible, dependable, and mature.” I waggle my eyebrows. “And hot as fuck.”
Mia was upfront about her fertility issues. While it breaks my heart for her, I have enough money to solve most problems we come across and a willingness to do whatever it takes to make her happy.
My heart skips a beat. Yeah, I would do whatever it takes to keep her happy. A puffy white cloud floats above us, partially blocking the sun. It’s too soon to be in love with her. Right? I mean, I….
My mouth dries, and I clutch my chest. Yeah. I’ve fallen in love with her. Somewhere between midnight feedings and watching her dance with Hadley in the kitchen, it’s gone from falling to fallen. It would be stupid to deny it.
“Shit, dude.” Gunner punches me in the upper chest. “Congratulations. She sounds like a keeper.”