Page 67 of The Sacrifice
“Babe.” He kisses my lips. “Everything is fine. Don’t cry. We’re one step closer to a lifetime of happiness. Let's celebrate. I want to take my girls out for Italian tonight.”
“That sounds delicious.” I lay my head on his chest, and he wraps his arm around me, taking Hadley’s baby carrier into his free hand.
“I love you. Thank you for bringing the papers to me. This way, I can get with Spencer today.”
The elevator dings, and two players step into the lobby. They wave at Jackson and walk toward us.
“But first.” He winks. “I want to give my girls the full tour. Let’s drop off the car seat at the gym and pick it up later.”
“I would love that.”
With his index finger, he tips my chin upward. “That way, you know where to go for this weekend’s game because I expect the two of you here cheering me on.”
“Absolutely.” I stand on my tiptoes and meet his lips. The dark cloud hanging over us breaks apart and dissipates, leaving behind blue skies. The same blue skies that are outside today. It’s a perfect day.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Jackson
For the last hour, I’ve taken Mia around the football stadium. I’ve shown her the meeting rooms, the gym where we work out, the field, and the suites where she’ll sit at the games.
When we return to the lobby, I ask, “So, what do you think?” I snatch Hadley from her arms and kiss her forehead. I love the smell of baby powder. “Are you going to come to watch daddy play football on Sunday?”
Her eyes light up as I lift her into the air. For a year, I regretted my spiral into self-destruction. Until Roxanne walked through my door and dropped Hadley off. I pull her to me and nuzzle her cheek. It’s amazing how your perspective changes when you have a kid. My kid.
The elevator doors ding. “I’m positive she won’t remember any of it, but I’m excited.” Mia adjusts the diaper bag and her purse on her shoulder. “The energy in the place is already buzzing, and there’s not even a crowd.”
“It’s great, isn’t it?” I tuck Hadley to my side and wish I was leaving with them instead of working out for several hours.
“Yes. Yes, it is. It’s great.” She tilts her head and studies me. “I’m proud of you.”
“Stop.” I close my eyes and inhale.God, I’m a sap.After I tamp down some of my emotions, I reopen my eyes. “This is a no-gush zone. If you get me all up in my feelings, I’ll start crying and never hear the end of it.”
“Oh, shoot. I forgot to grab the car seat.”
“I’ll grab it. Wait right here.” I rub her shoulder and step back. “I’ll be right back.”
“Jackson,” Spencer’s voice booms from behind me, and I spin to face him. His broad shoulders are straight as he eats up the distance between us. “Is this the girl?”
“Yes. This is her. I just got the paperwork. DNA confirmed. She’s mine.”
He stops in front of us and glances over at Mia. “Is this the nanny?”
Her back is stiff as she tips her chin upward as if she instantly senses his disapproval of her or the situation.
“Yes, she’s Hadley’s nanny, but–”
“We should talk in private.” He pokes the button for the elevator. “Come to my office.”
“I can take Hadley.” She lifts her hands as if she’s going to grab her.
“No. It’s fine. Mia, this is my attorney, Spencer Atherton. There’s nothing he’s going to say that I wouldn’t tell you about later.”
Spencer’s eyes narrow as the elevator pings and the doors slide open. “You tell your nanny everything?”
“She’s Hadley’s nanny. But she’s also my girlfriend.”
“I see.” His jaw flexes, and Mia shifts away from us as disapproval radiates off him in waves.