Page 112 of Fierce- Royce

“They are a striking couple. Can’t wait to find out if they are having a boy or a girl. What’s your money on?” Garrett said.

“Is there anything you two don’t bet on?” he asked.

“It’s no fun to not at least try,” Grant said. “I think it’s going to be a boy. Nice strong genes in your family, Richard.”

“I say a boy too,” Garrett said.

“Girl,” Richard said. “Royce is going to get a girl first. Then he’ll have a boy another time.”

“Planning on more kids in the future?” Garrett asked. “Don’t you want to get that ring on her finger first?”

“Royce will do it when he’s ready,” he said. “I’ve learned not to push him. Life is too short.”

“It is,” Grant said. “And how are you feeling?”

“Almost good as new,” he said. “I plan on staying that way too so I can see this grandchild and many more. Seems your work is falling into place too. Another engagement earlier?”

“Megan and Jonah. That one was tough too. Jonah was the stubborn one there. Megan was easy to work with. She wanted our help,” Grant said proudly.

“Not everyone does,” Richard said.

“Nope,” Garrett said. “But I can’t wait to tell my brother and sister-in-law in Charlotte tonight and let them know the good news about the engagement.”

“Do they know about the baby?” he asked.

“I did tell them a few days ago,” Garrett said.

“Garrett isn’t good at sitting on news,” Grant said. “But we do have to share our progress. Sometimes we all need a little help to get things moving.”

“As my son found out,” he said. Now he just had to try and figure out what else was going on because he knew Royce well enough to know there was more that he wasn’t being told.

39

Going To React

“What’s your guess?” Royce asked Chloe when they showed up at the doctor for the ultrasound three weeks later.

“I don’t know,” she said. “Do you have a preference? I just hope the baby is cooperating.”

“No preference,” he said. “As long as it’s healthy that is all I’ve ever cared about.”

Chloe was starting to show more. Her clothes were tighter and not a lot fit her. She didn’t really need maternity clothes yet and he’d noticed her frustration in her wardrobe but just kept his opinions to himself.

He told her to go shopping or he’d take her shopping. She’d seemed stunned by the offer and laughed at him, but she did end up going one day because he noticed the bags when he’d gotten home from work late one night.

And as busy as he was, there was no way he was missing this appointment. He wanted to be on them all with her but knew that wasn’t going to happen. There was no need either.

“I feel the same way,” she said. “Once we know I guess we can start working on names and figure out the nursery.”

He’d been waiting to start talking about those things too. He was itching to get the house ready and was a little surprised by how excited he was over this.

Months ago he didn’t even think he could handle the time for a relationship and yet here he was getting ready for a baby in the fall.

Chloe checked in at the desk and they took their seat. “I’ve got to pee so badly. I hope I don’t have to wait too long to get seen.”

“I wish I could help you, but there isn’t much I can do about it other than try to intimidate the woman at the desk to get you in faster.”

“No, thank you,” she said.