Chapter 65
CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE
“ I see you’re feeling better.” It was everything she could do to keep the amusement out of her voice as she watched Moon hold their baby to his bare chest.
“Please don’t remind me of how much of a jackass I made of myself. I’m never going to live it down.”
Larissa smiled at him tenderly, lowering her guard with Moon’s full attention centered on the baby. “No one will know. Mom, Lana, and Priss all have promised not to say a word.”
“Shade promise?”
“Not exactly.” Ruefully, she patted the arm close to her. “But I’m hoping he won’t.”
“Even if he doesn’t, it’ll get out. I already got two texts asking if everything was okay. They saw the ambulance I called parked outside.”
Larissa couldn’t help it; she gurgled with laughter, remembering when her mother had looked out the window when Moon was delegated to the living room to see the ambulance outside.
When her mother had gone outside to tell the drivers they weren’t needed, they told her Moon had called the ambulance to take Larissa to the hospital and they were only waiting for the go-ahead from Moon before coming inside. She had sent them inside to check on Moon instead before returning to the bedroom to tell her about his shenanigans.
“Did you really think you’d be able to convince me to go to the hospital?”
“If you were feeling half the pain I was, I don’t know how you didn’t want to. At one point, I think I cried out for my makuwahine.”
Larissa had to wipe away her tears of laughter. It took several minutes to get herself back under control. The memory of Moon passing out at the foot of the bed when she was giving birth wasn’t something she would forget anytime soon.
“Have you called your mother to tell her she’s a grandmother?”
“No, I’ll call her later.”
Larissa frowned. She had broached the subject of his mother several times, and each time, he had given her guarded responses, which left her in the dark as to what their relationship was like.
She was about to question him again when Priss returned to the room, taking the baby from Moon to give to her.
Climbing in the bed with her, Moon watched as she attempted to feed the baby for the first time.
She was beginning to become anxious when the little mouth didn’t latch on, but when he did, she gave a startled jump. Moon’s low laughter at her reaction overflowed her heart with contentment.
God, please let this feeling last.
“Smile.”
Priss’ request made them both raise their heads to smile as she took a picture of them.
She set the phone down and finished taking down the birthing pool, which after all the hiccups it had put them through hadn’t been used.
As far as births went, she couldn’t complain. Moon had definitely been the one who took that bullet where that was concerned. She had expected much worse. Overall, she found it a beautiful experience. The best part was, with Moon by her side, she felt like they were truly a family. “Are you still okay naming him Jace?”
Moon nodded, watching as the baby curled tiny little fingers around his forefinger.
“Jace Eric. Sounds like a winner to me.”
“Me, too,” she agreed softly, meeting Moon’s gaze.
Priss interrupted the special moment by clearing her throat. “I’m going to take off, unless you need anything else?”
“No, thanks. I really appreciate your help today.”
“Anytime, sis. Mom is taking a nap. If you need anything, just let me know. Lana gets off at seven, so if you need anything from the store, just text her, and she can pick it up on the way home.”
“We’re good. Thanks again, Priss. I owe you a week vacation when I come back to work.”
“Going to hold you to that.” With a quick kiss on her cheek, her sister left them alone.
“When are you planning on going back to work?”
Moon’s neutral expression didn’t give any hint away of what he was thinking. They hadn’t talked about her going back to work once the baby was born.
“I haven’t taken on any new clients. I thought I would take six or seven weeks off.”
“Who’s going to be watching the baby?”
Larissa knew this part was going to be sticky, which was why she hadn’t brought it up before.
“Mom.”
His expression didn’t change, his focus still on Jace.
“She’ll go home the day after tomorrow and get everything packed up and begin the process of selling her house. When she comes back, she’ll move in with Priss and Lana. During the day, she can come over here to babysit while I work. She’ll be gone before you get off work unless a client goes into labor. You won’t have to see her often. What do you think?”
“Sounds like you have it all organized.”
“Only if it’s okay with you.” She searched Moon’s features but still had no idea what he was thinking.
“It’s a sensible solution I can go with.”
“Thank you.”
He finally raised his eyes. “You didn’t think I would agree?”
“I know you haven’t exactly been getting along with my mother.”
“She’s not my favorite person in the world, I admit. But the baby will be safe with her, and if she is as protective over Jace as she is over you, he will be in good hands.”
Relieved Moon was being so amiable, despite the bickering that had been going on between the two of them, his agreement took a huge weight off her chest.
“He’s asleep,” she murmured.
“Looks like you’re ready for a nap, too.”
“I am,” she admitted tiredly.
Moon got out of bed and took Jace, placing him in the bassinet Priss had placed next to the bed.
She was about to lie down when she saw Moon take something out of the nightstand.
“I have something I want to give you.”
Her heart lurched at seeing the small box he held out to her. Taking the distinctive Cartier box, she flipped the lid up. The sight of an exquisite pair of diamond earrings instead of the ring she thought he was gifting her with made her camouflage her disappointment.
“They’re beautiful, Moon. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Thank you for my son.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Get some rest. I’ll be in the living room.”
When Moon would have turned away from the bed, she grabbed him by the hand.
“Stay.”
He searched her eyes before nodding. “I could use a nap, too.”
She rolled over when Moon climbed back in bed, then laid her head on his chest. Listening to his steady heartbeat under her ear reassured he was there. But for how long?
Each night she had gone to sleep in his arms, she dreaded the new day ahead. Would it be the day he would decide he no longer wanted to be with her? She wanted to open up to him about her fear, but what if he didn’t give her the reassurance she needed?
Snuggling against him, she linked her fingers with his, then closed her eyes and felt herself doze off, only coming aware when she felt him withdraw his hands from hers. Pretending to still be asleep, she rolled over, giving Moon his space. The day was coming when he would leave; she could feel it in every bone of her body.
Partway lifting her lashes, she gazed down at the angelic baby lying just inches away. She only hoped when Moon did decide to leave, he didn’t take her whole world with him.