Chapter Seventeen
TOMI
Xander’s making us something to eat. He said he needs our baby to be well-fed, even though I ate before I came. I can already tell he’s going to be a doting father, and I can’t say his reaction hasn’t warmed my heart. I know trust is going to be a big thing between us—he’s going to have to earn it—but so far, he’s going out of his way to prove to me that he knows he did the wrong thing and he was trying so hard to tell me the whole time we were dating. He wanted to, so bad, it was just finding the right time and the right way.
But I guess there never is a right way to tell the woman you’re seeing that you’re the man she despises. So, I do understand his side. I don’t like it, but I get it. I don’t condone it, but I see where he was coming from. I just hope that when we tell Levi this news when he gets home from school, he’s not too overwhelmed. I want him to be happy Xander will be back in our lives and that he’ll be okay with him moving in.
As for a baby, I have no idea how he’ll take that news.
Screaming children are not generally high on his approved list of things he can tolerate. So this will be an interesting stage in our lives. I know Xander is working on a quiet room for Levi. He’s going to plan it out for him. That will help a lot.
Xander walks in carrying a tray full of fruit and sandwiches. I smile as he brings it over to the coffee table, placing the tray in front of me. “I told you to lay back and put your feet up.”
I bubble up with laughter. “I’m pregnant, not injured, Xander.”
He sinks into the sofa beside me, running his hand up my thigh. “I know, I simply want you to be as comfortable as possible.”
I smirk. “You’re not going to be that guy who’s constantly making me take baths, helping me walk everywhere, and watching what I eat during this pregnancy, are you?”
He stiffens a little like he’s been caught. “Do you want me to be?”
I laugh. “No, Xander, I’m a strong, independent woman. I can walk. I know what I can eat. I got this.”
He nods, a little put-out. “I do wanna help you, though, Tomi. This is my baby, too, and I want you both to be comfortable.”
I sink a little at his words, my hand coming up to caress his face.
God, I’ve missed doing that.
“And you’re amazing for wanting to do this for us… if I need anything, I’ll ask. How’s that?”
He nods. “As long as I can spoil you every now and then… you, Levi, and the baby.”
I lean in, pressing my lips to his tenderly. “I forgot how kind you are. I was so wrapped up in how evil Alex was that it slipped my mind how amazing Xander is.”
He weakly smiles, taking my hands in his and gazing deep into my eyes. “I can never begin to apologize enough to you, Tomi. Sorry, it doesn’t cut it, I know that. All I can do is let you know that I’ll never, ever, lie about anything to you ever again. I know the trust between us is fractured, but I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make sure you’re in my life…” he gulps, his expression completely sincere, “… because…” he takes a deep breath, “… I love you.”
My heart leaps into my throat as my bottom lip trembles. The reason I’ve been so cut up about all of this is because the Xander I knew, the Xander I had fallen for, meant so much to me. Now I understand why I’ve been so cut up.
Because…
I hate Alex Scott.
But I love Just Xander.
“I love you, too. That’s why this hurt so damn much.”
He grimaces as he tightens his grip on my hands, his expression pain-filled. “Just know I’m going to spend the rest of forever making this up to you by being the best partner and father I can be.”
“I believe you,” I tell him as I pick up a strawberry and shove it into my mouth. The hint of sweetness, teamed with the juicy, refreshing tang, brings my tastebuds alive.
He finally smiles. “Eat. Have a snack, then we’ll go pick up Levi from school in the Chevy. What do you say?”
I swallow the delicious fruit as excitement builds inside of me. “He will love that. He’s had some issues at school of late, so you picking him up is exactly what he needs. He’s missed you as well.”
“I’ve missed him, too.”
Suddenly, his phone starts ringing, and he groans as he stares at the screen. “Shit…” He hesitates, glances at me, exhales, then swipes the screen. “Dad, before you start—” He abruptly stops as I hear yelling on the other end of the line, but it’s too muffled for me to make out what his father is actually saying.
Xander rolls his eyes while slumping into the sofa. He’s annoyed at the world right now.
I sit back. What is he being yelled at for? I guess it’s because he’s here with me instead of at work.
He exhales just before the yelling stops. “Are you done?” He shakes his head. “The thing is, Dad… I slog every day for you, tireless hours, working my ass off doing the asshole jobs, and when I want to take some time for me, you blow up in my damn ear.”
The yelling starts again, making me gnaw down on my bottom lip. I slide my hand onto Xander’s thigh to show him I’m here to support him as his hand moves out, entwining our fingers together.
“Well, that might be true, but, in any case, I’m taking the rest of the day, too. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He ends the call abruptly, and my eyes widen in shock.
I would never have hung up on my father.
His relationship with his parents is so different from mine.
He groans, running his free hand through his hair as he glances at me. “Sorry, you shouldn’t have to hear that.”
The corner of my lips turns up. “Xander, we’re part of each other’s lives now. I’m going to see every bit of your life. Even the crappy business-side with your father. So, don’t hide anything from me, please.”
He exhales. “I wish you didn’t have to meet them…” He exhales heavily, and I can tell he’s struggling. “I guess Mom’s okay, but Dad? Dad’s going to have a damn field day with this.”
Tensing, I guess I hadn’t thought about the fact that I’m going to have to meet his father, the real man who started the chain of events that caused me to lose Hope & Faith Ink. I’m only just dealing with the fact that Xander had a hand in it. How will I go meeting the man who was actually, mostly responsible for it?
Xander leans in pressing his lips to my forehead. “But we can do it at your own pace. I’m not going to make you meet them until you’re ready.” Sighing as he pulls back, I relax a little further, feeling more at ease.
“Thank you. Meeting the parents is such a huge thing, and now we’re going to have to tell them we’re pregnant as well. Yeah, great first impression. Not !”
He chuckles a little. “Well, Mom will be happy about the baby. She’s been at me about a grandchild for years.”
I snort. “Years?”
He nods. “ Years . Practically from when I was old enough to date.”
I giggle. “I’m gonna like your mom.”
“I agree. But for now, we got to pick up Levi. He’s the most important one in this. I don’t want to miss him walking out of school.”
My heart fills with joy. I love the fact he’s so eager to see my brother. The connection they share is real. I see that now.
“Okay, let’s go. He’s gonna be so excited.” I pull out my keys. The key chain dangles, and Xander smirks, his hand reaching out to grab the keys from me.
“Nice cheap-ass keyring you got there,” he teases, his smirk infectious as we head for the exit.
I can’t help but smile, watching his face light up with the realization that I kept the cherry blossom keyring he gave me.
How could I not?
It’s Swarovski—with diamonds!
Plus, the sentiment behind it was actually really fucking touching. There is just no way in hell I would have admitted that at the time.
Shrugging, I shove him toward the door. “Shut up. So it was a nice gift, and you put thought behind it. You want a medal or something?” I tease, continuing to push him through the door.
He chuckles, his smile lighting his entire face, but he turns to face me, a little more serious now. “I don’t need a medal, Tomi. I already won the damn lottery when I met you.” His hand slides out, gently caressing my stomach.
My breathing hitches as our eyes connect, and my tummy instantly floods with a hurricane of butterflies. I just can’t tell if it’s from the way Xander is looking at me or from the way our baby is reacting to its father’s touch.
Either way, I am feeling all kinds of giddy right now.
Shaking my head to try and find some equilibrium, I start pushing on his chest. “Nu-uh, sir. We gotta go. Don’t start looking at me like that, with those sexy eyes. That’s how we got pregnant in the first place.” He bursts out laughing as I spin his shoulders and shove him fully out the door this time. “We have to go get my brother. No detours. Do you understand me?” I close the door behind me as he reaches for my hand.
“I hear you loud and clear… but just so you know, I love this bossy side of you. We should explore this more…” He winks at me. “When Levi is not around.”
I groan in frustration.
The sexual kind.
The only thing is the fucker knows it, too, as he takes off down the hall ahead of me. “C’mon, I thought we were leaving?” he calls out like the smartass he is.
“Fucker!” I mumble under my breath, then chuckle and take off after him.
Not long later, we pull up in the school drop-off and pick-up zone in the red Chevy, right where all the kids will see us. I’m so happy we’re able to do this for Levi. He’s still having issues with those stupid kids thinking that Xander coming here in the car was a one-time thing. Hopefully, this will get them off Levi’s back for a little while and help him behave a little better.
The school bell rings, and I sit up higher, feeling excited about Levi coming out to us with his school caregiver. Eventually, the doors open, and kids rush out in all directions. A group of them take in the car and stare at it, some of them from the mainstream school taking pictures with their cells as I sit here with Xander’s arm around me in the front seat.
I glance around, searching for Levi, and then I spot him casually and slowly walking down the stairs with his caregiver, searching for Greta. I messaged and told her what was going on. She said she was overjoyed at the situation and was only too happy to take the night off so the three of us could be together. But if I needed her, she was only a phone call away.
Xander honks the car horn, making Levi glance up. His eyes widen as he takes in his favorite car. His body straightens like he’s in awe as he starts rushing toward us. I grin so wide, seeing the pure elation on his face.
“Friend?” he yells so loudly everyone turns to stare at him.
“Yeah, buddy, it’s me,” Xander calls back as I hop out from my seat, give the caregiver a wave, and slide into the back of the car so Levi can sit in the front with Xander.
Levi reaches the car, almost out of breath with his excitement. “You went away. You were gone,” Levi states.
Xander frowns as I hold Levi’s hand. Levi focuses on Xander. “I know, buddy, and I’m so sorry. But I am back now, and I’m not going anywhere. I am going to be around with you guys a hell of a lot more if you’re okay with that?”
Levi purses his lips like he’s thinking but says nothing as he hops into the front seat of the car. He turns to face Xander as an awkward tension builds. I’m scared he’s not going to want Xander around anymore.
Levi exhales. “You’re my friend. You can stay.”
I sigh with relief as Xander squeezes Levi’s shoulder. “Thanks, man, I’m glad you feel that way.”
Levi shrugs. “You can make up for it,” he teases.
“Levi,” I berate.
Xander shakes his head. “No, it’s fine. What can I do to make it up to you?”
Levi sits taller. “Stay guard on the shadows tonight.”
My chest squeezes. He wants protection. I wish I could give him that comfort, but I can’t. I don’t have the genetics where he feels safe and secure.
Xander glances back at me, and I nod. “Done. We have more to discuss with you when we get home. You okay with having a family dinner?” Xander asks.
Elation floods through me that he’s talking about family dinners already. He will make this thing work.
Levi shrugs. “As long as there’s ice cream. No donuts. They were gross.”
I let out an amused huff. “I’m never going to live those donuts down, am I?”
Levi smirks, glancing back out to his schoolmates who are all watching us in the car. I can’t help but feel proud of him for not putting on a show in front of them.
“Let’s go home,” I call.
“Yes, let’s go home,” Xander replies as he pulls out onto the road, making Levi smile the biggest he has in weeks.