Chapter 65
Chapter Sixty-Five
Ryan
C lutching the box to my chest, I’m no longer as certain about it as I was when I first got home, and I was already unsure if I’d made the right call with this gift.
When we entered the house, I marched him straight to the bathroom, where he saw himself for the first time. “Who the hell is this guy?” was what he asked the man staring back at him in the mirror.
Shock is the only word to describe Knox’s reaction to his new look. I left him on his own, giving him a moment to adjust, while I tried to find somewhere to hide the big-ass box he’d already spotted on the kitchen table. Unfortunately, he’s joined me before I’ve had a chance to stash his gift.
Like a kid on Christmas, he reaches for it. “Gimmee, Gimmee. ”
“Maybe now isn’t the time.”
“You saying my new look isn’t worthy of your gift? Having second thoughts?”
“Don’t be stupid.” Box still in hand, I take a step backward.
He matches me step for step in my attempt to retreat. “Then let me have my present.”
Holding a hand out in front of me, I stop him. “It’s been an emotional day. This can wait.”
“Baby, what’s in the box?”
I can’t help but giggle. “Okay, Brad Pitt.”
Smiling, he wails, “What’s in the box?” Quoting Mr. Pitt’s famous line from the David Fincher film, Se7en .
After another chuckle, I take a deep breath, hoping I haven’t made a huge mistake. What if the contents are too much for him today? “We can save it for another time.”
“Ry, I may be bald, but I’m strong. I can handle whatever you got. Besides, I know you wouldn’t put something that would hurt me in a pretty box with a bow on it. That would be cruel.”
“You’re not bald. You have a full head of hair. If I’m being honest, you look great for an old man.”
“Long haul, baby. I’m not even halfway there.” He leans into my space, kissing me long and slow. Seducing me while he steals the gift from my hands.
“Smooth, McKinnon.”
“You knew I was gonna get my way in the end.”
My heart thunders against my rib cage. “Wait, one sec. I’ll meet you on the couch.” I snatch the box from him, carrying it with me as I race down the hall to grab my computer .
He sits on the edge of the couch, rubbing his hands over his hair.
“Does it feel weird?”
“You could say that.”
“It looks great, but you won’t offend me if you find a barber to clean it up,” I kid, but he really should seek professional help to give it some style.
“That’s probably a good idea.” He laughs.
Sitting next to him, I place the box and my laptop on the table in front of us. Cupping his cheek with one hand, I touch my lips to his temple. “Open your present, baby.”
He rips off the bow and pops the top off the box, revealing the baby book inside.
Chewing on my lower lip, I wait for him to say something, but he’s quiet as he stares at the book like he’s scared to touch it or see what else is in the box.
I step in. “So, Mia and I were talking when she came to pick Sawyer up the other morning. I asked if she had any pictures, she’d be willing to give up.
It turns out she’s been saving these things for you.
As she made Sawyer’s baby book, she created an identical one for you.
From her first ultrasound to his first tooth, she’s been keeping track of everything.
I think deep down she knew she would tell you at some point. ”
His hands raise to rake through his hair that isn’t there, but when he realizes what he’s doing, he exhales. His eyes turn glossy.
“You okay?”
“I can’t believe you did this for me.”
“Well, Mia did all the work. I’m the lucky one who gets to give it to you.” Reaching into the box, I pull out a tiny striped hat, laying it on his thigh. “Let’s start with this.”
“Shit, this is his hat from the hospital, isn’t it?”
“It is.”
“Mia, saved this for me?”
“She did.” Next, I hand him a pair of small Air Jordans. “And these.”
“Holy shit, Ry. They’re tiny.”
While he marvels at the shoes, I bring the baby book out. “You ready?”
He pushes out a breath, carefully putting the shoes on the table as though they might break. “Let’s do it.”
For the next twenty minutes, we read every note and measurement. We ooh and awe at the pictures chronically his baby boy’s life.
He closes the book. “He’s fucking perfect.”
“He’s pretty dang cute.”
“I can’t believe Mia did this for me.”
“As her friend, it’s not surprising at all.”
He’s quiet, sitting with his thoughts. I lean back and let him sort through his emotions. He peers into the box and removes a few more items, but when he gets to an infant sized Hollow Knocks T-shirt, his mouth falls open before he beams with glee to know his little man had adorned his shirt.
“Ready for more?” I tease.
“There’s more?”
I open my laptop and insert the thumb drive Mia gave me, sliding it in front of him. “Hit play when you’re ready.”
Reluctantly, he presses the button, leaning forward in anticipation.
It’s hard to keep my eyes on the screen and not on his face as he goes through a rollercoaster of emotions.
His composure breaks at the recording of Mia playing one of Hollow Knock’s love songs to Sawyer in her belly, again during his birth, his first smile, and first steps.
But when a recent video of Sawyer rocking out in his car seat while singing along with one of Knox’s first singles fills the screen, he leaps to his feet, his fist in the air doing his best Judd Nelson impression. “That’s my boy! Woo! Do you see him, Ry?”
“I do.” I chuckle. “Looks like he’s a fan.”
He picks me up, swinging me around. “He’s a fucking fan,” he whispers in my ear. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, but like I said, Mia did all the work. She stayed up all night, putting the video clips together. It’s her you need to thank.”
“Have I mentioned how much I love you?”
“I love you too.”
“How about we celebrate tonight? Gus said Daisy and Owen and who knows who else will be at The House. If you’re down, I’d like to go. You should invite your sister and Abe.”