“Are you moving back in?” Lily asked.
“Do you want me to?”
“Yes. I’ve missed you.”
“Then yes. I’m moving back in.”
“Yay! You can sleep in Dad’s room with him. I already told him it’s okay.”
“Thank you, Lily.”
“You’re welcome. I know you two love each other so you should sleep together.”
“Okay, sweet niece of mine,” Sebastian said as he scooped her up from the couch. “Let’s go get some food.”
Later that day after everyone had left, I changed into my nightshirt and climbed in Stefan’s bed. Lily made sure it was nice and comfy for me by fluffing my pillows.
“You have to rest now. Can I get you anything?”
“How about a hug?” The corners of my mouth curved upward.
She wrapped her arms around me and gave me a gentle hug.
“You are such a wonderful helper,” I said.
“You’re always taking care of me, so now I want to take care of you.”
Stefan walked into the room and climbed on the bed next to me.
“Come here, baby girl. We need to have a little chat,” Stefan said as Lily climbed in between us.
“What is it, Dad?”
“You know how much I love you, right?”
“Yes. I know.”
“And you know how much I love Alex.”
“Yeah. I know.”
“Well, there’s going to be someone else coming in a few months whom I’m going to love very much also.”
“Who?” Her brows furrowed.
“Your baby brother or sister.”
Lily turned her head and looked at me with wide eyes.
“You’re going to have a baby?”
“I am.” I smiled. “In about seven months.”
“How do you feel about that, baby girl?” Stefan asked.
“I’m really excited. And I hope it’s a girl.”
“Why is that?”
“Cause then you can stop calling me baby girl and call my sister that.”
The smile on Stefan’s face fell flat.
“You will always be my baby girl.”
“I know, Dad, but I’m too old now. You need to stop calling me that.”
“Never!” He grabbed her and hugged her tight.
Chapter 40
Stefan
Alex was sound asleep, and Lily was playing on her iPad in the living room. Grabbing four beers from the refrigerator, I took them out to the patio, lit the firepit and sat down. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I sent a text message to my brothers.
“Beer?”
Within a few minutes Sam and Sebastian walked over, and Simon sent me a text saying he’d be over as soon as he got home.
“How’s Alex doing?” Sam asked as he sat down.
“She’s sleeping right now.” I brought the bottle up to my lips. “We told Lily about the baby.”
“And?” Sebastian asked.
“She’s happy. Now I have to tell Mom and Dad.”
“Don’t worry about them. They’ll be ecstatic another grandchild is on the way. Thanks, by the way, now they’ll get off my back.” Sam smirked as he held up his bottle to me.
“No problem, bro.” I tapped mine against it. “I can’t believe I’m going to have two kids.”
“Honestly, we can’t either,” Sebastian said. “But better you than me.” He held his beer bottle up.
“Touché, brother.”
Simon walked over, grabbed a beer from the table and sat down.
“Where were you?” Sebastian asked.
“At the station pulling a case file so I can go over it tonight. What’s going on over here? How’s Alex?”
“She’s good. She’s asleep.”
“And you? How are you doing?”
“I’m good. Really good. Alex is back in my house, we’re having a baby, and all is right in my world.” I smiled.
We talked for a while and then my brother’s left. The sliding door opened and when I looked over, Alex stepped out, walked over to me and climbed on my lap.
“What are you doing?” she asked as her arms wrapped around my neck.
“My brothers just left. What are you doing out of bed?”
“I missed you.” She smiled as her lips touched mine.
“I missed you too. I’ll go over to Jenni’s apartment tomorrow and get the rest of your things.”
“Okay.”
“Are you hungry?” I asked.
“A little bit.”
“Come on. There’s plenty of leftovers in the fridge.”
“Before we eat, there’s something I want to talk to you about,” she spoke.
“Of course. What is it?”
“I’m not quitting my job at the restaurant. Not until after the baby born.”
“Okay. If you really want to keep working there, I will support your decision.”
“I need to make my own money. Especially now that I’m not Lily’s nanny anymore.”
“You don’t ever have to worry about money again. But I understand. I love you, baby, and it makes me happy to take care of you.”
“I love you too.” Our lips met.
A couple days later as I was sitting in my office, my dad walked in.
“Hey, Dad.” I smiled. “What are you doing here?”
“Just checking to see how my sons are running my company.” He smirked.
“We’re running it just fine. You know, I’m glad you stopped by. I was going to call you later and ask if you wanted to meet for lunch this week.”
“Oh? Why?”
“There’s something I have to talk to you about.”
“What did you do?” His brow arched and I let out a laugh.
“It’s nothing bad. Alex is pregnant.”
“With my grandchild I hope.”
“Yes. Of course.”
He sat there and slowly nodded his head while he stared at me.
“Do you love her?”
“I do. Very much.”
“I knew it. Congratulations, son.”
When he walked over, I stood up and he gave me a hug.
“This makes me very happy. Now you need to put a ring on her finger.”
“I will, Dad. But not just yet.”
“Okay. I get that. Let’s plan to get together for dinner. Have you told your mother yet?”
“No. I was going to tell her tonight. She invited us for dinner.”
“She’ll be just as thrilled as I am.”
Chapter 41
Two Months Later
Alex
I was standing naked in front of the full-length mirror staring at my growing belly when Stefan walked into the bedroom.
“Damn. You are one sexy woman.” He walked over and wrapped his arms around me from behind and planted his hands firmly on my belly.
“I think the baby grew overnight,” I said.
“Seems like it.” He pressed his lips against my shoulder. “I didn’t have any of this with Lily.”