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“Huh.” I rattle that around in my head. A boy. A little Aiden running around. I softly sigh and unconsciously run my hand over my stomach. Syd elbows me and I jerk my hand away. Shit. Thank God I’m telling Aiden tonight.
“Thanks,” I lean over and say.
After eating half of Sydney’s and my dinner, the nauseous feeling has subsided and I feel more energetic. Aiden’s staying close by my side, still concerned. Amy has been keeping an eye on me. Every time I glance her direction, our eyes meet and I awkwardly smile. When I sneak away to go to the bathroom, she corners me when I come out of the stall. She leans against the wall while I wash my hands. I quickly peek at her in the mirror and look away to dry my hands. I feel like I’m a teenager again and she’s using the silent treatment until I break down and confess.
I blow out a breath and then turn to face her. “I’m pregnant,” I blurt out. Damn it. It works every time.
“I knew it!” she says vigorously, grabbing my hand and pulling me into a hug. “Congratulations, Addison.” She steps back but holds my hands. “Were y’all planning it? When did you find out? How far along are you?”
I laugh and squeeze her hands. “Okay, stop!” I say.
“Sorry,” she winces. “I’m just so excited for you.”
“I just found out last night. It definitely was not planned.” She tilts her head. “I took antibiotics last month because I was sick,” I explain. She nods slowly in understanding. “Nobody knows except for the girls in the wedding party, and now you.”
“Aiden doesn’t know yet?”
“No.” I throw my arms out. “I’m planning on telling him tonight. He was supposed to be the first person I told, but not being able to drink and getting sick out of the blue has given it away.”
“I promise I won’t say anything.” Her eyes soften and she smiles, the soft wrinkles around her eyes deepening. She brushes an errant piece of hair behind my ear. “Let’s get out there before someone comes looking for you.”
I put my hand on her upper arm, stopping her from turning around. “I’d like my kids to call you grandma…” I grin, tearing up, “…if that’s okay with you.” I was never able to call her Mom, even though that is what she is to me in every way possible. She respected my decision and always knew how much she meant to me. I want her and Ted to be a part of my children’s lives. They will be the only grandparents our kids will have.
Amy chokes back her tears. “I would be honored.” Her eyes gleam as she cups my face. “You’ve brought so much happiness to my life. A lot of worry in between all that,” she adds, chuckling, “but you have filled my life with more love than I could ever have imagined.” My nose runs from tearing up, and I have to keep sniffling.
I wave my hand in front of my face. “Okay. We need to stop or I’m going to be a blubbering mess.” I wipe the tears from my cheek and walk into a stall to grab some toilet paper. I grab a handful for Amy, too. With one last hug, we walk back out to the reception.
“There she is,” a voice announces, coming from the speakers. It’s Aiden’s voice, so I glance toward the stage. When our eyes meet, he says, “Hi, sweetheart.” His voice is raspy and sexy as hell. I lick my lips, watching him up on stage. His sleeves are rolled up and his tie is loose. He flashes his panty-dropping grin. Both dimples are on display, causing my stomach to flutter.
That gorgeous man is mine.
“Aiden, stop staring at Addie,” Lexi whispers, forgetting she’s at a microphone. Her small voice breaks our connection, and I laugh with the crowd. I hadn’t noticed her up there. I was too busy ogling Aiden. My heart beats differently when I look at her. The beat is a slower, patient beat filled with adoration. She smiles at me, lifts her arm, and waves. I wave back and blow her a kiss. The little girl who looked up at me through frightened eyes when I opened her closet door that horrific day has stolen my heart. When I let go of the guilt that followed the death of her parents and brother, I knew Lexi’s place in my life would be permanent. I was relieved when the courts agreed.
Aiden strums his guitar once. “You ready, Tater Tot?” He looks down at her, and she nods her head quickly. Her small hands wrap around the microphone. “This song was for Addison, but I think I’m singing it for both my girls.”
I can tell how much she adores Aiden by how she looks up at him. Her smile is contagious. He winks at her before his fingers move across the strings of the guitar. The drums and piano play behind him. Lexi sways to the beat. She’s so freaking adorable on stage.
Aiden’s deep voice fills the air with the words from “You’ll Be in My Heart” from Phil Collins. A song from Tarzan. Fitting for Aiden. He looks down at Lexi when he sings the first part. When the chorus starts, Lexi joins in and they both look at me. Her angelic voice is wrapped around his raspy voice, creating the perfect storm of melody.
My body is shaking with so much feeling I don’t even know what to do with it. I cover my mouth as tears stream down my face. Up on stage is my heart and soul. Their words burn into my heart, leaving a permanent mark. It’s the birthmark of our family.
Someone hands me a Kleenex, and I blot my face and nose. I try to bottle up my breaths and attempt to calm down, but I just end up suffocating myself. They take turns singing then come back together. My eyes move around, catching glimpses of people with tear-stained faces. When they finish the song, everyone is on their feet. Including me. I clap and then bring my hands back to my heart, staring up at them. Lexi jumps into Aiden’s arms as soon as he puts his guitar down.
When they come down from the stage, the band takes over again. I’m waiting for them when they walk down the stairs. “I loved it,” I say, squeezing them. “Y’all were amazing together.”
“We make a good team, don’t we, Tater Tot?” Aiden says, pressing a kiss on her cheek.
The best. I rest my head on Aiden’s shoulder, watching the two rehash about singing together. They tell me about practicing on Sundays when they were having their special time. I knew they had to have practiced. They were too good for it to have been spontaneous.
“Hey, little rock star, do you want to dance with me before you become too famous and forget you even know me?” Damon asks Lexi, reaching his hand out.
“Let’s go, Peter Pan.” Aiden places Lexi down, and she dances away with Damon.
Aiden’s fingers slowly scrape up my arm, making my body shiver. His eyes follow the path of his fingers, and he inhales deeply, letting it out slowly. When his eyes meet mine, they’re so intense. I tilt my head, wondering what he’s thinking. His thumb outlines my collarbone before moving up and cupping the back of my neck.
“God, you’re beautiful, Addison.” I softly smile. He draws me to him and claims my mouth before I can say anything. I grip a handful of his shirt to hold on. My mind turns dizzy as I’m consumed by Aiden’s mouth. When he releases me, we’re both breathless. “I need to step away from you or we’re going to need to leave our wedding early,” he growls. I nod, still trying to catch my breath. That’s probably a good idea.
He spins around and starts to walk away. “Thanks for the song,” I say. He looks back and nods.
