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"And you're going to miss it if you keep standing here talking to us," Tori said. "Move it. Your wife is waiting for you."
Ethan made a mad dash out of the conference room while Brody, Wyatt and Tori grinned at each other.
Fourteen hours later, Brody and Tori made their way into Riley's hospital room to get their first glimpse at the baby.
Tori had worried all day and into the night. Brody distracted her by taking her out to dinner after work and then they went to the hospital to hold vigil with the rest of the family until the baby was born. Zoey was hyper excited, so Tori and Calliope kept her amused with electronic games until Ethan, grinning like crazy, came out and told them that Gideon Roger Kent had made his arrival, screaming like a banshee as he came out.
Tori unabashedly sobbed with joy on Brody's shoulder. Brody's parents went in first while they all waited. They didn't want to crowd the room too much. After a while, they got to go in. Riley, who looked gorgeous as usual but tired, smiled as they walked in.
"Come see our baby," she said. Ethan took him from her and deposited him in Brody's surprised arms.
"Eight pounds, two ounces," Ethan said with a smile.
"Wow," Tori said, looking at his red, scrunched-up face. She smiled over at Riley and Ethan. "He's gorgeous."
"Daddy says he looks a lot like I did when I was born," Zoey said.
"He does, doesn't he?" Brody said, and Tori was awed at the shine of unshed tears in Brody's eyes.
"Do you want to hold him?" Brody asked.
"I'd love to." She washed her hands and held out her arms, a feeling of instant love and protectiveness washing over her as soon as Gideon was placed in her arms.
She took a seat in one of the vacant chairs and made room for Zoey, who couldn't seem to get enough of her new baby brother. But after such an exciting day, it was obvious she was wearing down, and she soon fell asleep on Tori's shoulder.
This was what she wanted, Tori thought. This life, with children in her arms. She shifted her gaze to Brody and found him watching her, an expression on his face she couldn't fathom. She didn't know if it was discomfort, the same kind of wonder she felt tonight, or something else entirely.
But she'd never seen that look on his face before, and she didn't know what to make of it.
She wasn't even going to try and figure it out, because today wasn't about her and Brody's relationship. Today had been about small miracles.
*
Brody watched the wonder on Tori's face as she held baby Gideon in her arms, the way she cradled him close as if she was born to hold a child.
He'd always pushed the idea of marriage and children to the back of his mind, figuring that would come later in life, when he was ready for it. Though he didn't really know when that "ready" time would be.
Maybe when he found the right woman.
But as he stole glances at Tori, as she carefully stood and handed Gideon off to Riley, almost with a sense of regret at letting go of the baby, he realized that it was time to start thinking about those things.
Holding the baby had seemed natural to him. He knew that feeling of not wanting to let him go.
It was time to start reevaluating what was important to him, and what he wanted.
And when.
But on his terms, and Tori's terms.
Not his family's.
Chapter Twelve
Staying more often at Brody's house had definite advantages, the biggest one being the Christmas party. Now that she was intimately familiar with his house, she knew exactly where everything--and everyone--would fit.
Plus, her clothes were already here for the party tonight. She had taken the day off work so she could meet the caterers and the party planner who was helping her put this event together.
She was trying not to stress. Sex with Brody in the shower this morning had certainly helped. He'd called it medicinal, and for stress release. She'd called it rockin' hot, but she was a lot calmer now.
Calliope had already called her three times and texted her twice asking if there was anything she could do to help. She'd offered to take the day off, too, but Tori had refused. She had a handle on this.
When the doorbell rang at noon, she was in a panic. The caterers weren't due for hours and the party planner wasn't coming until two, so she was shocked to see Brody's mom at the door.
"Hi, Stacy. I didn't expect you to show up until the party tonight."
Stacy waved her hand. "Oh, please. Did you think I'd let you handle all this by yourself?"
Tori laughed and made room for Stacy to come in. "It's no problem. It is my job, after all."
"Maybe, but that doesn't mean you couldn't use some help."
Grateful for the assistance, they talked about table placement and food and drink as well as door prizes and who had RSVP'd. Stacy helped her wrap some gifts and put the finishing touches on the enormous Christmas tree she'd coerced Brody into buying.
"I brought over some of Brody's childhood ornaments," Stacy said, bringing out a box. "I thought those would make a nice touch."
"Oh, that's so sweet. Thank you. I know those will mean a lot to him, this being the first tree he's put up in here."
Stacy shook her head. "You'd think with this being the perfect spot for one, he'd have put one up before now."
"That's what I told him." She hung the ornaments, loving the Baby's First Christmas and the sports-related ones, especially the one with the gap-toothed photo of an eight-year-old Brody in his baseball uniform.
"It's going to be a great party tonight," Stacy told her after they'd finalized everything. "You've done a remarkable job."
"Thanks. I hope so. I'm so nervous, since this was my idea. If it bombs, the buck stops here."
"It's not going to bomb. Everyone's going to have a great time."
She hoped so. They'd never let her plan another Christmas party again if this one failed.
Stacy stayed until the setup crew arrived and put all the tables and decorations in order. Tori grabbed a jacket and went outside to supervise the placement of the heaters and fire pit. As she scanned the sky, she noted the gray clouds overhead.
As cold as it was getting, it could possibly snow. She hoped it would hold out until after the party. She'd really love people to be able to use the heaters and pit out here. They'd brought in some lovely, comfortable furniture and it was going to be toasty warm for folks who wanted to step out for some fresh air tonight.
Stacy left after everything was set up, saying she'd be back before the guests arrived. Once everything was in place, Tori dashed off and showered, did her hair and makeup and threw on a robe. She'd put on her dress right before the caterers came. The caterers were going to bring the food and set up the bar an hour before the guests were due to arrive, so she had the timing all planned out.
Brody came home early to help--she was so grateful for that. She directed him to the shower first.
She was in the bedroom ready to put on her dress when he came out of the bathroom smelling fresh and clean, a towel slung over his hips.
She took one look and pure lust took over.
"If I hadn't already done my hair and makeup, you'd be in trouble right now."
He gave her a look that made her swell with arousal. "You'd better get that dress on, or your hair is gonna get mussed up and then you'll be mad at me."
She grabbed her dress and shoes and dashed into the spare bedroom to dress. Much as she'd like to spend the next hour naked and in his arms, that would spell disaster. The last thing she'd need was to be lying in bed with Brody and have the caterers ring the doorbell.
But it was something fun to think about as she climbed into her dress.
She couldn't do the back zipper, so she slid into her heels and went back into the bedroom. She stalled at the doorway. Brody was slipping into his jacket.
He very rarely wore a suit, typically reserved only for important business meetings and the company Christmas party. Usually he was a jeans and T-shirt or Hen
ley kind of guy, or shorts in the summer.
Lord, the man cleaned up well. Though honestly whether he was naked, dressed up, or anything in between, she loved him. It didn't matter what he wore--or didn't wear.
"You look amazing," she said. "And I need help with this zipper."
He turned with a smile, but his smile disappeared when he saw her.
He came toward her and she turned her back to him, shocked when she felt his lips against the side of her neck.
"You are the most beautiful woman I've ever laid eyes on. How did I ever get so lucky?"
She shuddered, then his fingers brushed her bare back as he pulled the zipper up.
"Later, I'll be dragging this zipper down when I get you out of this dress."
Her body in flames, she turned to face him, laid her palms on his chest. "I'll be thinking about that all night."
"You know, I could make love to you without messing up your hair."
He leaned in and her heart stuttered, every female hormone in her body gravitating toward him. "Is that right?"
The doorbell rang.
"Dammit."
She laughed and gave him a quick kiss. "Something to think about all night."
She dashed around him and went to the door, grateful the caterers were on time, even if they did put a crimp in her love life.
