31. Felix

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

felix

Mom and Dad are here. They both hug me tight, but they’re very excited when they hug Henry and then hold onto Hazel. My mom gushes at how beautiful she is and baby-talks to her. Henry and I might as well not be here for at least a good ten minutes, while my mom goes gaga.

It’s funny to watch, but it also warms my heart.

The gym is closed for a few hours while we hold Hazel’s first birthday party with all the staff and Andrew in attendance.

The theme is perfect, and there’s a huge cake, a small cake for Hazel, custom decorations, and tons of gifts.

She’s, for sure, going to be in a sugar coma after this and will probably need a nap, but it’s so good to watch my girl surrounded by everyone who loves her so damn much.

And not just my girl, but my man. Henry small-talks with my father and Ben in the corner as Hazel tears into her presents and plays happily with Caleb.

Henry is content, happier than I’ve ever seen him. And I’ve decided I’m going to ask him to move in with me. Whether we decide to find a place of our own or just move into my place, I don’t care. Hell, I’ll even officially move into the studio apartment with him, if that’s what he wants.

This man and Hazel own my heart, and I want this badly.

I know he won’t say no. Deep down, I know he wants it too, but it’s still a little nerve-racking.

“She is so cute,” my mom says next to me and kisses my temple, like I did something she’s proud of.

“She’s amazing,” I say easily as she rips into another present. Henry helps her open the box that contains a talking stuffed animal.

“He is too, huh?” my mom asks in her mom way that says she already knows everything she needs to.

“He is. I’m in love with them both.”

She smiles and nods in approval. “That’s good because I’m pretty sure your father and I are already attached.”

I laugh. “You just met them.”

“Uh-huh. Like it took you any longer than that.” She knows me way too well.

“Nope. The second I saw them. They’re magical, those two.”

“You three make a beautiful family, Felix.” She looks amused as she smiles. “I totally approve.”

I laugh because I knew she would. There’s more cake and presents. Caleb and Hazel play together before they both get super fussy as we all rush to get the back room cleaned up before we reopen.

And we’ve got to get the kids down for a nap soon or they’re really going to lose it. My parents say their goodbyes and make us promise to come see them soon. Roman and Brooks have a flight to catch, so they head out after them, and Ben and Colby take Caleb home, leaving me, Henry, and Ethan to open up the gym. Knox had to head out too, but Andrew stayed behind to help us, despite not having a meeting here tonight.

He’s just a good guy like that.

I’m about to send Henry upstairs with Hazel when a beautiful woman opens the door, her eyes looking around the gym, a nervous look on her face. And I know.

I know who she is instantly, even before Henry opens his mouth. “Maggie.”

No.

Ethan and Andrew stand nearby, clearly on alert as Henry stands frozen, his eyes darting from Hazel to Maggie, then back to Hazel.

The fear was always in the back of my mind that she’d return, but when she did, I didn’t expect for her to be so beautiful. So normal-looking.

Her clothes are clean, and her skin is smooth as silk. Her hair is done nicely, and she doesn’t look like an addict who’s plagued with a sickness she can’t get rid of. She doesn’t look like someone who chose drugs over her child. Who left behind a man who’d have loved her through every bit of pain.

She looks good.

Sober.

And I’m a horrible, horrible person because this sends fear through me like nothing else. If she’s sober, and if she loves them, will he leave me? She’s Hazel’s mother. She gave birth to her.

Please don’t take them away from me.

I can’t lose them.