12. Jenner

Chapter 12

Jenner

"Evie," I knocked on her bedroom door for at least the fifth time in the last half hour. "We're going to be late if we don't leave soon."

A muffled scream sounded through the wood, but the doorknob turned, and Evie came into view.

She took one look at me and shook her head, muttering, "Nope," before turning on her heel and returning to where she had clothing scattered across the queen-sized bed inside the guest room she'd been occupying since her return.

Cautiously, I stepped across the threshold. "What's wrong?"

Evie spun around, a mix of frustration and annoyance on her face. "I can't decide what to wear." She gestured a hand toward me, accusing, "And you're in a freaking suit!"

It took everything in my power to bite back a smile, but I couldn't keep it from filtering into my voice when I replied, "Ninety percent of my wardrobe consists of suits and sweats, babe. Pretty sure sweats were not the appropriate choice today."

Her eyes narrowed, and both hands flew to her wide hips. "Don't try to be cute. This is serious."

I scanned her appearance. She looked classy in a wine-colored top with lace sleeves down to the elbow and wide-leg black trousers. "I think you look great, Evie."

She huffed, gesturing to herself. "It's not dressy enough. First impressions are everything, Jenner. We can't mess this up."

Daring to step closer, I reached for her hand. Instead of pulling away, Evie met me halfway, squeezing so tightly that I was sure I'd have an imprint of her rings on my palm later.

Keeping my tone soothing, I said, "She's not going to decide she doesn't like us based on our clothing. She chose us based on what was in our file."

Evie's lip trembled, and her eyes grew glassy. Fuck. I wasn't trying to make her cry. She'd shed enough tears over trying to become a mother to last the both of us a lifetime.

If I had anything to say about it, today would mark the end of all the heartbreak. How could any woman not see that Evie was the perfect choice to raise their child?

Her free hand rose to swipe at her nose as she sniffled. "That file is the highlight reel. What if we don't live up to the expectation in real life?"

I cupped her cheek. "You're overthinking this."

Vulnerability swam in her eyes as she stared at me. "I want it so bad."

"I know." I nodded. "And it's going to happen. Even if this mom isn't the one, I know there's one out there who will be the perfect match for us."

"Okay." Evie's lips twisted to the side. "Can you at least take off the tie? Go a little more casual?"

I chuckled. My hands flew to my throat, instantly loosening the knot holding the tie in place. "You know I'll give you anything you ever ask for, Evie."

Hanging heavy between us was the fact that I'd been unable to give her the only thing she'd wanted more than anything in this world—a baby.

But that was about to change.

"Mr. and Mrs. Knight, it's a pleasure to finally meet you in person." A silver-haired woman in a black wrap dress and flats reached out to shake our hands in the small reception area of the adoption agency's offices. "Stella couldn't tell me enough good things about you from her visit."

"We're excited to be here." I extended my hand and clasped hers, giving it a firm shake before dropping my palm to the small of Evie's back as she took her turn greeting the agency's director, Miranda.

"Shall we step into my office, and I can give you an overview of what to expect today?"

"Of course." I nodded, guiding Evie down the narrow hallway as we followed Miranda.

Letting Evie settle into a chair opposite where the director sat behind her desk, I took the one beside her. My wife's knee bounced, and she twisted her hands in her lap. I wanted to reach out and soothe her, but I knew nothing would settle her nerves. Not when the future she'd always dreamed of was on the line but so many factors surrounding it were out of her control.

Miranda opened a file on her desk. My eyes saw that Knight was typed along the tab of the manila folder. Evie had handled the application process before my involvement, so I wasn't quite sure what lay inside, but it must've been enough to catch the eye of the birth mom we would be meeting today.

"I must say," Miranda began, "you've done an excellent job expressing yourselves and your journey. It's no surprise that you were selected for an interview so quickly. You can almost feel the love you would give a child."

With a sideways glance at Evie, I asked the director, "Two months is considered quick for this step?"

She nodded. "The average is six to twelve months. We boast quite the catalog, so it says something that you were able to stand out. Even if this mom isn't the right match for you, it gives me confidence that you'll catch the eye of another."

Evie sucked in a sharp breath beside me, and it took me right back to our days of IVF.

As far as I was concerned, failure wasn't an option. This first mom had to be the one. I wasn't sure Evie could handle another tenuous, drawn-out process that yielded no results. And we'd already proven that I wouldn't be able to watch her suffer.

Miranda must not have noticed Evie's distress because she continued, "The birth mom will be waiting for us in a special meeting room. I'll sit in to mediate should either party have any questions or concerns. Keep in mind that even should you be chosen, she can change her mind at any time, even after signing away her rights once the baby is born, for up to thirty days."

"We understand." I remembered Stella, the social worker, mentioning something similar. I could only imagine if they were hammering it home, it happened more often than we cared to think.

"And I would caution you to temper your expectations that you'll leave this building today with a definitive answer as to whether the birth mom wants to continue the process with you. Many of them need time to think it over after the interview, or they may have other couples to visit with. We know time is paramount, so the minute we have information for you, we will be in touch."

From the corner of my eye, I could see Evie trembling. I was growing concerned that she wouldn't be able to hold it together during the interview.

Closing our file, Miranda stood, gesturing to the door. "If you don't have any further questions, we can head out to the meeting room."

Rising from my seat, I offered a hand to Evie. She clutched it like a lifeline, her nervous energy transferring through our clasped palms.

Leaning down, I whispered in her ear, "You've got this."

Her eyes flashed to mine, and some of the fear in them melted away. She gave me a tight nod, and together, we walked hand-in-hand behind Miranda before coming to a stop at a closed door.

This was it. On the other side of that door sat the woman who was considering giving a piece of herself over to us to raise. I couldn't imagine the strength it took to make such a monumental life decision—one that would change both her future and ours.

"Are you ready?" Miranda asked.

Evie couldn't find her voice, so I answered for both of us. "Yes."

The door was pulled open, and Miranda stepped across the threshold first to announce our presence. "Good afternoon, Paige. I'd like to introduce you to the Knights."

That was our cue, and I tugged Evie along beside me as we entered the room. But as soon as we stepped inside, I stopped short and did a double take.

I'd been expecting a woman, but instead, a girl was seated on the couch with a tiny swell of a belly visible beneath her tight-fitting shirt. She barely looked older than Braxton's sixteen-year-old niece, with her strawberry blonde hair pulled into a high ponytail and zero makeup on her face as she chewed on her nails.

"Would you care to sit?" Miranda prompted, and I realized I'd been staring.

Swallowing, I barely made it the three steps to reach the couch opposite the young, redheaded girl before I collapsed onto it.

Evie was more graceful as she settled beside me, but she gripped my hand as tightly as ever.

Pressing a palm over my racing heart, I cleared my throat before managing to say, "I'm Jenner." Turning my eyes to my wife, I added, "And this is Evie."

The girl dipped her chin. "Yeah, I know. Honestly, I feel like I know everything about you from your file."

"Paige, would you like to share with the Knights why you've selected them for this interview?" Miranda guided the young woman.

"Sure." Paige's blue eyes rose to meet our gaze. "I think what drew me in was reading Mrs. Knight's—I mean, Evie's—personal statement. It broke my heart reading about the years you two tried to start a family of your own. Not just the physical toll it took on Evie with the different attempts at treatment but the emotional ride you went through as a couple. Evie couldn't say enough about Mr. Knight's—Jenner's—constant support, explaining how he never wavered in caring for her, even when she was struggling and not herself."

I peeked at Evie in surprise that she'd shared those vulnerable moments, only to find tears streaking down her face. The sound of a cleared throat caught my attention, and a box of tissues entered my field of vision. I accepted it gratefully, pulling one out and offering it to Evie.

"Sorry," I apologized for the love of my life falling apart beside me. "It's been a really difficult journey."

Paige gave me a sad smile, her eyes shifting to my wife. "I've shed more than a few tears reading all that the two of you have been through. I can't imagine how painful it was to experience it firsthand."

Stunned, I stared at the young woman. She seemed so mature, especially in her capacity for empathy.

"But as moving as that testimony was, when I saw your wedding portrait, that sealed the deal for me." When my eyebrows rose and Paige sensed my confusion, she explained, "Seeing Jenner's red hair. It seemed like a sign." She tangled a hand in her own red tresses. "There's a good chance this baby comes out a redhead, and it just felt like they would look like they belonged with you, you know?"

Evie let out a sob, and I turned enough that she could bury her face in my chest, her tears soaking through my shirt. Her words were muffled, but I knew exactly what she was saying. "Little redheaded babies."

That's what she'd always wanted. A house full of little ones who looked like me.

Paige handled Evie's breakdown like a champ. "And that nursery? I could just picture her sleeping safely inside it."

Evie pulled back suddenly, and her head whipped to stare at Paige. "A g-girl?"

"Yeah." Paige dropped her eyes to her belly before running a hand over it.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Evie's fingers twitching, and I knew what she was thinking—she would never know what it felt like to grow life inside her.

As much as I hated being the voice of reason, it was required if we hoped to move forward.

"Paige, giving up a child is a monumental decision, so I have to ask: Are you sure?"

A flash of defiance entered her blue eyes, and she lifted her chin. "I'm eighteen. I'm old enough to know what I want. And while I'd like to have kids someday, I'm not ready now. I'd like to think by giving her up, I'm giving us both a chance at a better life. She'll get the chance to grow up with a couple who are well-established, in love, and ready to welcome a baby into their lives."

I had to hand the girl credit; she'd clearly given this a lot of thought, but there was one more question weighing on my mind.

"And the father? Does he feel the same way?" The last thing we needed was some guy coming out of the woodwork later and challenging our parental rights.

Paige let out a heavy sigh. "He doesn't feel any kind of way."

Alarm bells sounded in my head. "Does he know about the baby?"

She shook her head. "No." Scoffing, she added, "God, I feel so stupid. I went on a senior trip to the beach with my friends. It was our last hurrah before we all split up to different colleges around the country. Some guys were renting a house a few doors down, and we spent a lot of time with them that week. One of them was really charming, and we hooked up. It wasn't until I got home that I realized the number he'd given me was fake. When I couldn't find him on social media or listed anywhere in the town he said their group was from, it sank in that he'd been playing me all along. And then, when I found out he'd gotten me pregnant, I felt like the biggest fool. I was valedictorian of my graduating class; I was supposed to be smart. But somehow, I'd wound up pregnant at eighteen by a guy whose real name I didn't even know."

A rush of air flew past Evie's lips, and I could tell she wanted to cross the room to pull the girl into a hug but was mindful of boundaries. I was pretty sure if given the option, she would want to adopt the pair of them—mother and baby.

"What about your parents?" I asked.

"My parents had me later in life, so they're in their early sixties. They're ready to retire. It would be unfair to ask them to start all over again and help raise my baby while I went to college. And I'd prefer not to drop out. I worked really hard to get several merit-based scholarships, and those aren't easy to come by."

"So, they support your decision?"

"Yeah." Paige nodded. "I thought they were going to be so mad at me for being reckless, but they surprised me. I put a lot of pressure on myself as an only child to be perfect, and I think, more than anything, I was disappointed in myself for being duped. I don't want this baby to pay for my mistakes."

We fell into silence, so Miranda asked, "Is there anything you'd like to ask the Knights, Paige?"

Her eyes locked with mine before shifting to meet Evie's. "I only have one. Will you love her like she's your own?"

Before I could open my mouth, Evie's voice rang out strong and clear. "Yes. With all my heart."

Looping my arm around her shoulder, I pulled her into my side, saying to Paige, "She beat me to it. Same goes for me."

Tears filled the eyes of the young girl seated opposite us. "That's all I need to know."

Miranda's voice cut through the emotionally charged moment. "Thank you, Jenner and Evie, for coming in today to meet with Paige. We'll be in touch once a decision has been made."

I was halfway to standing when Paige said, "I've made my decision."

Freezing, I felt Evie tense beside me, a tiny whimper slipping past her lips. "You—you have?"

Paige gave a firm nod. "I want you to be her parents. If you want her."

A trembling hand came up to cover Evie's mouth, and I clutched her closer.

Giving the girl a smile, I replied for the both of us. "We would be honored to be that little girl's parents."

Shyly, Paige asked, "Is it too much to ask for a hug?"

Evie was across the room in a flash, pulling the teenager tightly into her arms. Her soft sniffles were loud enough to be heard from where I stood.

Locking eyes with Paige, I wondered if she had any idea how she'd changed our lives today. Given the gift she was about to bestow upon us, it didn't feel like quite enough, but I mouthed, Thank you .

She clutched Evie closer, and her eyes squeezed shut as tears leaked down her cheeks.

I hadn't been able to make my wife's dream a reality, but this selfless girl had. And I would never be able to repay her.

I drove us home in a daze.

After everything we'd gone through—the years of unsuccessful fertility treatments and Evie walking out on me—my brain had closed the door on the possibility of becoming a father years ago.

Now, if everything went according to plan, we would be bringing our daughter home in a little over four months.

God, that sounded strange. Our daughter .

But that's what she would be. Regardless of her genetics, there was no doubt that she would be ours. Evie and I would be the ones who got to love her through the countless sleepless nights, the skinned knees, and temper tantrums.

I couldn't wait.

Pulling into the garage, Evie got out of the car and went into the house, but I remained in my seat. I needed a minute to myself to process how quickly my life had changed course.

A few months ago, I'd thought Evie was gone forever, but now she was back, and the family we were always supposed to have was within reach.

It seemed almost too good to be true, but I wasn't about to question my good fortune.

Taking a deep breath, I exited the vehicle, pushing into the mudroom. Reaching the kitchen, I found Evie standing there, gripping the marble counter of the island, her head hanging low.

Panic hit me with the force of a tidal wave. "Are you okay?"

When she raised her eyes to meet mine, I stumbled back, seeing the haunted look in their purple depths. Today, we'd taken a huge step toward obtaining everything she'd ever wanted, but looking at her now, you would never know it.

"Evie," I said her name softly. "What's wrong?"

Her eyelashes fluttered down to kiss her cheeks, and the anguish in her voice when she spoke shattered my heart. "I know this isn't what you wanted."

"What?" I needed more clarification.

Throat bobbing on a swallow, she opened her eyes. "I know you wished I'd stayed gone."

Disbelief rushed over me, and I yelled, "Are you fucking kidding me?"

Evie flinched, and I felt like the biggest asshole, but she'd caught me off guard.

Did she honestly believe that? After how hard I'd tried to contact her when she'd left? After how I didn't hesitate to deceive an adoption agency so she could get the baby she so desperately wanted? After we'd gotten remarried and I expressed my desire to raise a child together?

"How could you think that?" I rasped. "You're the one who walked away, Evie."

"Because you gave up on us!" she cried.

My eyebrows shot up high on my forehead. That wasn't the story I remembered. Not by a long shot.

"I never gave up. I cared more about you than anything in my life. I still do. You have to know that."

Evie dropped her eyes to the floor. The truth of my words was likely too much for such an emotionally demanding day, but she needed to hear them.

"I'm broken. You deserve better," she whispered.

I finally snapped, done tiptoeing around how I felt about her and done allowing her to believe that this situation—our marriage—was temporary.

It was time to clear the air.

Crossing the room in three giant strides, I barely heard her gasp as I turned her around, caging her against the island with my arms. She peered up at me, and I brought my face so close to hers that our noses were practically touching.

My chest heaved, and I tried in vain to rein it in now that our bodies were pressed flush. I hadn't been this close to her in years, yet it was like no time had passed. My physical response was immediate—heart racing, cock hardening.

"It's time to make one thing very clear, Evie," I gritted out. "You are my goddamn wife. I should have never let you walk away the first time, and I'll be damned if I let you get away ever again. If you so much as try to leave me, I will hunt you down and drag you back by any means necessary."

Her eyes widened, and her lips parted on an exhale.

Then, Evie did the absolute last thing I would have ever expected. Arching her hips, she rubbed shamelessly against my raging hard-on, and I couldn't bite back a groan. Heat flared in her eyes, and that was as good as a green light in my book.

My mouth crashed down on hers without warning, and she opened for me instantly, her tongue battling with mine. Her hands slid into my hair, maneuvering my head to where she wanted it and moaning when I tugged her lower lip between my teeth.

She tried to pull me closer, but I stepped back, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. Our ragged breathing mixed in the air, our chests rising and falling rapidly, trying to recover.

Evie couldn't hide the pain of rejection that flashed across her face.

Well, we can't have that, can we?

I was nowhere near done with her. I never would be.

Shucking my suit jacket, I tossed it behind me, not caring where it landed. Rolling up my shirt sleeves, I never took my eyes off hers.

"Drop to your knees and show me how much you've missed your husband." The command was firm, leaving no room for argument.

The pale skin of Evie's cheeks pinkened, but she didn't hesitate, stepping forward and sinking down until she was kneeling on the ceramic tile. Her mouth was so close to the erection tenting my pants that I could feel the warmth of her shallow breaths through the fabric.

"Don't be shy. Take it out, baby."

Her tongue darted out to lick her lips, and my cock wept in anticipation.

Even though I hadn't been with anyone since she'd left, it had been far longer than that since I'd enjoyed sex.

Physical intimacy was the first thing to take a hit when we realized our path to parenthood wouldn't be an easy one. Evie had become hyperfocused on achieving her goal, and that meant temping, charting, and sex on a schedule in optimal positions only.

I'd always loved her with all my heart, but somewhere along the way, we'd drifted apart under the weight of expectation.

This was our chance to reconnect, to regain what we'd lost.

And I wasn't about to waste it.

Hands tugging on my belt brought me back to the present. As soon as the buckle was undone, Evie pushed the button through the loop and dragged down the zipper. My cock was eager, jutting through the opening as soon as it was given freedom.

Peeking up at me, Evie slipped her fingers beneath the waistband of my boxers and tugged, shoving both them and my pants down my thighs. Cool air met my fevered skin, but still, heat simmered beneath the surface, threatening to boil over.

Her fingers wrapped around my shaft, and my head dropped back as a throaty groan rumbled up from my chest. "Fuck, yes."

Emboldened by my response, she stroked up and down my length with the perfect pressure. If I wasn't careful, I could lose myself in her touch before enjoying the pleasure of her lips wrapped around me.

Almost as if she could read my thoughts, her tongue darted out, licking the underside before sucking the head into her hot little mouth.

I forced my eyes open. This was too stunning a sight to miss.

Staring up at me, Evie took me deeper before pulling back and using her tongue to tease my sensitive flesh. Even with her mouth full, she still managed a tiny smirk before bobbing up and down my length, increasing her speed and pressure like a pro.

"Fuck, baby. Your mouth was made for sucking my cock."

I tangled my hands in her hair, toes curling inside my dress shoes as I tried to stave off my release. I never wanted this to end.

When she hummed, it settled deep within my balls, and I knew time was running out. The tipping point was when a slight gag sounded, making my cock swell. I couldn't hold back any longer.

Gripping her hair tighter, I forced her head back. Tear tracks ran down her face as I shoved myself impossibly further down her throat.

"Swallow every fucking drop, baby, like the dirty girl you are."