Chapter 24

CHAPTER 24

Alex

"So, will you strap the baby to the top?"

I glance over at my girl and give her a smirk. Elliot looks like a walking dream in a flowy green summer dress, with her hair in two French braids. She has a small bit of makeup on, but it isn't her style or looks—it's her smile that has me breathless. It's been shining since game one of the series with Texas, and I can't get enough. I crave it.

Even with her smiling a lot more, I know she's sad about her peepaw. I offered to go to dinner with them, or even lunch, so she'd feel comfortable. I asked if a meeting would be better, but she turned me down. She doesn't want to talk to him yet. I get it, but I feel it needs to be resolved before the baby comes. I don't want her to stress over the what-ifs when we can get it taken care of.

Thankfully, nothing has happened with her job. She gets new requests from her peepaw in her email daily. She may be upset with how he handled finding out, which probably was no thanks to me, but she hasn't stopped working. Like now, even when she is talking shit to me, she is working.

With a sneaky grin just for me, she looks back down to the post she's writing about our win last night. We all got in pretty late, which is why she's just now making her big post. Last night she only posted a story with the score and the three stars of the game.

I was number one.

As I should be.

Laughter is in my voice as I say, "I can't strap it up there when I have the top down."

"So, you'll be riding with the top up?" she asks cheekily, but she doesn't spare me a glance.

"Maybe I'll leave my nagging woman at home so I have room," I tease, and she gives me a dark look.

"Nagging, huh?"

"Just a bit," I say, poking her ribs. "I bought this car as a gift to myself for being awesome. I don't want to give it up. You don't like my car?"

"The only vehicles I actually care about are food trucks." I can't help but snort at her. She flashes me a wide grin. "I need you to have room for the baby. Which means, I guess, we'll be driving the baby in my car."

I don't give two flying fucks what we drive. She said "we'll." It feels like my heart is being squeezed to shit as I shrug. "Or I can go buy another car, and this can be our date car."

"Date car?" she asks, looking up at me. "We need a car to go on dates?"

"Yeah. So no matter what, it's only us two."

Her lips tip up. "I like that. Though, that means no one would watch over our baby when we're dancing."

I scoff. "I won't trust anyone with our baby, especially not some randos at a restaurant who were eye-fucking each other the whole time."

Her cheeks fill with color, but she nods. "I think I was stroking your cock with my toes."

"You were," I say with a wink, and she snorts. "It was a damn good night."

"It was," she agrees, and when she drops her hand from her phone, tucking it between her legs, I capture her hand in mine. I thread our fingers together, and I feel her looking at me. "You could have just told me to put my phone down."

I shake my head. "Not when you're working. I can be patient."

I look over in time to catch her smirking, and my heart soars. I am beyond excited, and I feel almost jumpy. I thought the early morning skate and workout would have helped, but they didn't. I have been waiting for this day. The day we find out the sex of our baby. I squeeze her hand, loving the feel of her palm in mine, before I ask, "Are you excited?"

Her lips are still curved in that little smirk as she quickly nods. "Excited but nervous."

"Nervous? Why?"

She shrugs, and I hate that her smirk falls away. "I don't know. My mind is fucking with me."

"Talk to me," I urge, and she swallows hard, bringing her other hand up to cup our clasped hands. She doesn't answer right away, but her posture tells me everything I need to know. She's scared. "You have nothing to be scared or nervous about. I'm excited to see our child with you and to find out what we're having."

"But aren't you mad? You missed all?—"

"Didn't I tell you that doesn't matter anymore, that all that matters is our future?"

She presses her lips together. Her breathing is labored as she clings to my hand with both of hers. "I don't know if I'll be able to handle everyone at the doctor's office judging us for you not being there until now."

"I wish they would," I scoff.

She side-eyes me. "Behave, Alejandro Benito Cruz."

I flash her a smile full of teeth. "No can do when it comes to you, Elliot Bea McDavid."

She rolls her eyes, and I squeeze her hand, pressing her to tell me more. "I'm a little worried you'll get upset when you realize how much you missed."

" Mami , stop this," I urge her. "I want to be here, I want to be with you, and I want this. Nothing will change that."

"You can't say that, though. This means telling everyone, and with everyone's influence?—"

"Elliot," I say, cutting her off, "trust me." I'm thankful for the red light as I come to a stop. I set her with a look, and I can see all the insecurities in her eyes. All the guilt and pain she's inflicted on herself. I wish she'd listen to me. I wish she'd believe me. But all I can do is give her time to realize this is what I want. "Please trust me."

She swallows once more as her eyes search mine. "I'm not worth all this," she whispers quietly, and when a frown pulls at her lips, rage burns through me.

I shake my hand in hers, hoping the motion will make her listen to me. "You are. You fucking are, Elliot." Her lip quivers, and I reach out with my other hand, rubbing her bottom lip. "I love you, mami . I do. So fucking much, and you're worth it. You are." I can tell she doesn't hear me, and I hate that she allows herself to do this. "If Austen said that, or Eliza, how would you react?"

I chose those two of her sisters because they're softer than Clara and Louisa. Not saying they're weak or anything, but they are the quieter of the McDavid sisters.

As I expected, anger fills Elliot's gaze as she shakes her head. "I'd kick their asses."

I nod. "Exactly. Now stop listening to your brain before I kick its ass."

As I wanted, she smiles. Even if it is small and only tips her lips a bit, I relish the fact that I brought her joy. "I see what you did there. Smart."

I grin, leaning in to kiss her nose. "I won't let you be mean to yourself, not with how much I love you."

Her eyes glaze over, and I almost feel like she may say it back. That she is finally owning up to the feelings that are like a neon sign in her eyes. She loves me, but the fear of doing so is greater.

Fucking annoying, if you ask me.

A honk comes from behind me, and I flip the guy the bird as I drive off. Yeah, I was distracted, and guess what? Fuck him. I'd rather kiss my girl than drive. Elliot giggles beside me, and I'm obsessed with the sound. It's better than any goal horn in any arena. Because it's purely Elliot.

I'm almost to the clinic when she asks, "Have you decided when you'll tell your mom? Tonight?"

I shake my head. "No. I'm hoping we win tomorrow and shut this series down. Because the Griffins should sweep the Admirals tonight, and then we'll play them, which will be good since we can go see my mom."

The Calder Cup isn't like the Stanley Cup. The first three rounds are best of five games, and then the last two rounds are best of seven. The play-offs are quicker and more intense, in my opinion. I'm excited because if it plays out according to my plans, I'll be able to take my girl home to meet my mom.

And if I have it my way, it will work out.

Every way I want.

I don't need to look at her to know she's gone still on me. "Oh, it slipped my mind that your mom is in Michigan."

"Yeah. She is planning on moving back home to Texas, but she isn't sure yet. She loves being by my brothers."

She nods. "So, we should be seeing her next week."

"We will see her next week and tell her about our mijito ."

She clears her throat. "You're not scared?"

"Not even in the slightest. I'm excited." And I am. But I am also scared my mom might throw her slipper at me for not telling her the moment I knew. I'll deal with that later.

Her lips fight back a smile as she shakes her head. "Your cockiness is intoxicating."

I smirk at her. "You love it."

Her lips twitch. "I do."

I pull into the clinic and shut off the car. I squeeze her hand once before she lets me go to grab her purse. I get out, coming around to help her out since my car is so low. I pull her up, and she lands on my chest, grinning up at me. "If I get any bigger, I won't be able to get out," she says, pulling down her dress.

"Then I'll lift you," I promise, kissing the side of her mouth. "Now, come on. I'm ready to know."

Her laughter is like music as I thread our fingers together and guide her inside. The clinic waiting room is decorated with all kinds of flowers and softness for a comfortable atmosphere for women. It's too much pink for me, but if I'm about to be a girl dad, I better get ready for it. I walk with her to the reception window, and I can feel her anxiety coming off her in waves.

Before we reach the window, I lean in and kiss her earlobe. Against her ear, I whisper, "I got you, mami , and I don't care what they think."

She swallows before leaning into me. When our eyes meet, she smiles and then kisses my chin. It's a soft kiss that I want more of, but I resist that need as she pulls away to check in. I smile widely at the receptionist, and she smiles back as she greets Elliot.

"Elliot! You're glowing!"

The male voice has my hackles rising. I look over my shoulder to find a rather tall, rather good-looking, younger dude looking at my woman. He smiles like they're old friends or, rather, like he thinks my woman is gorgeous. I watch as his eyes trace over her face, her neck, and her swollen breasts. The hell? I look at Elliot as she beams back. "Thanks, Dr. Riley. How are you?"

The grin on his face is predatory, as if he thinks my woman is his to hunt. "Great, now that I know you're here."

The fuck?

Blush fills Elliot's cheeks, and she giggles sweetly. She's giving away my giggles! And, of course, Dr. Wandering Eyes is eating it up.

I glare. My heart pounds in my chest, and I want to kick this guy's teeth in.

Yup, I don't like this at all.