Ryan paced around his office thinking about Faith. What if spending every day with Cliff made her change her mind? He picked up the phone to call her and Alex walked in.
“Hello, Dear Brother.”
Ryan hung up the phone and walked over to Alex and rubbed her baby bump as he kissed her. “How are you feeling?”
“I’ve never been happier…or fatter.” Alex rubbed her belly.
“You look so beautiful.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Ryan shook his head. “So what brings you here?”
“A few things.”
“A few?”
“Miguel and I would like to send you and Faith on a two-week cruise for your honeymoon.”
“WOW!”
“Is that a yes?”
“I’d have to ask Faith but…”
“I already spoke to Faith and she said as long as it involves you, sex and frozen drinks that she is in.”
Ryan smiled. “I love her so much, Alex.”
“I never thought that I’d hear you say that about anyone except yourself.” Alex laughed.
“Me either.” Ryan chuckled.
“Next on my list is your bachelor party…”
“No party.”
“No party?”
“Listen, I don’t want to put myself in a situation where I could fuck things up.”
“Miguel said that you wouldn’t want one. I thought for sure you would want a last fling.”
“I just want Faith.”
Alex got up and hugged Ryan. “I am so happy for you.”
“I’m happy for you too. I mean it. I know that I wasn’t a huge fan of Miguel but he saved my life and he’s made you so happy.”
“And I love him so much.”
“So what else is on your list?”
“I was wondering how you’re handling Faith’s new job?”
“You mean the fact that she is working with Cliff?”
“Yeah, that.”
“I trust her.”
“But it still bothers you?”
“Yup.”
“Ryan, maybe you should have told Faith how you felt.”
“She knows that I’m jealous but it’s what she wanted and I trust her. I told her that I’d support whatever decision she made. It is just something that I need to deal with, Sis.”
“You really have changed.”
“I’ve grown up a lot this last year.”
Alex smiled and then patted her belly. “And I’m going to grow a lot this year.” Alex laughed.
Ryan laughed too.
Miguel carried in the last of the bags from the baby store and placed them down.
“Miggy, I hope Alex doesn’t flip out when she finds out that you bought all of these things for the baby.”
Miguel plopped down onto the couch. “Why would she flip out, Sis?”
“Because it’s her baby too and you’ve pretty much purchased everything any baby could possibly need.”
“Do you think I should return everything? I don’t want to upset her.”
“It’s too late now.”
“Why didn’t you stop me while I was piling things into the shopping cart?”
“I tried but you had sister deafness.”
Miguel blinked a few times and then realized what Eden said. He smirked. “I’m sorry. I am just so excited for this baby.”
Eden sat down next to Miguel and grabbed his hand. “I know you are. I’m excited to meet my niece or nephew too.”
“I wish that Alex wanted to know the sex of our baby now. This waiting is twice as hard.”
“Are you hoping for a boy or a girl?”
“I don’t care as long as it is healthy.”
“Good answer. Now, if it’s a girl feel free to name her Eden.” Eden laughed.
Miguel shook his head and then grabbed his sister and hugged her. “I love you but I don’t think that Eden is on the top of Alex’s list.”
“Oh well maybe next time.”
“I don’t know if I could wait nine more months again for a baby. I’ve only survived six so far and it seems like a lifetime.”
Eden laughed. “Try being the pregnant one.”
“Speaking of…she will be home soon. We had better get all of these things upstairs.”
Eden put her feet up on the coffee table. “Yup, you had better.”
“What…no help?”
“I’m exhausted.” Eden laughed.
Miguel threw a pillow at her. “Get up.”
Eden stood up. “Fine but you owe me a latte after this.”
“Deal.”
Ryan knocked on Faith’s door and was a bit surprised when Cliff opened her door. “Ryan, come in.”
Faith could see the look on Ryan’s face and knew that he wasn’t pleased to find her and Cliff in her office together. She sprang up from her chair. “Ryan, what a wonderful surprise.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.
Cliff grabbed a folder from Faith’s desk. “I’ll come back later.”
Ryan nodded. “Thanks, Cliff.”
“Thank you for the roses. They are beautiful.”
“Not as beautiful as you.” Ryan placed his hand on Faith’s cheek. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
“How’s it going?”
“A lot to absorb but so far so good.”
“Good. Will you be home for dinner?”
“Yes.” Faith rubbed her hands up and down Ryan’s chest. “Maybe we can have dessert before dinner.”
Ryan kissed Faith. “I’d like that.”
Alex walked into the baby’s room and looked around. “MIGUEL!” The room was packed with stuffed animals, books and toys.
Miguel came running down the hall. “Alex, Baby, I did some shopping.”
“Some shopping? Miguel, it looks as if you bought out an entire store or maybe two.”
“I want to make sure that our baby has everything they could ever need or want.”
Alex smiled and then she reached for Miguel’s hands and held them tight. “Miguel, all this baby needs are two loving parents and it already has that.”
“I guess I should return some of these things then?”
“How about we choose some of our favorite things to keep for the baby and then donate the rest to the children’s shelter?”
Miguel leaned forward and kissed Alex. “That sounds perfect, just like you.”
RYAN WOKE UP TO the smell of bacon. He rubbed his eyes and rolled out of bed.
“Happy Birthday, Sexy!”
Ryan smiled. “Thank you.”
Faith picked up a piece of bacon and fed it to Ryan before giving him a huge hug and kiss. “Sit down. The pancakes are ready but the eggs need a few more minutes.”
Ryan grabbed a mug and poured himself some coffee and then kissed Faith before sitting down. “You didn’t have to cook me a gourmet breakfast just because it’s my birthday.”
“No, I didn’t…I wanted to.”
“My mom would make Alex and I our favorite dinner and cake for our birthday until we were about sixteen. I don’t think I’ve even had a cake since then. I was always out partying.”
“Partying, huh?”
“Yeah, I’d start drinking on my birthday and it would continue for a few days.”
“Good Lord, Ryan.”
“Don’t worry, this year I plan to have a nice quiet dinner with the woman I love.”
“And I promise to make you a cake that you’ll never forget.” Faith winked.
“Having you in my life, Faith, makes this a birthday that I will never forget.”
Miguel and Alex impatiently waited for the doctor to come in so that they could see their baby.
“Wouldn’t it be funny if the doctor was scanning the baby and we saw a little boy part by accident?”
Alex laughed. “By accident, huh? You mean accidentally on purpose don’t you?”
“Yeah. Baby, this waiting is killing me.”
“
What if we accidentally saw a girl part? Would you be upset?”
“No. I told you as long as our baby is healthy I don’t care if it is a boy or a girl.”
“Hello, how are you doing today?”
Miguel moved to the side so that the doctor could stand next to Alex.
“We’re fine.”
“And how is the expectant father?”
Miguel smiled at hearing the word father. “I’m good as long as Alex and the baby are ok.”
The doctor patted Miguel on the arm. “I wish more fathers felt that way.”
Alex reached out her hand for Miguel’s. “Just think in a few more months we will be holding our baby.”
“Ready?” The doctor turned the screen toward Alex and Miguel and the baby popped up onto the screen.
Alex watched the screen for a minute and then looked up at Miguel who was in awe as he watched their little peanut. “Doctor, I changed my mind. Can you tell us the sex of the baby?”
Miguel looked down at Alex. “Really?”
“I know it’s killing you, Miguel.”
“I can wait…for you.”
“I want to know…for you.”
Miguel leaned down and kissed Alex.
The doctor smiled. “Want to guess before I spill the beans?”
“Girl.”
“Girl.”
“Usually I get one girl and one boy and someone is always wrong.” The doctor chuckled.
“Why do you think it’s a girl, Miguel?”
“I guess deep down I’d love to have a little Alex.”
“Two of us in one house…that could be a bit stressful.”
“I’d take my chances.”
“I wouldn’t mind a mini Miguel but I’ve just had this feeling that it’s a girl.”
The doctor printed some pictures and then she handed them to Alex and Miguel. “You are both correct.”
“It’s a girl?” Miguel yelped.
“Yes.”
“I knew it.” Alex smiled and then rubbed her belly.
Miguel kissed Alex and then rubbed her belly as well. “Hey Princess, your daddy loves you.”
“Mommy loves you both.”
“Happy Birthday!”
Ryan looked up from his desk and Eden was standing there with Cruz on her hip, balloons in one hand and a box of donuts in the other.
“Hey!” Ryan got up and grabbed the balloons and then the donuts and placed them down on the conference table.
“I just thought we’d stop by to wish you a Happy Birthday and have a donut. I would have brought coffee but I didn’t have another hand.” Eden giggled.
Ryan kissed her on the cheek. “This is perfect. Sit down.”
Eden sat down and opened the box of donuts. Happy B-Day Ryan was written across the donuts.
“Aww, that’s too sweet of you. Thanks, Eden.” Ryan picked up a donut and before he could get it to his mouth Cruz grabbed it.
“Cruz!” Eden removed Cruz’s sticky little fingers from Ryan’s donut. “Sorry about that.”
“He’s so cute.”
Eden looked at Cruz and smiled. “He does have his moments though.”
“I can’t wait for Faith and I to have one of our own.” Ryan looked at Cruz and then rubbed his fluffy little curls.
Eden felt a pang of sadness when Ryan looked at Cruz. She’d never forget the look on his face when he found out that he wasn’t Cruz’s father. “Maybe we shouldn’t have come.”
“Eden, I’m happy that you came.”
“It’s just…”
“I know. But things worked out the way that they were supposed to. We both got our happy endings.”
Eden kissed Cruz. “We did, didn’t we.”
Faith came bouncing into the Café. “Hey, so what’s so important that you needed to tell me in person?”
“Well, I was at the doctor’s today and…”
“Oh no, is something wrong?”
“Everything is alright. In fact, the doctor said she may be here a week sooner than we first thought.”
“She…as in, it’s a girl?”
“Yes. It’s a girl.”
“I’m going to be an aunt!”
Alex hugged Faith. “You would be an aunt even if it was a boy.”
“Oh yeah.” Faith giggled. “I’m going to have a niece.”
Alex took Faith’s hand and placed it on her baby bump. “You’re going to have a Goddaughter.”
Faith looked up at Alex. She had tears in her eyes. “She is going to be my Goddaughter?”
Alex nodded. “As long as you say, yes?”
“YES! YES!” Faith grabbed Alex and hugged her. “I never expected this.”
“Faith, you’re my best friend. Why would you think otherwise?”
“Eden is Miguel’s sister and now she is your sister-in-law.”
“And in a little over a month you will be my sister-in-law too.”
“Hmm, I will be your sister-in-law.”
“Sister-in-law or not, you will always be my best friend, Faith.”
“And you will always be mine.”
“Miles, thank you for coming so quickly.”
“Sure Migs, what’s up?”
“Alex and I went to the baby doctor earlier…”
“Is everything alright?”
“More than alright. We’re having a girl!”
“A girl.” Miles smiled. “She’ll be one spoiled princess.” Miles laughed.
“A princess, who won’t be allowed to date until she’s thirty-five.”
“Maybe you should just lock her in the attic.” Miles winked.
Miguel laughed. “Now you’re talking.”
“Is Alex happy that it’s a girl?”
“Thrilled. She guessed it is was a girl. Actually we both did.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I love Cruz but I think I’d like to have a daughter too.”
“How about you start with a Goddaughter?”
A smile spread across Miles’ face. “I’d be honored to be her Godfather.”
Miguel stood up and hugged Miles. “We are honored to have you.”
Ryan came home from work to find Faith in the kitchen cooking. “Baby, when I left this morning you were in the kitchen…and you’re still here.”
“I cleaned up, went to work and came home a little bit early so that I could cook you dinner and make your birthday cake.”
“Mmmm, cake.”
“Why don’t you go into the living room and make yourself comfortable. Have a drink and I’ll be in with your cake.”
“Dessert first, it must be my birthday.” Ryan winked.
As soon as Ryan left the kitchen Faith pulled out the cake and then she undressed.
Ryan took off his shirt, shoes and socks. Then he poured himself a drink and relaxed in the chair. He sat waiting for Faith to come in singing to him with a cake full of lit candles.
Instead Faith walked into the room completely naked holding a cheesecake. “I hope you don’t mind that there aren’t any candles but setting fire to myself is where I draw the line.” Faith giggled.
“Nope, not at all.” Ryan sat back and watched as Faith covered herself with Oreo cheesecake.
“I promised you a birthday cake that you’d never forget.”
“Ohhh Love, I sure as hell will never forget this.”
“Good.” Faith leaned close to Ryan. “Happy Birthday, Baby.”
“So I guess this is literally having your cake and eating it too.” Ryan leaned forward and sucked Faith’s cheesecake covered nipple into his mouth. “Mmmm.”
“Ohhh, Ryan.”
Ryan picked up Faith and laid her down on the coffee table and began licking and sucking on her as she wriggled beneath him. “Best cake ever.”
“FAITH! FAITH, WHERE ARE you?” Ryan walked through the house yelling for Faith. He knew that she had to be there somewhere because her car was in the driveway. He was about to call her cell phone when he heard the door. “Faith?”
; Faith came running up the stairs. “Hey!”
“Where were you? I’ve been looking all over.”
“I went out for a run. I’ve been stress eating and I’m never going to fit into my dress.”
Ryan grabbed Faith and hugged her. “You scared me.”
“I’m sorry.”
Ryan pulled back. “I don’t know how I’d live without you.”
Faith placed her hand on Ryan’s cheek. “I’m not going anywhere. You need to move on and stop worrying about the past.”
“I know. I keep having these nightmares though…”
“Baby, maybe you should talk to someone.”
“I thought about it.”
“I’ll go with you if it will help.”
Ryan pulled Faith back into his arms and kissed her forehead. “I love you.”
“I love you too. Now, I need to shower. Don’t forget we have dinner with my parents tonight.”
“How could I forget.” Ryan rolled his eyes. The thought of sitting with Faith’s mother just added to his stress. The woman never liked him and she let it be known. He hoped that for Faith’s sake since they were engaged now that she’d keep her nasty comments to herself.
Alex and Lacey were going through paperwork in Miguel’s office. “Miguel, do you think the Collin’s deal will happen in the next two weeks or should we push it to the bottom of the pile?”
Miguel exhaled. “Honestly, I am not sure if I am going to pursue that anymore. It doesn’t seem to be worth the aggravation.”
Lacey grabbed the file and slid it underneath the last file. “Ok, consider it at the bottom of the pile.”
Alex looked at Miguel and nodded toward Lacey. “Lacey, did you know that Dane completed his assignment and will be coming back full time in a few weeks?”
Lacey’s face lit up and she couldn’t contain her smile. “No, I didn’t.”
Miguel shook his head. He knew Alex was going to try and set them up again.
“Maybe after he settles in we could all go for dinner one night?”
“Oh, uh, I don’t know about that.”
“Why not?”
Sex & Lies Page 12