Page 130 of Calamity Rayne Knocked Up

He smiled. “That, yes, but it’s also where we first met.”

“Aw, now I love her name even more!”

We looked into our daughter’s eyes, both of us blinking back tears of joy. Hale kissed my head and traced a finger over Avalyn’s tiny eyebrow.

The irony of childbirth was that it was absolute hell, and then it was heaven. All the pain and fear and heartburn and morning sickness was worth it in the end.

Hale’s phone rang, and in a matter of minutes, we wereen routeto the hospital. As soon as we arrived, we were swarmed by nurses and family. It took a whilefor everything to calm down, and I was so tired that I was somehow wired.

My mom hovered close by, adjusting my blankets and tracing gentle touches over Avalyn’s soft hair and tiny fingers. “She’s a little you, Ray.”

“Oh, boy,” Remington said, entering the crowded room with an armful of balloons. “That’s just what the world needs, another Meyers running around.” He handed off the balloons to Barrett and stepped close to my mom, looking down at his granddaughter. His gruff expression softened. “That’s a Davenport if I’ve ever seen one.” He turned and faced Hale. “Congratulations.”

Hale held his father’s stare, then stepped forward and hugged the man. My heart stopped as Remington tensed in surprise. Then I melted as he wrapped his arms around his son.

“Thanks, Dad.”

“Do you want to hold her, Remington?”

His stare met mine and I felt life correct itself. Despite how perfect the Davenports appeared to the outside world, on the inside they were like everyone else—a little broken and living for the first time. They didn’t always get things right on the firsttry, especially the emotional stuff. But Remington did know how to love, and I felt his love now.

He stepped closer and gruffly cleared his throat. “She sure is a pretty thing—like her momma.”

I smiled up at him and turned Avalyn for the pass-off. He carefully lifted her slight weight out of my arms, and I blinked back tears as he lowered his face close to hers and whispered, “Spit up on whoever you want while you can. Later, it'll cost you in lawsuits.”

“Nice, Remington.”

“What? It’s true. Someone has to teach her these things.” He nuzzled her with his nose. “And don’t you worry about the ABCs. Davenports only focus on ROIs.”

“Okay, that’s enough advice from Grandpa,” Seraphina said, taking Avalyn from her father. “Let Aunt Phina teach you about shopping.”

“How about we worry about her tycoon training later?” Hale said, retrieving our daughter. Then he smiled and changed his voice to the playful tone he used with Elara. “Because we’re only a few hours old. Yes, we are.”

Love filled my heart as Iwatched him. Them. Elara also watched curiously, and Hale lowered Avalyn so she could see her new sister.

“Can you say Avalyn?”

“Ab-lyn?”

Oh boy, that sounded a little like goblin when she said it. We’d work on that.

Amid the chaos, I looked over Hale’s shoulder and met Xander’s stare, surprised that he lingered. He’d been so anxious to escape the situation earlier, yet he stuck around for what was clearly an intimate family moment.

Although he didn’t fully enter the room, he watched the scene unfold with a look of longing in his eyes. I took pity on him. Today had been rough on everyone.

Looking back at me, he smiled and gave a subtle nod. My earlier frustration disappeared. In a way, Xander saved me today. If he hadn’t stopped by the house when he had, I would have been all alone, unable to find my phone, and terrified for my life and Avalyn’s.

“Thank you,” I mouthed.

His lips curved in a subtle grin. Then his expression turned to one of surprise and his expression shuttered. I frowned as he stepped aside but soon understood.

“Tyler,” he said, with flustered shock.

Tyler paused in the doorway, also surprised to find him there. “Xander.” He frowned but then thought better of making small talk with the man who emotionally screwed him over. “Excuse me. I’m here to see my friends,” he said, making it clear that Xander didn’t fit that category.

Tyler entered the room and Xander took that as his sign to leave. He quietly left with little notice. My gaze turned to Ty. “Hey, you.”

“Hey.” He bent to kiss my head. “How was it?”

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