Page 103 of Rex

“Not at all. Just really happy for you both,” Petey says.

“Did James dress the part of your maid of honor?” Terry asks, and everyone laughs.

“He didn’t, but he’s very proud to have been her maid of honor. Jackass,” James returns.

“Excuse me. The Taylor family has a new member. The father will be out shortly to announce it. Mom and baby are doing great, though,” a nurse says from the doorway.

Before she can leave, Craig asks the question we all want to know.

“Can you tell me how the father is doing? He’s like a big brother to me, and I’ve been worried about him. He can get a little excitable sometimes.”

Craig asked this question with the sweetest, most endearing look on his face that I almost fell for it just like the nurse does.

“Oh, my. Mr. Taylor is really something else,” the nurse gushes.

Everyone literally leans a little closer to hear every single thing Axel did that probably got him and Bailey banned for life.

“He was the most amazing coach ever! All the staff that were present said they wished all fathers acted like him during the birthing process. Calm, knowledgeable, supportive, helpful. He was a delight! He could give classes on how to be a father in the delivery room. As you can probably imagine, a lot of fathers lose it and become a lot for us to manage. They get in the way or forget it’s their wife who’s going through labor and not them. Not Mr. Taylor. Bailey is so lucky to have that kind of support,” the nurse explains with a soft smile aimed at Craig.

When the nurse leaves, Craig turns to the room and swipes one palm over the other like he’s flicking dollar bills in the air. People start reaching for their wallets again. I’m okay with paying him my fifty bucks. The kid’s just on a whole other level than we are.

Craig is sitting on the floor in a corner with Luke, counting his money, when Axel walks into the waiting room.

“It’s a girl! Yes!” he shouts, fist-pumping the air. “Bailey did awesome! She’s tired and resting now, but our little angel is perfect! Miniature version of Alex! Her name is Charlie. Short for Charlene.”

Congratulations and hugs are handed out, and Axel grins through all of it. Stooping down, he lifts Alex above his head and says, “You have a baby sister! Want to come see her and Mommy?”

Alex screams, “Yes!” in her little girl’s voice, and everyone laughs.

“Bailey asked for you to come too,” Axel says to Lucy as he settles Alex on his hip.

Lucy rushes to his side, and he wraps a beefy arm around her shoulders.

“Pops, you’re up next. Another granddaughter for me to fight Trudy over. Can’t wait!” Axel says with a grin before leading Lucy down the hall.

We wait patiently and eventually get to spend a couple of minutes with the newest Devil’s Angels’ family member, and she’s beautiful. When we leave, Rex is quiet on the drive to his place. I let it go for a while, then ask what’s on his mind. He doesn’t hesitate to explain where his mind’s at.

“I love the kids. They’re all fun, and I love that I get to be their uncle. I like spoiling them, spending time with them, and watching them grow, and learn things. But I’m not sure I wantany of my own. I like my life as it is, especially now that you’re in it. Is that selfish of me? Is that something that might clash with what you see for your future?”

I think about what he said and find myself shaking my head. I’ve never been that woman that craved having kids. I like them, but I don’t see myself having some. I never really put much thought into it before, either.

“I’ve never been someone who saw myself having children. Maybe that’s because of spending so much time on my schooling and then setting up a practice. I guess I wouldn’t say absolutely no to children, but I’m not over here secretly hoping for them, either. I don’t think that makes me or you selfish. I think it makes us honest with how we really feel. I love kids, but I always saw myself being that awesome aunt to my brothers’ kids. I hope they have children so I can spoil them rotten and then send them home. If that’s wrong, then I’m wrong, but I don’t think people should have kids just because society expects them to. Not everyone is made to be a parent,” I answer as honestly as I can.

Rex nods, takes my hand in his, and drives us to his place. Once inside, he brings the subject up again.

“Maybe later in our relationship, we can revisit that subject. But for now, I like having you to myself. I want to work on us without other distractions. Maybe we’ll both feel differently later. Maybe we won’t. Either way, I want you to know that I’m willing to talk about it at any time.”

“Thank you. Now that we’ve had that discussion, I think I need wine,” I say and watch as Rex’s handsome face lights up with a grin.

“I agree.”

After wine and a movie, we called it a night. If I had known what tomorrow would bring, I would have never been able to sleep as sound as I did wrapped in his arms.

Chapter 13

Rex

I park my bike in the security office’s lot and walk toward the door. My mood is upbeat, and everything is right in my world. Aria and I are solid, her stalker issue is done with, and Gunner has called the Morales family with all the intel they should need. They said they will be hitting the road soon, so we’ll be expecting them to arrive sometime tomorrow. My workload today is going to be a normal one. I came early today, and I’m surprised to see Marti still beat me to work.

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