Page 103 of The One for Forever

A month and a half later,we’re back at the hospital. But this time, it’s a joyous occasion.

Lana had her baby.

The waiting room is packed with people from Bennett Security, West Oaks PD, and the DA’s office. Aurora Whitestone, Max Bennett’s younger sister, hands out sparkly blue cupcakes while her husband Devon tries to keep their energetic son from tearing up the place. Tanner Reid, who shares bodyguard co-captain duties with Devon, is here with his wife Faith, who’s playing dolls with Max and Lana’s older daughter Joy. Sylvie Trousseau sits with her boyfriend Nic Anderson, who’s taking photos of everyone with a huge SLR camera to mark the occasion.

And then there’s the cop contingent. Chase Collins is in his patrol uniform, arm around his wife Ruby, both of whom are close friends of Max and Lana. Chief of Police Sean Holt is with his wife Jane, the only other power couple in West Oaks who could rival Max and Lana themselves.

Well, maybe Quinn and I could, given our current fame.Kidding. I can’t wait until we can walk down Ocean Lanetogether without being recognized. We’ve turned down at least a hundred requests for interviews at this point. Being famous blows. I’m over it.

But at least Quinn is back to trying cases, and before much longer I’ll be back on bodyguard duty.

Quinn’s also made good on her promise to take care of me. After some practice, she’s become a top-notch home chef. Also I’ve never gotten so many blow jobs in my life. Almost worth the whole getting shot part.

Detective De Luca sidles over to us. “Where’s Matteo?” Quinn asks.

“At home with Brent. Matteo’s on shift tomorrow, so they’re getting some daddy-kiddo time along with Matteo’s niece Natalie. How are you two?”

Quinn beams up at me, and I lean down for a kiss. “We’re perfect,” Quinn says. “Or at least, getting there.”

I nod. Each day with her is pretty much perfect. Yet our future is still less settled than I’d like.

Amber Printz and Pete Diamond are both now serving time in prison after pleading guilty. About a month ago, Christian Hayworth called Quinn to apologize for the things he said at Amber’s party, and to thank her for exposing the truth to the world about his father’s killer. And then he asked Quinn to have dinner with him. Again.

She declined. But after I had some choice words for the man, I don’t think he’ll be repeating that invitation.

But Christian isn’t all bad. He’s promised to donate the entirety of Thompson’s fortune to charity once his lawyers finish up the process of wresting it away from Amber.

Aurora and Devon are the first guests to visit Lana’s hospital room. After a while, Quinn and I get our turn to say hello to the mama and baby. When we step inside, the newest member of the Bennett family is sleeping in a bassinet. Lana looks beautifulwith a shawl wrapped around her comfy sweats and tee. Max holds their daughter Joy, who’s asleep with her head on her dad’s shoulder.

“Meet Nicholas Bennett,” Lana says.

Quinn bends over to admire the sleeping newborn. “He’s precious. What a cutie pie.” Nicholas opens his eyes, and Quinn lets out a little gasp.

“He might start crying any second. Do you want to hold him before that happens?” Lana asks.

“Are you kidding?” Quinn picks up Nicholas and settles onto the couch, gazing into his tiny brown eyes. “Hi, little man. You have a lot of people who already love you, you know that?”

Max puts a hand on my shoulder, and I look over at him. I’ve been with Max through a lot of ups and downs. Both as a Green Beret and as an employee of his company. He looked almost this happy on the day of his wedding, and again on the day he and Lana brought Joy home. But I know how each individual moment can combine and grow into something bigger. Especially when you welcome someone new into your family. The whole becomes so much more than the sum of the parts.

For just a moment, Max isn’t my boss anymore, and I’m not his employee. I’m back to being his superior. The guy who used to outrank him. “You did well. Proud of you.”

He grins, then nods at Quinn. “Proud of you too. Nice work.”

I wink. “Just wait. I have much bigger things planned for her.”

“Then I’ll be right there with you, celebrating.”

After we leave the hospital room, I take Quinn’s hand and lead her down the hall. “You looked good holding baby Nicholas. What do you think? Do you want one of your own? Or maybe more than one?”

Quinn sucks in a breath and stares at me.

For the past six weeks since I was shot, I’ve tried to bring up this topic with her. Every time, Quinn changes the subject. I’m not sure why. Cliff told me that she wants to be a mom. Maybe she doesn’t want that withme. That would be hard for me to hear. It’ll rip my heart out if she’s not on the same page. But it’s better that we get it out in the open now. Because I really do have plans for her, like I told Max.

She still hasn’t said anything. I cup the back of her neck and rest my forehead against hers. “Sweetheart, talk to me. Cliff said you want kids. Is that… Do you not want that with me?”

I know she loves me. I’ve cherished every day we’ve spent so far. And she saidforever. But have I somehow gotten this wrong? Does Quinn not plan on spending the rest of our lives together?

Maybe she doesn’t want a guy who’s almost fifty as the future father of her children.

---