Page 131 of Waiting for Redemption

“It is justoneheartbeat, right?” Tank asks, his green eyes bouncing between mine.

“Yes. Just one.” I smile, pulling the ultrasound back out.

“When did you find out?” he asks, rubbing the photo with his thumb.

“About half an hour ago. I passed out in the waiting room and Taylor insisted I get checked out–”

“You passed out? Did you hit your head? Are you okay?” He starts sitting up, putting all of his concern on me. I place my hand on his chest, letting him know he can relax.

“No, no. I’m fine. Tucker actually caught me.” I smile. “Taylor and I didn’t tell him, by the way. I wanted you to be the one to do it.” He lets his head fall back on the bed as a smirk creeps onto his face.

“Oh, man. Tuck’s gonna freak.” He laughs. As if on cue, Tucker walks into the room, with Taylor not far behind him.

“Ifyou’reinvolved you’re probably right.” Tank’s head lifts to look at his brother. “You seem to have a habit of giving me things to freak out about, little brother.” Tucker walks to the far side of Tank’s hospital bed, putting his hand on his shoulder.

“Seriously though, I’m glad you’re okay.” I see the way his jaw tightens, and my eyes bounce between the two of them. Tank squeezes my leg, glancing at me before looking up at Tucker again.

“I’m a little better than okay, actually.” Tucker’s head rears back, looking at us skeptically. “I’m gonna be a dad,” Tank says, holding up the ultrasound of our little baby. Tucker’s eyes widen as he looks around the room.

“You better not be fucking with me.” He looks at Taylor first who quickly swipes a tear from her cheek. Then at me. Then back at Tank. “I’m gonna be an uncle?” he asks, his voice thick with emotion.

“Way to make this about you, but yes, you are,” Tank answers. Tucker grabs Tank’s face in his hands, pressing their foreheads together as Tank wraps his arm around one of Tucker’s. I can’t fight back the tears as I see Tank celebrating the life of our baby with his brother. Tucker stands and rounds the bed quickly, pulling me off my feet into an embrace.

“Congratulations, Ruby.” Two of the simplest words, yet they have me completely falling apart.

“Thanks, Tuck,” I whisper as he places my feet back on the ground.

“Yeah, that’s enough. Give me my wife back,” Tank gripes, pulling me by the hand to sit back on his bed with him.

“Okay, well.” Taylor clears her throat, walking further into the room and under Tucker’s arm. “We’re going to go. I’ll check back in with you when I get here in the morning.”

“Thanks, Tay.” I smile at her, resting my head on Tank’s shoulder as I settle into the bed next to him.

“See you tomorrow, brother.”

Once Taylor and Tucker have left and it’s just me, Tank, and little baby Landry, he kisses the top of my head, laying one hand on my stomach as we lay here staring at the ultrasound together until we both fall asleep.

* * *

“Dad!” Hendrix yells as we walk into Shane and Max’s house.

“Freeze!” I yell, stopping Hendrix mid-run. “You remember how I told you Dad was hurt?” He shakes his head while still in a frozen running position. “Well, Dad fractured some bones right here, and he’s stillverysore—he will be for a while. So no jumping on him, no hanging on him like a jungle gym, just… treat him like you do baby Cece,” I explain, making Tank side-eye me for the comparison. “Got it?” Hendrix nods again.

“Okay, unfreeze.” He stands upright, walking over to Tank slowly as he rubs his hand along Tank’s arm with a feather-like gentleness.

“Hey, Dad. I’m glad you’re okay.”

“Hey, buddy. Thank you. I am too.” Tank smirks, ruffling Hendrix’s hair.

DING.

Taylor

Did you tell them yet?

Me

Just got here. Doing it now.

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