Page 56 of His Best Man's Baby

“Ladies,” her mother interrupted. “Do not use that disgusting slang around this infant. He will grow up to be a very intelligent gentleman, who is successful in his career and life.”

Zerita met Tae’s eyes, and they both smiled. Tae’s mother always acted this way when a grandchild was born. She’d never thought her baby would be a part of the ritual. “You’re right, Ma, but what I want most for Little Jaxon is that he is happy and that he is loved.”

“He is loved, just like his

mother.”

At Jax’s voice, Tae turned back to him. His eyes were red with rings around them from lack of sleep. He’d seemed to go through as much as she during her labor and delivery. Through it all, he stuck by her. I can’t believe how blessed I am. “You should go home and rest,” she suggested to him.

“I will in a little while.”

Zerita kissed her cheek. “I’m going to go. If you need me, just call.” She leaned closer and whispered in Tae’s ear. “Your mom saw the rock.”

Tae groaned. She turned to her fiancé. “Baby, I want you to go get something to eat in the cafeteria.”

He was about to protest but seemed to pick up on what she wanted. He nodded, kissed her lips, kissed their son’s cheek, and left. Tae’s mother brought the baby to her as he started to fuss. “I think he’s hungry, Tae. Are you breastfeeding?”

“Yes, Jax and I discussed it. We thought I’d give it a try. If Little Jaxon tries to kill me, I’m going to the bottle in a hot minute.”

Her mother frowned at her attitude but nodded. They sat in silence while she fed the baby, and Tae glanced at the shimmering ring on her finger. Since she moved to Charlotte, she and her mom didn’t have a great relationship. Talking to her on the phone about the pregnancy resolved that issue as much as it could be resolved. Her mother still felt betrayed, but at least she wasn’t crying anymore.

“Ma, I was wondering if you would consider planning my wedding. I know you’re good at that sort of thing, and it just wouldn’t turn out as well if you’re not the one handling it.” She prayed this olive branch would not turn out to be a big mistake.

Her mother pressed both hands to her chest. “Do you mean it, Tae? I saw the ring, and I thought you left me out of your life again.”

“No, I didn’t. I just knew you would come down here, and I wanted to talk about this face-to-face.” This was true, mostly. She had seen no other way to handle the situation. “I don’t want anything huge, just something for the family and our closest friends. I never thought I’d get married, but now I think nothing would make me happier than being Mrs. Jaxon Hart. I want it to be special.”

Tae held her breath, waiting for her mother’s response. In truth, while she still valued her personal space when it came to her family, she did want her mother’s involvement—controlled involvement. She wanted her son to know his grandparents and extended family.

When her baby was done eating, she eased him to her shoulder and patted his back. Bright eyes blinking as he yawned, Little Jaxon was the spitting image of his daddy. Tae ran her fingers through the silky, dark hair and noted the shape of the baby’s nose and jaw, and the color of his eyes. All of it was Jax’s. She’d only contributed the light caramel color of his skin.

Her mother clapped her hands, capturing Tae’s attention just as the baby burped. “I know just what we’ll do, Tae. Your wedding will be talked about for years to come. All of my friends will be jealous.”

“Your friends?” Tae chuckled, but she let her mother talk. They were good for now.

* * * *

Tae left the doctor’s office for her checkup feeling on top of the world, or as on top of it as she could get with a baby who still woke in the middle of the night, breaking her sleep. She didn’t care about that though. Dr. Chen had given her the green light. She and Jax could get as physical as they wanted, and since her mother had come down to handle some more details of the wedding in person, she had agreed to watch the baby for Tae that night. Thank goodness her mother didn’t ask for details of what Tae planned for her and Jax. He didn’t know them either. In fact, she’d lied and told him her appointment was on Thursday. The man backed off enough for her to drive herself and Little Jaxon wherever they needed to go, but he still hovered. She wanted to surprise him.

And surprised my man will be when he gets a load of my new outfit. Let the punishment begin!

She buckled the baby into his seat with a grin on her face, kissed him because he was so darn cute, and shut the door. When she turned to go around to her side of the car, her steps faltered, and the smile faded. Her heart pounded, and her eyes widened. “Daniel.”

“Hello, Tae. It’s good to see you.”

She looked past him, not knowing what or who she expected to see but saw no one. “What are you doing here?”

“I figured you kept the same doctor. You don’t live in the apartment anymore. You weren’t at your job.”

She frowned. “You’ve been checking up on me?” If he’d gone to the magazine and asked around about her, he might have run into Zerita, but she’d talked to her friend last night, and Zerita said nothing about seeing Daniel.

He stuffed his hands into his pockets and rocked back on his heels. Tae thought he looked thinner, a lot thinner. His skin was a tad sallow, and dark rings circled his eyes. Daniel always kept his hair in perfect order, but today it appeared greasy and messy. Hard wrinkles marred the shirt he wore even if his slacks looked okay. Well, it was late afternoon, so maybe he’d had a difficult day at the office.

“I’m not allowed to come to your house.”

“Did Jax say that?” Daniel would know where Jax lived. Jax had owned the house for ten years.

Daniel produced a sad smile that tugged at her heart. “He doesn’t want you tempted.”

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