Page 126 of Love Me Again

“Areyou going to find out the sex of the baby?” Aimee asks while she scoops up a piece of chocolate cake and eats it, followed by a delightful moan. I sip my mixed berry smoothie and nod.

“Mhm, for sure. Are you?” I ask her, and she nods enthusiastically, chewing on a mouth full of cake. “Does Josh have a preference?” I question curiously, and she nods, glancing over at him.

“He said he doesn’t mind as long as it’s healthy, but he’d like a boy.” I smile and nod sipping my smoothie. We were having lunch before our appointments. “Can you believe how late Jo is? She’s overdue by eight days.”

I wince and nod, “I know. I spoke to her earlier, and she’s very irritable. Sam said she keeps snapping at him. They’re both on edge, just waiting for the baby to arrive. Even I’m getting antsy waiting for the phone call.” I explain, fiddling with my straw, and Aimee sits back in her chair and rubs her baby bump.

“I hope I'm not overdue. I will literally rip Josh’s head off and hand it to him.” She mutters, brushing her golden hair out of her eyes and looking at her husband, who was in a deep conversation with Cole.

I watch Cole while he listens intently to whatever Josh was saying, nodding his head. “How are you feeling? Are you still being sick?” Aimee shakes her head and smiles.

“No, it’s stopped, thank god.” She replies and leans closer to me. “Are you still feeling randy? Because I can’t get enough. I mean, I've always loved sex, but this pregnancy has turned me into a right little nympho.” I grin and pull my eyes from Cole to look at her and nod.

“I feel your pain. I wasn’t this bad with Alaia. I mean, I was a little horny at times, but this one’s got me humping Cole like a bitch in heat.” Aimee and I giggle, and the boys look over at us mid-conversation. I blow a kiss at Cole, and he winks at me. “It doesn’t really help that they look like that now, does it?”

Aimee snorts. “Doesn’t hurt either.” She retorts, staring at Josh, who takes her hand and kisses her knuckles. “Have you thought of any names?”

I nod, smiling. “Cole is choosing this time because I chose Alaia’s name. He’s picked Aria if it’s a girl or Rome if it’s a boy.” I tell her, and Aimee smiles, placing her hand on her chest.

“I love the name Rome. Rome Hoult.”

I smile and sigh, rubbing my bump as I sink back into my chair. “Actually…it’s going to be Rome Joshua Hoult.”

Aimee drops her fork and looks at me wide-eyed. “Oh my God, are you serious, Shay? You’ll give him Josh’s name?” I take Cole’s hand when he reaches out for me, and I look at Josh, whose blue eyes were just as surprised as his wife's.

“We’d like to if you don’t mind?” I ask, looking between them and Josh shakes his head and smiles. “You’ve been our rock through so much, Josh. Cole and I could never repay you for everything, so we thought this would be a nice gesture.”

“Are you kidding? I'm so touched. You really don’t have to repay me for anything. You two are my family, of course, I’m going to help you if I can. I know you two would have done the same for Aimee and me without thinking twice. Thank you both so much. I’m stoked.” Josh and Cole hug tightly, and Aimee hugs me.

When Josh comes over to hug me, Aimee throws a breadstick at Cole. “Don’t go getting any ideas thinking I’m going to name my child after you now.” She warns him, and Cole laughs, shaking his head and throwing a breadstick back at her.

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” After lunch, we go to the private hospital for our appointments. Aimee had hers at the same time as mine in the room next door.

“All right, let’s see how the baby is doing.” The sonographer smiles, pressing the receiver against my bump. Cole was holding Alaia in his arms while they both stood beside me. “Everything looks great. Your baby is growing perfectly. Are we finding out the sex of the baby today?” She questions, lifting her brown eyes to look at us, and we both nod. “Well, you’re having a boy. Congratulations.” I gasp and look at Cole, who grins and leans down, brushing a kiss over my lips.

“Look, Alaia, it’s your baby brother,” Cole says after he pulls back, bouncing her in his arms. He looks at me and bites his lip. “I’m having a son.”

I lace my fingers with his and close my eyes when he kisses my forehead. “We are having a son.” I scold him playfully, and he laughs, kissing me. “You already stole Alaia. This one is mine.”

“You can have the next one.” He murmurs against my lips with a chuckle, and I hit his shoulder. “You’re carrying the heir to our empire, baby.” I frown up at him.

“Why does it have to be an heir? Why can’t it be an heiress?” I question, raising my brow quizzically, and he pulls back, his green eyes searching mine.

“Honey, I was kidding. I want all my children to run the family business as equal partners. Unless they don’t want to, then we’ll decide when the time is right.” He explains and grins. “Now, retract those claws and stop glaring at me like that.” I smile, shaking my head. Smarmy git. He knows exactly what buttons to push to wind me up. We walk out of the room simultaneously as Josh and Aimee were grinning lovingly at one another. “So?” Cole coaxes, and Josh smiles.

“I’m having a daughter,” Josh declares and wipes a tear that rolls down his cheek.

“I’m having a son!” Cole exclaims, and they hug while Aimee and I just watch them shaking our heads.

“Excuse me, but what are we here exactly, just a couple of ovens with legs cooking up your buns.” I proclaim, placing my hands on my hips.

Cole and Josh pull apart and look at us, glaring at them. “We’re sorry?” Josh mumbles warily.

“What do you say? Shall we forgive them?” I ask Aimee, and she shakes her head.

“Nah,” She looks at me. “I’m going to take my daughter and go shopping.” Aimee smiles at me, and I look at Cole, who was frowning.

“And I’m going to take my son and join you.” We link arms and stroll past the boys watching us as we walk away.

---