AllFreeNovel
Share Us
And by the sound of his voice, determined to do whatever would make Annie and his new daughter comfortable and happy. That was better than imagining worst-case scenarios, as far as Jax wasconcerned.
“You know I’ll do whatever I can to help.” He reassured his friend whom he was sure needed to hear the words, even though Jim already knew for a fact that Jax hadhis back.
“Yeah, I know. Thanks, man.” He paused, clearing his throat. “So how did the house hunting go?”
Jax smiled. A change of subject wasn’t a bad thing. It was certainly a great way to distract Jim from his worries.
“I found a place and made an offer.” He told Jim about the house and his plans for himselfand Noah.
“So when are you gonna ask him tomove in?”
“We have to talk about all that first,” Jax said. “I don’t want to assume that he wants to go as faras I do…”
“But you bought that huge house with him in mind, didn’t you?” Jim interrupted. “Why drop all that dough on a place you’ll rattle around in on your own if he’s just into friends withbenefits?”
“I can still adopt kids on my own and have the family I want. It’ll probably be harder if I’m single, but if I get a surrogate to bear my child, no one can refuse me parental rights because I’m single,can they?”
“You’ve really thought about this, haven’t you?”
“Last night, while Noah was sleeping, it was all I could think about.” He sighed. “And yeah, the thought of not having him in my life as a co-parent, to have to do it all on my own, is pretty daunting. But I’m not getting any younger, and I’d like to enjoy my kids while I’m still fairly young andhealthy.”
“I don’t think you have to worry about him,” Jim declared. “The way he’s been around you, I’m sure when you propose, he won’t say no.”
The thought of proposing to Noah had been the other thing that had filled his thoughts. It would have to be something inventive and fresh, like the man he wanted in his life forever. That would take some planning, but he couldn’t focus on that now. He had other things to do, including contacting the storage company about ending his contract and finding a reasonably priced moving company so that as soon as he got the go-ahead, he could move his things up to his new home. Then there was the planning he needed to do for his first semester in the new college. And he had to watch out for Jake and Jude so that Jim and Annie could have a few days’ grace where their only concern was Annie andthe baby.
After he hung up from the call, he went into the kitchen to see what groceries he might need to buy so the Bells wouldn’t have to worry too much about that for a bit. Making a quick list, he decided that he’d take the boys out for breakfast in the morning, then take them grocery shopping and after that, Jim and Annie might be ready to introduce them to their new baby sister. He’d forgotten to ask what her name was, but he’d find out when they got to the hospital. Satisfied with his plans, he went to bed. His phone pinged with a new message as he shut the light off on the bedside table. Itwas Noah.
[Noah: Just wanted to say goodnight.]
Dammit! He hadn’t told Noah about the Bells’ good news, and he’d forgotten all about their plans for the next day. He didn’t want to break their date, but he had to be the godfather the boys needed right now. Biting his bottom lip, he answeredthe text.
[Jax: I’m so sorry I forgot to tell you. Jim and Annie had a baby girl. She had to be delivered by Caesarian because the baby was in distress, but they’re both on the mend now. I’m withthe boys.]
He sent that, then sighed as he wrote the rest. This wasnothow he’d planned to start the next phase of their relationship.
[Jax: Jim will need me for at least the next day while he and Annie’s mom sort out arrangements for them. I don’t think I can meet you tomorrow afternoon. Raincheck?]
While he’d been writing, Noah had been as well, and their notes crossed each other on the way. Jax smiled when he read Noah’s message.
[Noah: That’s great news! Please give them our congratulations and best wishes. Is there anything you need me to dofor you?]
This man was a treasure and Jax felt the glow of gratitude warm him as he thanked heaven that he’d found him again and that Noah had forgiven him. He only hoped his man was with him all the way to marriage and family and happily ever after. Another message popped up as he was basking in warmthoughts.
[Noah: Have they met their little sister yet?]
[Jax: No. I’m taking them tomorrow after we go grocery shopping. I’ll call you from the hospital to let you know what the plans are.]
[Noah: Sounds good.]
There was a pause—what writers might call a pregnant pause—and Jax felt the weight of whatever Noah was trying to decide whether he should say or not. He knew whathewanted to say, but he would make his declarations of love when the time was right. Which, he thought with a wry smile, was code forwhen I’m not running scared. Was this how it was for people in love? Was saying the words supposed to be thisdaunting?
Chapter 18
Jax
He was so happy, his joy waslikely to
spill right out of him in burstsof light.
