Page 106 of Finding Hayes
“I don’t think she’s going to deliver the baby, but I think she’ll be in there with them to make sure everything goes well.”
“Well, we’ve got more than one reason to eat cake, don’t we?” Kingston asked, as he started cutting the cake on the little table in the waiting room and handing out slices.
“Looks like you’re getting all the gifts this year, huh?” Saylor asked, settling on the other side of her brother as they both held their cake plates.
“Yeah. This is going to be hard to top.” Hayes looked up at me, his gaze locked with mine.
“We both always wanted a dog, and now our pups can be besties,” Saylor said with a laugh. “And having a new baby to celebrate, who happens to be born on your birthday, if they get that baby out before midnight. That’s pretty special.”
“No doubt about it. Life has been full of surprises lately.” He set his plate down and patted his lap for me to come sit. “Thisone being the best of all.”
Saylor smiled. “I’m happy for you guys. And it’s nice to see Mom spending time with you.”
We sat there talking, everyone anxious to hear about the baby, as the next few hours passed. Hayes had called his mom, and the puppy was doing just fine.
Nash had tried to take Cutler home, but he’d wanted to stay, and he’d fallen asleep on his father’s lap in the waiting room.
It was just before midnight when Romeo came out, with Emerson right beside him. Demi’s mom and dad were sitting with Romeo’s mother and grandmother, as Peyton and Slade paced around the waiting room, and we all moved to our feet.
“She did it. We’ve got a healthy little boy. He’s seven pounds, eight ounces and already looks like a little brute,” Romeo said, and we all took turns hugging him.
“Congrats, brother.” Hayes pulled him in for a hug, and everyone took turns doing the same.
“Does this little boy have a name yet?” Peyton asked.
Romeo looked between his friends. “Well, considering he was born on this guy’s birthday, it only seemed fitting to carry on that legacy. But Demi and I wanted him to have a piece of the men who have been my brothers every step of the way.”
“Did you name him Roddy like the puppy?” Cutler asked, rubbing his eyes as his father held him on his hip.
“No.” Romeo chuckled and turned to look at my husband. “His name is Hayes Pierce Heart Knight. The little dude’s got a lot to live up to. He’s got your namesake in there, too, Beefcake. And I’m hoping you’ll come up with a cool handle for him when he gets a little older.”
They’d found a way to incorporate all the guys as well as Cutler.
“I’ll come up with the best handle for my brother, Uncle Ro.”
I looked over at Hayes, and he was standing there staring at Romeo, eyes wet with emotion, and I could see he was overwhelmed by the gesture.
“Honored that my son will share a birthday and a name with you, Hayes. If he’s half the man you are, he’ll be winning at life.” Romeo pulled him in for one more hug before telling us all we could go down to the nursery and take a quick peek before we headed home.
And that’s exactly what we did.
My husband just stared through the glass at that little boy, like he’d never seen anything more perfect.
twenty-nine
. . .
Hayes
“Hey,thanks for hopping on a call with me,” Easton said, as we sat at the kitchen table staring at the computer screen.
“Of course. Is everything okay?” Savannah asked.
“Yeah. I’d say it’s damn good. That’s why I wanted to do this face-to-face, even if it’s just through a computer screen.” He chuckled. “Sheana’s case is closed, and she won’t be pursuing a lawsuit any longer.”
“That’s great. What happened?” I asked.
“She’s being sued by her current husband’s family. He’s some billionaire out of Texas, and he’s in his late eighties.”
