Page 26 of Our Little Wedding

“Well, given the circumstances…”

“I know.” The baby was the entire reason we hadn’t heard from him. Instead of calling us, he’d kept all of that to himself, until today.

“I don’t really get why you’re rushing to get married to this chick. I mean, twenty years’ difference in age is huge. What if she is just after your money?” Max questioned.

“She isn’t after my money,” I replied.

“Do you know that for a fact? Did you ask her to sign a prenup?”

I rolled my eyes. “No, Max, no prenup. We are in love.”

“Yeah, in love, that is what I said about Pam, until she walked out on me and then walked back into my life with a baby. Just wait until she tells you she is pregnant.” Max chuckled.

I grew quiet. “Well, Max, I don’t need to wait for that.” I sat back putting my hands behind my head.

“Are you fucking with me?”

“No, I’m not. Ainsley is pregnant.”

“You got the sitter pregnant?” Max questioned, leaning forward, interested in whatever gossip he may find out.

“Careful, that is my soon-to-be wife you are speaking of,” I gritted.

Max sat back. “True. Tell me, what could you possibly see in her long-term? Have you even thought about your future?”

“My future is all I think about, Max. Providing a home for Nikki and Ainsley and now the baby, maintaining the growth of the company.”

“That may be, but have you thought about how you have absolutely nothing in common? I mean, in twenty years she’ll be changing your diapers, for fuck sakes. She’s gonna want to party, and you’re going to want to go to bed at nine.”

“Why don’t you tell me how you really feel, Max?”

“Fuck, I am. It’s the truth, Spencer.”

I frowned. “I just told you to be careful. I’ve given you a job, and only a few hours ago you were begging me to keep it. This is an opportunity for you to make a fresh start, to leave your past behind.”

“I’m grateful, Spencer, really I am. I just…”

I put my hand up to stop him. The last thing Ainsley and I needed was yet another person who disapproved of our relationship. Max was my younger brother, and we’d only just reconnected a few months ago. He had no right to judge us. He was also my employee, and this type of talk needed to be stopped immediately.

“You will respect my decisions, Max. I’m in love with Ainsley. We are getting married, yes she is having my baby, and Nikki adores her. Honestly, had you of been around the last year or so or had shown up to our engagement party, you would probably feel the same way about her.”

“I will do my best to keep my opinions to myself. And look… Nikki will have someone to grow up with.”

I looked at my brother, unsure if that was a hit directed at Ainsley’s age or if he was talking about the new baby.

“I really hope you are referring to the new baby,” I gritted.

“Of course, that is what I meant. I am sure Ainsley is very mature for her age, ‘cause lord knows she has to be because you don’t have an immature bone in yours.”

Ainsley

“All right, you, crawl in,” I said, pulling the covers back so Nikki could climb into bed.

Nikki looked up at me, then grabbed two more stuffed animals from a pile in the corner. She carried them over to the bed and crawled in.

“You don’t normally sleep with those,” I said, taking notice that she left her favourite teddy bear on the floor by the door.

“Oh, can you get me Teddy?” Nikki cried, reaching her little arms out for the bear.

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