Page 44 of Until Delilah

Delilah turns on the patio heater and curls up on the wicker couch she selected for us to sit on while we’re out back. We have a whole set of furniture that’s being delivered by the end of the month for out by the pool. I can’t wait to have her naked in my pool.

“What are you thinking about?” She laughs, eyeing the tent I’m sporting in my sweatpants.

“I’m thinking about you out here at night under the light of the moon and stars, naked and in the pool.”

“What’s stopping us from doing that tonight?”

I shake my head and step inside to grab the food. When I come back outside, she’s standing by the railing looking out at the dark pool.

“First, we need to heat the pool. Otherwise, we’d be lucky to last a minute in the frigid water. But now that I see you like the idea, I’ll start warming it up tomorrow and by the end of the weekend, it should be ready for night visitors.”

We’re quiet for a few minutes as we get our food and start to eat. “Isn’t this better than having to be all dressed up and around a bunch of people?”

“Yes,” she groans around a bite of fried chicken and then wipes her mouth. “I do see its appeal. If we were out, I wouldn’t be able to rub you through your sweatpants.” Her hand moves to the semi that’s still tenting my pants.

“We should never go out again.” I thrust my hips up into her hand, wanting more. I hate to do it, but I remove her hand from my junk and kiss her fingertips. “Later,” I say, biting down on the tip of one.

She clears her throat and squirms a little before she settles. “You were at my parents’ house for a long time.”

“Your dad and I talked about Bradley and what we think is best. I talked to my dad earlier about it as well. While I have guys trying to find anything they can on your ex and his family, it might take a while to take them down, because I do believe eventually, we’ll find something, or they’ll get caught.” I clasp my hand around her knee and start to rub circles with my thumb. “In the meantime, since school and the Little League season are about to be over, I want the kids to continue to practice. So, I was thinking of making a makeshift place for them to come here and practice. We’d call it off for the summer, but once it gets cooler at the end of September or the beginning of October, we can start practice up again while it’s nice. What do you think?”

“I think they’d love that. They all look up to you and I know Beck would practice year-round if he could. I’m not sure why you’re asking me though. It’s your house. You can do what you like.”

I swear under my breath. I thought Delilah had started to come around to the idea this place is hers as well as mine.

I arch a brow at her. “Are you planning to live somewhere else?”

“No.” She shakes her head and takes a bite of mashed potatoes.

“This place and everything in it is yours, mine, and Beck’s. Therefore, you have a say on whether or not you want a bunch of kids here a couple of times a week.”

Her cheeks pink up slightly, but she nods. “I don’t mind. It will be good for Beck. Where are you thinking? I’m not sure I’d want screaming kids around once the baby’s here.”

I hadn’t thought about that. “I’ll make sure it’s far enough away the baby won’t hear.”

“Oh,” Delilah jumps in her seat. Grabbing my hand, she places it on her stomach. “Do you feel that?”

I start to shake my head no, but then I feel… something. It’s barely there, but I… feel it.

Looking at her with wonder, I splay my hand across her stomach. “Is that…”

“The baby just kicked.” She presses down on my hand, but after that one little bump, I don’t feel anything.

Some days it’s hard to remember she’s pregnant, but feeling that little thump makes it real. In a matter of months, there will be a tiny baby here.

“This is going to sound crazy, but I want you to put my name down on the birth certificate.” I close my eyes. I hadn’t meant to say that. I wanted to say I want to be this baby’s dad, and it came out all wrong.

“Do you think it will help keep the Stanton’s off us?” she asks wide eyed.

Yes, but that’s not why I want my name on there. I can’t explain it, but I want the right to call this child mine. One day, once I ask Delilah to marry me, hopefully, she’ll agree to let me adopt Beckham.

“Are you opposed?” She shakes her head and starts to open her mouth, but I stop her, not wanting to wait. If changing their name could throw the Stanton’s off their trail, I don’t want to waste any time. “I want to adopt Beckham too.”

“Do you know what you’re asking? Beck’s never had a father. If you do this, you can’t back down.”

“He’s a great kid. I’d be honored to call him my son. Even if for some reason things don’t work out between us, I’ll always be there for him. Beck and the baby.”

“He’d really like that.” She chews on the inside of her cheek. “Thank you for dinner, Max. It was great. If you don’t mind, I’m tired and want to go to bed.”

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