Page 107 of Conception
I want to push him away. Tell him I can do this all on my own, so he can go back to his big city job, become the hotshot he’s always dreamed of. I don’t. Not for me—for our son. I know how incredible it is to grow up with a loving father, how even more devastating it is to lose one. I won’t do that to my baby, so as long as Knox wants, I’ll let him stick around.
Not to mention he’s barely let me leave my comfy chair in the living room all day. Every time Branson makes a peep, Knox checks on him. He brings him to me for feedings, does all the diaper changes, and even delivers me food, often checking to see if I need my tea or water refilled. I never expected to be this pampered after getting home from the hospital, so I swallow my protests and enjoy it.
I’m pretending to watch some old movie on the television when Knox and Sunny go into the kitchen. While they’re in there, I strain to listen to their quiet conversation. She planned on staying with me for a while after Branson was born, but with Knox here, I have a feeling those plans will change. Not that I mind. She hovered enough in my last two months of pregnancy that I could use a break. And deep down, I want him here, even if I won’t admit it out loud.
Sure enough, a few minutes later, she comes out of the kitchen and takes Branson from my arms, cooing down at him.
“He’s such a beautiful baby, Amelia,” she whispers, trying not wake my little guy. Then she glances back to the kitchen, where Knox is leaning against the doorframe, watching us. She makes some kind of gesture to him, and he nods, turning around and leaving us alone. “Listen, I know I was going to stay here…before Knox showed up. Since he’s clearly not going anywhere, I think three’s a crowd. I’m going back to Joe’s. If you need anything, anything at all, give me a call.”
She gives my arm a squeeze. “For the record, I think it’s great he’s back. Hear him out, Meems. Give him a chance.”
“Sunny Mayfield, you were the one who told me to forget him in the first place.”
She smiles down at Branson. “That was before we found out about this cute little nugget.” Her eyes meet mine. “And that was before Knox, who didn’t even know about him, came back for you. And when hedidfind out, he dove in headfirst. I just think, after all this time, it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world if you decide to see where it goes.”
“Sunny, it’s not just about me anymore. I have a baby to think about.”
“Exactly, Amelia.”
She’s right. I know it. It’s not like Knox and I ended on bad terms.
We just…ended.
“I love him, Sunny,” I whisper like it’s a secret so great that the world would end if too many people knew.
“He loves you, too.”
I swallow hard, wishing it to be true. “Do you think so?”
“Don’t be a nitwit, Meems. Why else would he be here? He didn’t know about Branson. Hell, he practically bit my head off when I wouldn’t tell him where you were. The look on his face? It was the look of a guy in love with a girl he was desperate to find.”
“He went to Mickeys?”
“First, he came here. Grandma tried telling him off. According to her, all he did was scowl until she closed the door in his face. The woman swears he was going to break down her door. But you know her; she’s watched too many episodes ofAll My Children. All the scandal’s gone to her head. That and the blue hair dye.”
“Knox would never break her door down. Mine? That’s pretty much a given.” I laugh for what feels like the first time in forever.
Sunny nods her agreement. “He came stormin’ into Mickey’s like the dogs of war were on his ass. I may have given him a bit of sass.”
My eyebrows narrow. While I may be conflicted about the future with Knox, she should have told him immediately where I was.
“Calm down! It took about two seconds for Joe to commandeer the conversation and spill the beans of where you were without telling him about the baby. That’s when Knox’s face went pale. If he hadn’t been so determined to get to you, I’m afraid he might’ve passed out right there on the bar floor. And it’s a good thing he didn’t. It’s Sam’s turn to mop the floors and you know how not thorough he can be.”
I bite my lower lip, remembering what Knox said in the hospital. Sunny’s right. He didn’t know about Branson, yet he came back to Crystal Cove looking for me. That had to mean something good, right?
Sunny takes my hand. “He’s here, Amelia. And he didn’t hightail it back to Nashville the moment he found out about Branson. From what I’ve seen? He was born for the role of proud papa. Give him a chance. Hear him out.Let. Him. In.”
Easier said than done.
“It’s not that simple, Sunny.”
She starts to protest, so I squeeze her hand.
“But I’ll try. For Branson.”
“And for you.”
My heart flutters at the thought.
