Page 88 of The Wedding Planner's Manny
“Thank you for being here with me,” he said, voice barely above a whisper, eyes searching for the baby.
“Thanks for letting me share this with you.”
He shook his head slightly as if saying that I didn't have to thank him, and then the nurse placed the newborn on his chest, wrapped in a cozy-looking blue blanket. “Congratulations, you're now the proud father of a strong little boy.”
I'd never seen Rhys smile so wide as he did looking at his son. I remembered that feeling. It was the most powerful thing in the world. Rhys thought I didn't need to thank him for allowing me to be here, but I was so grateful I got to experience this with him.
And so, so grateful that he trusted me with his son. I could already tell the little one was perfect.
“He's got your nose.”
“Does he?”
“Totally. He'sadorable.Have you decided what you're calling him?”
“What do you think about Henry?”
“I think it's perfect. Just like him.”
“Then it's settled.” Rhys' features brightened. He was sweaty and tired and his eyes were red and yet somehow he still managed to look beautiful. Or maybe that was just my subjective opinion. I didn't care really.
He would always be beautiful to me.
3 2
R H Y S
Only five weeks after the birth, Ethan took me suit-shopping for the upcoming wedding. We’d debated leaving Henry at home for the occasion so we wouldn’t get poo, drool or puke on a selection of designer suits, but in the end, we’d decided against it. Neither one of us wanted to leave him with someone else just yet. We’d just have to take turns trying on suits—because Ethan wanted a new one too. To mark this new era of our lives, he said.
“What do you think of this one?” Ethan asked, presenting me with an emerald green suit and pulling me out of my thoughts.
“For me?” I asked, rocking Henry, who was staring at all the expensive suits around him as if he wanted one for himself too.
Ethan nodded. “I think it would go great with your eyes.”
“I don't know if I'll fit in that.” I'd gained a lot during the pregnancy, and not all of those pounds had come off with the birth.
“I'm sure you will. You'll look fantastic. Trust me.”
“Okay, but no laughing if it doesn't fit.”
“Promise.” He gave the suit to me and I handed him the baby in return. “Come here, little man,” he murmured. “Let’s see what Daddy looks like all dressed up. I bet he’ll look great, don’t you?”
I shook my head at him and turned to step into the changing room. The moment I did, Ethan slapped my butt.
“Hey!” I shot him a look but he only smiled at me as if he didn't know what I was complaining about.
Not that I was really complaining. Ethan could slap my butt all day long if he wanted to. All day and all night.
Truth be told, there was hardly enough butt-slapping going on in our lives recently. Having a newborn in the house was exhausting, even though Nathan was being an absolute sweetheart and volunteered to help wherever he could. He still denied having a thing for babies, but the way he cooed at Henry every time he got to hold him made his feelings obvious, and I had no idea why even tried hiding it.
He was going to be a doting father one day. That was nothing to be ashamed of. it didn't make him any less alpha. I only wished he could see that.
In the changing room, I forced myself into the suit Ethan had picked out for me. It did fit, after some tugging. When I eyed myself in the mirror, I was pleased with what I saw. The emerald contrasted nicely with the color of my eyes and the cut hid some of the pounds I hadn't lost yet. I looked elegant in an understated way. Ready to stand next to my brother at the altar, but not so dashing that I'd steal the show from him.
Perfect.
“I like it,” I announced as I presented myself to my alpha and my child. “What do you think?”
