She laughs. “They’re celebrating, Cane. They’re excited about the New Year. Who knows what a new year can bring?”
I consider this, a very basic idea that has never really occurred to me before. Before Jada, every year was another to get through. Plain and simple. But as I think back through the past few months, I get it.
“I see your point. But my life is about as perfect as it’s ever going to get,” I say, squeezing her tight.
“You think?”
“I know.”
“What do you want this coming year?” she asks.
“Like resolutions or whatever?”
“That or just what would you like to do this coming year? What would you like to see happen?”
I blow out a breath. “Resolutions are dumb as hell. Just because a calendar page turns doesn't mean you're all of a sudden gonna get some inspiration you've never had before. But what would I like to do? Just keep on going down the path I’m on, I guess. Keep you happy,” I wink as she looks at me, her eyes soft. “Keep Alexander Industries busy. That’s about it, I guess. What about you?”
She hesitates and it makes a lump form in my throat.
Did I miss something? Has she wanted me to do something and I forgot about it?
“I know one thing you need to do,” I laugh, trying to put her at ease. “Keep Kari from killing Max. I need him.”
She giggles. “I don’t know what I can do about that.”
“So, what about you? Any resolutions or things you want to do?”
She places the water glass on the coffee table. “I do have one thing. But I don’t know how you’re going to take it.”
“Seriously?” I laugh. “I’ll take you anywhere you want. I’ll do whatever you want. You know that.”
“Okay,” she says, drawing out the last syllable. She hesitates, her eyes filled with worry. “Our house isn’t right. I know you put so much time and energy into it and I love it. I love it so much. But I need to make a couple of tweaks.”
“You didn’t know how I’d take that? I thought you were going to tell me you wanted to move across the country or go scuba diving or something.”
"Scuba diving?" she laughs.
"Yeah. I'm not feeling that. But," I wink, "I'd do it for you."
"Well, it's nothing like that.”
“Good. House stuff we can do. What do you want? To paint or something?”
“Kind of. I . . . Um . . .” She looks to the floor, her cheeks turning pink.
“Whatever you want, beautiful girl. Just consider it done.”
A glimmer shines in her eyes as she looks at me again. “Okay, then. We are adding two feet to Alexander House.”
She is crazy. She might be beautiful, but she knows nothing about construction. What the fuck is two feet going to do? If she wants to expand a wall or something, it’s going to have to be more than two fucking feet to do any good.
“Two feet isn’t going to get you any space, Jada. If you want more room, we can add on, although we are limited by available ground up there. I’ll have Max come by the beginning of the—”
“Cane.” Her voice is firm, but her eyes soft. It stops me in my tracks. “Stop thinking like a contractor.”
“Two feet is two feet. I don’t care if you’re a—”
Oh.
Fuck.
I shoot off the couch, knocking over her water glass. “Jada . . .” I say, my heart pounding in my chest. “Two feet. Are you talking measurements or quantities?”
I want to shake her, to have her just spit it the fuck out.
No, fucker. If it is what you think it is, shaking is no good.
She giggles nervously, watching me try to figure this out.
“Jada, talk to me.” My mouth is dry. I can’t fucking think. I grab my Corona and down the whole thing.
The little beauty just sits there and smiles.
She’s definitely talking quantities. Mother fuck. Mother. Fuck! I’m having a baby. Or she’s having it. Or we’re having it.
I squeeze my temples and shut my eyes, the room starting to spin.
I’m gonna pass out.
No, I’m not. Man the fuck up, Alexander. I can’t be freaking out right now. She needs me. The baby needs me.
Oh, hell. The baby. I’m having a baby!
I open my eyes. She’s watching me, her face falling. She twirls her ring on her finger and I can see her nerves starting to take over.
Well, I haven’t really given her anything to work with.
Yes, I have. That's why we are having this conversation!
I kneel down, taking her hands in mine. My hands shake as I rub my thumbs over her palms. “Jada, I’m kind of dying right now. Can you just tell me in plain fucking English? Please.”
“I’m pregnant, Cane.”
I bury my head in her lap and kiss our interlocked fingers over and over. I feel her bend forward and nuzzle the top of my head with her cheek.