Chapter 95
ISABELLA
The car ride to the gynecologist’s office was filled with a comfortable silence, a rarity considering how lively our mornings usually were. I was nestled between Knox and Jax in the back seat, Asher driving with his usual calm demeanor. My hand rested on my growing belly, and every now and then, one of them would reach out to touch it, as if to remind themselves that this was real. That we were real.
I could sense the excitement in the air, all of us anxious to find out if we were having a boy or a girl. The thought of finally knowing made my heart flutter. I glanced at Asher in the rearview mirror, catching his eye as he gave me a small, reassuring smile.
“Asher?” I began, curiosity gnawing at me as it often did.
“Yes, love?” His voice was steady, as always.
“What’s on your mind? You seem... pensive.”
He hesitated for a moment before speaking, “I was going to mention it later, but since you asked... I’ll be leaving for California tomorrow. There’s a meeting I need to attend, and Knox will be coming with me.”
My heart sank a little, but I forced a smile. I hated when any of them had to leave, even if it was for something important. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust them—I did, with my life. But the thought of being separated, especially now, made me uneasy. I didn’t want them to know how much it bothered me, though. They already had enough on their plates without worrying about me.
“I understand,” I said softly, squeezing his hand briefly. “It’s important.”
“We won’t be gone long,” Knox added, his voice gentle as if he sensed my apprehension. “Just a couple of days.”
“I know,” I replied, offering him a smile as well. “I’ll be fine, and so will the baby.”
Jax placed a comforting hand on my thigh, his thumb rubbing circles through the fabric of my dress. “You’ll have me and Spencer,” he reminded me. “We won’t leave your side.”
That was true, and it did make me feel a bit better. Spencer had proven himself to be a reliable protector, and Jax’s unwavering presence always put me at ease. I leaned into him slightly, drawing comfort from his warmth.
When we arrived at the gynecologist’s office, I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. This was a big moment for all of us, and I could sense their anticipation mirroring mine. As we waited for the doctor, Jax held my hand, Knox stood by the window, his arms crossed as he stared out, and Asher sat beside me, his calm exterior never faltering.
Finally, the doctor called us in, and the moment we had all been waiting for was upon us. As I lay on the examination table, the gel cool against my skin, I couldn’t help but feel a little emotional. This was the moment we’d been dreaming about for months.
The room fell silent as the ultrasound image appeared on the screen, and we all stared in awe at the tiny life growing inside me. The doctor smiled, sensing our eagerness.
“Would you like to know the sex of the baby?” she asked.
“Yes,” I breathed, my voice barely above a whisper.
The boys leaned in closer, holding their breaths. The doctor moved the wand slightly, then paused, her smile widening.
“It’s a boy.”
The room erupted in joy. Asher let out a sigh of relief, Jax squeezed my hand a little tighter, and Knox, who rarely showed much emotion, broke into a wide grin. I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes as I looked at the screen, unable to tear my gaze away from the image of our son.
“A boy,” I whispered, feeling the weight of the moment settle in my heart. “We’re having a boy.”
Asher kissed my forehead, his hand cupping my cheek. “He’s going to be perfect, just like his mother.”
Jax was still staring at the screen, his eyes bright with emotion. “I can’t wait to meet him.”
Knox, still smiling, added, “He’s going to be one lucky kid, having all of us to watch over him.”
The doctor continued with the examination, but all I could think about was our little boy. My heart was so full of love and happiness that it felt like it might burst. For the first time in a long while, everything felt right.
As we left the building, I was still riding the high of the news. The boys were talking excitedly about the future, making plans and discussing names. But as much as I wanted to join in, I couldn’t shake the lingering thought that soon, Asher and Knox would be leaving. The joy of the moment was tinged with the bittersweet reality of our lives, but I knew that whatever happened, we would face it together.
As we stepped out of the gynecologist’s office, the sun was shining brighter than usual—or maybe it was just my mood, the news of our baby boy making everything seem a little more magical. The boys were still buzzing with excitement, voices overlapping as they discussed nursery colors, potential names, and all the things we needed to prepare before his arrival.
Jax pulled out his phone, scrolling through messages when suddenly, it rang. The distinctive ringtone of his mother’s number flashed on the screen, and he smiled knowingly before answering.
“Hey, Mom,” he greeted her warmly, putting the call on speaker so we could all hear.
“Jax, sweetheart! How did it go? I’ve been on pins and needles all morning,” Maggie’s voice came through the line, filled with a mix of excitement and impatience. She’d known about the appointment, of course. Maggie had a way of staying informed about everything, especially when it involved her grandchild.
Jax glanced at me with a grin before answering, “It went perfectly, Mom. And guess what? You’re going to have a grandson!”
There was a brief silence on the other end, and then Maggie’s delighted squeal filled the air. “A grandson? Oh, my stars! I knew it! I just had a feeling it was a boy. Oh, my darling Zaza, I’m so happy for you!”
Her joy was contagious, and I found myself laughing, tears of happiness still glistening in my eyes. “Thank you, Maggie. We’re all so excited.”
“I can’t believe it! My first grandbaby, and it’s a boy!” Maggie continued, her excitement palpable. “I’m going to start knitting right away. I have the perfect pattern for little booties. And you know, I was thinking, we need to have a baby shower soon. You’re going to be spoiled rotten, Zaza, just you wait.”
The boys chuckled, clearly amused by their mother’s enthusiasm. Asher, who had been quieter than usual, finally spoke up, his tone affectionate. “We couldn’t be happier, Mom. Thank you for being so supportive.”
“Oh, Asher, you boys have made me so proud,” Maggie said, her voice softening. “This little one is going to be surrounded by so much love. You all are.”
Knox, never one to miss an opportunity to tease, chimed in, “We’re going to need to stock up on baby supplies, then. You know, just in case Mom decides to fill the nursery with handmade blankets and stuffed animals.”
“Don’t you worry, Knox, I’ve got it all under control,” Maggie replied, laughing. “You just focus on taking care of Zaza and that precious baby. Leave the spoiling to me.”
Jax shook his head, still grinning as he said, “We’re planning to come by later, Mom. We can talk about everything then.”
“Oh, you better! And don’t think you’re getting away without a celebratory dinner. I’m making all your favorites tonight, so bring those big appetites of yours.”
After a few more exchanges and promises to see her soon, Jax ended the call, slipping his phone back into his pocket. He turned to me, his eyes filled with that same warmth I’d come to cherish so much.
“Looks like we’ll be spoiled from all sides,” I said with a chuckle, feeling a wave of gratitude wash over me.
“As if we’d ever let it be any other way,” Knox added, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.
Asher nodded, his hand resting on my back as he guided us toward the car. “We’re a family now, and this little boy is going to know nothing but love and protection. From all of us.”
As we drove away, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of completeness. We were on the brink of something new and beautiful, and I knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, we would face them together. Maggie’s excitement only reinforced what I already knew—our baby boy was coming into a world where he was already cherished beyond measure. And that, more than anything, made me feel at peace.