Page 134 of Rival

Two nurses are bustling around the room as Mason hovers over one of their shoulders as they check on Blakely, and Jaxon is sitting by my side. Tilting my head to look at him, I blow out a breath when I catch Griffin passed out on the pull out, finally getting some sleep after spending the late hours with the two of us.

“How are you doin’, baby girl?” Jaxon asks, drawing my attention back to him.

Snickering softly, I smile. “I thought Blakely was the baby?”

“You’re mine, but I’ll probably use the term interchangeably. Seriously, how are you feeling?”

Pushing myself up, I wince at the ache in my lower my body. “Sore, but it’s tolerable. Nothing like yesterday, so I’m fine.” My eyes shoot over to her when she fusses. “How is she?”

“Perfect. Just like her momma. I filled out the menu and ordered you some breakfast. I might have checked all the boxes because I wasn’t sure what you were in the mood for.”

Biting my lip, I reach out and grip his hand, which he turns over to weave our fingers together. “You can help me finish it off. I’m starving, honestly.”

Mason walks over, holding Blakely in his arms. He looks so natural, and I watch them as he sways with her side to side. I feed her for a bit until breakfast comes. As soon as she’s finished, he takes her back to change her diaper like a well-practiced father, then sits in the rocking chair to snuggle her.

Another staff member walks in with paperwork, and Jaxon helps me sit up. By this point, Griffin has woken up and finished off the food I couldn’t, laying a syrupy kiss to my lips.

The staff member talks me through the papers, which are Blakely’s forms for getting a birth certificate issued, and again, I start to worry. Not wanting to upset anyone, I fill it out as best I can until I’m finished. The only thing left is her name. Glancing up at him, I ask, “Can I leave off a last name until we know who her father is? They’re testing her now.”

“Don’t need to wait, she’s mine.”

Everyone turns to stare at Mason holding Blakely, rocking her slowly in the chair, eyes locked on her face.

“You don’t know for sure,” I tell him gently. I knew this was going to be the worst part of the day. Someone is going to be crushed and I’ve been dreading it.

Mason slowly lifts his head to face me. “I know we’re waitin’ for a test, but I’m tellin’ you, she’s mine. Look.” He lifts her arm and, ever so carefully, turns her to us to show a tiny, light brown mark near her armpit. “I’ve got the same one. So does my mom.”

“Lemme see,” Griffin says, moving next to them. He reaches out and strokes a finger over her cheek, then peeks at the mark Mason was trying to show us. “Take off your shirt.”

“Fu—” Mason’s eyes drop to his little bundle, then mouths, “Fuck off,” so she doesn’t hear him curse. I cover my mouth to stifle a laugh, but I’m curious, too.

Chuckling, Griffin pokes at his arm. “Then just lift up. I want to see what you’re talkin’ about.”

With a sigh, Mason holds his arm up straight. Griffin pulls the sleeve away, humming as he inspects his skin. Then, standing up straight, he stares at us with his mouth hanging open.

“The damn thing is there!”

I chew on my lip, worried he’s upset. But when he laughs and smacks Mason on the shoulder, who growls about being careful while he’s holding the baby, I let myself relax just a touch. “Congrats daddy Mason! Why am I not surprised thatyou’dbe the one with all the lady swimmers?”

Glancing at Jaxon, I catch him watching Mason and Blakely longingly. I fear this is the moment where he’ll turn to me and tell me he was just waiting to hear for sure, but he drops his gaze to me with a grin. “I suppose no one deserved to get a little girl more than him. Next time, I want it to be mine and we’re going to have a little boy to watch over his older sister.”

My eyes well with tears, and I can’t hold back the sudden rush of sobs that pour out of me. A look of alarm crosses his face, and he climbs on to the bed next to me, gathering me in his arms.

“We can have a girl, if that’s what you want. Although, I can’t promise gender. It’s sort of up in the air, honestly.” His voice is hurried in an attempt to soothe me, but I can only shake my head.

“What the hell did you do, you dick?” Griffin asks, storming over and attempts to pull me from Jaxon’s arms.

Hiccupping around another sob, I shake my head. “H-He didn’t say anything wrong. I promise.”

Griffin lets out a low rumble but backs off while I cling to Jaxon.

Pressing my head against his chest, Jaxon understands I need a moment, so he holds me until I’m ready to let go. Over my head, he gives his congratulations to Mason.

“I’m happy for you, man. But I’m gonna teach her how to ride a horse. I can guarantee I know more than you do, and we need her to be an expert before she starts competing in shows.”

Another wail escapes me, but they all just let me fall apart as they make plans for my Blakely, and I’m dying a little inside, wishing she could be each and every one of theirs.

“What the heck are you doing to her? I swear, I leave you all alone for fifteen minutes and you’ve got that girl howling like a banshee. Give me the baby.”