Page 65 of The Sinner's Son
Barron grimaced and looked from his hand to the rest of the cupcakes. “I don’t know what to do now.”
“Eat the evidence,” Sawyer said.
His dad devoured the rest of it in two bites. “Done. Wow. This is the absolute best news. I am so happy for you.”
“Thank you.” Sawyer pulled back from the hug. “That’s why I followed you inside. I wanted to say how much I appreciate the example you’ve set for me. People have always said I’d make a wonderful father, and I know that’s because of you.”
Tears filled Barron’s eyes. “Thank you, Sawyer. I appreciate your generous words, but you made fatherhood so easy.” He nodded toward the lawn, where Sawyer’s brother and sister engaged in competitive lawn games. “I can’t always say that about your siblings.”
They shared a laugh, which drew Evangeline’s attention on the patio. She came inside and joined them, wrapping her arms around Barron’s waist and leaning her head against his shoulder. “Did Sawyer tell you the good news?”
“Only after he caught me eating one of the baby announcement cupcakes.”
Evangeline sighed and shook her head. “I knew I should’ve hidden them in the garage refrigerator.”
“Is everything ready to go with the outdoor TV?” Sawyer asked.
“Yes. Andrew, the sweet dear, emailed the video with a montage of photos set to music,” Evangeline replied.
“How many times have you watched it?” Barron asked.
“Too many to count. I’ll happily cue the video when you’re ready.” Evangeline reached for Sawyer’s hand. “Are you ready?”
“I am. Let’s collect my husband.”
Royce must’ve read Sawyer’s intention because he stood up and crossed the lawn without a single gesture. “Are we ready?”
“Yes.” Sawyer kissed Royce’s cheek, and then they both gestured for Kelsey. She stood between them as she had during the photos, looking more radiant than one person had a right to. “Family, friends,” Sawyer said loudly. Most people turned toward them, but a few stragglers continued talking, including his siblings, who were arguing over cornhole scoring.
Eddie whistled loudly, and the gathering got so quiet you could’ve heard a feather land in the lush grass. “My sons are trying to make an announcement,” he said.
Royce snorted, but Sawyer knew the gesture meant a lot to him.
“Thanks, Eddie,” Sawyer said. “Royce, Kelsey, and I—” Loud music boomed from the patio speakers and drowned out what he was about to say.
“Oops,” Evangeline said. “I got trigger-happy in all my excitement.” She fiddled with the remote. The volume went up and down. The video rewound, fast-forwarded, and rewound again.
Several gasps echoed in the crowd as their friends and family got the gist of the announcement before they could make it. They leaped from the chairs and swarmed the patio, showering them with love, hugs, and congratulations. Sawyer met his mom’s remorseful gaze and mouthed, “Thank you.” He’d rehearsed what he wanted to say, but it always came out stilted. Her mistake worked out much better for him.
“We have cupcakes to celebrate,” Evangeline announced.
“I’ll go get them while you figure out how to restart the video from the beginning,” Barron said.
Luckily, Big Sexy swooped in and fixed it right up. Everyone gathered around with cupcakes in hand to watch the slideshow of beautiful photos as “I Can’t Wait to Love You” by Niko Moon played. Leaning his head against Royce’s, Sawyer got swept away by the beautiful lyrics, the memories of the promises they’d made to each other, and all the precious milestones awaiting them. Sawyer looked at his husband, best friend, and father of their child. “I could not ask for more.”
“And you’ll never have to.”
Lucy, now rocking a lime-green and violet pixie, moved the transducer over Kelsey’s belly during their twenty-week scan. Beside him, Sawyer squeezed his hand hard enough to break his fingers.
“Is our Lil Sweet Potato cooperating?” Royce asked.
“Mm-hmm,” Lucy said. “Sure is. Do you want to find out the—?”
“Yes!” Sawyer and Kelsey blurted before she could finish.
Lucy laughed and looked at Royce. “And you too?”
“We already know, but I would like to confirm it,” he said.