Page 34 of The Sinner’s Son (Sawyer and Royce: Felonies and Fatherhood #2)
E vangeline curled her arm around Sawyer’s waist. “I love you so much.”
Sawyer draped an arm over her shoulders and rested his temple on top of her head. “I love you too. But I’m still not ready to make the announcement.”
His mother released an exasperated sigh. “Fine, but it’s getting late, and people will start leaving soon.”
“Not the ones that matter, Mom.” Sawyer didn’t care if friends of friends found out about their big news secondhand.
Everyone who mattered would be there, including some last-minute guests Sawyer invited.
He glanced over to where Royce gathered with the Suttons, Jason, and Alec.
Dane’s physical injuries were on the mend, but it would take longer for his emotional wounds to heal.
Alec had worried Dane would blame him for what happened and had braced himself for rejection, but Sawyer witnessed the genuine smiles Dane sent Alec’s way, even if he’d chosen to sit across from him instead of taking the empty chair next to Alec.
With time and healing, Sawyer thought they might have a chance at something special.
Nina sat with her face toward the sun and her eyes closed, a serene smile gracing her face.
Sawyer was all too familiar with that expression because Vic had worn a similar one toward the end of his life.
She’d made peace with the fact that this would be her final Labor Day celebration and was enjoying every second.
She must’ve sensed his gaze on her because she opened her eyes and turned them in his direction.
Her smile grew bigger, and she winked. Royce leaned forward to break their eye contact and pretended to scold her for flirting with his man.
Sawyer couldn’t hear the words they exchanged, but he recognized the gesticulation and gleam in his gray eyes.
Nina swatted Royce out of the way to clear her line of sight.
Sawyer winked back, and she waggled her fingers.
Flirting hadn’t been the intention behind Nina’s wink.
The gesture was pure gratitude after the conversation they’d had two weeks ago when he’d taken her to the hospital to see Dane after his rescue.
She’d been an emotional wreck, relieved and full of gratitude that Dane had survived, but terrified about what the future might hold for her sons.
Sawyer had simply reached for her hand and told Nina that he and Royce would always look out for them.
They’d always have a place to go for the holidays, an ear to bend, a shoulder to lean on, and people in their corner cheering them on.
Her tears had turned to relief then, and she radiated peaceful acceptance now.
Sawyer spotted his father heading inside the house and excused himself to go talk to him.
There were some things he wanted to tell his dad before they made the big announcement.
Barron had always been the midnight backdrop to Evangeline’s diamond bright star, and he’d never complained.
His dad seemed more than happy to bask in her brilliance, but sometimes quiet personalities like his got overlooked.
Credit went to other people when it should be shared or even given to others.
Sawyer, a proud mama’s boy since birth, loved his father dearly but worried he didn’t always give Barron the recognition he deserved.
That truth became even more apparent as he watched Royce and Eddie stumble their way through a reconciliation.
“Hey, Dad,” he called out.
Barron jerked his head out of the refrigerator with a partially eaten cupcake in his hand. He swallowed the bite and held up the treat with a victorious smile. “Why didn’t anyone tell me we had cupcakes?”
Sawyer bit back a laugh. “Because those go with the big announcement Royce and I are about to make.”
“Oops.” Then the words clicked. He looked into the refrigerator and noticed the candy baby bottles and rattles decorating the tops of the cupcakes. “You’re having a baby!”
“We are,” Sawyer confirmed. “Kelsey is the biological mother and our surrogate.”
Barron pulled Sawyer into a fierce hug, his happiness bubbling out of him in joyous laughter. When he stepped back from the embrace, he looked around the house. “You didn’t tell me before your mother, did you? I can’t live with that.”
Sawyer laughed. “She knows. I hadn’t planned to tell her, but she stumbled onto the news when she popped by to spoil the pets while we were at work.”
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.”