Chapter 27
"What's that supposed to mean?" Joe asked.
"It means that Queen Cruz will permit the wearing of pink. Especially when your little Princess turns you into a puddle of mush."
"We're not having girls."
"You can't make that statement, Joe. It's a 50/50 chance every time there is a pregnancy."
"Do you know the last time there was a girl in the Cruz family? And I don't mean my mother? 50 years ago."
"And that just goes to show you that it's time for a girl."
"Would you be disappointed with a boy?" he asked.
"Of course not! Any child of ours would be loved, welcomed, and spoiled rotten. I don't care what sex we have. What I care about is you being a good father."
"Tay," he blushed. "Are we having a fight?"
"Not yet."
He leaned across the table and kissed her, spilling her coffee in the process. "I'm sorry, Hon. I'll get it cleaned up."
She waved her hand. "Don't worry about it." She reached for the napkins and covered the liquid, then started mopping up what wasn't picked up in the napkins.
"You want a new cup?" he offered, feeling rotten that he spilled her mug and even more rotten that she was not only taking it in stride, but cleaning up the mess he had made.
"Half," she said as she tossed the napkins into a soggy pile and put them on her plate. "I just don't have much of an appetite yet."
She rose from the table as his phone rang. She picked up the dishes and took them to the kitchen, loading them in the dishwasher. While Joe took his call, she scribbled something on a piece of paper and held it up in front of him. He nodded and she headed for her bedroom. A nap sounded like a wonderful idea. She had not slept much the night before. Joe had her in and out of the shower twice, and poured what seemed like gallons of coffee into her while he walked the floors with her. She had just slipped into her flannel pajamas when Joe knocked on the door.
"Yeah?" she asked.
He poked his head in. "That was Otis. He just wanted to know how you were doing."
"That was nice of him."
"I have to go to the gym. Are you going to be okay if I go?"
"I'll be fine. Go. I'm just going to take a nap. Have fun."
She crawled into bed, and pulled up the covers.
"Baby, you don't know how inviting that looks right now."
She stared down at her pajamas. "They're the unsexiest piece of nightwear that I own."
"Yeah, but you look so damn cute." He checked his watch. "I'll be back in a couple of hours. If you feel like it, I'll make you lunch when I get home."
"Ok. I'll see you when you get back."
She heard the front door close, and she snuggled down in bed as she pulled the covers over her head. He stepped out into the hall wondering if he should turn around and go back inside. He took a step forward and reminded himself that she told him to go. He made his way down the hall and to the elevator. 'Quick workout,' he decided as he punched the elevator button.