“It’s a girl,” he said triumphantly. “Eight pounds, seven ounces. Twenty-one inches long. Big head of thick, black hair. She’s beautiful.”
Sarah loved hearing the good news, but Aiden was missing it. She got up from the desk to search for him. “Congratulations. I’m so happy. How’s Anna?” She reached the library. No Aiden. Weird.
“She’s tired, but she’s doing great. We’re both relieved the baby’s finally here and she’s healthy. It’s been such a rocky road.”
“Oh, I know. She’s your miracle baby. It’s wonderful.” Into the kitchen she traveled. Still no Aiden. “Do you have a name yet?”
“Grace. It’s Anna’s middle name.”
Sarah glanced into the living room, which was also empty. “That’s so beautiful. You must be so thrilled.”
“I am, but I also have a million more phone calls to make. If you could tell Aiden, that’d be great. I’m sure Anna will want to speak to you both at some point.”
Up the stairs Sarah went. “I don’t know if you guys will be up for it, but we have Oliver’s birthday party next Saturday.”
“Oh, right. We’ll have to see how it goes, I guess. We might need to call you for some baby advice.”
“Absolutely no problem. Whatever you need. Love to all three of you. Can’t wait to see her.” She ended the call, but didn’t dare yell now that she was in the hall. She’d wake Oliver. Where in the world was Aiden?
The door to his bedroom was closed. Now that they’d been cohabitating for nearly a month, she didn’t hesitate to open it. But the knob wouldn’t turn. It was locked.
She leaned against the door, but heard nothing. She rapped quietly and waited. She couldn’t text him—she had his phone. She knocked again. Finally, he answered.
“Hey,” he said, seeming flustered. He raked his hand through his hair, poking his head through the narrow opening he’d left.
“Your sister had a baby girl. Her name is Grace. That’s what’s up. Where have you been?”
His shoulders dropped. “Damn. I can’t believe I missed that call. That’s a bummer. Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s great. I told them you send your best.” She tried to peek into his room, but could see nothing. “What are you doing in there? Can I come in?” He was behaving so strangely.
“I’m working on something. A surprise. But it’s not ready.”
She laughed quietly, curious what he was up to. Her birthday wasn’t until October. “Like that’s not cryptic. Do you want me to go away?”
“No. No. It’s okay. I was going to call you up in a minute anyway. Just close your eyes and I’ll lead you to the bed.”
“If that’s where we’re going, it’s not a surprise. Not that I won’t enjoy it immensely.” She elbowed him in the stomach, but he didn’t take the joke. He was dead serious, so she decided to follow orders.
“Just a minute,” he said when she was seated on the bed. “Be right back.”
With her eyes closed, she listened for clues. He started singing. She’d never heard Aiden sing. Not once.
“How’s it going in there?” she asked.
“You’re so impatient.” His voice was close—as if he were right next to her. He took her hand and she opened her eyes. “Ready?” He had a huge grin on his face.
“Yes.” She trailed behind him into the bathroom. The lights were off. The marble countertops were covered in an array of lit candles. “Ooh. Bath night. So romantic.”
“I had to make it romantic. For you.”
She wrapped her arms around his waist, and he planted a soft and sensuous kiss on her lips. “That’s adorable. I love that you made an extra effort for our Saturday night together.”
He kissed her again, on her cheek, beneath her ear, on that extrasensitive spot on her neck. “It’s more special than that.”
Again, with the clues and mysterious phrasings. His kisses, however amazing, weren’t helping. They made it difficult to think straight. “What kind of special?”
He cupped the side of her face and caressed her cheek with his thumb. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I don’t want to let you go.”
Let me go? Oh my God. She clapped her hand over her mouth. “Aiden. Are you?”
“Shh. Just let me ask.” He plucked a washcloth from the counter. A blue Tiffany box was beneath it. He popped it open, smiling wide and presenting her with the most gorgeous diamond ring she’d ever seen. “I love you so much. I want you to be my wife and Oliver’s mother. Will you marry me?”