The Miami Diaries Book 6

Chapter 1

T/W:

***
Steve

My life has had plenty of ups and downs, although I know there are people who have dealt with a lot more screwed up shit than I have.

For the most part, I'd say things are fairly decent at the moment. Yet it's amazing how quickly things can go to crap so easily.

And I rarely see it coming.

***
"You feeling all right?" I ask Lex, who's shifting around uneasily on the couch.

"Yeah. I just feel kinda antsy." She grabs my hand, placing it on her baby bump.  The baby is kicking up a storm. I grin. So does Lex.

"Baby is very active today," I comment. "Must be anxious to come out and meet their family."

Lex nods, lacing our fingers together.

"Baby, baby, baby!" Ari, our almost three year old daughter, exclaims. I laugh.

"Don't worry," I tell Ari. "Your baby brother or sister will be here soon."

"We still have a month to go," Lex reminds me.

"It'll pass quickly," I say. Lex gives my hand a gentle squeeze.

"I hope it will," she says. "I'm anxious to meet them."

"So am I," I admit. Lex slides closer to me, reaching out to place her fingers on my cheek, rubbing some. Whenever Lex gets anxious or upset, she'll rub my beard.

It's kinda strange, but I'm used to it by now. Apparently she used to do the same thing with Tim when they were together. It does seem to calm her down.

"Hey, it's gonna be okay," I murmur, holding Lex's hand. She nods, but looks a little weepy. Her hormones have bad with this baby. Lex will be fine one minute and crying the next.

"Of course. I'm just anxious," Lex says.  I lean over, giving her a gentle kiss. She chuckles, placing a hand on my chest.

"We both are," I say, covering her hand with mine.

"Yeah." She dabs at her eyes. "You'd think with the second one, though, I'd be less anxious."

"I'm sure it varies," I say. Lex sighs.

"You know why." I nod.

"I do, baby. But boy or girl, we'll love them." Lex smiles.

"Absolutely."

***
Lex

I'm a mess these days.  Really I am. Poor Steve. He's been such a rock for me during this pregnancy. He's my hero. He's been so patient and understanding, even when I've been a complete wreck.

If I get too emotional or snippy, he simply takes it all in stride. He knows damn well that I want a boy, so he can share the same name as Speed.

Well. Not the exact same name. It'll be Timothy Steven Speedle. But close enough. I try to remain neutral on it. If the baby should turn out to be a girl, I know I won't love her any less.

At least that's what I keep telling myself.  I just worry I'll be disappointed. I want a boy so badly. And I'm pretty sure that my in-laws would like a grandson bearing the name of their eldest son.

But there's not much I can do about that. It's not as if I can choose the sex of my baby. However if it were possible, you know I'd do it in a heartbeat.

***
"How've you been?" Knox Marshall, Speed my late fiancé's look alike and new friend, asks when be swings by after his shift.

Knox is an E.M.T. He was in a horrible car accident several years, when Speed rescued him. He chose to have plastic surgery to resemble Speed. I gotta admit; it's eerie. But I like Knox well enough.