The Miami Diaries Book 6

Chapter 2

T/W: Mentions struggling with missing someone who died.

***
Lex

"Why are you always making snide comments about Knox?" I ask Steve as we prepare for bed.

"I'm not." Steve flops down on the bed, closing his eyes. That's his way of ignoring the conversation.

"You know how much Ari loves seeing Otto," I say, bouncing down, hard on the bed and jostling Steve, who peeks open one eye to glare at me. I just smile, rolling over, and bumping right into him.

"Hey!" Steve opens his other eye and scowls. I giggle. Steve tries to continue looking mad, but he laughs, too. I touch his beard, sliding my fingers over his lips.

"I'm sorry," Steve murmurs. "I know how attached Ari is to Otto."

"She is," I say firmly, shifting around for a more comfortable position. Steve touches my face. "It'd break her little heart if you said she couldn't play with Otto anymore." Steve sighs.

"Now that's not fair," he says.

"How?" I ask.

"Throwing the whole 'Ari loves him and it'll break her little heart' crap in my face," Steve says.

"I'm not throwing that in your face," I tell Steve. "It's the truth."

"I guess I still feel uncomfortable having Knox over here," Steve explains.

"He's done nothing wrong," I say patiently. "He's always a gentleman around me and Ari. He's never been inappropriate."

"Doesn't mean he won't be," Steve argues.

"No arguing." I'm firm. Steve needs to learn to chill. First Eric, now Knox. Frankly, I'm tired of it. I haven't done anything wrong. Nor has Eric or Knox. They're my friends and I like hanging out with them.

"All right," Steve says. I lean in, giving him a kiss and snuggling up against his body.

"Thank you."

***
Speaking of Eric, I decide to swing by the crime lab for a bit to see everyone. Ari loves coming down here. She's especially attached to Horatio. Ari also likes riding in the elevator and I'll let her push the button.

"H?" Ari asks, looking up at me as we ride up. I smile.

"If he's here," I tell her.

"Okay." The elevator doors slide open and luckily the first person we see is Horatio.

"H!" Ari breaks free from holding my hand, racing down the hallway.

"Aria, hey. How are you?" Horatio crouches down to Aria's level. She giggles, throwing her arms around Horatio's neck. He smiles, lifting her up.

"I'm good," Aria tells him.

"That's good," Horatio says. I notice he's studying Aria.

"Lex, it's good to see you," Horatio greets me. I move to hug him as best I can while he's holding Ari.

"It's wonderful to see you, too," I murmur.

"You're doing well?" Horatio asks, eyeing my protruding belly. I smile and nod.

"I am. Just anxious to meet the newest member of our family."

"I'm sure."

"Lex!" Calleigh turns the corner.

"Hey!" I move to hug her.

"How are you?" Calleigh asks.

"Exhausted," I reply with a laugh.