Falling into Place - Forbidden Heart Series

29| Present Overload

"Decide on a name yet?"

I was so distracted watching Jackson and Ayden argue over when they thought the baby would be born that I didn't hear Nate's question. 

"Sorry what?"

Nate crossed his arms over his chest. "A name. Did you guys pick one yet? I mean, I know its a girl and all. . . but there are girl versions of my name." He grinned so wide I could almost see his wisdom teeth. If he had any. "We already got little Nate named after me. Feels right to have a girl named after me, too."

"Nate, there are no girl versions of your name."

"Sure there are!"

"What are they then?"

He scrunched up his face as he pondered my question. "Well, there's Natalya. Or. .  Nathan-ella."

I laughed and shook my head. "Okay, I'll admit that Natalya is a little close -- and I mean very little -- but Nathan-ella isn't a real name. And if I offer those up to Danielle, she's going to be pissed. And she'll ask me who suggested it."

His eyes narrowed. "You would throw me under the bus like that? I thought we were closer than that."

"You know me as well as I do that when it comes to these women, you would throw me under the bus if you had to with Karma."

Nate winced and glanced towards the table where Karma was sitting with the girls. "Yeah. True. I love my woman, but she has helluva temper." The bell attached to the front door of the bar chimed and Nate looked over my shoulder with a frown. "Uh, Ry, I think your dad's here."

I turned towards the entrance. He was right. Damian Hale was here.

"Hey, dad," I said in greeting, clapping him on the back when I met him halfway. "I'm glad you could make it."

He arched a brow. "Worried I wouldn't show?"

I shook my head. "No, dad. I just know how work can sometimes interfere with your personal life. It's happened to me plenty of times."

He smiled warmly. "I do have a meeting later, but I made time for this. I didn't want to miss it." He looked around the bar. "So where's the lady of the Hour?"

I pointed to where Danielle was sitting with the girls. "Right over there."

Dad and I walked over to the table. Nate had just stolen Lanie's pink pin when Danielle's turned around, saw us, and jumped in her seat.

"Mr. Hale," she breathed. "I'm sorry. I didn't see you there."

He chuckled and glanced from me back to her. "It's good to see you, Danielle. You're looking beautiful today."

"Thank you. Would you like a plate? I can make one --"

"I can get it," he interrupted before handing her a gift bag. "This is for you."

"Thank you," she murmured when she took it. "I'll set it with the other presents."

"Can you open it now? I'm afraid I have a meeting I can't ignore and I would like to be here when you opened it."

I had to admit that I was a little nervous about the gift. My dad wasn't the best gift giver after all. For my fifteenth birthday, he hired an accountant to teach me the world of financing.

Not really what you wanted at fifteen.

Danielle smiled up at him and set the bag on the table in front of her. "Of course I can open it now."

She reached inside and pulled out the tissue paper before pulling out a small blue velvet box. At first I thought it was a bracelet or something for the baby once she got older.