Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 85270 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85270 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
“Palmer.” His voice cracks. He stands and leans in close. “We’re having a baby.” He smiles, and for the rest of my life, I will never forget the look on his face. Pure happiness and love.
“A baby?” I repeat, because I’m having trouble processing what’s happened in the last fifteen minutes. The man I love professed his love to me when I thought I was nothing but a fling to him, and now we’re having a baby.
Brooks closes the distance between us and presses his lips to mine. “We made a baby.”
“We’re going to step outside for some air.” Ramsey stands and pulls on Deacon’s arm. He’s watching us closely, and I’m suddenly worried all hell is going to break loose.
“Deacon.”
“You’re happy?”
“I’m bursting with it,” I say truthfully.
He looks at Brooks. “She’s my little sister.”
Brooks nods at Ramsey. “And she’s mine.” He glances back at me before he gives my brother his full attention. “We didn’t plan this, Deacon. But I can tell you that this baby and your sister will be loved unconditionally. There will never be a day in either of their lives that they won’t feel wanted and cherished. I’m sorry we hid this from you, but this is happening. I love her, Deac.”
Deacon nods and lets Ramsey pull him from the room. Brooks turns his attention back to the doctor. “How are the rest of her numbers? Anything alarming?” He has one hand on my belly and the other holding mine.
“No. Everything looks good. I put in for an OB consult just so we can do an ultrasound and get eyes on the baby, but everything looks good. Congratulations, you two. I’ll give you some privacy while you wait.” With that, the doctor turns and leaves the room.
“I’m sorry,” I tell him. “I didn’t know. I wasn’t trying to trap you or make you stay with me.”
“Hey.” He stands from his chair. “Scoot over, beautiful. I’m coming in.”
“What?” I huff out a laugh.
“You heard me. Make room. Daddy needs to lie with his girls.”
My heart does a flip in my chest. “Girls?” I ask, moving over and making room for him.
He shrugs as he climbs into bed beside me. “Just a feeling.” He slides his arm under my neck, and I waste no time snuggling into his chest. “Watch your IV,” he says, making sure I’m settled before he relaxes. “Damn, I’ve missed you,” he says, pressing his lips to the top of my head. “I didn’t know if I’d ever have the chance to hold you in my arms again, and now I’m here holding you and our unborn baby.”
“Brooks” I start again, but he makes a shushing sound that has me doing exactly that.
“I would never think that you got pregnant on purpose, Palmer. I was there every damn time. I lived it with you. I remember every single moment of our time together. In fact, she was probably conceived that morning in my kitchen.”
“I’m on the pill,” I remind him.
“Nothing is one hundred percent effective. She was meant to be.”
“Oh, no. I’ve been taking my pills, and I had a glass of wine last night at the Tavern.” My hands go to my belly. “What if that hurt the baby?” Panic fills my voice.
“It’s okay. Everything is going to be just fine.”
“You don’t know that.”
“We’re going to get a look when the OB comes in. They’ll do a vaginal ultrasound to get eyes on the baby.”
“Today?” I ask, feeling excitement bubble up.
“Yeah, but if we’re right about when we conceived, then she’s going to be tiny, but we’ll be able to see that everything is okay.”
“My heart is full.” I lift my head and find that he’s watching me.
“I had this big elaborate plan to tell you that I was in love with you. Things kept happening, and I never got the chance, and then you ended us. I never want to feel that kind of pain again, Palmer. I’ve been a miserable bastard without you in my life.”
“I’m sorry. I was driving myself insane, wondering when the hit was going to come. I was constantly wondering when you were going to end things between us, and I knew it was going to kill me. I did it before you could. The wondering and worrying were slowly killing me, but afterward, being without you, that was worse than the wondering.”
“I’m right here.” He presses his lips to mine, and tears start to form behind my eyes.
“I love you.”
He hugs me to his chest. “I love you too, my beautiful girl.”
There’s a knock on the door, but Brooks makes no effort to move. “Come in,” he calls out.
Ramsey peeks her head in. “Can we come in?”
“Yes,” I answer. I sit up in bed, as does Brooks, but he keeps his arm around me, and I lean against his chest, soaking up his comfort.