Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 83070 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83070 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
He stiffens beside me, but that’s it.
“I just got a letter from the lab that did my blood work,” I say, peeling my eyes open. “It says I didn’t disclose my pregnancy. I think it says I’m three weeks pregnant, but I’m not a doctor and, quite frankly, I think I’m in shock.”
“Wow.”
“Gannon, please know I didn’t do this on purpose. I’m not trying to trap you or put you in any position. I’m … stunned. I had no idea. And I guess it could be wrong, I don’t know. But I’m just telling you what it said because …” I’m scared.
His chest rises and falls with deep, measured breaths. He rolls his head around his neck as if he’s struggling to work this out in his head.
“Before we get too far into this, I have a question,” he says, his voice calm.
“What?”
He turns slowly to face me. “I mean this with all the respect in the world. And no matter what the answer is, I won’t judge you and I’ll help you figure this out. Okay?”
I nod.
“Is it mine? I’m not implying anything, but I don’t want to assume anything. We’ve never discussed being monogamous and, although I will tell you right now that I have only been with you, I can’t assume you feel or have felt the same way.”
The hope in his eyes slices through me like a knife.
“Yes, of course, it’s yours,” I say through the tears clouding my vision. “There’s been no one else.” In every aspect, honestly.
His eyes flick to my stomach and his features soften. A slow, shy grin kisses his lips.
“I don’t want to assume anything either,” I say. “You told me flat out that you don’t want a relationship or children because you—”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You did.”
He shakes his head. “I didn’t say shit. I just agreed with you.”
“You told me you didn’t have a heart to give me.”
“Because I didn’t think I did.” He reaches for my fingers, lacing his through them. “But I was wrong.”
His touch is a balm to my heart. I blink back tears but can’t keep up with the onslaught. I just dropped this bomb onto his world and he’s being so gentle, so kind. So … Gannon.
“This is a lot to process,” he says.
“I know and I’m sorry.”
“Stop apologizing to me. We created this together, and we’ll deal with it together. You didn’t do this on your own, and you have nothing to be sorry for.”
My lips quiver as a wave of warmth swamps me.
“I’m not going to tell you what to do with your body,” he says, stroking my palm. “But I will tell you that whatever you decide to do, I’m here. Preferably right here, with you on my lap if you’ll cooperate, because I think my protective instincts just increased by about a million percent.”
I laugh through my tears and settle against him with my head beneath his chin. His arms wrap around me as if he’s keeping me safe from the world.
“Guess my grilled cheese isn’t what made you sick,” he says, teasing me. “That’s a relief.”
I smile. “I’m glad you find this funny.”
“Oh, there’s nothing funny about it. But it’s not the end of the world.” He presses a kiss to the top of my head. “As a matter of fact, it might be the start to a whole new one.”
I sag against him. “Aren’t you worried, even a little, that this will go wrong? When Tatum said she was pregnant, you did the right thing, and it burned you in the end.”
“Do you plan on burning me?”
“I have a shovel for those people.”
“Then I have nothing to worry about.” He sighs, pulling me even closer. “Tell me what you said about Tatum a moment ago. Repeat that for me. When she said she was pregnant, what did I do?”
“You did the right thing.”
He brushes my hair off my face so he can see me. “I did the right thing. That’s correct. I married her and built a house for her because it was the right thing to do. But I’ll marry you today and build you a house on the moon tomorrow if that’s what you want because I love you, Carys Johnson.”
I gasp, my eyes widening. I pull away to face him, needing to watch him say those words.
“I love the hell out of you, dammit,” he says, grinning at me.
My hand goes to my mouth, pressing against it to hold back a sob.
“I love you and you’re having my baby.”
I fall into his arms again and hold him tight. “I love you right back.”
And I’m having your baby. Our baby.
Oh, my God, we’re having a baby.
The sound of those words passing my lips is wild, and the sound of them makes me laugh. But there’s no fear, no second thoughts. Because I do love him. I love him with all my heart.