“Do you really think Fee or I would let you fail at something so important?”
He was right. With them in my life, I couldn’t fail.
His words echoed in my head as I steered Fee to our bed and tucked her in. I sat beside her, offering her one of the cold ginger ales I had picked up for her.
She sipped it cautiously.
“Want a cracker?”
“Maybe later.” She leaned her head against the pillows. She had about five of them piled up. She loved pillows. “I hope this ends soon. Why did Rene and Clark only have it for twenty-four hours?”
I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “It’s not the flu, Fee.”
“It’s not?”
“No.”
She rolled her eyes. “What is your diagnosis, Dr. Smithers?”
I cleared my throat. “Reid came to see me today. He noticed something in the files he had from Scott’s computer. Something, ah, personal.”
Her face grew even paler as I repeated what I had read and what Reid had told me.
She grew utterly still.
“Fee? Love? Did you hear me?”
She looked down at her stomach, laying her hand over it. The gesture made me smile.
“Fee?” I prompted.
“Will you leave me?” she asked.
I gaped at her, my eyes wide with alarm. “What? No! Never.”
“But you said…” Her voice trailed off.
I gathered her hands together with mine. “I said a lot of senseless things before I finally got my head out of my ass. Forget them. They were spoken out of fear and stupidity.”
Tears gathered in her eyes. “You want—you want to have a baby with me?”
“I want to have lots of babies with you. But we can start with this one.”
She flung her arms around me, sobbing. I held her close, letting her cry. I ran my hand up and down her back, making shushing noises and rocking her. When her sobs stopped, I eased back and wiped her cheeks. I chuckled as she blew her nose.
“Okay, FeeNelly?”
She sniffled. “What do we do now?”
I rummaged in the bag and held up a box. “We pee on a stick.”
The bathroom floor was cold. I sat with my back against the wall, Fee on my lap, with her holding the stick. It was turned over, and I was using my phone to time the results. I already knew what it as going to say, but I wanted to share this moment with her.
The buzzer went off, and Fee drew in a long breath. “I’m scared,” she admitted.
I nudged her gently, resting my chin on her shoulder. “Nothing to be afraid of, Fee. I’m here.” I covered her hand with mine. “I’ll always be here.”
She met my gaze and her shoulders relaxed. “Okay.”
“On three,” I whispered.
We turned over the stick, and the word PREGNANT stood out, vivid and clear.
“Wow,” I murmured.
“You’re going to be a daddy,” Fee said, turning her head.
I kissed her. “You’re going to be a mommy. A great one.”
“I never thought I would get to be a mommy.” Her eyes shone. “I can’t believe it. It’s not the flu, Halton. It’s not the flu!”
I chuckled. “Nope. Not the flu. It’s our baby.” The words felt foreign to say, but strangely right.
“You’re sure you’re okay with this?” she asked, nervous.
I rested my cheek against hers. “You made a dream I didn’t even know I had come true, Fee. I get to have my own family.” I tightened my arms. “I will never leave you. Or let you down again. Either of you.”
She pressed closer. “You are my dream, Halton. All my wishes came true.”
“I have one more wish.” I slid the tiny box into her hand. “One wish to make us both complete.”
She looked down at the black velvet. Her hands shook as she opened it, a gasp escaping her mouth when she saw the ring.
“Wear my ring and be my wife,” I murmured into her ear. “Be the mother of my children and my partner, Fee. Be my world, because you are my heart.”
She turned her face, meeting my eyes.
“Yes.”
I bent to kiss her and she gasped.
“What?”
“I’m gonna throw up.”
She flung herself away, and I rubbed her back as she heaved, then I carried her back to bed, tucking her in and staring down at her. I stroked her forehead.
“Sleep, love. I’ll be here when you wake up.”
“I can’t believe I barfed after you asked me to marry you.”
I had to laugh. As far as marriage proposals went, I had a feeling ours was unique.
She fell asleep, exhausted. Her hand lay on top of the blanket, the emerald sparkling in the light. Her little raptor noises filled the room, making me smile.
She made me smile.
The light of my world. My partner in everything. Now for life.
Unique or not, I’d take it.
Four months later
Halton
I waited, anxious and excited, my foot tapping and my fingers clenching as the music began to play. Beside me, Rene chuckled and laid his hand on my shoulder.
“She’s coming, Halton.”
I had to smile. I knew she was, but it wasn’t fast enough. I hadn’t seen Fee since yesterday at lunch, and it was already seven p.m. It was the longest we’d been apart in months, and I hadn’t been happy with that part of the plan but gave in when Fee said it was something she wanted. I found myself unable to ever say no to her.
It was one small tradition in our very untraditional relationship, she informed me. The plan had been she would spend the evening with Joanne and I was going to be with Rene, but our friends had other ideas.
The BAM boys—Bentley, Aiden, Maddox, Reid, Van, and even Jordan all showed up and dragged Rene and me to Maddox’s favorite whiskey bar. Maddox had reserved an entire section and we sat around sipping whiskey, eating various platters of food Aiden ordered, and laughing. We were a loud, boisterous crew, and I actually enjoyed every moment. There was a lot of ribbing and marital advice offered—most of which I felt safe ignoring.
Especially from Aiden.
He leaned back in his chair, his big arm flung over the back. “As the longest married BAM man, lemme give you some advice.”
Bentley rolled his eyes. “I asked Emmy first.”
Aiden shook his head. “I made it legal before you.”
Maddox smirked. “By a few months.”
Aiden waved his hand. “Whatever. Still longer than both of you.”
I met Van’s amused gaze. The three of them constantly tried to outdo each other. It was amusing to watch, but I admired their relationship. I had never known three men to be as loyal and tight as they were with each other. Their friendship was solid, and it extended throughout their company and beyond. Once you were friends with them, you became part of their circle. I was grateful to be included.
I picked up my whiskey, enjoying the smoothness of the bottle we were sampling at the moment.
“Do impart your wisdom, Aiden.”
He nodded sagely. “Always let her know who’s the boss.” He rolled his shoulders. “Cami knows who wears the pants in the family.”