Did Murphy like children? He was supposed to have asked her this before, dammit. But he’d gotten sidetracked.
At the memory of that day, happiness warmed his heart. That’d been the night she said she loved him.
“Oh, Andrea, she’s absolutely beautiful.” A while later, Murphy smiled at the exhausted new mommy. It’d been a while before the Shadowlands group could get in to see Andrea since her grandmother had been reluctant to relinquish her newest grandbaby. Murphy couldn’t blame her. “Congratulations. And to you, too, Cullen.”
“Thank you.” Andrea’s voice was a bit hoarse, yet she was beaming. She shot a look at her husband. “Next time, mi Señor, you do all the work.”
His booming laugh made the baby blink and purse her lips—and that got awwws from Gabi and Jessica.
“Bigger than puppies and kittens,” Rainie said, touching the tiny fingers, “but she’s just as cute.”
Murphy giggled. “From Rainie, that’s serious praise.”
Andrea grinned. “Sí, it is.”
“She’s so beautiful,” Uzuri whispered. “Please, Andrea?” When she looked at Andrea in appeal, she got custody of the baby.
Seeing Zuri cuddling the infant, Alastair and Max visibly went all soft and gooey. They liked seeing her with a baby in her arms. Murphy had to hold back a snicker. You’re doomed, my friend.
“At least Andrea is willing to share,” Valerie said. “Sally let everyone look but her son will probably be two before anyone gets to hold him.”
The rest of them laughed because it was true.
“It’s actually fairly common with new mothers—especially their first baby,” Alastair said. “I know Uzuri is happy you’re not as territorial.”
Zuri simply nodded—and rocked.
As Cullen sat down beside Andrea, she leaned against him. “My family is very big—I have so many cousins. And babies are passed around. Babies can be a lot of work.”
“Oh, yes.” Jessica laughed as Valerie echoed her.
Z gave Cullen a wicked smile. “You’ll lose sleep at first, but when they learn to crawl and walk? It’s then that you lose your mind.”
“That’s a bit terrifying to hear, coming from a psychologist,” Saxon muttered in Murphy’s ear, making her laugh.
She sidled over to Uzuri, glanced at Andrea, and got a nod of permission, then cleared her throat. “My turn, you baby hoarder.”
Zuri had the cutest pout, but she played fair and handed over the most beautiful baby ever.
Murphy rocked the baby, simply delighting in the warm weight. And an unexpected longing for her own slid through her.
“She’s adorable.” Joining her, Saxon reached over to touch the so-tiny fingers.
Tipping her head back, Murphy looked up at him, seeing the wonder in his face. She thought of how he was with Sherlock, with everyone else’s children who adored him, the way he managed to be kind and firm at the same time.
He’d be an amazing father.
“I want one, milord,” she murmured. “Probably two.”
His eyes sharpened. “You want babies?”
“In a year or two, yes.” She grinned. “Maybe by then, I’ll be able to hold my own ground against toddler antics.”
Gabi held up her hand. “We’re staying childfree, so make us godparents. I’ll back you up, Murphy.”
Smiling, Marcus put his arm around Gabi. “I do believe that is an excellent plan.” Looking down, he winked. “We’ll have the time—and no one is tougher than my Gabi.”
Murphy remembered how worried Gabi had been. Now just look at the lovebirds.
And what a great offer. “You know, together, we’ll be undefeatable, even against terrible two-year-olds and the terrifying teens. You’re hired.”
“Starting now.” Gabi wiggled her fingers, indicating it was her turn.
Murphy probably had the same pout on her face as Uzuri had earlier. But she handed the infant to Gabi who snuggled her closer.
“Come here, sweetling.” Saxon curled his hand around Murphy’s waist, pulling her back to a quiet corner. “You want children,” he repeated, as if he hadn’t got past that part.
Uh-oh. Murphy looked up in worry, then hugged him. “I guess we missed a step, didn’t we? Do you want kids?”
“Fuck yes.” Her big barbarian looked as if someone had hit him on the head with a club. “All my life, I wanted a family. A big family with lots of children.”
“Well then.”
“As many babies as your heart desires.” Eyes lightening, he pulled her into his arms. “It’ll be a grand adventure.”
Leaning against him, Murphy laid her head against his chest. Because, as always, his low, calm voice held bare honesty.
Rubbing her cheek on his shirt, she listened to the slow thud of his heart, felt the rise and fall of his chest. He took her weight without effort, as steady as a deep-rooted, oak tree. And she knew he’d be beside her every step of the way.
A grand adventure. “Yes, it will be that.” Their lives together would have so many adventures—rescuing people and pets, making love, playing at the Shadowlands, raising children…and loving each other for the rest of their lives.
They would create a tale worthy of a book.
NEXT RELEASE…
I adore getting reviews for my books. And as a reader, I rely on y’all’s opinions to help me decide which story I should buy next. So…if you get a chance, I’d love if you left a review for It’ll Be An Adventure.
Want to be notified of the next release?