We both have them.
I can’t tell you how many nights I’ve woken in a cold sweat reaching for her. All it takes is to feel her body next to mine, my hand over our son growing in her belly for me to calm.
That’s right. We’re having a little boy. We found out three days ago. We haven’t told anyone, not wanting to take away from the excitement of this weekend. My big brother is getting married to the love of his life. Sawyer is going to be my sister, and I couldn’t be happier for either of them.
“How’s she doing?” Marshall asks from beside me.
“She’s good, brother.” I pull my eyes from my fiancée, who is talking to our mother and the bride. “You have to let it go, Marshall. It’s going to eat at you.”
He nods. “I know. I’m doing better. I just worry, you know? About both of you and the baby.”
“My son is just fine.”
“Son?”
“Shit.” I chuckle. “Don’t tell anyone. We were keeping quiet until after the wedding. Not wanting to take the spotlight away from Royce and Sawyer.”
“What about me?” Royce asks, sneaking up behind me.
“Nothing.” I try to evade him.
“You always were a shit liar, O.” Grant laughs as he and Conrad join our little circle.
“Marsh knows,” Conrad calls him out. “I can see it in your eyes.”
“Mum’s the word.” Marshall makes a show of zipping his lips and throwing away the key like we used to do as kids.
“It’s my wedding day. You can’t keep secrets from me,” Royce comments.
“I’ll tell you soon enough,” I tell him. My eyes are glued to Layla and Sawyer as they walk toward us.
“This looks like a whole heap of trouble,” Sawyer says, sliding up next to Royce. He pulls her in tight.
“Hello, wife,” he whispers, but we all hear him.
“What’s going on?” Layla asks.
I offer her my hand and pull her into my side. One hand is around her waist while the other rests over our son. “Nothing.”
“Bullshit,” Royce grumbles. “O has a secret, and he’s not giving it up.”
“And Marshall knows,” Conrad adds.
I look down at Layla, and her eyes are wide. I give her a subtle nod and shrug. She rolls those baby blues, but the smile that tilts her lips tells me she’s not really mad.
That’s the thing about Layla. She’s lived through what most of us will never endure. She’s a glass half-full kind of girl and doesn’t sweat the small stuff. We both know life is too short for that.
Layla
When I pull my eyes from Owen, Sawyer is watching me. She tilts her head to the side, and I know my best friend is going to figure it out. I’m surprised I’ve made it this long. “Wait a minute. You had a doctor’s appointment this week.” She looks down at my belly, and I know I’ve been busted. “I’m such a bad friend I forgot to ask.”
“No, we wanted to wait until after the wedding. This is your special day,” I tell her.
“Fuck that. That’s a Riggins you’re carrying. We need to know,” Royce says.
“You’re holding out on me. You know I’ve been dying to shop,” Sawyer says, her hands on her hips. “Come on, woman, the suspense is killing me.”
“Are you sure?” I ask her. “This is your wedding day.”
“And you’re my best friend and future sister-in-law. I’m sure.”
“Wait, if you’re going to tell them, we need to get Mom and Dad over here,” Owen tells me.
“I’ve got one better.” Royce takes off for the DJ, and I watch as he reaches for the mic. “Ladies and gentlemen, can I have your attention?” he says into the mic. “Not only is today the best day of my life, but my brother and his fiancée have some news as well. Come on up here.” He motions for us.
“That’s one way to get you to spill the beans.” Grant laughs.
Hand in hand, Owen and I make our way to where Royce is standing. A year ago, being the center of attention would have stressed me out. Now, I’m so used to their antics, and I know they are on my team, so I just roll with the antics.
“I love you, brother,” Royce says into the mic.
Owen gives him a hug, and Royce steps in front of me. “You too, baby momma.” He smirks before handing Owen the mic.
“Well, we didn’t want to do this today, but my big brother is impatient.”
“So is my wife!” Royce calls out.
“Tell us!” Sawyer yells out.
“Well, Layla and I are happy to announce that baby boy Riggins will be arriving in April.” Owen smiles down at me and bends until his lips press to mine.
The crowd erupts around us, and Royce and Sawyer are the first to wrap us in a hug and offer congratulations. Grant, Conrad, and Marshall are next before Lena and Stanley are standing in front of us. The moment is more than I ever dreamed it could be, as my family wraps us in their love.
“A grandson.” Lena smiles through her tears. “Two daughters and a grandson, we are blessed. So incredibly blessed.” We share hugs with her and Stanley before Owen leads me out to the dance floor.
“The day I met you, I wasn’t sure what to think. I could never have imagined that this is where we would end up less than a year later.”
“It’s the magic.” Owen grins.
“Well, the magic, and you, Owen Riggins. Piece by piece you saved me, you gave me love and a family, and every shattered piece of my heart is now whole, all because of you.”
“Piece by piece, baby,” he says, kissing me softly.
Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to read Piece by Piece. Are you ready for more of the Riggins brothers? Grant’s story is next in Kiss by Kiss.
Never miss a new release:
More about Kaylee’s books:
Contact Kaylee Ryan:
Facebook: http://bit.ly/2C5DgdF
Instagram: http://bit.ly/2reBkrV
Reader Group: http://bit.ly/2o0yWDx
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2HodJvx
BookBub: http://bit.ly/2KulVvH
Website: http://www.kayleeryan.com/
More from Kaylee
Anywhere with You | More with You
With You Series:
Anywhere with You | More with You
Everything with You
Soul Serenade Series:
Emphatic | Assured
Definite | Insistent
Southern Heart Series:
Southern Pleasure | Southern Desire
Southern Attraction | Southern Devotion
Unexpected Arrivals Series
Unexpected Reality |Unexpected Fight