Page 17 of Whiskey

Vivi slid over, patting the bed beside her. “I know you will. For the first time, I’m making the decision to give myself to someone. You’ve shown me from the first moment that you’ll always take care of me. Now, show me what all the fuss is about.”

Whiskey slid beside Vivi and leaned back against the headboard. He slid his arm around Vivi, claiming her mouth. Tongues and lips tasted. Vivi’s tentative lips became bolder as he let her take the lead. He pulled back, leaning his forehead against hers.

“How about you crawl up on top of me? I want to taste each inch of your skin.”

Vivi nodded, then slid her thigh across his, tugging her nightgown up. Her thighs were exposed, and he couldn’t resist sliding a finger across her skin until he cupped her heat.

Vivi’s eyes blazed at the slide of his finger over her panties. He leaned up a little until his abs brushed Vivi’s belly. He could handle being a little creative if it meant he could have his woman.

“We’ll have to wait on this because I’ve been imagining all the ways I can taste your breasts.”

He slid his hand down to grasp Vivi’s nightgown. He glanced at her eyes to confirm she was still okay and then slid the nightgown up and over her head. The first glimpse of her had him fighting just diving in, but Vivi deserved his best. He slid his fingers across the creamy skin of her breast, tracing a pattern until he reached her nipple. Vivi shivered, and he took his eyes away from his prize to glance into her eyes. A little dazed was exactly where he wanted her. He tugged on one turgid nipple while he brought the other to his mouth, tasting his woman’s skin and licking until he got the response he’d been waiting for.

Vivi squirmed against him, then groaned. He let go and slid his hand up to her face. Vivi’s eyes were hazy, but her groan sounded different. He didn’t think it was with passion.

“Vivi, what’s going on, baby?”

She bit down on her lip and groaned again, her thighs tightening against his.

“Umm, my back has been hurting all day, but I thought it was just normal back pains. I’ve been waiting to be alone with you. Ooooh.”

Whiskey slid one hand around Vivi’s back, then placed his other hand against her belly. Her belly was hard. Rock hard. He’d been thinking about when Vivi went into labor, but every time he did, he pushed it away because it scared the freaking crap out of him. Now, he was paying for his avoidance.

“Vivi, baby, are you in labor?”

He had to wait on her because she was breathing in and out slowly with her eyes closed. Her eyes opened, and she nodded. The weight of her stare as she looked to him for comfort and reassurance that they could do this.

He leaned up and kissed her lips. “Vivi, we’ve got this. Let’s get you ready. I can’t wait to meet our Little Tot.”

Her smile in response had him starting to lift her as a gush of wetness splashed onto his crotch. He bit his lip, trying to tell himself it was just water and not all the amniotic fluid that had drenched him. He was not screwing up Little Tot’s birth story by puking all over the floor, but he couldn’t control his shudder.

Vivi chuckled and then full out laughed. “Oh, your face. I get it. It’s gross, but it’s not like I peed on you. Now, help me up so we can get cleaned up.”

Whiskey helped Vivi up and into the bathroom. She shooed him out while she cleaned up a little. He stripped the bed and had the plastic cover underneath a new set of sheets in minutes. Vivi and Stella had discussed the baby’s birth multiple times. Vivi was determined to have a home birth because the compound was the safest. She’d also mentioned multiple times that she’d wanted one with Ezra but wasn’t given a choice.

Whiskey had vowed Vivi would get everything she wanted. He followed the list Vivi had made for when she went into labor. He texted Stella and Tasha. Both replied they were on their way. He also texted Flick because he was working tonight. Hopefully, everything would be perfect, but if not, Whiskey wanted Flick to know they might be called. Then he texted his dad, asking him to let all the family know. Vivi was his priority, and he didn’t have time to deal with hundreds of text messages. Their group text in the last week, besides talking about how to deal with Vivi’s problems, was his dad, brothers, uncles, and cousins fighting who would be babysitting first.

He got the music going that Vivi had requested, and then went to the kitchen for the ice chips. He paused at the end of the list. Vivi had written one last thing to do that he hadn’t seen. Relax, take a drink Whiskey. I trust you. You’ve shown me how a real man acts. You’ve got this.

He gathered his items and washed his hands for the third time since her water had broken. He was sure in years to come this would be a great story, but now, realizing he and Vivi wouldn’t be together for six weeks had him torn. He was ecstatic to meet their Little Tot, but a little disappointed he wouldn’t be physically showing how much he loved Vivi to her.

He’d stopped on the side of the road for a wrecked car, never realizing he’d find the love of his life and a son he hadn’t known he needed. Now, Little Tot was coming into their life. After Little Tot was here safely, he needed to focus on them taking care of Vivi’s ex-family. He was keeping his family safe, no matter what it takes.

“Whiskey?”

“Coming.”

Vivi’s voice had him hurrying with his supplies toward the bedroom. A knock at the door had him pausing to open it. Tasha and Stella walked in with bags.

Stella patted his face. “You’re looking a tad pale. You’ve got this.”

He took a deep breath, breathing out slowly and reminded himself, he did have this. He led their trio toward the room, where his whole life would change again.

Vivi was standing beside the bed in a nursing bra and a robe, loosely belted, holding onto the post of the bed. He quickly placed his items down and went to her. Rubbing his hand along the back of her waist, he grasped her hand with his. Her fingers clenched, then she breathed deep and relaxed her fingers.

“Vivi, it looks like we’re welcoming your little one tonight. Do you want Whiskey to help you on the bed so I can check you?”

Vivi focused on breathing, squeezing Whiskey’s hand. As soon as the contraction ebbed, Vivi opened her eyes. Whiskey’s soft blue-green eyes gazed into hers, providing the reassurance she’d been seeking.

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