Page 43 of Protected By Her Daddy

Wren isn’t in the kitchen or living room when I get home. I finally find her in the bedroom, huddled beneath the sheets.

“Wren?” I’m at her side instantly, taking in her pale face as I sit on the edge of the bed. “What's wrong? Are you sick? Did something happen?

She shakes her head. “Not sick. But also… not pregnant.”

It takes a few seconds for her words to sink in. “You got your period?”

“Yeah. I guess I didn’t realize how much I wanted a baby with you.” She laughs hollowly and swipes at a tear. “Don’t mind me. I’m just hormonal.”

“Ah, sweetheart. I’d love nothing more than for you to be pregnant with my child. It’ll happen when the timing’s right.” My mouth twitches with a smile. “But let’s face it, with how often I’m inside you, it won’t take long.”

Her lower lip wobbles. “But… what if we can’t? What if my eggs are scrambled, or your sperm are crappy swimmers? What then?”

Fuck, my little bird looks so worried. So uncertain. This has been a rough day for her.

I smooth her hair from her wan face. “Then we’ll adopt. There are plenty of kids out there who need a loving home.”

“Can we do that anyway?” she asks hopefully. “Even if we have kids of our own?”

“I’d like that. You know I’ll always give you what you want, what you need. I’d give you the world if I could.”

She smiles softly. “You already did when you gave me you.”

“Have I told you today how much I love you?”

“Twice when you were inside me this morning and once at breakfast.”

“Hmm. I’m slacking.

“Gabriel Burns, a slacker? Never.” She grins, then groans, clutching her stomach.

“Cramps?”

“Yeah.” She nods. “I hate this part. They’ll ease in a day or so.”

I hate the thought of Wren coping with this while she was on the streets. Huddled in some alleyway or a strange bed in pain.

“What do you need, baby girl?”

“Do you know you’re the first person ever to ask me that question? Twice in the same day.” She reaches for my hand, twining our fingers. “One of the many reasons I fell in love with you.”

I release her hand to brush my knuckles across her pale cheek. “Well, hopefully, you won’t get bored with me asking for the next fifty years or so.”

“You’re planning to live that long, huh?”

I grin. “Longer.”

“I don’t doubt it.” She grimaces. “I could use some more painkillers. And do we have a hot water bottle anywhere? Heat usually helps.”

I drop a kiss on her forehead. “Leave it with me.”

Having never lived with a woman before, this isn’t an eventuality I’ve planned for, so I call down to the medical suite to have one of the nurses bring up a supply of tampons and sanitary towels. The nurse asks me if I want mini or maxi pads with or without “wings,” or tampons with or without applicators. Who the fuck knew there were so many choices? I thank God I’m not a woman and have her deliver a supply of everything. Then I make a hot water bottle and take it to Wren with a glass of water and painkillers.

“Are you hungry? Do you want anything to eat?” I ask, helping her to sit before handing her the glass and tablets.

Wren shakes her head as she settles against the pillows. “No, I’m good, thanks. I’ll sleep it off. I’ll be better tomorrow, promise.”

“The only thing you need to promise is to rest up. I’ll be down the hall in the office. Call me if you need anything.”

---