Page 137 of Saving Grace

“Better,” she breathes, studying the hat.

I adjust it a little to lean in and kiss her. Something pokes into my forehead.What the?I pull the hat from my head. Grace rests on her heels, gaze stuck on my face, hands wringing in the old t-shirt she wears. I drop mine to inside the crown. An envelope is tucked into the brow band. I slip it out.

Bottom lip running through her teeth again, she whispers, “Open it.”

I slide a finger under the back flap. My heart cracks up a storm as I pull out a small black-and-white image.

Is that?

“Fuck,” I rasp, staring at the sonograph photo that shows something akin to a few swirls. I have no idea what’s what.

“Happy birthday, Mackinlay.” Tears stream down her face now.

“Gracie, you’re?—”

She nods, swiping her face with both hands, trying to dry it off. “You can open the next part now.”

“No, wait,” I draw her onto my lap and smother her into my chest. I’m going to be a father. Like a full-on Harry.Fuck me.Tears burn and flood my cheeks.

Grace pushes out of my hold. “Are you happy?”

“Hell, Grace, you have no idea how much.”

She smiles, though emotion wrecks her face. She waves a hand to the gift behind me. I turn back and lift the last layerof tissue paper up, tossing it to the floor. What else could this amazing woman give me?

Another black hat is tucked in the center of the box. A tiny version of the one she just gave me.

“Turn it over, Mackinlay.” The words are soft, breathy, too raw.

I rest a hand on the crown of the small hat. It fits in my palm. Goddamn. So fuckin’ small. Emotions clamber up my throat. My hand trembles as I pry it out, turning it over. Another envelope.

“Grace, is this?”

I’m assuming whatever is in this one is something pink or something blue.

“If you don’t want to know...” she starts.

I tear the envelope open like a little kid at Christmas. Blue hearts explode from the cream paper, scattering everywhere.

Blue.

A boy.

Holy fuck.

I’m going to have a son.

Grace’s weight settles in my lap. She leans into my side and takes my hand, resting it over her stomach. I manically brush the tears marring my vision.

“We’re having a boy?” I choke.

“Actually...” Her pretty blue eyes hold my gaze as she smiles and stands. She holds the tiny hat up and it pulls apart, shifting it—no, them—into two small black hats.

What the . . .

My throat closes over, my vision blurring instantly. “Shit.”

“We’re having twins. Say hello to daddy, boys.” She rubs my hand over her belly. It’s only now I see how it’s swollen low between her hips. How did I not notice this? It seems so obvious now. The thought that Grace swells with my baby—mybabies—takes my breath away, sending my cock instantly hard.

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