Page 229 of Labor of Love

“Are you absolutely sure? Because I can’t go on being your assistant for much longer.”

Char pulled me away and stared at me with an open mouth. “Is that a joke? What do you mean? You’re quitting? You can’t quit! We’re lifemates!”

“I have to quit. I can’t work…once the babies are born.”

Char’s mouth popped open, much as it had that first day when he’d seen what was hidden under my biker leather. I smiled at him.

“You…babies…”

“Yes. Our babies. If history serves, I should give birth to at least two pups. Of course, it could be more or less depending on?—”

Char crushed his mouth against mine in a deep kiss. “My love! You’re pregnant!”

“I am. I’ve known for a little while, but I wanted to confirm it with the doctor before I told you. I’m due in about three months. Fast for a human, perfectly acceptable for a leopard. Although with shifters, you really never know an exact timeline.”

“So, you’ll give birth as a leopard?”

“Of course. The babies will shift soon after birth, though, so I’ll need help, especially if there are more than two.”

“We’ll hire a nanny. No problem.”

“No, Char. I don’t want a nanny. I wantyou. You need to help me rear the children. I need you to step down as CFO.” I held my breath, hoping Char wouldn’t be upset.

To my relief, Char grinned. “Victor is going to be thrilled that I’m passing the baton. I have no trouble at all stepping down. You and our babies are the most important things in my life now. I want you all to be happy and healthy, and if that means I’m a stay-at-home dad, then so be it.”

“I love you, lifemate of mine,” I said, and reached for a kiss.

“I love you, too. And our pups,” Char said, and gave me the kiss I’d been aching for.

EPILOGUE

CHAR

Josh’s due date came and went without the slightest indication of labor. His water didn’t break, and there were no contractions. I was beginning to get worried.

The obstetrician, Dr. Melville, a middle-aged man with a jovial laugh and twinkling blue eyes, who reminded me of Santa sans the white beard, tried to be reassuring.

“With first pregnancies, especially with shifters, the due date is really just a best guesstimate. Three months is normal for a leopard, but nine months is normal for a human. We might just need to cut it in the middle and call it a day.”

“Another three months?” Josh cried out and then moaned. He rubbed his extended abdomen. “I can’t take another threedaysof this, let alone three more months!”

“Said every pregnant parent-to-be ever,” Dr. Melville said, and chuckled. “You’ll survive, but you’re going to need help.” He gave me a pointed look.

“I am at his disposal twenty-four seven,” I said. “I can pull in one of my brothers to take over for me at the company.”

“Oh, hell no!” Josh cried. “They’ll try to take over and screw everything up, then you’ll have to work double shifts to seteverything right again. Not a chance, buster. I need you, but I can handle things until the babies come.”

“Speaking of babies,” Dr. Melville cut in, “I have the results of the ultrasound and genetic testing. Would you like to know the sexes of the babies?”

“Yes!” Josh cried, while at the same time, I said, “No!”

“Well, looks like you’ll need to have a meeting of the minds. How about I give you a few minutes to hash it out? I’ll step out, see another patient, and give you a few minutes to talk it out.” Dr. Melville smiled at them and then slipped out of the room.

As soon as the door closed, Josh started in on me.

“I want to know! I need to plan, and we need to choose names, and, and…”

“And you’re the one who’s carrying them,” I said. I smiled and leaned in for a kiss. “I’m not going to fight you on this, love. If you want to know, then we know. As soon as Dr. Melville comes back, we’ll find out. Now, tell me, have you thought of any names?”

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