Page 178 of Reaper's Rival

He held up the somewhat faded and crumpled ultrasound picture. “But I was there for this!”

I groaned. “You were there for the first ultrasound, that doesn’t mean you will be there for the birth!” I was heavily grossed out by the fact and the whole pushing a baby out, and it really wasn’t settling my nerves. The last thing I wanted was an audience. But now that word had gotten around that Reaper might not be back in time, well, everyone thought it was their place to step in. Even Dad, but he had taken my firm no as a sign. That couldn’t be said for Brad.

“Come on, Abby. I promise I won’t go down to the business end.”

“YUCK! If you want to be in a birthing suite so bad, go and get your own wife and get her pregnant.”

A grin spread across his face. “Why would I do that when I have you? My best bud. All up the duff.”

“Not happening. Anyway, Reaper will be here.”

The smile on his face dropped and a grim smile took its place. “Yeah, of course.” He was saying it, but he wasn’t convinced by it. He wrapped an arm around my shoulder and pulled me in, kissing me on the forehead. “He wouldn’t miss it.”

But we both knew he most likely was going to. Reaper had promised to be home by now, and I didn’t know as much as the boys, but I knew he was lying every time he said he would be home by the end of the week. And it broke my heart every time Sunday rolled around and he was nowhere to be seen.

***

“Kade, when are you coming home?” Was I frustrated? Yes. Was I sick of it? Yes. I needed my husband. I needed my support. I needed Reaper. I couldn’t face having this baby without him. I needed him by my side, and I needed to have his hand to squeeze. Brad was great, but he wasn’t my husband or the love of my life.

“I’m coming, baby.” His voice was soft and smooth. Just what I needed to hear, yet I still was sure he didn’t get how much I needed him.

“And so is this baby.”

“I’ll be home by the end of the week.”

“Reaper.” I groaned, hearing his empty promises. I had heard the end of the week before.

“I promise.”

“Reaper, I am promising you, if I go into labor and you are not by my side, I will not forgive you.”

“And I promise you, baby, I’ll be there.”

“You know it is probably a good thing you aren’t here. I’ve gotten so fat since you last saw me.” I sighed and leaned my head against the bedroom window, looking out on the driveway. “You would be second guessing yourself.”

My bedroom door swung open, and I turned to see who it was, thinking why would Kim storming in in the middle of the day.

“Nah baby. I’m sure I hit the jackpot.”

Reaper. The corner of his lips were twitched up into a smirk and the look in his eyes had me stunned on the spot. His leathers were dirty, and he looked as if he had ridden all night and day to be here.

But I didn’t care about the mud up his leather pants or the fact that his vest looked like it hadn’t been washed since our wedding day. No, I didn’t care. I dropped my phone and bolted across the room at him, charging like a bull.

I jumped on him, knocking the air from his lungs at first, but he caught me. I wrapped my legs around his waist. If there wasn’t a giant belly in the way, my chest would be pressed against him too.

He chuckled as his hands ran down my back. I didn’t care if he thought my reaction was funny. I had missed him and wasn’t ashamed to show it.

I silenced him by forcefully kissing him. My hands clamped down on his shoulders, and I kissed him as I had been imagining kissing him since he left. At first my lips met his smile, but then he started to kiss me back hungrily.

I had never realized how strong he was. Sure, I had always loved and admired his muscles. But now as he held me and our baby up, it really hit home. My husband was strong. My husband kept his promise. He was here.

We finally broke apart out of a need for air.

“Hi,” I grinned, resting my forehead against his.

That smirk I had missed was back on his face. “Hi right back to you, sweetheart.”

“So you’re back?”

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