Page 159 of Beautiful Exile

Nora’s SUVpulled to a stop in front of my house. She put it in park and turned to me. “You going to be okay?”

My mouth curved. “I’m better than okay. But Linc might pass out when I tell him.”

Nora laughed. “That man’s made of stronger stuff. He’s going to be so happy.”

“You think?” I asked, the nerves setting in.

“Iknow,” Nora said, giving my hand a squeeze. “I see the way he looks at you. There’s nothing he wants more than to build a life with you. This is just that.”

“Maybe just a little sooner than expected.”

“Time is relative. Pretty sure you’ve lived a lifetime these past few weeks.”

She wasn’t wrong there.

“Okay.” I said the word on an exhale and reached for the door handle. “Now or never.”

Nora released her hold on me. “Text me later. I need updates.”

“Love you, Mom.”

“More than all the stars in the sky.”

Holding that love tightly, I stepped out and crossed to the house. The sun cast it in a beautiful glow, and I heard Brutus’s happy barkfrom inside. I twisted the knob, eager to see my boy. We didn’t lock the door anymore. There was no need. And that felt like freedom, too.

Brutus bounded over to greet me, letting out more happy barks. I laughed as I gave him a good rubdown. “I’m sorry, but you’re not allowed in doctors’ offices. But I missed you, too.”

“How’d it go?” Linc called from down the hall.

I followed the sound of his voice deeper into the house. I found him perched at the kitchen island, which had become his part-time office. The sheers were pulled across all the back windows, which wasn’t typical, but maybe the sun had been causing a glare on his computer.

“So?” Linc pressed, sliding off the stool and crossing to me.

“Picture of health,” I said, a nervous smile taking root on my face.

Linc stilled just before he reached me, his eyes narrowing. “Something’s wrong. Was it the blood test? Do you have an infection? Are there additional internal injuries? Do you?—?”

“I’m pregnant.” I blurted the two words, and Linc went stock-still. Well, everything other than his eyes widening to saucers.

“What?” he rasped.

“Pregnant. Preggers. Knocked up. Bun in the oven. Eating for two.”More than two.

Linc moved into my space then, into me. One hand slid along my jaw and into my hair, tipping my head back. “Tell me again.”

“I’m pregnant,” I whispered. “Twins.”

Those beautiful hazel eyes flared wide again. “Twins?”

A giggle slipped free. “It’s honestly your fault. You must have super sperm to make this happen.”

A grin spread across Linc’s face; the kind that made the whole world stop. “We’re having babies.”

“You okay with that?” The nervousness slid back in. “We weren’t planning?—”

“Vicious.” His hand slid to my belly, and he lightly pressed his palm there. “There’s nothing I want more than to make a family with you.”

My eyes misted at his words. “Mom said you’d say something like that.”

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