Page 71 of Mine to Hold
She full-on belly laughed, nuzzling her face in his neck. The final adoption papers had come through, and this little angel was officially the newest member of the family.
“You tell him yet?” Emmett asked.
“I’ve been playing the hinting game, but he hasn’t figured it out,” Rumor said.
“Seriously? What have you tried?” Emmett asked.
“I’m so lost in this conversation, it’s beyond frustrating,” Emmerson mumbled.
Rumor had become a member of the family long before he started shopping for an engagement ring. Her bond with his parents, his brothers and their wives and their children was unbreakable, and for that he was truly grateful. But sometimes, when they had their little private sidebars, it annoyed him, especially when it involved him.
“Well. Let’s see. This morning it started with asking for crackers when we woke up.” Rumor made a face at Leslie and tickled her belly. “Not only that, but I actually got sick.”
“You were nervous,” Emmerson said. “But I was a little worried she was getting cold feet.”
“About marrying you? Are you nuts? I know a good thing when I see it.” She shook her head. “Then I asked for flat soda. After that I bitched about how my dress was too tight and my boobs were getting bigger.”
Emmerson sighed. “Can we please not talk about your girly parts with my family.” He leaned closer. “And your boobs are fine. I didn’t notice anything all that different.”
“I better take this one back.” Emmett took his daughter from Emmerson’s hands. “Because when he does finally figure this out, he’s either going to end up in the pool or on his ass. Either way, I don’t want that happening with precious cargo in his arms.”
“Oh my God. Would someone please tell me what the hell is going on? You all know I hate this kind of bullshit,” Emmerson said. “Especially on my wedding day.”
“Here’s the best part. I left the test on the bathroom sink. He just threw it in the trash.” Rumor took his hand and placed it on her stomach. “Without even asking me what it was. For a cop, and a detective, he wasn’t being very observant.”
“What test? What did I throw away?” The entire discussion had thrown Emmerson off-kilter.
“Jesus. I honestly can’t believe you’re my son,” his father said.
“Really? Because four of seven times I had to practically beat you over the head with the concept.” His mother planted her right hand on her hip and cocked her head.
“Four out of seven,” Emmerson mumbled. “No champagne.” He glanced from Rumor’s smiling face with a single tear rolling down her cheek to his hand covering her belly. “Crackers. Soda. A long stick with a plus…” In a flash it all registered. A thick lump formed in his throat. “I think I need to sit down.”
Steve shoved a stool under his ass.
“Oh, someone push him in the pool. He deserves it.” Emmett walked away, laughing his ass off. His father followed.
“Come on, honey, let’s give these two a little breathing room.” Steve looped an arm around his mom and strolled across the pool deck.
“Are you okay?” Rumor eased between his legs, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.
He rested his hands on her hips, gripping on for dear life. He stared into her eyes and swallowed. Hard. Unable to form words.
“You did say you wanted to start a family,” she said softly.
“I did,” he managed to croak out.
“We agreed I’d go off birth control.”
“That was only two months ago.”
She smiled brightly. “And I’m about two months pregnant. Go figure.”
He raised his hands, cupping her sweet, beautiful face. He would never tire of loving this woman. Ever. “A baby? We’re going to have a baby?”
“Are you happy?”
“Now who’s asking dumb questions.” He kissed her in such a way that in the background, he heard some of the youngsters yell, “Ew, gross!”
