Page 104 of Manny's Surprise Baby
“Okay. Just don’tcookme dinner.”
He twisted his lips. “I really suck at cooking, don’t I?”
“You have other talents.”
He smiled. “I recall you saying you didn’t let alphas buy you things because then they thought they owned you.”
“I… I didn’t understand intimacy. I was afraid to depend on anyone. To need anyone.” I bit my lip. “You’re the first alpha I’ve ever trusted, Seth. Really trusted.”
He swallowed and took my hand, kissing my knuckles. “You have no idea how much that means to me. I know how hard that is for you to say. Probably even harder to feel.”
“I think it’s like you said: loving you was inevitable.”
He kissed me until I was breathless, and I leaned on him, feeling cherished.
Epilogue
Pierce
“Polly. Sylvia. Roberta.” Emily jumped up and down in her seat, spouting names. “Come on. She can’t just go by Baby the rest of her life.” She kissed the infant in the bassinet next to her. “She needs a name.”
“But it should be a name with meaning.” Seth winked at me.
“Definitely.” We’d agreed on a name already, but we hadn’t told Emily yet.
Emily rubbed her chin. “She’s a happy baby. We could call her Smiley.”
“Probably not.” I grinned. “That sounds like a gangster.”
“Or an Irish setter,” Seth said with a smirk.
“Oh, I know!” Emily widened her eyes. “Apple.”
“You want to name your sister after a fruit?”
“People do that now.” Emily nodded.
I met Seth’s amused gaze. “Shall we tell her our suggestion?”
“Yes. Please. Before she suggest we name the baby Rhubarb or something.”
“You tell her.” I nudged.
Seth nodded and sat next to Emily. “Well, Pierce and I thought that it would be nice if we named the baby Letty. In honor of your mom.”
“Really?” Emily squeaked. “You would do that?” She looked at me. “Both of you would do that?”
“Of course.” I nodded. “It’s a pretty name, and it has sentimental meaning.”
Her bottom lip trembled, and she wiped at her eyes with the back of her arm. “I’m in shock.”
Seth put his arm around her and hugged her. “Why, honey?”
“I don’t know. I just am.”
My eyes stung taking in her woeful demeanor. “We wanted to make you happy. Not upset you.”
She laughed gruffly. “I am happy.”
