Page 75 of The Omega's Surprise Baby
When Kade told me he was recording a new album, I thought about buying an extra copy and leaving it at the cemetery. Perhaps I would, but the CD wasn't going to be released for a while yet. For now, I had Thanksgiving to look forward to. Dean was hosting a dinner. My cousin Nick was coming, and so was Kade.
Finally.
29
Kade
Iwasa little bit nervous when Nick and I left for Oceanport. I couldn't wait to see Shane and the kids again, but it wasn'tallgoing to be fun and games. No, we'd decided that tonight, before the media or anyone else could catch on, we were going to tell Shane's family about my pregnancy. First the kids, and then the others. So far, Nick was the only one beside us who knew. Part of me wished I could keep it that way forever.
I still remembered the way my ex had announced my pregnancy all those years ago, and how everyone had gone on to congratulate him for knocking me up while they ignored me. And even worse than that, I remembered all the judgmental looks I got when I miscarried. Like something waswrongwith me.
Tonight wasn't going to be like that. I knew that. At this point, I wasn't likely to miscarry either, but knowing all that didn't calm my nerves. I simply had to keep my head down and get through this, one way or another.
That wasn't to say my heart didn't leap in my chest when Nick parked the car in Shane's driveway. We'd arrived a few hours early for dinner, but that gave Shane and me ample time to catch up with one another—and to tell the children what was going on before they heard it at the dinner table.
Nick got out of the car with me, and together we went to the front door. Inside, the dog started barking before either of us even had a chance to knock. What a good boy, watching out for the family. I went down on one knee to hug Max when the door opened and the Golden Retriever stormed out to greet us. “Hey, you. I missed you.”
He licked my cheek, which tickled just enough to make me laugh, washing some of my nervous energy away.
“I knew you were only coming for the dog,” Shane drawled, standing in the door. The way the corners of his lips tugged up gave him away, though. As well as all the pheromones he was involuntarily throwing out with his scent.
I left the dog and threw myself at him instead. God, after all these weeks without touching, the solid contours of his body felt so good under my fingertips. And his lips... God, his lips. I never wanted them to let go of mine.
Behind us, Nick cleared his throat in a fairly obvious manner.
“Not that I want to interrupt anything,” he said, “but can you get a room? Preferably after I'm gone?”
Shane chuckled, his chest vibrating. “Don't be such a prude, cuz.” Letting go of me for a moment, he reached out with one hand to ruffle Nick's hair. “Good to see you again. I'm sorry about Rhys.”
Thin frown lines creased Nick's forehead. “You heard?”
“Dean told me. He got a card.”
“A card.” Nick scoffed. “I didn't even get a card. Oh well.” He shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “I'm not my brother's keeper, right? He's gotta know what he's doing.”
“You're still allowed to worry,” Shane said. “I think we're all a bit worried.” He glanced at me, probably thinking about all I'd told him about Vinists.
“They'll treat him okay,” I said.As long as he's not trying to do something stupid.“As I told Nick, outsiders get preferential treatment, and at least he married someone he wanted to marry. That's something, right?”
“I guess.” Nick huffed, and then he turned back to the car. “Anyway, I'll see you at Dean's later.”
One of Shane's eyebrows quirked up. “Leaving already?”
“Places to be, people to meet,” he muttered, and that was all the explanation we got before he closed the car door behind him.
“Mysterious,” I said, but then Shane snaked his arm around my waist and I stopped caring.
“C'mon, let's go in.”
“Sure.” I hoped maybe we could do what Nick suggested and 'get a room', but no such luck. I was dating a single dad, after all, and the kids were part of the deal. As soon as I'd taken a few steps into the house, Mary came barreling into me.
“You're back!”
“Yes, I am.” I picked her up. “Ugh, you're getting big, little girl. Soon I won't be able to pick you up!”
Somehow, that made her giggle. She had such a cute little laugh. It made you feel warm, even when the days were definitely getting colder and you realized you didn't own appropriate clothing for winter in Maine. I kissed her cheek. “Where's your brother?”
“Living room,” she informed me.
