Page 103 of Big Daddy Christmas
“Whatever you want, my beautiful goddess.” He chuckled, the sound sending another delicious shiver racing through her. “You do realize this means way less coffee and a lot more water for you.”
“Ugh. I knew you were going to say that.” But she couldn’t find it in her to be upset about it just then. Not when he was still cradling her stomach, their child in his large hand like they were the most precious thing in the world.
“First thing Monday morning, we’re making an appointment. And when we get home, I’m going to start researching. See what you’re allowed to eat and what’s off the table. I’m going to take care of you, Sil. Both of you.”
Which was code for “I’m going to be impossible to live with and you’re going to want to stab me in the throat by the time the baby comes”.
“I’m counting on it.”
Silver
* * *
Somehow, there wasn’t an entire line of people waiting outside the bathroom when they exited. Even more surprisingly, her makeup had held up rather decently to her tears, and she’d mostly been able to hide the damage.
Now they were back in the ballroom, snuggled up together at their table while he pushed water on her and asked for the tenth time in as many minutes if she was hungry.
“There you are!” Lottie dropped into the chair beside Silver, her face flush with happiness and excitement. “Someone said Ice dragged you off somewhere and he looked pissed.” Her head tilted to the side, her eyes dancing as she studied them. “He doesn’t look pissed now.”
“Because I’m not.” As if to prove his point, he brushed a kiss over Silver’s temple, and she had to fight the urge to sigh at the tender touch.
“So you’re okay?”
“Better than okay.” Unthinking, Silver laid a hand across her stomach.
Luckily, Lottie didn’t seem to notice. She just beamed and reached for Silver’s glass. “This is the first time I’ve sat down since our first dance. I’m dying for a drink.” She paused, her hand hovering over the water glass, her gaze sweeping the table. “Where’s your champagne? We need champagne.”
Sitting up straighter, she looked around for one of the dozens of roaming waiters. “Ah! There!”
Before Silver could stop her, Lottie popped out of her chair and snagged three glasses, passing two of them off to Silver and Ice. “Thank you both for being here. I couldn’t imagine us getting married without you.” Lottie’s lips twitched as she tapped her glass to Silver’s. “Because I love you. And a little bit because it got me major points with Aria.”
Silver laughed and raised her glass, though she didn’t drink. “I’d forgotten how fun it was to meet a fan for the first time. You’ve all gotten used to me. I’m old news to you.”
Head thrown back, Lottie let out a loud, delighted laugh of her own. “We could fangirl more, if you want. It wouldn’t take much to get a reaction out of Ruby, even now. Oh! You should throw a party, invite some people. Ruby and Aria will lose their minds.”
“And you’ll be the picture of refinement and grace, I’m sure.”
“Of course.” Lottie raised her flute to her lips again, then frowned. “Do you not like the champagne? Ugh, I told Braden we should have gone with the Bollinger but he insisted the Moët was fine. I’ll get you something else from the bar. What do you want?”
“I’m good with water, really.”
One eyebrow raising, Lottie snorted out a laugh. “Since when? Are you pregnant or something?”
Panic clutched at Silver’s throat. “No. What? Why would you even ask me that? Pregnant? Who said anything about being pregnant?”
Beside her, Ice sighed and muttered under his breath. “Smooth, baby. So smooth.”
Lottie’s eyes went wide, her jaw dropping slightly with shock. “Wait. Are you for real? Are you actually pregnant?”
“What?” Seemingly appearing out of nowhere, Frankie settled into the chair on the other side of Ice. “You’re having a baby? Why didn’t you tell us?”
Fuck. This was not how she’d imagined telling her friends. But then again, she hadn’t imagined telling Ice while he had her pressed up against a wall in a public bathroom, either.
She glanced over at him, and Ice just shrugged, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
“I didn’t want to ruin your big day.”
“Ruin it?” Squealing so loudly Silver worried it might shatter her eardrums, Lottie popped up from her chair. “This is the best news ever. I can’t believe you’re having a baby!”
