Page 104 of Big Daddy Christmas
Like a scene out of the movies, Lottie’s voice reached fever pitch at the exact moment the music stopped. Every head within hearing distance—which was a lot because Lottie was not a quiet person—swung to look at them.
From the dance floor, Ruby squealed and raced over to them, Beckett close behind, Cordelia and Ivy and Jacob on their heels. “Are you really pregnant?” Ruby asked, her eyes already filling with tears.
“Yes.” The excitement she hadn’t allowed herself to feel earlier pulsed through her, so strong it made her head swim. “Yes, we’re having a baby.”
More squeals, and then she was up out of her chair, being passed around to all her friends while Beckett pulled Ice to him for a tight hug, followed by Braden and Holden and Jacob.
“You’re going to be an amazing mom,” Cordelia whispered when it was her turn. Ivy burst into tears, and squeezed Silver so tightly she couldn’t breathe.
“I hope you know we’re going to spoil this kid fucking rotten,” Frankie said with a wide grin. “Auntie Frankie has a nice ring to it.”
Emotion clogged Silver’s throat. “Yeah. Yeah, it does.”
When she’d been hugged within an inch of her life, Ice nudged her back into her chair, pressing a fresh glass of water on her. Which she happily drank, because she was thirsty and not because he was watching her like a hawk, thank you very much.
Their friends crowded around the table with them, laughing and sharing predictions for what Ice and Silver’s child would be like.
A brat, just like her mama.
God that kid is going to be so fucking talented. Probably come out of the womb playing air guitar. Or drums.
Oh! I hope she has Silver’s hair, no offense, Ice.
He didn’t take offense, not to any of it. Judging by the grin stretched across his face, nothing could have ruined that moment for him.
As the party wound down, she stifled a yawn, earning her a sharp look from Ice. “Maybe we should head home so you can get some sleep.”
“No! I wanna go to the club with everyone else.” Widening her eyes, she puffed out her bottom lip in a practiced pout. “Please, Daddy?”
She saw the moment he relented, and she inwardly cheered. “All right. We can go for a little while to spend time with everyone. But we’re not playing, not until we talk to a doctor about what’s safe for you and the baby.”
Crap. She hadn’t even considered that. And as much as she wanted to play, he was right. “Yes, Sir.”
A smile curved his lips. “Good girl. C’mere.”
Tugging on her hand, he pulled her onto his lap, his arms wrapped around her, one hand laying protectively on her stomach. “I love you, Mandy.”
“I love you, too.”
His grin turned mischievous. “Even though I ruined our friendship?”
“You ruined my whole damn life, Elias Turner.” Ducking her head so her lips hovered just over his, she whispered, “And it was the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
