Page 23 of Having the Bear's Baby

“I’m not listening to you,” he said, not needing to hear his sister telling him to screw someone.

His mother turned, making a face. “Yeah, why aren’t you with her?”

“She’s at work,” he stated. “We both work.”

“I don’t see you working, so go wait for her at her job.” His sister wiggled an eyebrow. “If you had left earlier, you could probably have gotten a quickie in before her lunch was over.”

His face heated at the idea. Not that he wasn’t for that plan, but he didn’t need the idea coming from his sister.

“That’s enough out of you now.”

“Hey, I want to be an aunt just as badly as mom wants to be a grandma, but that can’t happen if you aren’t fucking her.”

“Jesus, stop,” he said, growing embarrassed. “I don’t need to hear this.” He covered his ears.

His sister shoved him. “Out you go. Can’t make babies here.”

He tried fighting, but not too hard. He couldn’t listen to them make quips about his sex life. So, he let her push him outside.

Once there, he took a deep breath. He wanted to see Emma and had no reason not to. She should be home by now.

He smirked and started his car up, heading toward her apartment.

NINE

EMMA

Amid the quiet of her living space, Emma began the task of sorting through her belongings. She carefully assessed each item, weighing its significance against the practicality of keeping it. Clothes, trinkets, and memories were scrutinized one by one. She placed items she no longer needed or felt an attachment to into a growing pile, mentally assigning them to a new purpose.

She compiled a list of potential necessities she might need down the line as the pregnancy progressed … things she didn’t currently possess but would be essential in the future. It was a pragmatic approach that she felt both excited and hesitant about. The thought of preparing for something that hadn’t yet happened seemed presumptuous.

Liam’s desire for her to move in with him was a big deal. It was a step she was more than willing to take, and the idea of merging their lives felt both thrilling and surreal. In some ways, this task of sorting through her possessions served as a precursor to the changes brewing beneath the surface.

As she organized her things, Emma recognized the need to clear out what was no longer part of her present but of her past, the sadness and disappointment in her life. The process was therapeutic, a way to channel her restless daydreams into practical action.

Getting lost in thoughts of Liam and their potential future together wouldn’t make the reality arrive any sooner.

Getting up for a box to pack away the items, Emma heard the sound of the door buzzer. Who could be visiting her now? She moved toward the intercom, her heart racing with a mixture of intrigue and excitement, wondering who might be at her doorstep.

She knew who she wanted it to be. She pressed the button.

“Em? It’s Liam. Can I come up?”

Yes, yes, yes! “Of course,” she replied calmly. She buzzed him in and ran to the mirror to check her reflection.

It wasn’t great, but it would do. She definitely looked comfortable, but at least she had on her yoga pants that were much more flattering than the baggy sweats she thankfully had in the laundry at the moment.

She ran to open the door at his first knock, almost breaking her leg when she tripped over the box she had placed in the middle of her path.

“Damn it,” she cursed to herself as she caught her balance on the door, opening it to a cool-looking Liam.

He smiled. “Did I catch you at a bad time?”

She blushed and opened the door wider. “What gave it away? My attire, or did you hear me almost fall?”

He looked at her box as he walked in. “Both, but the attire I am not complaining about. Are you moving?” He turned to face her.

“No. Just have been going through some of my crap. I don’t know how I gathered so many things I didn’t need, but that box is all items to donate to the church.” She headed to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of wine. “Good timing. You caught me right at break time.”

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