Page 21 of Her Shifter Babe

“I—” Stacey said, then cleared her throat. “I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything,” I said gently. “We’ve got all the time in the world. And now that you’ve found me, we can build a life together, assuming that’s what you want?” I allowed the words to sound like a question, but my heart would shrivel up and die if she said that it wasn’t what she wanted. That she came here for financial support for the baby and nothing more.

She nodded slowly and chewed her lower lip. “I’d like that. It would be what’s best for the baby, I think.”

I put my hand against the small of her back. “It will be best for all of us, Stacey. I know it. But there’s no hurry to make anything official if it makes you feel uncomfortable. We can just get to know each other and let things grow organically. No stress. We’ll just take it all as it comes... together.” I opened the front door to the clinic and guided her out into the fresh morning air.

“That would be lovely,” she said, but once we got to the car, she turned to me with a grimace. “Do you mind if I go back to Nancy’s house for a few hours? I’m feeling a little dizzy. Maybe I could see your house some other time?”

“Of course,” I said, helping her into the car before getting in myself. “Are you still okay to go out for dinner? I’ll explain to David that you can’t if you’re not feeling up to it.”

My brother would be disappointed if that were the case, but this wasn’t about him, and I knew instinctively that he’d accept it without question, especially now that our bond had been revealed. This was about the woman we were both meant to love, and the daughter that was soon coming into our life.

“Ah... the steakhouse would be nice,” she said, not reneging on her promise to David that she’d be there. “If you give me your cell number, I can let you know when I’m awake again.”

“Perfect,” I said.

I drove her back home to Nancy’s and walked her to the door, but she didn’t ask me to come inside. In fact, she seemed like she wanted me to go, so I did. But not before I had her cell number and she had mine. I’d almost lost the chance to be with my mate due to bad timing and a serious case of inebriation, and I wasn’t going to lose her again.

Fate was giving me a second chance not to cock this up, and I wouldn’t fail her this time. I would be the partner, lover, friend, and father she needed me to be. I’d support her no matter what. And together, between my brother and I, she wouldn’t want for anything. She’d have love, security, and a large and fiercely loyal family to back her through hell or high water. And our baby—our daughter—would be the most adored little girl in the world.

Chapter 8

Stacey

I CLOSED THE DOOR ON Tommy, my heart full to aching with happiness and turmoil. My baby was a little girl, and she was healthy and well. The news couldn’t have been better. A healthy baby was all any mother wanted after all, and yet there was so much that remained unknown. I wasn’t quite sure how to process it all. My life had turned upside down over the course of a mere twenty-four hours, which was wonderful and frightening all at once.

“How’d it go?” Nancy asked, walking up to me holding her mug of peppermint tea. She didn’t go far without the one thing that helped her nausea, and I understood that all too well.

“Good, I think,” I said, chewing on my lip as I debated whether to share our news before deciding I should. “We’re going to be having a little girl.”

“Oh, congratulations!” Nancy cried, throwing an arm around me, and hugging me gently but enthusiastically. “I’m so happy for you, Stacey. That’s wonderful.”

I rubbed my hands over my bump, enjoying the way the baby was kicking—lively, strong, and healthy. She was obviously excited.

“You want a cup of tea?” Nancy asked, gesturing toward the kitchen.

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