Page 37 of Her Shifter Babe

David stayed with me until dinnertime, then he kissed my lips tenderly. “I’m going to set up the dinner shift over at the restaurant, then get the house ready for your arrival. I’ll pop by later to say goodnight, then I’ll pick you up tomorrow, okay?”

I gripped his hand, hard. I wanted him to know just how much I needed him. “We’re okay, aren’t we? I mean, you and me? Us?”

He reached out and spread his hand protectively over my baby bump in the most beautiful gesture of partner and family solidarity I’d ever witnessed, and my heart melted inside me at the sight. The baby kicked hard in response to his touch, and David’s eyes widened, a small smile gracing his lips “Of course, we’re all okay, Stacey. We’ll get through this together, okay?”

I nodded, but I still felt more than a little uneasy. This was my first pregnancy and I never thought I’d turn out like this. “Okay,” I breathed, giving him what I hoped was a brave face.

David went to leave, pausing to watch me from the door for a moment before he shook his head as if at himself, and disappeared down the hall.

The nurses on shift fussed over me for the rest of the night and into the next morning. I’d never really stayed in a hospital before, though I’d heard plenty of stories about them not being that nice. But the food I was given wasn’t too terrible, and my bed was comfortable. Given I was receiving around the clock care—no doubt thanks to Tommy’s influence—what more could I ask for? I was just grateful our little one was all right for the moment.

The boys must have made alternative arrangements, because instead of David, it was Tommy who came by to pick me up at around lunchtime. I had nothing to wear so he took me straight to a dress shop in town and Tommy racked up a huge balance for too many clothes in record time. “You don’t need the stress,” he said. “You just point, and we’ll take it home.”

And even though I’d done next to nothing other than exactly that, by the time he got me home, I was exhausted.

Tommy took me by the arm and walked me into their beautiful townhouse.

Its modern lines and monochromatic color palette made me smile. It was so masculine, it bordered on being clinical. “Your home is beautiful,” I said as I plodded along slowly, relying on my mate’s strength.

Tommy led me through the small living room and toward a bedroom. “I’ve moved all of my stuff into the spare bedroom so that you can have my bed,” he said. “And before you refuse to accept it, my bedroom is the only one in the house with an ensuite, and you’ll need to be close to a bathroom.”

I stared up at him with literal stars in my eyes. “How did I get so lucky as to have you?”

Tommy jolted and stared at me, then laughed. “Oh, sweetheart, I love hearing you say that, but you have no idea how long I’ve waited for you. How long we’ve waited for you.”

I shuffled the rest of the way into the bedroom to find warmer wooden tones and a palette of fawns and browns.

“Thank you,” I said. “This is lovely. I’m just so sorry for being such a pain.”

He chuckled. “You’re not. Far from it, beautiful. You’re perfect. Besides, now we get to spoil you, and you won’t run away from us.”

I laughed as I kicked off my shoes, tossed back the duvet, and rolled onto the huge king-sized bed. There, in absolute bliss, I collapsed onto the fluffy pillows. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“Perfect. Now, do you want lunch or a nap first?”

I closed my eyes and let out a tired sigh. “I think I’ll pass out right here. Food is going to have to wait.”

He leaned over and kissed my forehead again, which was nice but was kind of annoying to.

What’s up with that?

“Can I have a real kiss?” I asked, forcing my eyes open to meet his.

His eyes went wide, then the blue diamonds of his gaze sparkled. “Of course.” But instead of the passionate kiss I’d been hoping for, he pressed his lips gently to mine in a tender, but chaste kiss. He pulled back with a smile. “Now get some sleep. I have to pop into the clinic for a while, but David will be home soon. We’ve moved shifts around as much as we can this week, but we’ll be out a bit still. I’m sorry. Short notice and all, but next week will be better.”

I pulled the duvet up closer to my chin, feeling warm and safe for the first time in a long time. “Thank you, Tommy, for keeping me and the baby safe. I’ll never forget this.”

He kissed my cheek this time and lingered to whisper in my ear. “That’s what I’m here for, beautiful girl. Now, rest. There’s food in the fridge, and I’m only a three-minute drive away if you need me. You only have to call.”

I smiled and nodded my thanks as he left. Everything went quiet and our baby girl shifted inside of me. I couldn’t help but smile. I’d been so afraid yesterday—of losing her—of losing everything. But now I was safe, and so was she. Tommy might be leaving for work, but David would be home soon. And regardless of where either of them was at any given moment in time, I knew we had each other, and that they’d take care of me.

I think I’m really starting to believe it.

After so long a journey and a little more pain than my fair share, things were finally working out. And with that thought in mind, peace stole over me, and I allowed my eyes to close and gave in to the alluring promise of sleep.

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