Page 398 of Bride of Choice

Elle paused, looking about to spin me around, she was so happy to see me.

“I’m pregnant,” I blurted.

Elle quickly set me down, making the same cute little noises her brother made when he was surprised and excited about something. “Baby?” she breathed. “My Carr-ree!” she bellowed suddenly, making me wince at the sudden shift in volume. “Come! Jo has baby!”

Rek’s old roommate, that’s what I’d decided to refer to her as from this day forth, if only in my head, came running up to us, Doogie hot on her heels.

Doogie pushed past Elle, ignoring her warning snarl to grab me up in a hug. “Jo! Jo and baby!” he cried out happily, then bumped his jaw against my temple, like I’d seen Celuk do to Rek every so often when it looked like Rek needed it.

“We’re so happy you’re back,” a soft voice entreated from behind Doogie.

Doogie didn’t move so I could see Carrie. I couldn’t say I was all that fussed over it, either. Try as I might, I was still a little pinched when it came to her, but I was trying. Trying so fucking hard. It wasn’t easy.

Elle squished up into our reunion hug, and I felt a small form squished up in there with her. The noise Carrie made said Elle hadn’t really given her much choice in the matter.

I smiled at the idea, thinking of Elle’s pushy but sweet big brother.

“You’re protecting her,” I realized after a moment when Doogie’s heartbeat sped up a little. Pulling back, I glanced up, got one look at the smile fighting a grimace, he was happy but conflicted, and I found myself smiling in relief for me and happiness for him. With a laugh, I admitted, “I’m surprised Elle let you keep all of your limbs.”

“Doodie sneaks. Sneaky male. My Carr-rie, she say no limb ‘moval,” Elle grumbled. “Like her lump head one piece.”

“He was never at any risk of losing a limb!” Carrie huffily argued.

“Say you,” Elle huffed and puffed.

“You like him, you just don’t want to admit it.” Carrie let out a loud snort. “He’s alive and that says it all.”

“‘Xactly,” Elle grumbled.

“Elle.” Carrie’s tone had me fighting not to laugh.

“What? What my Car-ree Elledeebean do? What you Elle say wrong?” Elle got out between loud grunts.

My eyebrows rose as my gaze darted from Doogie towards a space unknown the voices were coming from over his shoulder. “You sure you can handle all that?” I teased.

Elle snorted. “No. He not, but my Carr-rie wants Doodie. She wants, she has.” A proud sniff from off behind Doogie had my grin widening. “Doodie no choice.”

“Did you have to say it like that?” Carrie whispered.

“Jes,” Elle said simply.

“Bully,” I thought I heard Carrie laughingly mutter under her breath.

Elle’s purr was so loud it nearly drowned out Carrie fussing over her.

“This turned out so much better than I could have imagined,” I murmured.

“Quiet,” Doogie grumbled, trying to sound annoyed but looking too happy to care.

“Happys. Talkies. Good now,” Odix grumbled. Holding his arms out, he growled, “Give back now.”

My big ol’ grizzly bear of a male made the universal kiddies’ sign for uppies. I doubted he had any clue of the fact. Odix’s impatience was endearing, much as I wanted to brain him for once again interfering with me, well, interfering myself.

Ugh. I almost hated myself, as I truly understood it from his side too.

“Give me over to the big galoot if you know what’s good for ya.” Patting Doogie on the shoulder, I sighed like I was put out but snuggled right into Odix’s arms as he took me and curled me into his chest.

“MINE,” Odix growled out ominously as he toted me right past his best friend and straight into the hut without so much as a how-do-ya-do.

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