Page 37 of Sniper

“Happy? No, Firecracker,” he rasps, his eyes looking at me with nothing but love, “I’m elated—over the fucking moon.”

I sniffle, wrapping my arms around his waist, and placing my head on his chest. I am shocked at his words, but also relieved as he wraps his arms around my body, holding me tight.

I enjoy his embrace for a few minutes before I murmur, “I won’t be able to go on the back of your bike now,” causing him to groan.

He replies, “I take it back, I’m pissed….”

I laugh, holding him tight.

The first time I went on the back of his bike was…wow. I’ve never known freedom as much as I did until I rode behind him on that bike.

Yeah, I’m pissed about no more rides, too….

“I love you, Theo,” I murmur, suddenly feeling sleepy from the stressful day, his woodsy scent relaxing me.

He murmurs back, “Not as much as I love you, Rory….”

He picks me up bridal style, my head going to his shoulder as he walks us out of the bathroom and into the living room, where Autumn is sitting on her princess beanbag watching TV.

Theo sits us on the couch, removes my hair tie, and runs his fingers through my hair, whispering, "Close your eyes, Firecracker, get some sleep….”

I nod, doing as he says, feeling so happy and content that I couldn’t imagine a life where he isn’t part of it.

He’s become the reason why I breathe, and I’ll never take it for granted, even if I do find out things that make me want to strangle him….

12

Sniper – One Week Later

I laugh, watching Autumn try to intimidate the penguin on the other side of the glass, bobbing side to side, giggling. She’s wearing her penguin leggings and a white T-shirt with, as you can guess, a penguin on it.

The girl is obsessed.

She walks toward the glass, putting her hand on it, and I grin and look toward Rory, expecting her to be taking a million fucking photos like she normally does, only to see her looking at her stomach with a furrowed brow, and I snort; it’s the eighth time I’ve caught her doing it.

She glares my way, and I grin, confirming, already aware of her problem. “Firecracker, you’re not showing yet; you’re only five weeks pregnant. You wouldn’t have even known if you didn’t feel sick.”

She scrunches her nose in a cute way, looks down at her stomach again, and snaps, “I swear I’m showing, Theo.” Her eyes widen as she looks at me. “Oh no, the baby’s going to take after you, aren’t they. I’m going to give birth to a ten-pound baby.”

I can’t help it. I laugh, but instead of getting mad, she rolls her eyes and looks toward our girl, who instantly distracts her as she gasps, “Oh, Theo, look at her….”

Awe erupts from her, making me smile as she grabs her phone and takes several photos.

I shake my head. I won’t admit it to her because, well, her hormones are all over the place right now, but she does look like she has a small bump already, and she’s only five weeks.

If this baby is ten pounds, then I’m fucked; she’s going to kill me.

Chuckling, I walk her way, coming up behind her and wrapping my arms around her. She leans back against me, my hands going to her belly, my chin to the top of her head, and we watch Autumn with the penguins while Aurora takes photos.

Fuck, I love my life….

“I can’t believe she’s three,” Aurora whispers a few minutes later, and I smile.

Today is our girl’s birthday, which is why we’re at the aquarium. All she wanted was to see the penguins, and her wish was my command.

I hum, watching our daughter, my thumb gently rubbing my girl’s belly.

Guilt fills me, but I will it away because I won’t fucking lose her. I can’t.

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