Page 65 of Forced Pregnant Mate

“Wait until Dad gets the credit card bill,” Jack says from behind me. “That won’t be pretty.”

Carla turns and winks at Jack. “Not as pretty as me, anyway. Do you think, after all these years, I don’t know how to handle your father?”

Laughter rings out around the room, and Jack shakes his head, doing a facepalm.

“No further information, please. I’d rather not know. Lena, my love, do you need anything?”

“I’m okay,” I smile up at him.

“Are you sure?”

“Well… maybe some iced tea?”

“Coming right up.”

As he leaves the room, the crowd breaks out in an “aww” and bursts of gossipy whispers. I can’t help blushing. Gina leans in and gives me a quick hug.

“He was a bit of a hitman before,” she says. “The aunts were worried he’d never settle, so that’s why they are so excited right now.”

“But… the marriage was arranged by the pack.”

Gina laughs. “It’s not the marriage, silly. It’s how much he cares for you. He’s never paid this much attention to a woman before.”

“Oh,” I answer, feeling a pang of emotion strike through me. I already knew this, of course—Jack has told me many times—but I’m still surprised when I get outside confirmation.

Jack returns with my iced tea, and the women break apart to let him through. I take my tea and sip it gratefully. Even though I’m barely showing, my need for food, drink, and rest has increased dramatically.

“Open mine next,” Gina says, tossing a box into my lap.

“This isn’t your first gift, either, Gina,” I point out, grinning and shaking my head.

She smiles and hugs me. “And I’m not done, either. You just wait until the kid is born!”

“I can only imagine,” I mutter, imagining myself literally drowning in a room full of wrapping paper and boxes.

When I get the box open, I find it’s not a gift for the baby at all, but a gift for me. There are a few soft, comfortable nightgowns, some scented oils, moisturizer, and stacks of fancy chocolate.

“Thank you, Gina,” I try to smile, but it gets caught by tears.

“Have to look after the Mom, too,” she says. “And you call me anytime, whether you’re scared about symptoms or if you just need a pint of ice cream.”

“Who wants ice cream?” Jack asks, butting in.

“Calm down,” Gina laughs. “There’s no emergency yet. I’ll sound the alarm when we need the ice cream, stat.”

“See that you do,” Jack says with an air of authority. The ladies all giggle and ‘aw’ again.

After another hour or so, Jack starts clearing the party out. He knows I’m tired, but is too polite to start kicking people out.

I fall asleep on the couch, and when I wake, the room is dark and I’m covered with a thick blanket. A quick look around tells me that Jack has already cleaned up the living room. I’m wondering what woke me when my phone vibrates on the table.

Grabbing it, I see Sam’s name and happily answer.

“Hello?”

“Hey, big sis! How did the shower go?”

“Great! I think I actually have too many presents.”

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