Page 56 of Interception

“Do you want to tell them the other part?” He’s a handsome devil when he smiles, and I adore how genuine it is.

“While we’ve been trying to get ready for the babies being born, we started talking about who we’d want to look after them if something ever happened to us. You were our first choice, both of you. We’d like you to be the boys’ godparents. You can take some time to think it over. I know it’s a big ask.”

“Are you kidding? We don’t need time. Of course, we will. We’d be honored, wouldn’t we, Faith?” Hunter’s reaction warms my heart. He and Coop are like brothers, and their bond makes them family.

“Yes!” She looks to her husband with so much love, and I know that if the worst happened, they would take care of our babies as if they were their own. It’s a lovely end to our evening.

When we pull into the driveway, I’m ready to crawl into bed with my man. He helps me out of the car now that my stomach has its own orbit. “Want me to carry you in? You look exhausted.”

“I don’t need you in a hospital bed next to me with a hernia.”

“Very funny. You’re forgetting I have brute strength that most men could only ever dream of.”

“How could I forget? You’re one of a kind, Coop.”

“You know it!” I waddle my way to the door, happy to be home.

“I have an idea to run past you.”

“Shoot.” Coop is always three steps ahead of me, anticipating my quirky little routines. The second we get inside, he heads straight for the refrigerator and pours me a cool glass of milk and goes in search of my favorite cookies in the pantry.

“I’ve just realized that my pregnancy cravings have turned me into Santa Claus.”

“Does that make me Mrs. Claus, or am I Rudolph?”

“You’re a good ride, so I’m going with Rudolph.”

As we head into the bedroom, my pulse quickens, and I know I have to say it before I change my mind. Coop hasn’t forgotten either.

“So what’s this idea you have? If you want to change all the nursery colors with two weeks to go, I’m not doing it. I’ll pay someone else.”

“The nursery is perfect. You did an amazing job, and I told you to get someone to do it, so you only have yourself to blame for how time-consuming it was.”

“Then, what’s on your mind, pretty lady?”

Before I give him the bare minimum information about my idea, there’s something I need to ask him.

“Coop…” My heart feels like it’s hammering against my ribcage right now, and I don’t know why I’m so nervous. “Why do you love me? You could have any woman you want. I don’t get it. Why me?”

“Is this a trick question?”

“No. I honestly don’t understand, and I want to.” He reaches out to rub his hand over my baby bump. It’s such a simple caress, and yet it makes me feel loved in a way I never have before.

“Are you being serious?”

“Yes. Humor me.”

“Okay, well, let’s start by taking the fact that you’re about to bring my sons into the world out of the equation. I loved you before you peed on the sticks.”

“You did?”

“Yes. Was my love for you not evident in how eagerly I pursued you, or in the way our bodies fit like they were made to be together? I love everything about you, Zee. Your smile, your laugh, the way you stood up for Faith when she needed you. I love the little triangle of freckles you have beneath your left eye. Not something most people would notice, but I think they’re adorable. You’re smart, funny, and you’re not afraid to give as good as you get. I even love the way we bicker daily but fall asleep in each other’s arms. Shall I go on?”

When I open my mouth to answer, nothing comes out past the lump in my throat, and I burst into tears. “I love you, Coop.”

His brow furrows as he searches my face for any inkling of why I’m so upset. “I love you, too, beautiful. What’s wrong? Did I say something wrong?”

“No. You said everything right. No one has ever loved me as much as you do. Not even my parents.”

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