Page 120 of Training the Heart

“Why didn’t you tell me?” she asks, not that she seems upset.

“Would you have accepted it? Or would you have told me you could take care of yourself?”

Her eyes narrow just a little and then a smile breaks out over her pretty lips.

“You just think you know me so well.”

I chuckle and use one finger to tip her chin up to me and kiss her lips, feeling the tiny swell of her pressing into me as I hug her. I’ve never seen anything more beautiful than Ivy, her cheeks rosy, her belly beginning to grow with my child. I look at her with the other secret I’m harboring, and graze my knuckles down her cheekbone.

“News for you, Trouble, I do. And now it is a legitimatefoundation that will help more people for years to come in your mother’s situation.”

“Thank you so much,” she says as she hugs me. “Thank you for caring for my family, Wade.”

“Your mother is my family now too.” I kiss her lips again just because I can’t get enough of her as my phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out and check it, blowing out a breath.

“Ready for this? They’re all on their way,” I say to her.

She kisses me back, and takes a deep breath.

“Well then, let’s go. Game face, Chief.”

“You owe me twenty bucks.” Nash grins at Cole as the room explodes with our news.

Ginger jumps out of her seat and hugs Ivy as she squeals.

“A little grumpy version of Wade, I can’t wait. Do you think he’ll come out scowling?” she asks.

I look down at her, my brows knotted in annoyance.

“Just like that, look at this picture, Ivy.” Ginger frames my face as best she can from her height. “This is what you’ll be birthing in exactly six months.” She giggles as she nudges me with her elbow.

“Congrats, Daddy Wade.” Olivia smiles.

“I can’t wait to be an aunt again,” CeCe gushes, hugging me.

I hug her back, marveling at the difference a year makes, both of us happy after starting over.

“Love looks good on you, Sarge,” she says as Nash comes to her side.

“Ditto,” I say back, pulling on her ponytail. “Now, if we could just get captain fuckboy to settle down.”

We both look at Cole hugging Ivy as he says congratulations.

“Not a chance,” CeCe giggles, shaking her head.

“You’ll have a built-in babysitter in Mabel, that’s for sure,” Cole says as he makes his way over to me, shakes my hand then pulls me in for a little brotherly squeeze.

My mother follows suit.

“One more little voice to call me Nana? It doesn’t get any better than that,” she says as she takes her hug from me. She puts a hand on my face and looks up at me. “Your pa would be so happy you’ve found your person.” Then she leans in. “Told ya you’d have boys down by the river someday.”

“Or girls, but yes you did.” I grin.

“I’m always right.” She winks, heading into the kitchen to grab champagne and cake for us.

“And you remind us every chance you get, Mama,” Cole calls out as she goes.

“You’re next.” CeCe wags her finger at Cole, and he scoffs.

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