Page 115 of Ruthless Beasts

Mercer's arms wrapped around our girl from behind, encasing her and caging her against his body as they stopped in front of the ice cream case. Leaning over it, his head rested against her hair. "What are we having?"

"They all look so good!" She giggled. "I don't know how to pick."

"Then don't." He squeezed her before looking at the woman behind the counter. "Two scoops of each."

"Of each?" The woman blinked a few times.

"That's too much, Mercer," Bellamy whispered as she turned to look at him.

"It will be eaten, baby. Look at us. We've got so many men around here we'll hand it to whoever wants it." He broke eye contact. "Each. Put them in separate containers if you can."

The woman nodded vigorously, probably in shock that someone would buy so much ice cream at once, but she didn't hesitate to start the scooping process. We all watched in silencefor a moment before Adam grabbed Bellamy's hand and yanked her free of Mercer.

"We're going to sit. She's been on her feet for a long while, and I'd hate to cause her pain." They laced their fingers together, and I followed, figuring Mercer would handle the ice cream order.

We picked a table in the corner, keeping our privacy even though the shop was nearly empty. Max and Drew grabbed the table next to us and, in no time, Mercer was bringing over trays of various flavors, covering the tables in them. He paid before bringing us over some spoons.

Holding out the spoons, he said, "Dig in."

Our girl went for the chocolate flavors instantly. The lid to her first tasting popped off and her spoon was in before any of us could move. She looked up and paused. "Why are you watching me?"

I laughed. "Nothing. It's just cute."

Her nose scrunched. "I'm not feeling cute right this moment. I'm feeling like a pig. Let me be a pig and wallow in my ice cream alone."

"Nah. I'd rather wallow with you." I picked up a cup of a mystery flavor and popped the lid off. I dug my spoon in and plopped a chunk in my mouth. "Mmm. Pretty sure this is monster cookie."

"Shut up." Her eyes went wide, and her hand reached out, her fingers flexing. "Give me! Monster cookies are one of my favorites."

I shrugged, handing over the peanut butter-based ice cream with chunks of oatmeal cookie, chocolate candy, chocolate chips, and peanuts in it. She dug her spoon into the mix and placed a spoonful in her mouth. Moaning around the spoon, she announced, "This one's mine for sure." Thrusting her first pick forward, she said, "You can have this."

I took it, tasted it, and passed it along, until Drew claimed it, grumbling about second hand germs even as he consumed the whole cup. As it turned out, devouring tables worth of ice cream was easy work for a pregnant woman and her entourage, and when we left, not a single cup of ice cream went to waste.

I plopped a few bills in the tip container, knowing that Mercer had done the same, then grabbed Bellamy's hand. We took her to a few clothing stores, where she picked out a few things that fit her now, and then an array of clothes for after the baby was born. We followed that up with jewelry, something she insisted she didn't need, but we all ignored. We wanted to see her wearing something from us, a piece that staked our claim, and I didn't care if she said she was always mine. The world should know it too.

I picked a ring band, studded with black diamonds. Mercer picked a band with an intricate carving of roses. Each band nestled against her wedding band to Adam, a perfect fit for our perfect girl.

When we left the jeweler, she had necklaces and pendants. Bracelets and earrings. All staple pieces we promised she'd need for everyday wear. But with anything more elaborate, we'd slowly build up to when she couldn't reject our gifts. I bought the baby a golden bracelet, and I'd never thought to ask, but for once, I wanted to know the name. I wanted to engrave it on the gold, have her name live permanently on repeat in my mind.

It wasn't until the ride home that I built up the nerve to ask her. I squeezed her hand with mine and her head turned. "What?"

"What's her name?"

"Her name?" Bellamy's brows pulled together in confusion.

"The baby. Have you picked out a name?"

"I…" She hesitated. "I've thought of a few, but none I've committed to."

"Are you going to share?" Adam asked, his eyes finding her from the rearview mirror.

She bit her lip nervously. "If it's okay, I'd like to keep it to myself. At least for a little while. Until I'm sure."

"Why wouldn't that be okay?" I squeezed her hand. "Need some suggestions? What about Tammy? Karen maybe? Or Linda? How about-"

"You better be fucking with me, Ace, because if you're not, I swear I'd never leave you alone with her. I couldn't do it knowing that, in this age, you'd make such an awful decision on naming your child something so dated."

"Some dated names aren't awful," Adam supplied from the driver's seat. "Though... those are... a choice."

---