Page 13 of A Game-Changing Christmas

Chapter Four

The twenty-four-inch tires coughed up asphalt as Jaden’s Rolls Royce came to a stop in the front of the emergency room. He tossed the Wraith in park and exited swiftly, making his way around toward the entrance. His dark trench coat waved at the hem on an undulation of wind, and he hustled through the double doors in desperation to get to his wife.

“I thought you would come through emergency.”

Jaden’s gaze followed Claudia’s voice, and he turned and ran to her quickly.

“Tell me what’s wrong,” he asked, filling his arms with the softness of her curves.

“It’s not me,” she murmured, pressing her lips to his warm mouth. They covered their mouths in kisses, and heat spilled over their faces. “Can we leave?”

“Do you have everything you need?”

“Yes, yes.”

Jaden held on to her with an arm, and they journeyed back through the double doors into the blistering cold. He tucked her closer then helped her inside before slipping into the driver’s seat.

Claudia went into immediate explanation.

“London and I were having lunch with Samiyah, Octavia, and Selena, when…”

A procession of luxury vehicles, black, white, and a few red, pulled into the emergency room entrance. They parked, and the doors opened, then one by one, Xavier, Lance, Raphael, Kyle, and DeAndre Valentine filed out. They were all dipped in sun kissed chocolate skin, beards, goatees, and thick brows and lashes that created a perfect groomed look.

Raphael glanced in their direction, noting the vehicle first then the driver. They stared for a second before Jaden gave Raphael a nod, and Raphael in turn offered a tilt of his head.

Knowing the tension between the families, Claudia rested a hand against Jaden’s powerful thigh, effectively pulling his gaze back to hers.

“Let’s go, I’ll tell you on the way.”

* * *

During the twenty-minuteride to their estate, Claudia filled Jaden in on her spirited afternoon. She left out the part about needing to vent because she was pregnant. Instead, she kept it secret, deciding she wanted to surprise him. Her initial thoughts on becoming a mother was led with fear of the unknown, but after the day’s event, Claudia had a new outlook on becoming a parent. She and Jaden would be great parents, and she felt that now in her soul.

“What a turn of events,” Jaden said as they pulled to a gate and hit a button. “I’ll make sure to send them a gift from us.”

“That would be nice.”

He smiled over at her. “Look at you, delivering babies and arm wrestling in the hospital. I knew you were my superwoman.”

Claudia chuckled. “The girl has a grip stronger than Zeus, trust me.”

Jaden’s deep voice grooved along her skin when he laughed, and Claudia’s belly flipped.

“You’ve had a long day. Let me go in and run you a bath,” he said.

“I haven’t asked you about your day.”

There was a slight edge to his jaw that grew suddenly. Claudia peered at him. “Babe?”

“My day was nowhere near as exciting as yours.”

“Tell me about it.”

Jaden entered the gate and drove up and around the circular driveway parking at the front door.

“To make a long story short, we lost another bid.”

Claudia’s face fell. “Oh noo,” she sang.

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