Page 58 of Passion Restored

He gave her a look that spoke volumes. “You’re carrying a Gallagher in there.” He nodded at her stomach. “You two might not be married, and hell, you might decide to make a mistake and call it quits with my brother, but you’ll always be connected to us because of that child. Now, I’m not going to tell you what to do—”

“Yeah you are,” Liz cut in, her voice low. “But do continue.”

Graham snorted. “Yeah, you’ll fit in with Blake and Maya for sure. But what I was going to say was, do what you need to do for yourself, I get that. If you don’t love him, then fine. Don’t be in a relationship. Don’t hurt him because you’re trying to be something you’re not. But I don’t think that’s the case here. I think you’re scared. And speaking as someone who almost let the best thing in my life slip through my hands because I was too scared to do something about it, just take some time and think about what you truly want.”

Liz studied the man who had a larger beard than Owen and a lot more ink and tried to wonder what he was getting at.

“Do you want me to stay away from Owen? Or get closer? Because I’m not sure exactly which way you want me to go right now.”

“I want you to be happy. Same as I want for my brother.” Graham shrugged. “But it doesn’t really matter what I want. You two are adults that are going to do what is best for the two of you and the life you’re carrying. I just wanted you to know that if you decide that Owen is a man you could love, you’ll get a whole family in the process. And, if you go the other way, well…we’ll still be connected, so you’re going to have to get used to us.”

She honestly had no idea what to say. She’d never been in a serious relationship before, and as hard as she’d tried to fight it, she and Owen were definitely serious. They had been even before she found out they were pregnant. If she wanted to keep her head on straight and do right by their child, she needed to figure out what she wanted. Because if she didn’t soon, she was afraid she’d screw up everything, exactly like she’d been trying to avoid for so many years.

“Everything okay here?” Owen asked as he walked over. He slid his arm around Liz’s waist, pulling her to his side.

Graham met Liz’s gaze, and she knew she’d have to be the one to speak up. “Everything’s fine,” she said honestly. He hadn’t done anything to her other than say she would be welcomed with open arms if she chose. He’d also asked her not to hurt his little brother, and that was something she was trying to avoid with all of her heart.

Owen glared at Graham, so she turned in his arms and kissed his neck. “Really, Owen. We’re good. He’s just growly. And I think that’s just how Graham talks.”

Blake came over at that point and snorted. “You’ve got that right. He can’t help but be a Growly Gus.”

Graham narrowed his eyes at his wife. “What did I say about calling me that?”

Blake blinked innocently. “That you love it. Because if you didn’t, I wouldn’t do that thing you like.” She’d whispered that last part since Rowan was in the room, but the little girl was currently wrestling on the floor with Jake and Border. These guys sure loved their niece, and Liz knew that no matter what happened, the child within her would be loved and cared for.

That meant something.

Graham was retreating with his wife as Owen pulled her aside to cup her face. “You’re really okay?” he asked.

“Yeah,” she said softly. “I’m really okay. He loves you, you know. Like really loves you. They all do. You have no idea how lucky you are.” She swallowed the ball of emotion in her throat, aware they had an audience.

“Yeah, Lizzie. I know how lucky I am. I have you.”

“Aww, big brother, I didn’t know you could be so sweet.” Murphy wrapped his arms around Liz and picked her up, forcing a shocked gasp from her lips.

“Put me down!” she called out with a laugh, but he didn’t listen.

“I haven’t had a chance to say hello,” the other man pouted.

“So you’re going to throw me around like a bag of potatoes.”

“Very gently, of course.” He winked, and she lost it, laughter erupting from her.

This family kept tying knots around her. It was as if they knew if they didn’t find a way to keep her close, she’d bolt. At least, that’s how she’d been wired in the past. Now, though…now she wasn’t so sure.

Maybe, just maybe, she could be happy.

By the time the party ended and Liz and Owen were on their way home, Liz was exhausted and in need of a nap. Owen drove so she could lean her head against the seat and nod off.

He had one hand on hers with the other on the steering wheel as she dozed. “You feeling okay?” he asked when they were almost to their street.

She opened her eyes lazily. “Yeah, I am. Thankfully, I don’t get carsick right now though that could happen throughout the first trimester.”

Owen nodded. “I read that.”

She grinned. “Already reading up?”

He smiled widely. “Well, since you’re a nurse, you have a leg up on me, so I thought I’d better catch up.”

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