Page 12 of Inked Craving

And that was enough of that. Pregnant women didn’t get to have dirty thoughts about their brother’s best friend. There were rules about that. Especially when I was about to tell my family that I was pregnant, alone, and losing my damn mind.

“Lee,” my mother said as she turned to show off the baby in her arms. “You’re here.”

“And I was going to steal a baby for some cuddling, but if I have to fight you, I don’t think it’s going to happen.”

Annabelle and Jacob walked in at that moment, an infant in each of their arms, and Lee rubbed his hands together. “Mine, all mine,” he teased.

I shook my head, grateful that he was here. Somebody in this room knew my secret. And it didn’t feel wrong. Yes, it was a burden, but it wasn’t only mine. Maybe it was wrong that I was forcing him to keep my secret for just a few moments longer, but I was glad that I wasn’t alone in this.

He plucked my nephew out of Jacob’s arms, looked at me, and winked. There was a seriousness in his gaze before he blinked it away, as if he weren’t even sure why he had done it.

Or maybe I just saw too much in the looks that Lee gave me. I always had when it came to him. But that was my problem, not his.

“I see you’re just in here snatching babies from their parents’ arms, acting as if you aren’t the fun uncle who will hand them right back as soon as you think you may have to change a diaper.”

“I have yet to change a Montgomery diaper, and I don’t plan to. Even when we’re all old and living in the Montgomery commune, I will hire that out.”

“So, you think you’re going to be invited to the Montgomery retirement commune?” Benjamin asked, his lips twitching.

“I’m pretty sure I could find a way in.” Lee met my gaze for a second, and I had no idea what that was about. Then again, maybe I was just nervous.

“We can have an annex for friends of the family.” Annabelle grinned, then looked at her son and daughter. “We need to feed the babies, and then I’m going to be starving.”

“I’m already ravenous,” Brenna said as she moved to the couch and adjusted herself to begin feeding Rafael.

Annabelle sat on the couch as Jacob pulled out a nursing pillow and helped adjust my niece to start her dinner. Then Lee moved forward, and Jacob scowled. “Excuse me. I will be doing this.”

“Yes, because I intended to come here and check out your wife’s breasts as she fed your kids. Stop with the being territorial.” Lee rolled his eyes but handed my nephew to Jacob. Jacob’s lips twitched and then he adjusted my nephew on the other side of the pillow so Annabelle could feed two at once.

My hand went to my stomach of its own volition, and I let out a breath.

What if I were having twins? I would be outnumbered. If Colton didn’t come back, if he decided that this was too much, I would truly be out of my depth. Who would hold the pillow for me and ensure that I could handle feeding both twins at once? I would have to take turns, leaving one baby hungry and crying for me as I fed their brother or sister.

Archer moved forward and cupped my elbow. “What’s wrong, Paige?”

I looked at all of them, at my father and Marc as they walked in, and knew I needed to do it now. Just had to get it out there, so it wasn’t hiding beneath the surface, waiting to be screamed later. I didn’t want to keep secrets. Not with the family I loved with all my heart.

I had wanted to tell Colton first, but he hadn’t called me back. I had called twice and was now afraid that he was thinking that his ex-girlfriend was clingy and wanting too much. I would like to think that he was too busy to call me back. But something was off. He didn’t want to talk to me. Had moved on with his new life. That should be fine, but he had left part of his old life unfinished, and I didn’t want to send an email or leave a voicemail saying that he was going to be a father.

Or at least, that I was going to be a mother.

Lee came to my side, a brow raised, and I swallowed hard. I wanted to grip his hand for strength, but I knew that would likely send the wrong message. Instead, I stood as near to him as I could without touching. I looked at my family, all of them, and swallowed hard.

“I have an announcement,” I said, as everyone turned to me, their gazes intent.

“What’s wrong, honey?” Mom asked as she leaned into Dad, and I let out a breath.

“I wanted to tell you all at once, so I don’t have to do it multiple times. I’m pregnant.” I put my hand over my belly, the words slicing out into the quiet like a hot knife into butter.

Lee leaned closer to me, pressing his body into mine for a bare instant before moving away. It was so quick that I didn’t think anyone had noticed, but given the way Benjamin’s eyes narrowed, maybe hehadseen it. I couldn’t focus on that, though. Not when my brain was vibrating.

“Pregnant?” my mother asked, the burping towel in her hand falling to the floor. “How? I mean, I knowhow, Paige.” Her voice broke, her hand moving to her lips as her eyes watered.

I hadn’t even realized I was crying until I tasted the salt on my lips. “It’s Colton’s. He doesn’t know yet because I can’t get ahold of him.”

“That motherfucker,” Beckett growled.

Eliza gripped his arm. “Beckett, let her finish.” My sister-in-law gave me a small smile but didn’t reach for me.

---