Page 139 of Bae

Ivy panted as she joined the rest of us. Between her fingers was the balloon. “Your turn. I’m exhausted. I need shade.”

Both Drew and Trent moved to the side, making room right beside me beneath the umbrella so she could cool off.

“Wanna see what’s behind that curtain over there?” Romeo asked, his voice right next to my ear.

“You know I do!”

“You guys wanna give me a hand?” He directed the question to my three brothers, and they moved off toward the display.

I glanced at Ivy, and she smiled. “You’re going to love it.” She watched the three walk away. “I better supervise, because we both know how they can be.”

“How’s that?” Romeo asked, clueless.

Ivy and I laughed.

She bounded after them, and Romeo moved around so he was standing in front of me. “How’s my baby momma doing?”

“My back hurts, my feet hurt, and my hands are so swollen I haven’t been able to wear my wedding ring in weeks,” I told him and smiled. “I’m so happy.”

“That’s all I’ve ever wanted, Rim. For you to be happy.”

“I could never be anything but with you, Romeo.” Even when I was at my darkest moment, when Evie slipped away from us, he was still the brightest spot I knew.

Romeo took my face and pressed our foreheads together. We looked at each other like we weren’t in a place filled with people and noise. My stomach pressed against his, our child cradled right there between us.

“Before anyone else,” he whispered so only I could hear.

“Always,” I whispered back.

His smile was brilliant and charming when he pulled back. “Now don’t be mad,” he said, gently picking me up and cradling me against him.

“You’re gonna hurt yourself!” I insisted.

He rolled his eyes. “Please, woman, have you seen my guns? Huge.” As he walked and carried me, he flexed his biceps.

I laughed. As we neared the display, everyone stopped and watched us. The sounds of cameras going off filled the air, and people murmured about what a beautiful couple we made.

“What was it you were saying about not being mad?” I asked.

He glanced down. “I had to make a call, Smalls. That call involved some spending.”

I groaned. “Romeo, what did you buy?”

“Nothing you don’t need.”

I groaned again.

“That’s my baby in there, baby,” he said. “You can’t really think I wouldn’t spoil you both.”

He stopped in front of the white curtain. People gathered around. Valerie and Tony appeared beside us, and Romeo finally stood me on my feet.

The rest of our family joined us, and then Braeden hit a button on a remote in his hand.

The curtain dropped.

I gasped.

It was everything I’d ever even thought about buying for this baby. Some of the stuff I saw had been purely daydreaming.

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