Page 87 of The Sweetest Chirp

He smiles against my cheek, kissing it once then twice. “Arwen is loaded in the car. How about we stop at Starbucks on the way, and I get you a tea to help settle your belly?”

I turn my head so that our lips practically meet. “I love you.”

He kisses my nose. “I love you.” He kisses my lips this time before he says, “Ready? I want to beat my parents to the rink.”

I nod and then take his waiting hand as he leads me out to the car. We have the IceCats’ family winter skate tonight, and everyone will be there. I’m nervous but also very excited for Arwen’s first family skate. When I get in the car, Arwen calls out for me. I look back, and she signs,Are you feeling better?

I nod.Yes, love. Thank you.

We haven’t told her she’s going to be a big sister. We’re waiting to tell everyone on Christmas. I’m a little over eight weeks—because of course I got pregnant our first time together.

Again.

Apparently my eggs really love Thatcher’s sperm. He’s pretty damn proud of himself, and if I’m honest, I am too.

God, I love him.

After getting my tea, we head to the rink to find the parking lot filling up quickly. We park, and I’m getting Arwen out when my mom appears beside me. She looks at me, raises a brow, and then leans in. “You look green.”

“Thank you, Mother. Just what all girls want to hear.”

She doesn’t laugh at that, nor does she grab Arwen. She just stares and I let her. I’m not confirming or denying anything, but I think she knows.

But that’s how moms are. Super intuitive.

Once I have Arwen on her feet, she takes my mom’s and my hands, and then Thatcher takes mine. We enter the arena and make our way to the rink. Skates are bundled in family groups since we had to turn in our sizes earlier in the week. The rink is decorated with red and silver decorations. The big IceCat the guys skate onto the ice under at the beginning of their games is in the middle of the rink, and a lot of the players’ kids and even some adults are skating through it. Christmas lights are strung up, and it’s so damn magical I want to cry.

Stupid hormones.

I blink back my tears and follow Thatcher to the side, where he carries not only his skates but Arwen’s and mine too. He has her take a seat and signs for her to sit still. Then he takes my ankle and pulls off my boots. He kisses my ankle, making Arwen laugh and me swoon, before he makes quick work of getting my skates on before he does Arwen’s. The whole time, I’m taking pictures and loving how excited he is to take Arwen skating. He already has, but not at a team party. Here, he can show her off. Show off his family.

Soon, we’re on the ice with him and our family. Ingrid skates like the figure skater she was and I try to keep up, but it’s hard when my man won’t let go of my hand. Every time I try, he gives me a dark look.

“No skating by yourself.”

“Thatcher,” I try, but he shakes his head.

“It’s dangerous. Please,dushen’ka, stay by me, ease my worries.”

I mean, hell, he’s laying it on thick. I relent, leaning into him and kissing his cheek. “Fine.”

He flashes me a triumphant grin as we continue to follow Arwen around. She skates pretty damn well, not that I’m surprised. She comes from a family of hockey players, and when I’m not pregnant, I’m one hell of a skater myself. Everyone greets us, and it fills me with pride to see Thatcher so excited to introduce us to everyone.

“These two gorgeous girls are my family, Audrina and Arwen.”

He says it with love in his eyes, and I have to catch my breath. It’s so amazing to see everyone and how all their families are growing. The Moon family is the largest, and Amelia’s kids are everywhere. The Litman family seems to be in their own world, Kirby twirling his daughter Celeste, while Jaylin does the same with their other daughter Raine. I have no clue where the Merryweather kids are, but Nico holds Aviva close, skating behind her as he kisses her temple. Owen is acting much like Thatcher and not letting Angie skate. Instead, he’s bringing her snacks, and even while she scowls, I see the hearts in her eyes. When my gaze falls on Dart and his stunning wife, I grin. I wish them nothing but happiness, not that we’ll ever be able to be close friends. Too much history and I’d rather not have anything mess up what I have with Thatcher.

Not that I don’t think we’d prevail, but I’d prefer not to chance it.

Thatcher takes my hands, and I laugh when he starts to pull me around the rink the way he did when we were younger. We’d see who could pull the other the fastest. While he’s stronger, I’m quicker, and I only lost a few times.

Which, now that I think of it, doesn’t make much sense.

“Did you let me win?”

His eyes are wild, full of love as he nods. “Every time.”

I smack him, laughing loudly as he grins. “You ass!”

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