Page 14 of Theirs to Have

“Because little one, we’re waiting for you to stop being so stubborn and move in with us.” Mercy gasped at Cash’s offer. God, she wanted to take him up on it. For one, being under the same roof with the two of them would be a dream come true and an answer to her current homeless situation. But, she knew that sooner or later, she’d end up in bed with the two of them again and that wouldn’t end well for her and the baby. She knew the score, neither of them wanted to share her. It was asking the universe too much to give her both men—together. But that didn’t stop her from hoping.

“I don’t know guys. The three of us living together is a bad idea. You made it very clear that you don’t want to share a woman, and I haven’t changed my mind. I want you both or neither of you. You didn’t sign up for this.” She pointed to her belly. “We agreed to one night, no strings attached, and I won’t hold either of you to some old-fashioned notion that you have to do right by me or this baby.” Cash’s hand immediately reached for her belly, gently rubbing her.

“What if we changed our minds, little one?” Cash sighed, “Callan and I have come to an understanding. You see, we let you walk away seven months ago. Hell, we were both awake when you left but we were cowards and let you go. We both agree that it wasn’t what we wanted, we still don’t want to let you go, either of you.” Cash palmed her belly, and the baby kicked his big hand. Watching his face light up was sheer joy and Mercy couldn’t help her smile.

“Was that?” The baby kicked his hand again as if answering for her. Mercy nodded, and Cash laughed. He slid his hand over her belly, making room for Callan to feel the baby move.

“He’s going to be a football linebacker,” Cash boasted.

“Or a soccer player,” Callan chimed in.

“Or—she will be a ballerina,” Mercy offered, smiling at the two of them. Their reaction to the baby was magical and for just one moment, she let herself hope again.

“Are we going to find out the sex of the baby?” Callan asked. Mercy shrugged. She denied that there even was a baby for almost six months. Finding out the sex would have meant that she would have had to admit that she was pregnant and that wasn’t something she was willing to do. Emily had offered to do a sonogram, but Mercy wasn’t sure that she wanted to know. She always liked surprises, especially good ones. Besides, it wasn’t like she had any way of going shopping for the baby, not without a job. She was worried that she might not find another job until after the baby was born. Not many hospitals wanted to hire a nurse who couldn’t be on her feet, helping patients for eight to twelve-hour shifts. Once the baby came, she could apply to hospitals within a five-hour radius of her grandmother. That way she could be within a day’s drive if her gram needed her to come home.

“I’m not sure that I want to know. I think I’d like to be surprised.” Both men nodded, and she felt some relief that they wouldn’t push her to find out the baby’s sex.

“Mercy say you’ll come and live with us. We just want to take care of the two of you. Give Cash and me a chance to prove that we can get along, to make this relationship work.” Callan looked so hopeful. Mercy knew what her answer should have been, but she couldn’t help herself, she said yes. She wanted to be with them and even though it felt wrong, she wanted their help. It would be nice to lean on someone else and let them help take care of her. She wouldn’t trade one moment of taking care of her grandmother, but she had to admit that having someone care for her was going to be a treat.

“Yes,” Cash whispered. “You mean it little one?” Mercy shyly nodded.

“I do have one condition,” she said. “I want my own bedroom. I’ll move in with the two of you, but I won’t jump into your bed. Just because I’m pregnant, doesn’t mean that we need to make any more bad decisions.” Mercy watched as Cash shot Callan a disgruntled look. She braced herself, ready for an argument but they gave her none.

“Fine, you can have your own room—for now.” Mercy shivered at the promise in Cash’s voice. Her head was on board the no-guy train but her traitorous body didn’t get the memo that she needed to keep her hormones in check.

Mercy tried to squirm out of their laps suddenly feeling very uncomfortable. As she stood, she doubled over with the worst pain she had ever felt in her belly. She was sure that it was a contraction but this time the pain seemed to take forever to ease. Both guys stood and Cash wrapped his arms around her.

“What’s wrong, Mercy?” Callan barked. She couldn’t talk past the contraction, trying to use some of the Lamaze breathing she had learned. When the pain started to subside, she realized that she had been crying.

“I think I might be in labor, guys. I need to call Emily and get checked.” Before she could even finish her statement, Cash had Jackson on the phone and barked orders that Emily would need to meet them at his house. Cash handed his cell to Callan and lifted Mercy into his arms as if she weighed nothing.

“We’ll figure this out, little one. Emily is going to meet us at the house.” Cash crooned, and a part of Mercy foolishly felt better. She protectively held her belly and silently prayed that her baby would be okay. She had denied her baby’s existence for so long that she worried the universe was about to pay her back.

Callan

Callan held Mercy’s hand while Emily checked to make sure that she wasn’t in labor. Mercy having an OB doctor as a best friend was convenient. Emily came right to Cash’s house and checked Mercy over.

“She’s going to be fine,” Emily exclaimed. She seemed almost as relieved as the three of them were. “She just had gas,” Emily proudly shared, giggling.

“Seriously, Em. That’s oversharing and just plain mean.” The guys laughed at Mercy’s expense. Callan loved the way she turned pink from being embarrassed and the whole scene felt so domestic.

“Well, I’m just glad that you are all right, Mercy. Cash scared the bejesus out of me, calling to tell me to meet you here. Although, you did the right thing, Cash.” Emily touched Cash’s arm as if trying to reassure him. “If you think that anything is wrong with Mercy or the baby, I want to be the first to know. Not only am I her doctor but I’m also her best friend.” Mercy and Emily both looked like they were about to start with the waterworks and Callan groaned. He was pretty sure that he would never get used to pregnant women crying all the time.

“How about we let you get settled little one? Callan and I will grab the rest of your things from your car.” Mercy looked confused but Emily sat down on her bed and filled her in.

“While I was checking you and my little niece or nephew out,” Emily said, rubbing Mercy’s belly, “Jackson and Travis ran to the bar to get your car and bring it over. They texted that they dropped it off and were headed home. They didn’t want to come in and watch me check you.” Emily made a face, and they all laughed. Callan bent to gently kiss Mercy’s forehead and left the room. From the sounds of Mercy’s gasp and Emily’s giggle, Cash went for a full-on kiss.

They brought the rest of her things into the house and Callan realized that he was tired and hungry after the night’s events. He headed into the kitchen to make them all sandwiches and grabbed a couple of beers from the fridge.

“I texted Mary to let her know what happened with Mercy and she was worried that she was the cause of Mercy’s contractions. I assured her that our girl is fine, but she still regrets coming up with the plan to force Mercy to leave.” Callan smiled at how crafty Mary was. If it wasn’t for her, Mercy wouldn’t be here with them now. He’d forever be grateful that Mercy’s grandmother helped to push them all together.

“All that matters now is that she is here and that our baby is safe. She scared the shit out of me, man.” Cash nodded. Callan made him a ham sandwich and passed it over the counter to him. “The thought of losing either of them, man—” Callan let his words trail off not wanting to finish his sentence. Mercy was starting to become more to him than he cared to admit. He and Cash agreed that they would give this relationship with her an honest try. But Callan was coming to realize that he didn’t have to try too hard to have feelings for Mercy.

“I know, man,” Cash whispered. He took a bite of his sandwich and Emily appeared in the doorway to the kitchen.

“Hey guys, Mercy is sleeping. I gave her a little something to help ease the gas pains and she should be feeling better by morning.” Emily stretched and yawned. “I’m going to head home. If she needs me, call. Mercy likes to play the hero and won’t easily tell anyone that something is wrong. Just watch for any signs of contractions but I think that she’s in the clear.” Cash nodded, pulling Emily in for a quick hug. Callan offered to walk her out to her car and waved her off.

“I’m going to check on our girl and then head to bed. Are you going to get some sleep or head back to the bar?” Callan liked that their relationship could offer both Mercy and the baby stability since she would have two of them caring for them both.

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