Page 20 of Theirs to Have

“So, what do you say we build a club, here?” Cash finally asked. For the first time in years, he was ready to move forward and embrace all that his future offered.

Mercy lookedtired from their day of shopping and Cash wanted to get her home and put her to bed. Callan seemed to be just as worried about her, protectively watching her every move. Cash wasn’t sure that a full day of shopping was such a great idea after the night that they put her through. But they got everything that they needed for the baby’s arrival and after they put Mercy to bed, they planned on setting up the nursery and putting the crib together. They had already painted the room a soft grey color when they remodeled the master bedroom. He was so happy that Mercy seemed to love the color, even picking out elephant-themed bedding for the baby’s crib. The nursery was turning out to be a happy room and one that he looked forward to spending lots of time in.

By the time they got home, Emily was sitting in their driveway, waiting for them. Cash cursed at himself for forgetting that she had agreed to stop by. Jackson got out of his truck and helped Emily out of the passenger side.

“Where have you three been? I’ve been worried sick.” Emily said, trying to help Mercy out of Cash’s truck. Callan lifted her down and helped Mercy into the house, Emily hot on her heels.

“Sorry, we were shopping for the baby and lost track of time,” Cash said. Jackson smiled at him and nodded.

“I get it, we just got done putting the nursery together for our little one. Em’s just on edge, with her pregnancy and Mercy’s.” Cash knew that Emily loved Mercy and the two were almost like sisters. “Regan’s new little guy has colic so Travis is out at thefarm helping out so that the guys can help with the new baby and keep Star happy.” Cash smiled at the thought of all his big, badass friends saddled down with kids. He honestly couldn’t wait to meet his baby; it was only a matter of weeks now.

“Let’s head in and make sure that your girl is all right,” Jack slapped Cash’s back and headed in to find Emily leaving the master bedroom, a look of panic on her face.

“What is it?” Cash started for the bedroom door and Emily stopped him.

“You two have run my poor friend ragged. She’s having some small contractions, and I need my things from the truck.” Jackson nodded and went back outside. “She needs total bed rest,” Emily continued. “If the contractions continue, she will be having this baby a little earlier than planned.”

Cash felt the same panic that he saw on Emily’s face, “Will she and the baby be all right?” Emily sighed and nodded. Cash released his pent-up breath. “Thank fuck,” he exclaimed.

“You and Callan are going to have to take care of her, she needs complete rest now until the baby comes. She hasn’t had an easy pregnancy. I’m worried that any more stress will send her into labor, and I’d like to see her get through at least one more week. If the baby did come now, he or she would probably be fine, just premature.” Emily took her bag from Jack and kissed his cheek.

“You two wait in the kitchen. I’ll send Callan out to join you. Mercy needs to rest and you two are going to have to get used to someone else calling the shots, for a few weeks.” Emily pointed at herself, and Jackson barked out his laugh.

“Welcome to my world, man.” He smiled at Cash and headed into the kitchen. “I need a beer, what do you have?” Jack started through Cash’s refrigerator and Callan joined them in the kitchen.

“Man, your woman is bossy.” Jack laughed again and handed them both a beer.

“Don’t I know it? She tops from the bottom every chance she gets, and poor Travis usually has two bosses in the bedroom now.” Cash thought about just how normal it felt for the three of them sitting around his kitchen, talking about their relationships as if threesomes were the norm. He never thought that he would be surrounded by such caring, understanding friends who not only accepted his lifestyle but also practiced it. He counted himself to be one lucky son-of-a-bitch.

Mercy

Mercy woke up surrounded by warm, hard bodies and was thankful that the guys had disregarded Emily’s direct order to sleep in the guest room. Her friend warned her that she needed total bed rest only getting up to use the bathroom and she planned on obeying that order to a tee. She wouldn’t chance her baby’s life and for the next three weeks, she planned on letting Cash and Callan take complete care of her.

She fell asleep early, after talking to her gram and trying to convince her that she and the baby were both fine and in good hands. Still, she had a feeling that her grandmother and Joe were going to cut their honeymoon short and head back to check on her.

She stirred and stretched, taking a minute to access any unwarranted pains but was happy that she felt none. Mercy had a few contractions throughout the night, but they finally stopped around dawn. She looked over to Cash noting how tired he and Callan both looked. They must have stayed up most of the night getting the nursery ready. She heard a few curses coming from the baby’s room and felt bad that she couldn’t help. Emily and Jackson had even stayed for a while. Jack had lent a hand inputting the furniture together and Emily washed and organized all the baby’s clothes and bedding. Mercy couldn’t wait to see the finished product, but she was afraid that the guys would put up a fight if she tried to step one toe out of bed.

“You can’t sleep, little one?” Cash peeked one eye open causing her to giggle.

“Nope, this little one won’t stop squirming around.” Cash put his hand on her belly to feel the baby kicking and moving inside of her.

“I guess this could get a little uncomfortable and even annoying when you are trying to sleep.” Mercy nodded, covering his hand with her own.

“Sure, but I wouldn’t trade this time with our baby for anything in the world. Right now, he or she is safe inside of me and I get this special time alone with the baby. When our little one makes his or her way into the world, I’ll have to share and that makes me a little sad.” Mercy felt silly saying those words out loud. She didn’t want Cash to think that she was selfish but there was no other way to describe how she felt.

“I get it, little one. Right now, you get the baby all to yourself. You two have a special bond and no one will ever be able to match that.” Mercy gave him a teary smile and he groaned. “I didn’t say that to make you cry.” He pulled her into his arms and cradled her against his chest.

“You didn’t make me cry, Cash. My pregnancy hormones are the culprit and brace yourself—I hear that the waterworks get worse after the baby comes. Regan hasn’t stopped crying in weeks.” Cash groaned again causing Mercy to giggle.

“You two are the worst whisperers that I’ve ever heard. You only have one volume and some of us could use a little more shut-eye,” Callan griped.

“Sorry,” Mercy whispered.

“Well, it’s too late to try being quiet now, I’m up. How about I run to the coffee shop and pick us up some breakfast.” Mercy enthusiastically nodded and Callan sighed and got out of bed. She couldn’t help her gasp when she realized that he was completely naked.

Callan smiled down at her, “Get used to it, honey. The only reason you have on clothes is that you fell asleep while Jack and Emily were still here.” He winked at her, pulled on his sweats, and grabbed his keys and wallet from his night side table.

“Keep an eye on our girl, Cash,” Callan said turning to leave. Mercy was about to yell for him to get her some bacon when Callan called back down the hall, “I’ll bring you back your bacon, Princess, don’t worry.” She giggled and cuddled into Cash’s body, realizing that he was also naked underneath the blankets. Mercy sighed—it was going to be a long two weeks if she had to spend her nights in bed with two sexy naked men who made her body ache to be touched.

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