Page 118 of Samuel

“It’s wild to think she’ll be here so soon.”

“Yeah, it is. Our friends are right, you know? You’re going to do amazing.”

She didn’t respond, letting her eyes drift closed as Sam traced circles on her belly while Jellybean kicked at the changing pressure. His small chuckles at the baby playing with him lulled her off to sleep.

The next thing she knew, their phones buzzed again. Sam reached over to grab his.

“Everything okay?” she asked. “What time is it?”

“Shh, we fell asleep. It’s quarter after four.” He smiled down at her and turned the screen towards her face. There was a picture of Jackson sitting on a hospital bed with his arm around Grace. Tears were clearly streaming down both of their faces as they looked at the beautiful baby in Grace’s arms. Below the picture, another text message came in.

Jackson:Grayson Davis Boone

8 pounds, 10 oz. Born at 330 this morning. Everyone is healthy and happy!

Jackson:Oh, and Em, Grace says bring coffee andcinnamon buns as soon as visiting hours start. Everyone else is welcome to come say hi then, too.

“He’s so beautiful,” Evie rubbed her eyes.

“He really is.” Sam set his phone back on the nightstand and pressed a kiss to her temple as he pulled her back onto his chest. His hand slid down to her belly. “We’re next. I can’t wait to meet Jellybean.”

“We’re next,” she agreed. “I think I’m scared, Cowboy.”

Her admission had his arms tightening around her. “I am too, Bluebell.”

“I should have done the birthing class at the hospital.”

“It’s going to be okay. My mom told you about that course she saw online, didn’t she?”

“She mentioned it the other day.”

“Well, there you go. We’ll do that.”

“Are you sure?”

“If it makes you feel better, then of course I am. Now, go back to sleep. We’ve got another hour before I have to be up.”

“I think you mean beforewehave to get up.”

Sam sighed. “I thought maybe I’d convince you to stay in bed for a little while longer today.”

“No can do. I told my main man, Jasper, I’d be there for breakfast.”

“Main man, huh?”

He hand trailed down his chest and over his stomach until it rested on his ass, where she gave it a squeeze.

“I said what I said.”

“Well, I guess I’m just going to have to keep you up now and show you who the real apple of your eye should be.”

He nipped at the skin over her collarbone, heat pouring through her body like a tidal wave. As Sam worshiped eachcurve and dip of her ever expanding body, Evie’s worries fell away to the rush of pleasure.

Thirty-Three

“What are you thinking about over there, Cowboy?” Evie’s question pulled Sam’s eyes off the Christmas movie they were watching. Was it weird to be watching a holiday-themed show while it was nearly a hundred degrees outside and the middle of summer? Yeah. Would he tell that to Evie and risk her pregnancy wrath? No. No he would not.

Especially not when he had big plans for them that night. One that would hopefully end with a ring on her finger. “Are you okay?”

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