Page 93 of Theirs to Take

“Not at all,” Ruby said. “I’m just glad that it all worked out and that they are both safe. Talk soon.” He ended the call and turned to find Millie standing in the doorway.

“How much did you hear?” he asked.

“Most of it.” She shrugged and smiled at him. “I guess we’re all guilty for eavesdropping,” she teased. “But I’m thankful for what Ruby did too. I was angry with her, but if you didn’t comehere, things could have ended very badly for us both,” she said, rubbing her belly through her t-shirt.

“Why are you out of bed?” he asked.

“Because I had to pee, and I’d rather not wear a diaper. I’m hoping that we can agree to me using the bathroom because if not, things will get very messy. Besides, the doctor said that I can shower and move to the couch when I get tired of laying in bed. I’m following the doctor’s orders. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt my baby.”

“Our baby,” he corrected.

“Our baby,” she agreed. “That’s going to take me some getting used to, sorry.”

“Me too, but we’ll figure it out,” he assured.

“I’d like to take a shower and I’m starving again,” she said.

He chuckled, “Okay, I’ll make us something to eat, and you take a shower. Anything I should avoid? I know that Ruby has a long list of things that she won’t eat since getting pregnant.”

“Nope,” Millie said. “I really have nothing that I won’t eat right now, unfortunately. I’m always hungry.” She looked down at her belly and back up at him, making a face.

“Well, if I get a vote, I like your new body. I mean, being pregnant suits you, Millie.” She turned the cutest shade of pink and nodded, turning to go back to her room.

“I won’t be long,” she shouted back. “I’d love some scrambled eggs and toast with lots of butter.”

“Got it,” he said.

Millie

Millie woke before the sun was up the next morning. She was excited about seeing the baby today. Although, she wasn’t sure how she felt about having Ranger with her when it happened. It was going to take some time to get used to him being around. Keeping her secret was easier than sharing her pregnancy with him. She wasn’t sure how any of this was going to work between then, but they only had three months to figure it all out. Then, their little person would be there, and they needed to have their shit together. Their baby deserved at least that much from the two of them.

Going back home with Ranger was the right thing to do. She was going to need help and there was no reason for her to hide away now that he knew about the baby. Plus, it would be nice to see her friends again and share her news—especially with Ruby. Millie had to be careful about everything that she said to her friend over the past few months, but now, she’d be able to ask Ruby a gazillion questions about being pregnant. Plus, they could have playdates and talk about everything baby, once their little ones were born. She was actually excited about going home.What she wasn’t excited about was having to live with Ranger. She was sure that decision was a mistake, but what choice did she have? She couldn’t impose on Ruby with her baby coming in just two months. She’d really need to be settled in the next few months and living in someone’s spare room wasn’t her idea of home. Millie would give herself some time, but as soon as it was safe for her and the baby, she’d find an apartment nearby Ranger so that he could help out with the baby.

“You’re up early,” Ranger said when she walked into the kitchen to get a glass of water.

“Yeah, I guess I’m excited about the sonogram today. I can’t wait to see him or her,” she admitted, rubbing her belly. “Do you think that they’ll be able to tell us what we’re having?” she asked.

“Do you want to know?” Ranger asked.

“I think that I’d like to know,” she said. “I’ve picked up a few things for the baby, as money has allowed,” she said nodding to the few items that she had been able to get second-hand. “I would like to buy some gender-specific clothing and decorate the nursery when I can find my own apartment.”

“Your own apartment?” he asked. “I thought that you said that you’d stay with me.”

“Your spare room isn’t a home for our baby. I mean, I’m sure that you’ll want a room for him or her, but our child should have a place in both of our homes.”

“When did we decide on two separate homes, Millie?” Ranger growled.

“Well, I certainly don’t remember agreeing to one home for the three of us, Ranger,” she said. “I mean, you only just started talking to me again after six months of ignoring me.”

“And I said that I was sorry about that. I acted like an ass,” he countered.

“You did, but your apology doesn’t mean that we’re living together now,” she said. “I mean, I’m still trying to get used to you knowing about my baby.”

“Our baby,” he shouted. Ranger sighed and took a step back from her. “Listen, this isn’t good for your blood pressure. Let’s just have breakfast and I need coffee. Then, maybe we can sit down and figure some of this mess out. There has to be a compromise in all of this, somewhere.” She wasn’t sure if they would find a compromise any time soon. She hated feeling so unsure of not only herself but of Ranger too.

“I just want to see the baby and make sure that everything is all right with my pregnancy,” she admitted. “After that, we can sit down and come up with some ground rules. I appreciate you letting me live with you, but I won’t cramp your style. I don’t want to be a burden. I hope that we can be friends, Ranger,” she said, “for our baby’s sake.”

He paced the floor in front of her, something that he did a lot, and ran his fingers through his already unruly hair. “What if I wanted to be more than friends, Millie?” he asked.

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