Page 290 of As The Shifter World Turns

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

“Fuck,” I grumbled. “No.”

I kissed him hard and climbed out of the shower, mad that the damn probe decided the meat was already done. If I had gotten a stupid chicken, we’d have a solid half hour to get wet and slippery together.

“I’ll hurry back,” I promised, throwing a towel around my waist.

“Don’t. We can get back to this after we eat your amazing dinner.”

If only it was amazing.

We sat down to a hen that was far too crispy on the outside, potatoes that were still a bit hard, and the “you can eat them raw” directions on the squash was revealed as a lie.

“I’m so sorry about dinner,” I said for at least the third time. “Let’s order Thai?” So much for my romantic overtures of baby making.

“We can.” He set his fork down. “I really appreciate you trying to create such a fancy meal for me.” He reached over and took my hand.” “It means a lot. I know that things between us haven’t been the greatest sometimes, but I love you. And I see everything you try to do for me… for us.”

“Did you notice what I served?” I asked, not wanting to spoil the surprise.

“I know and I still love it even if it’s best uneaten.”

I slowly took my hand from his and got up to where I stashed the gift and card and brought it to him.

“This went with dinner.” I handed it to him and took my seat. “It doesn’t mean—I’m not being pushy if after everything you… just open it.”

The entire romantic flair I’d planned for the evening might not be there, but I didn’t need to give up on trying to recapture it.

Daire opened the card and slid it out. It was the shape of a baby and said “On Baby’s First Birthday.” And I dated it for next year. No month or day, just the year.

“I’m confused.” He set it down.

“Open the box.” I instructed.

He pulled off the lid and his face bloomed into a smile that brightened the entire room. “You mean?” He held it up and then hugged it.

“I want to.”

“I… it’s not because… don’t feel like you have to.”

I shook my head.

“You really want this… for us to start our family?”

“More than anything.”

I got up from my seat and walked to him, holding my hand out for his. “We could start now, if you want?”

In response, his stomach growled.

“Or I could feed you a proper meal andthenwe could try?” I chuckled.

Daire stood and wrapped his arms around me, the onesie still in his hand. “Or we could order dinner, you could bend me over the bed and fill me with your knot, and we could play a game. I think it would be lots of fun.” He nipped my bottom lip.

“What game is that?”

“It’s called ‘beat the delivery guy’. Wouldn’t want to have to answer the door still connected by your knot, would you?” He rubbed his nose against mine.

I couldn’t think of anything more painful than navigating our way to the door like that, but I took his statement with the humor he intended. “Fine we order, but how about we don’t make it ASAP, instead saying we want delivery in an hour?”

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