Page 82 of Bite Your Tongue

“This one is actually for you,” I answer shyly.

Reluctantly, he takes it from my hand.

“Just so you know, if it’s another role-playing outfit, we’ll have to be late going to your brother’s today because I want your ass in it right now.” He chuckles, pulling the tissue paper from the top.

When he reaches inside, right away, I can see when he realizes what he’s holding in his hand.

Thick, raw emotion covers his face like a blanket when he holds the tiny onesie up. On it readsLittlest Bay Sharkwith the team logo.

“Does this mean …” he rasps, tears filling his eyes.

Nodding my head slowly, I don’t even try to fight my own emotion, but instead, I let it out because this moment deserves to be celebrated in its true, raw form.

“Yeah, baby,” my voice croaks. “We’re having a baby.”

Sitting forward, he pulls me in for a hug and drags both of us down so that we’re lying on the chaise lounge. His face is buried in my shoulder, and his shoulders shake gently against my own. A lot of men may hide their feelings, but not Ryder. He’s sensitive. He didn’t wipe away his tears on the day he proposed, and he didn’t on the day we got married either. So, seeing him cry tears of happiness from finding out he’s going to be a dad?

So incredibly rewarding.

“I can’t promise I’ll be any good at it—this whole parent thing,” he says, pausing. “But I swear to you, Saylor, I’ll protect you and this baby at all costs.”

“I know,” I whisper, bringing my lips to his and kissing him. “We’re going to be parents, Ry. I can’t believe it.”

For a while, I just lie in his arms. He keeps me close against him, and outside the large picture window, snow comes down heavily. It’s almost as if the snow brings me good luck in life because some of my greatest moments and biggest triumphs were during a storm.

I spent most of my life feeling like I wasn’t good enough while also feeling like I was too much and annoyed most people around me. I feared that nobody would ever love me the way I dreamed about, and I guess in a way, I accepted that. And thenRyder came along. And that man has loved the hell out of me every day since.

I don’t know what good karma I have that brought him to me, but I’m thankful as hell for it.

I kiss his jawline repeatedly before kissing his lips again. “I can’t wait to go to my brother’s and tell him and Gemma.”

His head bends so that he’s looking right at me, a shocked expression on his face.

“Gemma doesn’t know?” he says, completely shook.

“No,” I say, lifting an eyebrow. “You and me, baby—we’re the only ones who know.”

He stares at me, not believing what he’s hearing.

“You told me first?” he utters, almost like he’s thinking out loud as a huge grin spreads across his face. “You told me first,” he repeats.

I smile, nodding. “Yeah, babe, I did.” I kiss him once more. “But I have to be real. Now that we’ve had our moment … it’s time to go tell my parents, brothers, and Gem.”

This year, my parents decided to travel the few hours to Smith’s and have Christmas there, and Ryder’s parents are coming in for New Year’s to celebrate Christmas late, just like we did last year with them. Suddenly, I almost feel guilty for keeping it from them for a whole week. I mean, for fuck’s sake, I’m pretty sure the first time I met them as his official girlfriend, his mom asked me how many kids I wanted to have. The woman is the sweetest, but, Lord, she’s crazed when it comes to grandchildren.

Sliding out of his hold, I stand up. “We need to FaceTime your parents from my brother’s house. It’s not fair for my family to find out while your parents aren’t coming in till next week.”

His eyes widen as he thinks about what I just said. “Oh shit, you’re right. Once word gets out, if my mom heard it fromsomeone else, she’d probably kick my ass.” He frowns. “Don’t be surprised if they mention moving to Maine though.”

“I’m counting on it,” I coo sweetly once he stands up and skates his hands around my waist. “The more grandparents, the merrier, right?”

“Yeah, well”—he cringes—“this is her first grandkid. I fear she might be a bit …”

“Overbearing?” I guess, lifting a brow.

“Yeah, pretty much,” he utters. “She means well. She really does. But goddamn.”

I press a kiss to his cheek. I know his mom can be a lot sometimes, but she really does mean well, and in my heart, I know she’s going to be the best grandmother and will be incredibly helpful when we bring a baby home without knowing a damn thing about kids.

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