Page 75 of Zone Protection

“I’ll do my best.” I feel a little heat spring to my cheeks when I smile at him.

I do want to take care of Archie, like he takes care of me. And these last few days apart have made me realize just how deep my feelings have gotten for him.

Liam walks over to the elevator as we walk down the hall. Aiden pulls out a card from his pocket and unlocks the door. I can hear people on the other side talking. Loudly.

Once we’re inside, the volume hits me like a wave. Laughter, voices, movement—it’s a lot.

“We’re back!” Aiden calls out.

A shorter-than-me blonde woman comes barreling toward me. “Emma! Oh my word, aren’t you pretty? Archie, those pictures you sent me did not do her justice. I’m Alicia, and I couldn’t be more excited to meet you.”

She wraps me in her arms, so I let go of Archie’s hand to return her embrace.

“Hi, Mrs. Griffith. I’m happy to meet y’all too.” I turn back and look at Archie, who has the biggest smile on his face.

“No, no. Call me Alicia. Mrs. Griffith is my mother-in-law, but even she won’t let you call her that. Come meet the rest of my boys since you’ve already met Aiden.”

A tall, middle-aged man with brownish hair stands from the couch. “Emma, it’s so nice to meet you. I’m Archie’s dad, Shane.” He leans in to hug me.

I’m not used to all the hugging. My family isn’t all that touchy-feely.

“Nice to meet you, Shane.”

“These are the twins, Ace and Aston.”

They both stand and take turns hugging me.

“And this is Austin, and Jesse is the baby of the bunch.”

“Mama, I’m not a baby.” Jesse shakes his head as he leans in to hug me. “Nice to meet you, Emma.”

“Nice to meet all of you.” I feel and see Archie’s tattooed arms come around my waist, and he kisses the back of my head.

“All right, now you can all settle down. Let’s give her a minute to breathe.” He places a kiss just under my ear.

I catch his mom’s eye, and she has her hands together, covering her mouth, but drops them when I smile at her.

“Emma, would you mind if I felt your stomach?”

The question stuns me a little. It’s really just been me and Archie, and the realization that there are other people excited about the baby hits me full force.

“Oh, of course!”

Archie’s arms drop, but he steps to my side when his mom comes up to me.

She places her hands on either side of my stomach. It surprises me how tender it feels. How real. Her hands are gentle.

Her voice cracks. “This is just a miracle. Hi, baby. I’m your Mimi, and I’m going to love you so hard. I already have your room ready at the ranch. We’re gonna have so much fun together.”

I look up at Archie, and he has a soft smile on his face when he looks at me. I feel tears starting to form so I bite down on my bottom lip to try to keep from full-out crying in front of his family.

“Okay, sweetheart, let’s let the girl go.” Shane comes up behind her and places his hands on her shoulders. “She gets emotional about the grandbaby thing,” Shane says with a wink.

She stands and wraps an arm around his waist. “Shane, that’s our grandbaby in there. Can you believe it?” She swipes at a tear running down her face.

I’m overstimulated, but oddly … comforted.

Archie steps closer. His eyes hold mine. It’s almost too much—this wave of love that feels so different from what I grew up with.

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