Page 42 of Bound by Love
Her mother seemed surprised. “Was he there for the birth?”
Brie nodded, smiling at the memory of his first dance with Hope. “He was up until I had to go to the operating room, Mom.”
“Isn’t that a little strange?” she asked.
“No, Mom. Rytsar was actually the reason Thane and I started planning for a family. It seemed only natural to have him there at the birth, especially after all he’s suffered to be here. We were lucky to have him with us.” She reached out to her mother. “But I really wanted you there, too. I can’t tell you how much.”
Her mother frowned. “I wanted to be here, Brianna. Your father can attest to how frantic I was when we couldn’t find a sooner flight.”
Her dad nodded. “It was a real shame she didn’t get the chance.”
Brie looked at Sir questioningly, wondering if it would be okay to tell her parents about their future plans. She smiled when he nodded.
“Mom, Dad…you’ll get your chance. We’re planning to have another baby so Hope can be a big sister.”
Her mother’s mouth dropped. “Another one?” she asked, her voice trembling with joy.
Brie nodded, smiling at her.
“Oh, Bill, isn’t that wonderful news?”
“Yes,” he agreed. “As you know, Brianna, I wasn’t thrilled to see you tie yourself down with a family so early in life. But the fact is, Marcy was right. We had you soon after we got married and have never regretted that decision. I am happy for you.”
Her mother told Thane, “I would give you a hug right now if I wasn’t holding your precious daughter.”
“Consider the hug received, Mom,” he said tenderly.
Her father looked at Brie with a glint in his eye. “That reminds me…” He patted his pockets, looking for something, then pulled out a small, wrapped gift. He handed it to Brie, saying, “It’s from the both of us.”
Brie looked at Sir excitedly, ripping at the paper. She burst into giggles when she held it up for Sir to see. It was a tiny headband with miniature mouse ears and a red polka dot bow. “That’s the cutest thing ever, Daddy!”
He smiled modestly. “I’m glad you like it, little girl.”
“I’m not so little anymore,” she laughed.
“You willalwaysbe my little girl.”
“Oh, yikes,” she muttered when her eyes started to water. “I don’t want to cry. I’ve been doing that all day today.”
“No need to hold back your emotions,” Sir reassured her.
She nodded, smiling at him before turning back to her father with tears running down her cheeks. “I want a hug.”
“Oh, little girl…” he croaked, close to tears himself as he took Brie in his arms. “I love you.”
The Sheik
Brie insisted that Sir get one last night of uninterrupted sleep before she came home with the baby, officially making a good night’s rest a thing of the past for them both.
He was reluctant at first, but then reasoned that he could better care for Hope on their first day home by giving Brie the rest she needed.
“You certainly won’t be getting uninterrupted sleep in the hospital,” he chuckled.
“I know! Which is all the more reason I want you to head home, Sir. At least one of us should have sweet dreams tonight.”
He raised an eyebrow. “That gives me an idea, babygirl.”
Sir left for a couple of hours, returning with her favorite take-out and an even more exciting treat—her fantasy journal.
