Page 61 of Cherished Union
My throat closes at her words.
“Addie,” I say hoarsely. “You’ve got to know, my dove, that I fucking love you too. Now come over here.”
Her knees buckle but she stays standing. “You do?”
“Christ, am I such an ass?”
She shakes her head. “No, but I love you.”
Never have I ever felt such bliss as hearing her say those words to me. “Here,” I instruct.
She once again denies me by shaking her head. Instead, she presses the teddy bear.
Swoosh-swoosh. Swoosh-swoosh.
The noise fills the air, and I stand stock still.
Swoosh-swoosh. Swoosh-swoosh.
“Is that what I think it is?” I ask, goosebumps breaking out over my body.
She grins. “Yes,” she whispers, her tears falling thick and fast.
“Say it,” I growl. I need her to say the fucking words.
“I’m pregnant, Hayden. I’m having your baby.”
Christ, I’m going to be a dad. Fuck. I’ve never felt prouder in my life.
“Hay?” she whispers, her tears still falling, but she’s standing, staring at me in shock.
I close the distance between us and pull her into my arms. “Dove, fuck,” I growl.
She shudders against me, sobs wracking through her body. “I didn’t mean to—"
“I did,” I say with a grin. “Been fucking you without a condom since day one, Dove. I’ve wanted to knock you up.”
She looks up at me, the tears hanging from her lashes. “You did?”
“Fuck yes I did.”
She shakes her head in disbelief. “We’re eleven weeks, Hay.”
My arms convulse around her as I realize she was pregnant when the explosion hit. Fuck, I could have lost them both.
“If we have a girl, we’ll call her Vivi, and if it’s a boy—"
“We’ll call him Killian,” she says instantly.
Fuck, this woman couldn’t get any better.
“I’m so relieved you’re happy. I was worried—"
I cut her off. “I get that, Dove, but trust me, I couldn’t get any fucking happier.”
She grins at me. “Good,” she whispers huskily, her body pressing against mine. “I think we should celebrate.”
I do not need to be told twice. I lift her into my arms, loving the squeal she releases and the giggle as I carry her to our bedroom. I place her on the bed, and she begins to strip, her movements hurried. Seems I’m not the only one who can’t wait.
