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.

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