Page 72 of Cherished Union

ADELINA

Three months later

The past three months have flown by. After being grazed by Garrant’s bullet, I realized I hadn’t even seen half of how protective my husband could be. Being shot brought out a whole other side to him, one I’m not sure I’m able to deal with. Some days, I want to melt into a puddle at his protective nature, whereas other days, I'm ready to pull my hair out and scream at him.

It must be a Gallagher thing, as Annemarie says that Hayes is the same. And when I’ve spoken to Callie, she told me that Denis was the same when she was pregnant—although not to the extent of Hayden. She also told me that I should have expected it. A man like Hayden was only ever going to be crazy when I’m pregnant, especially seeing as how he was protective even before we were married.

When I woke up in the hospital, Hayden and Anna were at my bedside. It was with both of them holding my hands that my husband told me about my mother’s death. I was numb to begin with, but upon finding that out, ice chilled me to the bone.

Since my mother’s death, Dario and Nonna have moved into our old home. Something I thought was a disaster waiting to happen, but so far, so good. Dario’s happy to have someone cook for him and Nonna’s happy with the company. We’re all finally getting over what happened to us all and moving on.

“Are you ready?” Anna asks as she waddles toward me. She’s almost seven months pregnant and is absolutely glowing. She looks beautiful, and wherever she is, her husband isn’t far behind. I pray that when Hayden and I are together as long as they are, we’ll be still very much in love like they are.

“Yes,” I tell her. I’m giddy with excitement, and I can’t wait for everyone to get here. “What about you? There’s no way that Edwina’s going to keep quiet any longer.”

Over the past three months, any time we’re all together, Edwina will look from my bump to Annemarie’s. We can all see the restraint she has, the way the corner of her eyes narrow and her lips thin. She’s dying to ask the question but she’s afraid of upsetting Annemarie and Hayes. Of course, Liam, Hayden, and Jade aren’t any help. They keep telling Annemarie that she’s lost weight and how amazing she looks, all of which makes me want to bust a gut laughing each time they do it.

But today, Anna’s dressed in a beautiful peach maternity dress that shows off her growing bump perfectly, something that can’t be anything but a pregnancy bump. “Hayes made me promise I’d wear the dress. I told him that I didn’t want to spoil yours and Hayden’s day.”

I roll my eyes at her words. “You already know how much I love you, Anna. This isn’t just for me and Hayden, but for us all.”

“She’s right,” Jade says, walking up to us, a grin on her face and a glass of champagne in her hand. “Everyone is going to be happy that there’s two more Gallaghers arriving soon. It doesn’t matter whose day it is, babies are blessings and you both being pregnant is my biggest one. It keeps Ma and Granny Margret off my back.”

I smile at her. “I’m glad I can help,” I say dryly.

But she’s right, both Edwina and Margret have been wanting to know when another Gallagher is coming, with their gazes going to Jade and Rocco. Something I know neither of them are ready for, and I respect that. They’re taking the time to get to know one another. Unlike mine and Hayden’s relationship, Jade and Rocco are both very powerful and busy people. With both of them trying to find their footing in their relatively new jobs, they want to find themselves not only as people but also as spouses.

“Who’s coming to this party?” Hayes asks as he walks up behind his wife and wraps his arms around her stomach.

I shrug. “I have no idea. Your mom went a little crazy.”

“Oh, she went crazy alright,” Jade says, taking a sip of her champagne. “She’s invited everyone in the family. I’m not just talking about the cousins. I’m talking about everyone—including their spouses. It’s going to be crazy here today.”

I stare at my sister-in-law with a slack jaw. She can’t be serious.

“You mean Makenna, Dante, Finn, Destiny, Holly, and Romero, right?”

Her laughter sets dread in my stomach. “Oh, you only wish it were them. No. It’s those six, along with Makenna’s son, Seamus. Then there’s Denis and Callie, along with their five children. They’ll be collecting Danny, Melissa, and their three girls. Malcolm, Raylee, and their four kids will be coming too.” She shakes her head. “Not to mention Raylee, Holly, and Makenna are all pregnant again. It’s a wonder I’m even able to continue to keep up with the amount of children around.”

“Your mom will be happy. She’ll have all her nieces and nephews around, as well as her three grandchildren,” I say, feeling a little overwhelmed.

I adore Hayden’s family. I think they’re amazing, and the close-knit relationships they have are something to be cherished. Just as is the closeness I have with Anna and Jade. As much as I adore all his cousins, I can’t help but feel as though I don’t belong here.

The women in the family are known for their strength. Every single one of them brings something to the marriage, whereas I don’t. Hayden and I had to get married because it was our duty. Jade and Rocco had already had their union.

“Don’t,” Anna says softly, pulling me away from the others. “I see that look on your face,” she begins. “You are beloved by us, Addie. You may not be able to kill anyone the way that Makenna, Melissa, and Jade can, but you have fragility and a strength that everyone cherishes. Don’t compare yourself to the other women in this family. You shine bright alone. Remember that.” She presses a kiss against my cheek and moves away.

“She’s right, Dove,” Hayden says behind me, causing me to jump. I whirl around, my hand on my chest as I glare at him. “I didn’t mean to scare you. I thought you saw me. But Anna was right, you belong to this family, not because you’re my wife, but because of you.”

I shake my head as tears begin to form, and I step into his embrace. “You have to say that. I’m your wife.”

His eyes narrow in on me. “No, I don’t,” he snarls, and I know that he’s right. He wouldn’t say something just for the sake of saying it.

I press a chaste kiss to his lips. His hands tighten on my hips, and he pulls me against his body, my ever-growing bump between us. “Did you know that your mom’s gone crazy and invited the entire family?”

He shrugs. Something I learned about Hayden is that he doesn’t care much for social gatherings, and it doesn’t affect him who’s at them because he’ll do whatever the hell he wants. Whereas it’s ingrained in me to play hostess, especially as it’s in my own house.

“Relax, Dove, it’s going to be fine.”

---