Page 112 of Protector Daddy

“If it’s not, we can try again immediately.”

“We don’t have to rush into it.”

I grabbed his shirt to pull myself up off the side of the bathtub. He was so flustered he’d forgot to help me up, and he never forgot his manners.. “Fine, we can wait a week. Maybe two. Or can make it a Christmas bonus. But we both want this so unless you want to make sure you won’t get sick of me first—”

“Honey, I’m going to marry you. I won’t get sick of you.” He coughed. “If you say yes I mean. When I properly ask.”

“The man can learn.” I patted his cheek. “Don’t worry. I have it on good authority a yes is all but guaranteed. Now we gotta look.” I grabbed the first test and held it out to him, covering my eyes with my other hand. “You look.”

His hand shook as he took it from me. “Honey, look.”

I knew even before I opened my eyes. His husky tone told me everything I needed to know.

I rushed into his arms and he caught me, still clutching the stick as if it was his prized possession. And for this moment, it was for both of us.

“Guess we should set up that family get-together with my parents, huh,” I said shakily.

“Guess so. Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For giving me a family. For making sure I know you want me in yours.”

Grinning, I traced my fingertip over his smile. “Clarify which yours we’re talking about here. Because we could go the dirty way or…”

“Dirty always. But your family.”

“Our family. We started building it right away.”

He released a shuddering breath. “Yeah.”

“Oh, shit, I have something for you. Wait here.” I left him bewildered in the bathroom to run into the living room to snag my yarn project bag. I’d just finished my special surprise for him two nights ago.

Good timing.

I rushed back into the bathroom to see him holding all three sticks as if he didn’t believe it could be true. The dazed smile he wore made my heart squeeze so hard I was nearly dizzy.

In the very best way.

“Close your eyes,” I commanded.

He did as I asked, setting the tests in a paper cup.

“Okay, now open them.”

He stared at the baby onesie I held in bright green with the phrase Daddy’s Little Monster in blue embroidered across the front.

Instead of replying, he shut his eyes again, but not before I glimpsed the wash of tears in his steely blue eyes.

Which instantly made my own fill.

He reached out and grabbed my hand, crushing me to his chest and the onesie between us. “I love you,” he said thickly. “Am I saying that too much?”

“Absolutely not.” I covered his mouth with mine. “And ditto.”

“We have to tell Reagan.”

“Yeah.” I moved back and bit my lip. “We have to make it clear she still comes first. So she doesn’t feel left out.”

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