Page 3 of Family Like This

“There’s nothing fragile about understanding how to handle your mental health.” Her brow furrows for a second. “Wait, where do you work? Or are you going to work? I can’t believe we never talked about that.”

A sly grin creeps onto my face at her words. “We were a little busy.”

She chuckles and I see a bit of that fire inside her again. “Yeah, we were. So… where are you going to be working?”

“Oh, it’s a newer place, JWAC and Associates Business Consulting and Services.”

Her eyes widen and her mouth drops. “Shit. That’s—that’s where I work.”

“Seriously? How did I not know that? I interned there all summer.”

“I didn’t start until the fall. I guess we still have a lot to learn about each other.”

“Yeah, we do.”

“Oh,” she says, quickly rising from the couch and walking into her bedroom. She returns and sits back down, then shoves something into my hand. Looking down, I realize they’re ultrasound pictures.

“Oh, shit. You had an ultrasound already? How far along are you?”

“I had the ultrasound because of my uterine pain. That’s how they figured out my IUD was out of place. A minute into it, the tech called my doctor in, then they had a whisper conversation and showed me the screen.” She sorts through the photos, pulling one out. “I’m about six weeks. My due date is December eighteenth.” I glance up at her for half a second, then my eyes drop back to the ultrasound photo in my hand. It looks like a peanut or grain of rice. Impossibly tiny, but that’s our baby. Amelia slides her pointer on to the picture. “See that blurry spot above it?” I nod. “That’s the flicker of the heartbeat.”

Tears fill my eyes, and I don’t bother trying to hold them back. Of the guys, I’m the least emotional, but I don’t overtly try to hide my emotions most of the time—minus my anxiety or when I need to be strong for someone else. But this? I’m overwhelmed.

Again, I rest my hand on her stomach. “This is beautiful.” I set the photo down, then pinch the bridge of my nose, sniffing back my tears. When I look back at Amelia again, she looks surprised. “What is it?” I ask.

“You,” she breathes. “I thought you were going to be angry or upset or… blame me. I didn’t expect you to be so easily on board or so… happy.”

“Your expectation that I’m going to have a bad reaction to things or won’t treat you right stops now. I’m not that guy. I swear to God, Amelia, from this moment on, I live for the two of you. Do you understand what I’m saying right now? It’s not just because it’s my responsibility, it’s because I want this. Am I terrified? Damn straight. But I’m not afraid of responsibility or stepping up, so let me be clear. If you need me, I’ll be here. No questions asked. I want this baby, like I want you. I know there’s a shit ton to figure out, and we will. I’m great at making lists and solving problems.”

She lets out a shaky breath. “Thank you. I’m really scared—and I’m not used to feeling that way. You’re making this much easier on me.”

“That’s my job.” I give her a little smile. “How’s your stomach? Morning sickness? I know that’s a shitty term for it since it can happen all day.”

Her eyebrows shoot up. “How do you know that?”

“My little sisters are almost seven years younger than me. I remember my mother’s pregnancy with them. I also remember her stopping in the middle of eating and muttering how morning sickness was the most ridiculous name since it lasts all day.”

She laughs a little at that. “I’m just starting to get a taste. I’m queasy, but hungry.”

“Good. I’m going to get you some soup, then we can relax.” I stop and look at her hesitantly. “If you’re okay with me staying.”

She looks at me seriously and takes my hand. “I’d love that. Miles, I…” She blows out a breath. “I’m not ready to think about us getting into a relationship because it’s too much right now. I have to figure out how to be a mom—hell, how to deal with being pregnant—and anything more than that is more than I can handle. But that doesn’t mean I want anyone else. Or that I want you to be with anyone else,” she mutters, looking down.

“Ames, look at me.” I rest my hand on her cheek as I look at her.

She meets my gaze, words tumbling out of those perfect, sexy lips. “I’m sorry. I know it’s not fair, but—”

“I have no desire to be with anyone else. I meant it when I said I’m at your beck and call. We may not be in a relationship, but I’m committed to you and our child.”

She nods, then clears her throat. “Does that mean you’re on board with continuing our prior arrangement?” Her cheeks are flushed as she says it. Unlike her, but sexy in a different way.

“Hormones got you feeling a little wild?” I ask, trying to hold back a smirk.

“Maybe. Either way, I have needs. You’re the one I’d like to fulfill them.”

“Oh, so businesslike.”

“Do we have an agreement?”

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