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“I’m pregnant, Neil,” she whispered. “I took three tests today. That’s why we were late. I had to be sure.”

The air punched out of my lungs.

Holy fuck. We were going to have a baby. At fifty-five years old, I would be a father. Something I never thought possible.

Hattie took my hand and pressed it to her stomach.

“I had hoped for this. For so long. When we got married again, I didn’t really think about it anymore. We were going to spend the rest of our lives together, and that was enough for me. But now…”

“It’s okay to be scared,” I replied.

She smiled softly.

“But I’m not. I’m ready for this. For a little boy, who looks just like you. Or a little girl who has you wrapped around her little finger.”

I managed a faint laugh.

“I wish I was as brave as you are.”

Worry flickered across her face. I realized how that sounded—like I wasn’t happy about the baby. I brushed my knuckles against her cheek.

“I just meant that you’ve always known you wanted to have a child. You wanted to be a mother. I…didn’t want to turn out like my old man. So, I figured it was safer to assume that being a father wasn’t in the cards for me.”

“You’re nothing like your dad, Neil,” Hattie whispered.

I wished I could believe that. But I still saw his face when I looked in the mirror—his gray eyes, the line of his nose, the set of his mouth. And his anger. Simmering just beneath the surface. My father had turned it against me, beating me black and blue. But I used my anger to defend my club, protecting my family.

I took Hattie’s arms and pulled them up around my neck, bringing her body flush against mine. She hugged me tight without a word, letting the news sink in.

“I’m going to need all the help I can get, chasing after our little rugrat,” I said. “I can’t imagine my knees will be in good shape by the time the kid is old enough to play catch in the yard.”

Hattie chuckled and broke away to look at me.

“You have plenty of men to back you up.”

Fuck, I loved her. More than words could ever say. My wife and soon to be the mother of my child.

“I hope you’re aware that I’m going to be a pain in the ass from here on out,” I said. “If you thought I was overprotective before, you’ll be smothered now.”

Hattie shrugged.

“Well, I would expect nothing less from my husband.”

Something primal curled around my heart at her words. I looped my arms around her, crushing her against my chest. Hattie smiled, kissing me, slow and deep and all-consuming.

My wife. Carrying our child. Just when I had resigned myself to losing her, she came back to me and made me the happiest man in the world.