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Jensen had picked up another ER shift, but he had checked with me several times before accepting the shift, not wanting to leave if I wanted him to stay. It took a lot of assurance, but he finally left. The guys were probably going stir-crazy stuck in the house with me.

I snuggled into Cullen’s side, subtly pressing my nose into his chest so I could get a hit of that bourbon and oak scent.

“How are you feeling?” Cullen asked softly, running his hands through my hair.

“Good. Just tired,” I admitted. “The nugget is sapping my energy.”

Cullen chuckled. “Little thief. You should try and get more rest, but I know that advice is going to fall on deaf ears.”

I looked up at him, cocking an eyebrow. “That’s rich coming from you, Mr. Workaholic.”

A warm, rich laugh emanated from his chest. “That’s fair, but you’re growing a human being.”

He had a point there…but I didn’t want to admit it.

“We need to tell Joey soon.” I sighed. “I want to get her involved before I pick out many decorations or furniture.”

“She’s going to love being a big sister. You know she’ll be begging you for more as soon as you give birth?”

Giggling, I shook my head. “She’ll have to make do with the nugget for now!”

We stayed curled up on the sofa for an hour, simply basking in each other’s presence. Even though we hadn’t outright said what we were, it was clear that they were more to me than just the pack who had gotten me pregnant.

“Hey…Cullen?” I looked up at him with big, round, pleading eyes.

A smile spread across his face. “What do you want?”.

I bit my lip. “Do we have some stinky cheese here?”

His eyebrow rose. “Stinky? That’s specific.”

I shrugged, squeezing him slightly. “I can’t explain it, but I’ve been thinking about stinky cheese all day, and even last week, I had a hankering for it, and I don’t know why. All I know is I really want some stinky cheese.”

“That sounds like a pregnancy craving.”

“Then it’s your fault!” I giggled.

“How so?”

“The nugget is the reason I’m getting these cravings. You are the one who potentially put said nugget inside me, so ergo, it is your fault!” I was giggling at my own absurd logic.

Cullen cocked his head to the side, his dark hair flopping over to the side as he did so. “Well, I’m not sure I can refute that logic, though the blame may also sit with Jensen or Gideon.”

“If the baby comes out with a briefcase or more energy than humanly possible, we’ll know who is to blame.”

A loud, rambunctious laugh echoed throughout the room. The mental image of a little baby holding a briefcase was oddly adorable.

“I don’t think we have anything here, but if you feel like going on an outing, there’s an Italian deli not far from Joey’s school. We can go get some, then pick up Joey.”

I sat up straighter, a smile tugging at my lips. “That sounds really nice,” I said. “We can even take Joey for an after-school treat.”

Cullen smirked. “Let me guess, you also want chicken nuggets, and you’re using our daughter as an excuse?”

My mouth dropped open in mock outrage as I lightly shoved him. “I despise that insinuation, Mr. Noble. Even though the assumption is correct, I merely thought that Joey couldalsobenefit from my rampant cravings.”

He shook his head, unable to contain his grin. “Get dressed. We have cheese, a child, and chicken nuggets to get.”

I hopped up, clapping my hands excitedly before scampering over to the stairs, shouting up toward Gideon’s office. “Cullen and I are going to go buy stinky cheese before we get Joey—you want to come?”