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I hadn’t said the words ‘I love you’ to him but hearing that he knows I reciprocate the feeling warms my chest. Relaxing back into my pillow I wiggle back against him getting comfortable. Before I can get too settled, I roll my head around to try to face him but with our bodies entwined as they are it doesn’t really work. At least not until he lifts on to one elbow and looks down at me.

Without hesitation he bends over and seals his lips to mine, instinctually knowing what I want. I guess when you’ve known someone as long as we’ve known each other, certain things don’t require words.

“Goodnight Bambi. Get some rest. In the morning I’ll make you breakfast again. Or a steak. Whatever you want.”

“Thank you.”

“Anytime.” He settles back down behind me and then whispers in my ear. “I love you…both.”

I may have one more cry before falling asleep with an ear-splitting grin on my face. Hearing Warren speak to me and our son so lovingly does irreversible things to my heart.

Chapter 22: Warren

Teasing Bambi is my favorite past time

This morning Bambi is craving pickles with a side of biscuits. At least it isn’t another outrageous combination. We both enjoy the biscuits, but I leave all the pickles for her. Maybe a better nickname for the baby is Pickle instead of Thumper.

It isn’t until we’re ready for the day and heading towards the door to go to the shop, already open below, that her sweet smile falls.

“What is it?”

I press a hand to her back and stand close looking down at her in her customary pair of overalls. She’s worrying a lip between her teeth and staring at the door like it might come to life and bite her at any moment.

“What are we going to tell Lauren when she sees us coming down from my apartment together?”

“The truth. I’m staying with you to care for you and keep an eye on you through your pregnancy. And that I’m sating your sexual needs as many times as you want. Every day if I must. Multiple times in fact.” I infuse my words with a playful flirtatiousness laced with a tinge of seduction.

I mean every word. If she wants to test me on that she’s more than welcome to.

Bambi smacks at my chest playfully and the smile that had fallen from her lips begins to grow again.

“We will tell her no such thing. The first part is fine, but you will not tell her about the sex stuff.”

Chuckling I pull her in as close as I can with her belly between us, pressing a kiss to her lips that has her softening against me. One person at a time I’ll make sure this entire town knows Bambi is mine and so is her baby. I won’t blurt it out to anyone immediately, but if the rumor mill starts churning, so be it.

“Don’t worry so much Bambi. What would be so bad about people knowing we’re together anyways?”

“We are? I don’t remember agreeing to this.”

She pulls back and looks up at me, a mix of confusion and hope swirling through her expression.

“Of course we are. You agreed to it the moment you first kissed me seven months ago. From that moment on I belonged to you.”

“Oh,” she breathes out, her face flushing and bright eyes glimmering with tears.

I know now they’re not sad tears, she just can’t control them. I still don’t like seeing them but knowing they’re happy tears mollifies the need inside me to soothe her hurt.

“Can we just…not say anything to anyone about it? Not that I’m ashamed or anything, I just don’t want people pushing their way into our lives.”

Pressing a kiss to her forehead I inhale her sweet scent and do as I always will, give in to her desires.

“If that’s what you want, I won’t say anything. But I can’t promise I won’t act like we’re not together. I’m going to want to touch you and be near you and I’ve denied myself too many years to not seize every opportunity I can.”

My hand cups her cheek and I run the pad of my thumb over her freckles and brush against the edges of her feathery eyelashes. She’s so naturally beautiful with her soft cheeks, slightly upturned nose, pink lips, and smattering of freckles. I hope our son has her freckles.

A flutter stutters in my heart, and I reach down to caress her stomach. It’s about as large as a volleyball but is still growing every day. She’ll be near bursting soon enough. There are only two more months until he’s here, until I’m a father, and I’m just realizing we are so not ready for that.

We can’t live on my boat, there’s not nearly enough room. Although I’m sure the swaying will help on sleepless nights we can’t grow and live there as a family of three. Bambi’s apartment is nice, there’s space for a nursery in her small second bedroom, but there’s no yard to play in. No neighbors or kids for our son to befriend and ride bikes with.