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“I really do.”

And I did. I loved him. I loved that he wanted me beside him—not just in the quiet hours of the morning or as we fell asleep, but here, in the in-between moments of everyday life.

We stood there for a long moment, wrapped up in each other. This was it. This was what it meant to build a life together.

I wasn’t leaving anything behind. I was stepping into something new—something real. Something we were creating together.

And I couldn’t wait.

21

GARNER

I was determined to get the work done before Joss got up.

Not that I was an expert, but I’d done okay so far.

My mate’s slow breathing assured me he was still asleep. If he woke up before I’d completed my tasks, I’d have to rush and make his tea and toast, because since we’d discovered he was pregnant, that was my morning routine.

Joss was carrying the baby, so I had to do everything to make his job as easy as possible. I wasn’t exactly a morning person, but I forced myself to get up before my mate each morning of his pregnancy.

The soft padding of feet on the carpet and then the wooden floor alerted me to Joss having woken.

“Garner? Are you here?” His voice was underlaid with concern, and I had to hotfoot it into the living room.

“Oof.” There was a thunk and a clank, and I raced around the corner. Joss was standing, thank gods, but he’d run into the baby gate I’d installed.

“What’s this doing here?” He rolled his eyes. “We’re not expecting your brother, are we?”

“No.” Besides, a baby gate wouldn’t stop a fox.

“I’m baby-proofing the house.”

My mate cradled his tiny bump. “I’m only twenty weeks. It’s a little early.”

“I want to be prepared. If the baby comes early and I haven’t done it, we’ll have to stay in a hotel.”

My mate grinned. “Newborns can’t exactly run a mini marathon.” He squinted at my hips, and my mind immediately went to sex.

“What’s that around your waist?”

I jiggled my hips and turned around, giving him the 360 view. “My tool belt. Like it?”

Joss cupped his chin. “It’s very professional.”

I smacked my hip and puffed out my chest. Yes, my mate approved.

“Can you help me with this, please?” Joss fumbled with the baby gate. “It’s difficult to open.”

That was the idea, so the baby wouldn’t get into the kitchen.

“What do you think of my work so far?” I twirled around yet again. “I’ve installed drawer locks.” I yanked at a drawer to demonstrate. “And I’ve attached padding to the sharper corners.”

I took my mate’s hand. “Follow me.” Leading him into the bathroom, I pointed at the toilet. “Ta da!” He cocked a brow. “I zip-tied it. There’ll be no falling into the toilet.”

Joss folded his arms and crossed his legs. “What if I need to pee, as I do right now?”

“Oh. Right.”