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G abby yawned as she stretched and yanked the covers off. She needed to pee. Recalling her actions last night, she wanted to bury her head under the covers and hide from Marcus. Shame filled her. She asked for a booty call from the man she planned to divorce in mere days.

The arrangements to leave on Wednesday morning confirmed their commitment to the divorce. Then why did her heart feel heavy with dread at signing the papers and finalizing what she insisted she wanted?

Opening the bathroom door, she padded into the bedroom closet, pulling out the clothes she picked for Bryanna’s shower.

Returning to the bathroom, she turned the water on and climbed into the shower, allowing it to refresh her. She suffered no ill side effects from Wilkinson’s attempted drugging. Yet she hoped karma bit him in the ass.

A knock sounded on the door and it opened a crack. “Gabby? Kassie and the women asked if you might bring Bryanna to her shower. Saint plans to drop her off and we’ll go to Kassie’s house together. She thinks they plan to have lunch,” Marcus informed her.

“Sure. I’m surprised they asked. They said they planned everything for months.”

“Samantha volunteered to drive Bryanna, but Whiskey said she didn’t sleep well last night and he’s letting her rest to ensure she’s up for the activities today. It’s a couple’s lunch and they included me. I can make an excuse if you don’t want me to attend.”

Gabby halted. They were having a baby together and avoiding him only promised to make things worse. “No. It’s fine. I’ll get dressed and be ready to go.”

“Uh, huh. You need to eat. You can’t go without Tiger eating.”

“It’s a luncheon. Plus, I’m not hungry,” she informed him as she washed off.

“Are you sick?” he asked hesitantly.

She put her head against the shower wall. “No. Maybe I’ll have a little something. Let me dress first.”

He closed the door and left.

Gabby turned off the shower and dried off. Wrapping the towel around her enlarged boobs, she laughed as her belly stuck out of the towel, playing peek a boo.

“Tiger, your mama made a jackass out of herself and now she’s chicken and doesn’t want to face your father. What do you suggest I do?” She rubbed her stomach, smiling as the baby moved and a little foot-shaped print showed on her belly.

Excitement filled her as she reached for her robe. “Marcus!”

She heard him running down the hall. “What’s wrong?” He scanned the room for danger as he crossed the distance between them.

“Watch,” she demanded as she pulled the material away, showing him the tiny foot.

He knelt, smiling at the evidence of their love. “Hey Tiger. I’m your dad. Did you appear because mom decided she didn’t want to eat? Don’t worry, Dad’s on it. I’m making her breakfast as we speak. Now, be good and listen to your mom. She’s attending her friend’s shower today, and I’ll expect you to stay on your best behavior.”

Gabby giggled as the baby moved vigorously. “He or she must like your voice.”

“Does it hurt when it moves?” he asked as he stared at her stomach, stretching and moving.

“Nope. It feels funny yet reassuring. Tiger sometimes presses on my back and it gets uncomfortable. As long as the baby comes out healthy, I’ll endure it.”

“We’ve got a doctor’s appointment coming up. Maybe we can talk Mom into finding out your sex and we can name you properly,” he teased hopefully.

She smiled at his ploy. “I don’t want to know.”

“Why?”

“Because I want to have something to look forward to,” Gabby said as she closed the towel and walked toward her clothes. “I need to hurry if you’re working on breakfast.”

Marcus stood and left the room as she dressed, applied her makeup and touched up her hair.

When she entered the kitchen, she inhaled the scent of eggs and bacon.

“Sit,” he ordered as he set her plate on the bar and poured a glass of milk.

Marcus didn’t say anything as he shoveled the food into his mouth, rinsed his dishes and placed the items in the dishwasher.

“I didn’t know this shower included the men.” She tried to draw him into a conversation.

“I don’t think they plan to stay for the gift opening part. They enjoy having meals together. The men plan to take the kids to the facility for swimming and games. The ladies made a load of snacks for them.”

“Awww, how sweet. I secretly hope Tess plans on bringing tacos.”

Shaking his head, he took her glass and plate. “Somehow, I imagine knowing you’re coming; it’s a safe bet.

She laughed before sliding off the stool, holding her back and heading to the bedroom.

“Does your back hurt?” he called.

“Only a bit, nothing concerning. When will Saint and Bryanna arrive?” Gabby stopped at the bedroom entrance and turned to see him following her. He stepped into her space.

“They’ll arrive in an hour and a half. Why don’t you lie down and I’ll rub your back? You don’t want to feel uncomfortable at the shower.” His hand grazed her cheek and she stared at his lips, recalling their feel against hers. When she glanced up, Marcus’ eyes grew darker as if he recalled the same thing. Slowly leaning in, he kissed her gently, letting his tongue tangle with hers. Her hand rose to his chest as she leaned into the kiss. His hand gently gripped the back of her neck as he took control, deepening the kiss.

His cell rang, breaking the spell. He reluctantly withdrew and groaned as he walked into the kitchen to answer it.

“What?” He glanced back at Gabby and grinned. She smiled and turned, heading toward the bed.

Her fingers touched her lips, and she still felt her skin tingling. She made up the bed and grabbed a quilt thrown over the chair. By the time he reappeared, she lay on top of the bedspread and covered herself with a light blanket.

Grabbing the lotion from the bedside table, he lifted her maternity top and rubbed the lotion in. “How does this feel?” he asked quietly.

“Like heaven.” She sighed.

“I’ll wake you about fifteen minutes before they arrive. Will it give you enough time?”

“Yes. I can get ready.”

Ten minutes later, she drifted to sleep under his magic touch.

Gabby and Bryanna chatted away in the back as Saint drove the short distance to Kassie’s. He chuckled as he half-listened to their conversation.

“Do you think Tess made tacos? It’s my only craving and I’m starting to dream about the darn things.” She laughed.

“They’ll have enough food to feed a small army. All the grans will come and they always volunteer to cook ‘a little’ something. We always carry to go containers because we know we won’t have to cook for the next two days,” Bryanna confessed. “Especially with many of us expecting, they won’t allow us to do much. Samantha’s close to her due date, Kassie’s carrying twins, then you and me.”

“I wish our kids were closer together.” Gabby beamed.

His sister laughed. “At least it’ll only be a month or so apart. They’ll grow up together.”

Gabby grew quiet.

Marcus helped her out of the truck and dallied while Bryanna and Saint hurried inside. He held her arm as she climbed the steps. Saint waited by the door, opened it, and stepped aside as they walked in.

“Surprise!” the group called, making Gabby jump and hold her belly.

“Oh!” she exclaimed as she read the decorated jungle themed banner. Gabby gripped his arm as Bryanna hugged her. Still in shock, she uttered, “We came to celebrate you.”

“No, silly. We planned it for you and Marcus,” his sister laughed as she pulled Gabby along and introduced her to the women she didn’t already know.

He caught her glancing back at him, completely overwhelmed. He smiled encouragingly and nodded for her to enjoy herself.

Kassie announced lunch. Marcus held onto Gabby’s plate. As the guest of honor, she went first, followed by the other expecting women. He watched as the men helped the kids first before taking their turn. Lizzy, the pediatrician’s wife, passed drinks to the women as Claire helped the kids. They stood while the women took over the living room and the barstools.

Gabby sought him out and he approached her and knelt before her.

“Did you need something?”

“Why didn’t you tell me? They’re Bryanna’s friends,” she whispered to avoid being overheard.

“If you let them, they can be yours, too,” he encouraged her before tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear and lightly kissing her.

She nodded jerkily and smiled as the women began discussing baby names. “Did you decide on a name, Gabby?”

She smiled and shook her head.

With a big mouth, Patch said, “Awww, come on, don’t be shy. Knight told me you named it Tiger.”

She laughed along with the others. “Marcus came up with it. I’m not taking the blame for this one.”

“Does it mean you’re expecting a boy?” Lizzy asked.

“We honestly don’t know. Girls can be tigers, too. Gabby’s already proved how ferocious she can be when it comes to protecting herself and the baby,” Marcus said as he stared at her, making her smile and glance at her feet.

The men finished before the others and corralled the kids into getting their swim bags together. Each husband kissed their wife as they started loading kids and babies into the trucks.

Knight approached her. “I’m only a short drive away.”

Gabby nodded, leaned in and kissed him sweetly. “Thank you.”

The men drove away, leaving him riding with Patch. “My neighbor gave us an hour and a half to check out the house. It’ll go on the market on Monday if you don’t submit an offer. No pressure.”

Patch drove down the mountain and entered the town. He pulled into the driveway. Knight’s attention was drawn to the ugliest pink house he had ever seen.

A punch to his arm made him hold his bicep. “Ow, asshole. Who the hell owns that monstrosity? For a minute, I thought you planned to turn in there.” Knight laughed out loud.

When Patch scowled and stared at the pink abysmal, it occurred to him he stuck his foot in it. “Oh, man. I’m sorry.” Knight laughed even harder. “You live in a pink house? That shit’s funny.”

Patch pinched his nose. “All right, all right. Get it out of your system.”

He laughed even harder at Patch’s expression. “You’ve called me asshole this entire time. Dude, I’m gonna be a total asshole and tell you that’s the ugliest house I’ve ever seen.”

His friend punched him again and opened the door to his vehicle. “You wait, buddy. Your turn’s coming.”

Knight slid out of the truck and focused on the home before them. A white Victorian house with a swing in the front greeted him. His laughter died as he pictured Gabby swinging their child on the porch and greeting him when he returned home.

Using the key, Patch stepped aside to let him in. Hardwood floors shined as they entered the living room with a beautiful fireplace. The spacious cream-colored kitchen showed off newer appliances. The multicolored tile decorated the floor and made the forest green cabinets stand out. He walked down the hall, coming to a large master bedroom. The painted light cream made the room cheerful with the white wainscoting on the bottom. On the opposite side, two French doors opened to a private screened-in patio, highlighting the mountains.

“This isn’t bad,” Knight said as he opened the closet doors.

A smaller room across the hall offered a den or a second bedroom. For him, he imagined the jungle animals decorating the walls in a sky blue with clouds. Gabby rocking in a padded chair in the corner by a bookshelf loaded with books.

“It’s the perfect size for a nursery. Later on, when the kid grows bigger, you can move it upstairs,” Patch suggested as he checked the sturdiness of the rails. “The guys pitched in and painted Claire’s in a couple of days. I imagine we can knock this one out in a few days.”

Knight climbed the stairs and peered inside two of the rooms. When he came to the third bedroom, he decided to purchase the home. The last room caught his eye. It appeared spacious, and French doors led out to a small balcony…big enough for a couple to enjoy their coffee on a lazy Sunday or relax while they waited for a baby to wake from a nap while they enjoyed the mountain view.

“What’s the asking price?” Knight asked as he pictured Gabby tearing down walls, bringing more of the mountain view and light into the space.

“Make an offer. She’s anxious to sell. There’s not a housing market here unless Kassie wants it. If she wants to sell, it’ll be you or Kassie. Knowing you want it, I can assure you the former will refuse to bid.”

“I do. How can I make an offer?” he asked as excitement went through him.

“Kassie’s godfather has lawyers at his disposal. We’ll make a call, and they’ll propose the offer to her, prepare the contract, and have her sign by tomorrow.”

“I appreciate it.” Knight checked out the garage and walked the backyard. He noticed the pink house included a screened in porch. He envisioned Patch walking out while enjoying his morning coffee, scratching his balls, and glancing over to yell, “hello asshole.”

It made him chuckle as he entered the vehicle and they joined the men at the facility.

Patch punched in the code and entered.

Nugget ran toward him when she saw him enter the pool area.

“Nugget,” one of the men called. “No running,” they reminded her sternly. The child slowed and walked to him.

“Hi, Uncle Knight. Did you come to play with us?” Nugget gazed at him with hopeful eyes.

“When he’s done babysitting, we’re calling first dibs,” Saint called to his daughter.

Noticing the men dressed in swimming trunks, he approached the table.

“You’re on baby duty with Taco and Ragu. Claire ordered it.” Saint directed. “They’re your back up. You’re supposed to follow the same rules they gave you.”

Knight nodded. “Go have fun.”

The men dove into the pool, making the kids squeal in delight. Knight picked up Grace, noticing her wet diaper. He changed her expertly. Tori slept peacefully despite the ruckus around them. He sat and held Grace in his lap while he watched them play. Unlike the first time, Knight found the group entertaining, watching the bond the men formed with their kids, hoping he’d know how to do the same when his arrived. Somehow the task didn’t feel as daunting as before, because for once, he felt like he belonged here, too.