Page 29 of Stolen Holidays (The Miller Brothers #5)

twenty-seven

Mason

I lean back in my chair and take another sip of my water. I haven’t had a drop of alcohol since Emery told me she was pregnant. Figured if she couldn’t drink, neither should I. Besides, champagne tastes better when I’m lapping it off my wife’s body.

Cameron slams his drink on the table. The big oaf forgets his own strength and has a knack for being loud.

He’s everything I’m not, and I’m grateful for it.

My baby brother has always had a way of getting me out of my shell.

The two of us have a special bond. I think it’s because he’s always been able to speak enough for both of us.

“Another quick wedding. I swear, you guys are no fun. Where’s the bachelor party? The strippers? The expensive bottle of whiskey?” Cam glares at me, Jace, and Hudson, who chokes on his drink.

“Hey, I resent that. I had a bachelor party,” Jace grumbles.

Cam side-eyes Jace. “It was a shared party. And I’d like to point out Mason was a grouchy dick the entire time. Then he legit fucked Emery in the bathroom and ruined the night.”

“Watch it,” I warn.

Not my favorite moment with Em, but my lip curls up nonetheless. If I hadn’t run into her at that party, who knows how long it would have taken me to get my head out of my ass? I thank the stars everyday Emery worked for Rylann and found a way for me to find her again.

“It worked out. Listen, all I’m saying is you dick-weasels better plan me a bachelor party. There is no way I’m skipping that tradition, like you bunch of saps.”

“You think Nico is going to allow that?” The incredulous look on Jace’s face says everything.

No.

“I don’t need my dick brother-in-law’s permission.

I have Talia’s,” he says smugly as he unties his bowtie.

“Besides, I want her to have a crazy-wild bachelorette party. Go dancing with her girls. Hell, she can even go to one of those male revue shows. She can look at the Thunder-Down-Under all she wants. She just can’t touch it.

Besides, I have more than enough thunder for her to handle. ” He waggles his eyebrows at us.

“You’re a dumbass,” I grumble and shake my head at him.

“Who’s a dumbass?” Eli asks as he slips into the empty seat beside Hudson.

“Where the hell were you?” Hudson asks, unaware of the inability the Miller men have to keep their hands off their women. He looks around the table as Jace, Cam, and I look away and sip our drinks. Realizing his mistake, he mumbles, “Actually, don’t answer that. I don’t want to know.”

I clear my throat. “As I was saying, Cam’s a dumbass. He wants traditional bachelor and bachelorette parties for himself and Talia,” I fill Eli in, and he makes a face.

“I’m not a dumbass. I’m confident,” Cam corrects me. “I keep my woman plenty satisfied in and out of the bedroom, if you know what I mean.”

“We all know what you mean,” I groan. It’s a damn miracle he’s kept the shenanigans he and Talia get into private. It’s how I’ve known from the start that Cam was serious about her. Before Talia, he would joke and talk about the women he dated. Now? He jokes but keeps details to himself.

“I don’t get it. Why would you want her looking at other men?” Jace frowns as he sips his beer. My big brother is beyond protective of his wife, and he worships the ground she walks on. The idea of naked men dancing anywhere near his wife is a no-go.

I don’t like it either. I’m going to have to ban Emery from that party.

“The better question is, why would you want to look at other women?” Eli makes a point. I know Cam adores Talia. He would never look at another woman, let alone a stripper. This seems a little off brand for him.

“I don’t.” Cam looks appalled at the idea of looking at another woman. “The party isn’t for me, okay? It’s for my boys. One night after Heath got engaged, we made a bro oath. One, never marry a cleat chaser. And two, have a kick-ass bachelor party. Steak, poker, and strippers.”

“I can get on board with steak and poker, not the strippers. Pass,” Jace says emphatically.

“I can’t remember the last time I saw a naked chick, let alone a stripper,” Hudson admits.

We all burst out laughing, and Cam promises to get him in touch with his buddy McKay—who is a self-sworn bachelor for life—to help him get laid.

I lose interest in the conversation and search for Emery. She’s chatting with the other ladies across the room. Feels weird seeing her in purple and not some shade of her favorite color, red.

She snatches another cupcake off the tray and licks the frosting off her finger.

My blood runs south as I watch her pink tongue swipe across her bottom lip.

Emery is as beautiful as ever, even more so carrying our child.

The song on the playlist switches to a slow one and catches my attention.

Not sure who’s singing, but something about the words has me off of my feet and headed towards my wife.

Like she can feel me, Emery’s attention turns my way. Her topaz eyes shimmer as I approach her and hold out a hand.

“Dance with me?”

She grins, and my heart beats double time. “I’d love to.”

She places her hand in mine, and I lead her onto the makeshift dance floor under the streams of lights above.

Placing my right hand on her lower back, I tug her to my body as far as her stomach will allow.

I grip her right hand with my left and place it on my chest over my heart as we sway to the slow beat, our eyes locked on each other.

Flashes of us dancing by the fire last New Year’s Eve float to the surface. She was prepared for us to be over, and I was determined to prove her wrong. Thank fuck I changed her mind, and she gave me a chance. Not even a year later, and we are married and have a son on the way.

“Are you thinking about New Year’s Eve?”

“I am. But I’m also thinking about how amazing you are.”

“Amazing, huh? Tell me more.” Her fingers ghost over the short hairs at the back of my neck.

I fight the hungry growl, begging to escape. “You’re nine months pregnant and planned this entire wedding. It came out exceptionally beautiful and perfect. Just like you.”

“I did, didn’t I?”

“Hmm. Even did it with a five-hundred-pound gorilla on your back.” I must have driven her crazy with all of my demands for her to take it easy.

Following her around like a grumpy asshole, making sure she didn’t overdo it.

I’d do it all again. For as long as I live, I will never stop fussing over Emery.

She is my everything. She and our baby.

Emery snorts a laugh. “Yeah. But it’s okay. I kind of love the gorilla. He’s bossy as hell, but he’s also the sexiest beast in the jungle.”

“Yeah, I don’t like being equated with a hairy-ass gorilla.”

“You started it.” She laughs, and the sound is sweeter than music to my ears.

“Brat,” I grumble.

“You love it when I’m bratty.”

I do. So fucking much.

With my forehead, I force her head back and her chin to pop up, allowing me to kiss her.

Emery moans as I slip my tongue into her mouth and deepen the kiss.

She tastes sweet, like vanilla cupcakes, and a special flavor all her own.

My body lights up like the Fourth of July, and my cock makes an appearance and pushes into the zipper of my black pants.

“Let’s get out of here, Baby Doll. I need you.”

“I like the sound of— Oh no…” Emery winces and stops moving.

My heart leaps into my throat as she grips her stomach. A stream of water pools at our feet.

My jaw drops. “Did your water just break?”

“I, uh, I think so.” Her honey-brown eyes are wide with shock and fear.

The sight has me pushing the internal freak-out brewing in my head away. I focus all my attention on Emery.

Be calm for her.

“Just breathe. I’ll get you to the closest hospital.”

Emery’s voice cracks, and her fingers clutch onto the lapels of my jacket. “I want to drive home. To our hospital and doctor. Please, Mase. I want to go home.”

“I’ll call the doctor from the car. If she agrees you can make it, then that’s what I’ll do. But I need you and the baby to be safe. Okay?”

“Okay.” She agrees too easily, a sign she’s scared.

I’ve got her. Never going to let anything happen to her.

“Chris!” I shout.

Emery’s brother is beside us in a flash, as are the rest of my family.

I fill them in on what’s happening, and Chris rushes to our cabin to get the keys to the car.

Everyone gives us hugs, assuring us they’ll be by as soon as the baby is born.

The buzz of excitement and well wishes, especially from Rylann, eases some of the tension in Emery’s shoulders.

Chris meets us with the keys as we arrive at the car. He helps me get Emery into the passenger side and slides into the back seat behind her. “Chrissy, you can stay. I don’t know how long it’s going to take to have this little guy. You don’t have to come to the hospital.”

“Emmy, shut up and put your seat belt on. Where you go, I go. Remember?”

I bristle at his tone but ignore their conversation. Chris means well, and he’s probably more than a little worried about his sister. She’s everything to him too.

“I remember. It’s me and you to the end.” Emery smiles as I lean over and buckle her seatbelt. “Thank you.”

I start the car and head out onto the road.

Thankfully, they are clear of snow, and both the nearest hospital and home lie on the same route south.

After a brief call with Emery’s obstetrician, explaining the situation, she gives us clearance to drive to our hospital as planned.

Since this is Emery’s first child and her contractions are over ten minutes apart, the doctor assures us it will be hours before the baby arrives.

“Oh, shoot,” Emery gasps. “We need my go bag, the baby bag, and the car seat. And Henry.”

I glance at Chris in the rearview mirror. He catches my gaze, and, like his sister, his eyes are wide and swirling with a mess of emotion.

“I need everyone to breathe, okay? I have the bags and car seat in the trunk, ready to go. Henry is at the doggy hotel. He’s perfectly fine. Em, if you want, Chris can check on him tomorrow. Right, Chris?”

He nods woodenly.

“See, everything is fine. We’ve got this.”

“Why aren’t you freaking out? It’s freaking me out.” Emery takes short, ragged breaths, sucking in air.

I keep my eyes on the road and breathe, even though my knuckles burn from gripping the wheel too tight. “Do you want me to freak out?”

“Yes. No. I don’t know.” She bites her lip in confusion.

I lower my voice to the register that tells her I’m in charge. “Baby Doll?”

“Don’t you use that tone with me,” she snaps. Chris chuckles in the backseat as he keeps a hand on Emery’s shoulder. “Shut it, Chris.” I bite back a laugh and give Emery a minute. She’ll answer when she’s ready.

Three, two…

“No. I don’t want you to freak out.”

“Didn’t think so.” That comes out a little too smugly.

“Jerk,” she huffs. A light sheen of sweat coats her forehead as she grips her stomach. “Oh no. Oh no. I think I’m getting a contraction.” Chris and I encourage Emery to breathe. I mentally note the time as I pull into the hospital. “Shit, that really hurt.”

“It’s a good thing we’re here.” That fifty-mile drive flew by.

Chris and I fly out of the car. He runs into the hospital entrance as I rush to Emery’s side. I help her out of the car as Chris arrives with a nurse pushing a wheelchair. We assist Em into the seat and follow the nurse.

“Mason, I’m a little scared. I—”

I wipe the sweat off Emery’s forehead. “It’s going to be okay. You’ve got this.”

It’s been ten hours since we arrived at the hospital, and it’s finally time to push. She’s tired and cranky. And has every right to be.

“Easy for you to say. You’re not the one pushing a watermelon out of a hole the size of an orange,” she grits between contractions. They are finally coming on fast and hard.

The nurse checking the fetal monitor chuckles.

“You’re right. It’s going to hurt like hell.

” I kiss the top of her head. If I could trade places with her, I would.

I hate seeing her in pain. Every cell in my body is screaming to protect her, but I’m defenseless in this situation.

“You’re only a couple of pushes away. Then our son will be here, and all of this will be nothing when you hold him in your arms. You’re going to be amazing. You can do this, Em.”

Tears and determination fill my wife’s eyes as she digs deep. “I can do this.”

“You can do this.” I repeat.

After another hour of pushing, Emery delivers our son into the world like a fucking champ. I’m in awe of the brave and strong woman I get to call my wife. My partner in life.

My brave girl gave me the greatest gift of all: a beautiful, healthy baby boy.

Christian Rhodes Miller.

I never felt more love than I do the moment I hold my son in my arms. My heart feels like it’s going to burst. Tears fill my eyes and pour down my cheeks.

I’m a blubbering mess as I look at the squishy little red face in my arms. He’s got Emery’s lips and my hair.

We can’t tell yet what his eye color is, but Emery is convinced it’s hazel like mine.

Christian snoozes away in the crook of my arm as I take a seat beside my wife. She needs rest; she’s exhausted after working so hard.

“He’s so perfect. And tiny.” I look over to find Emery watching me with our son, a smile on her thick, pouty lips, permanently stained pink from her red lipstick.

“I love you.”

“I love you…so fucking much, Em. This?” The end of my sentence gets stuck in my throat. I look at our son in awe. Words can’t describe the multitude of emotions swelling inside me like a tsunami. Love. Adoration. Gratitude. Contentment. I shake my head, unable to find the right words.

“I know. Me too,” she whispers.

“Thank you. For taking me back. For being my wife. For giving me a family. For everything, Baby Doll.” Fate may not have gotten me and Emery that hotel for our wedding, but it sure put her in that airport at the right time.

Emery grins. “Only for you, Mason. Only ever for you.”

I chuckle at her and kiss the top of Christian’s head. “Did you hear that, son? Your Mommy’s stealing Daddy’s lines.”

Fuck it.

Emery could steal all my lines, like she stole my heart the moment I saw her reflection.