Page 22

Andreas

After that trip to the beach, everything amped up between us. We spent as much time together as our schedules allowed, and Reed, who was adorable but not one of those kids who bonded instantly with strangers, seemed to feel like he was a regular part of our life together. I wondered if it was instinct on his part.

But either way, it was good. And I especially enjoyed dinners at home together, followed by a night curled up together and making love in my bed.

“I have to go oversee the demo in the morning. They’re well along with the building to the south.” Technically I had a contractor in charge of the actual process, but as the general contractor, everything was ultimately my responsibility.

Plus, demo was fun. Something I’d always been inspired by. Taking out all the things you don’t need or want in order to make room for the new.

“I can take Reed to school, then.” Since we’d mated, I had put him on the school’s list of responsible adults who could drop off or pick him up. “If it would help.”

He stayed over most nights when neither of us was working. I still had Lilianne babysitting, but she’d be graduating soon, and then she’d be off to have a career in child development, and I’d need to find a regular sitter to replace her. But one thing at a time.

“That would be a big help.” I leaned over and kissed him. “You look a little tired.”

“Oh, thanks for that.” He rolled his eyes. “It’s nice to hear I look like something the cat dragged in. I’ve worked two extra shifts this week, you know.”

“I didn’t say you looked bad. Just a little tired. And you haven’t touched your dinner.” He had touched it, pushing food around, but he certainly had not put anything in his mouth.

“My stomach is a little off.” He lifted his fork, with a miniscule amount of mashed potatoes on it, toward his mouth but put it down again. “Maybe I am tired.”

“Can you try not to take so many extra shifts?” It was a big ask, since his work was so important to him. “I hate to see you working yourself into the ground.”

“We’re awfully shorthanded, and it seems like every time we start to get enough nurses, someone leaves. We have two out on paternity leave right now.”

“Paternity leave?” That made me think. “How upset is your stomach?”

“Don’t start. I’m not pregnant. How could I be?”

I arched a brow. If I had to explain to a NICU nurse where babies came from, I was concerned for their department.

“Andreas, you don’t really think…”

“Well, you are tired, yes?”

He nodded.

“And sick to your stomach?”

He closed his eyes. “And a little bloated and cranky.”

“We need to pick up a test.” I stood up. “In fact, I’m going to get one now.” Before he could argue, I was tucking my wallet in my pocket on my way out the door. I didn’t want to wait to find out if we were having a child. Reed’s bio dad had taken full control of everything and blown it all out of proportion until a real and important thing happened. While I didn’t see how I could have been more helpful, if Julian was having our child, I wanted to be part of everything.

I knew he’d be an amazing father, too, and hopefully would welcome my help.

When I got back from the store, I heard him reading a book to Reed, and my heart swelled. My family.

I left the bag holding the pregnancy test in the master bath and went in to kiss Reed good night. After he was all tucked in, I read him another book while Julian took the test, and then it was time to read it.

“Before we do,” he said, “will you be upset if I’m pregnant?”

“Oh, omega, I would love to have a child with you, now, later, anytime if the Goddess grants us one. How do you feel about it?”

“We haven’t tried not to have one,” he mused. “So, I guess we opened the door to the possibility from the first night together. I’d be thrilled.”

“Okay, ready to look?” I took his hand and led him into the bathroom. “Let’s look on three.”

We counted down together. “One, two, three…we’re pregnant!”

We hugged and kissed and cried, but it was all happy tears.