Page 42 of Tied up in Knots (Gummy Bear Orgy #4)

Which end does the baby come out of again?

I never thought my life could be this happy.

I don’t think I’ve ever smiled this much.

Bambi is about ready to burst with her due date only days away, my secret surprise present for her is almost ready, the ring Gigi gave me is burning a hole in my pocket, and every single day I get to kiss the woman I love as much as I want.

Who knew giving in to my decade long obsession with Bambi and having the best sex of my life would completely change my life for the better. Now that I think about it, it kind of makes sense. Hindsight and all that. Sounds stupid now when I explain why I never asked Bambi out for all those years.

Everybody in town is now completely aware that I am and always have been the father of Bambi’s baby. Seems once we told everyone, it wasn’t nearly as big a deal as Bambi thought it would be. I never cared what they thought and am proud to claim her and him as mine. Soon to be a more permanent mine.

Every morning I wake up wanting to propose to her.

But after long thought, and some beer infused confessions with Owen, I’ve decided to wait until after Noah is born.

Not only because I don’t want her to think I’m asking just because she’s pregnant, but I want it to be perfect and my surprise isn’t ready yet.

It’ll be perfect timing when it is. She’ll have had the baby and we’ll be ready to start our lives together.

Izzy finally settled on a wedding date after Noah is born as well.

It’s only three months from now but I guess that shouldn’t come as a surprise.

They’ve been putting it off for so long it only makes sense that when she did decide on a date it’s sooner rather than later.

I think she was going to have it earlier but then found out about Bambi’s pregnancy and wanted to wait.

Izzy is the best friend I could have asked for my Bambi.

She was here when I couldn’t be. She made sure Bambi went to her doctor appointments, took her vitamins, planned her baby shower and so much more that I don’t think I’ll ever be able to repay her for.

Doesn’t mean I’m not going to try. I’ve already offered myself up as her gopher man for anything wedding related she needs me to do, as long as it doesn’t interfere with anything Bambi and Noah will need. She agreed wholeheartedly.

Today Bambi has decided that she needs to get out and move around.

I think she’s trying to induce early labor.

Her small frame completely overtaken now with her swollen stomach.

She’s mentioned more than once how ready she is for him to be born already.

I can’t blame her, I can’t wait to meet him either.

If she wants to try to induce labor, I’m all for it.

Especially since that has meant trying everything the books say, like sex.

With the weather so nice out we’ve decided to walk from our apartment above the bookstore down the street to the café on the corner.

“Oh my god, I feel like a beached whale.”

“Well, you look like a goddess.”

She gives me a glare out of the corner of her eye, but I know she doesn’t mean it and she knows I do mean it. I think she’s beautiful like this. Kind of already looking forward to making the next one.

“Just hold on to me so I don’t fall over and roll into the street like Veronica from Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory when she blew up into a blueberry.”

I chuckle and make sure I have a hold on her arm tucked tightly into my elbow.

“I’ve got you my beautiful blueberry.”

“Haha. Just you wait till we’re in the delivery room. It won’t be so funny then,” she says.

I’m not afraid of the delivery room. I’ve watched the birthing videos and am as prepared as I’ll ever be. I think. I don’t think anything will prepare me for the first time I’ll see my son.

I’m so focused on Bambi and watching the road, I don’t immediately realize when a couple comes to stand before us just in front of the café we were heading to. I look up when Bambi stops abruptly and spot the last two people on earth I expected or wanted to see. My parents. Fuck.

“Mister and Misses Graham. What a surprise,” Bambi says just as stunned as I am.

I’m thankful she can speak because I can’t, and if I did I don’t think anything nice would come out of my mouth.

“Raelyn, you’re looking well. It’s almost your due date is it not?” my mother asks in a polite tone. She was always good at public pleasantries, that’s why people never believed me when I told them how horrible it was at home.

“Yes. Less than a week and I can’t wait.”

My father remains stoic next to my mom and eyes us both suspiciously. Mom being the public speaker for them both turns her gaze to me and smiles politely. There is absolutely no love behind that expression.

“Warren. Glad to see you again.”

“Are you? I vaguely remember you not caring one way or the other what happened to me.”

“Nonsense, of course I’m happy to see you, and with Raelyn. We heard about the baby and wanted to congratulate you.”

My dad scoffs loud enough to draw everyone’s attention. He’s still glaring, but I can tell he wants to say something but has no doubt been told not to by my mother.

“You have something to say?” I ask, needing him to open his big lying mouth so I can rip into him the way I want to.

“Of course not,” my mother interjects, trying to diffuse the situation before it ignites, which it is very close to doing. “Nothing but congratulations.”

She eyes my father who is rolling his eyes but weirdly holding his tongue.

Even though I know I should let it go, let them pretend everything is okay for the sake of publicity, but I don’t give a damn about people watching us.

I want to know what he really thinks, I want to hear him prove my justified hate for him.

“No, I think he does have something else to say. Don’t you Dad? So go ahead, spit it out.”

My father chuffs and turns his beady eyes on me, narrowing them in cruel delight. He always did enjoy tormenting me.

“Fine, you wanna know what I think? I think it’s funny that you managed to do the one thing you said you never would,” he responds with a sneer.

Oh, how I would wipe that look off his face if Bambi weren’t standing right beside me.

The only thing keeping me from hitting him is her hand still on my arm.

She’s not holding me back physically, but her touch alone keeps me from getting arrested today.

But that doesn’t mean I can’t verbally spar with my sperm donor.

“And what is that exactly?” I tilt my head and drop my eyebrows low over my eyes as I look down at my father, because he is slightly shorter than me. I could easily have him flat on his back and bleeding with one swing if I wanted.

“Knocking up some poor girl and dooming her to a life tethered to you. I feel bad for the kid, he doesn’t know what he’s in for.”

I begin to lunge for my father, my hand already balling into a fist ready to knock out every one of his teeth. Only Bambi’s soft grip on my bicep and her strong voice hold me back.

“I’ll have you know I am very happy to be having his baby!” Bambi’s words are a near boom from her angry beautiful mouth.

Everyone, including myself, swivel to stare at her. All of us dumbfounded at her stern expression and determined scowl. She’s never been the one to raise her voice or participate in arguments and shouting matches, especially in public.

That doesn’t seem to bother her today though, because she continues in a furious torrent that stuns me.

“I like being tethered to Warren and the only thing our baby is in for , is a life filled with happiness and love. Something you forgot to give to your son. And even after all the years he spent afraid of you and hoping to earn your affection to no success, he’s become the most loving and supportive man I know.

Despite your deliberate efforts to break him down and crush his spirit, not to mention his bones, I’m glad to say you have failed.

“Warren is a great man who will be a great father, and if I have anything to do with it, we will never see or speak to you again. You will never know our son or any other children we may have. Your opinion will never be wanted and neither of us give a flying fuck what you think. So, I suggest that from now on if you see us walking down the street, you cross to the other side. If you see us in a restaurant, you leave. And don’t even think about setting foot in my bookstore, because you are not welcome.

The next time I see you I won’t be as pregnant or as restrained, and if you even consider speaking to us it’s not Warren who will need to be held back.

In case that’s not enough, just remember, I know the truth of who you are and what you did to him, and I have no problem making sure everyone else finds out. ”

Bambi is huffing in barely restrained anger at my parents, all because of me. She’s yelling and threatening them…for me. That might not be attractive to other guys, but I’m fighting the need to sweep her into my arms, carry her back home and try to induce labor in the most carnal of ways.

I stare in open mouth awe at my girl, not givin g _ as she put i t _ a flying fuck about the people who gave birth to me standing in front of us. They’re both stunned silent as well.

“Now if you’ll excuse us, I’m hungry.”

Bambi goes to sidestep my parents, and I follow with a hand on her back when she stops just on the other side of them. She grips her stomach and gasps.

“Uh oh.”

“Uh oh what?”

I circle to face her, waving my hands uselessly around her trying to find whatever is causing her distress. Then I spot it, the wetness growing between her legs.

“I think my water just broke.”

“You’re…it…broke?”

“Yes. The baby’s coming. Time to go.” She reaches for my hand and redirects us back towards The Book Vault where my truck remains parked.