Page 69 of Wild Card (Men of Action #4)

WILLOW

The last item is checked off and I breathe a sigh of relief.

Talon was right, these women know how to make things happen. I had no idea where to start, convinced we’d have a small intimate wedding.

I was wrong.

In one week, we’ve planned a full, grand-scale wedding with everything I could ever want.

Mom secured the ballroom and catering at the country club, Grandma designed and sent the invitations, Harley took care of the music, Jewls offered the wine from the Powers’ vineyard, and Ember, Shayla, and Cruz had the dresses ready for alterations and used their contacts for a florist who was ready.

The day Talon told his parents about the pregnancy, April was waiting with bated breath for my call. She gushed over the baby for a full five minutes before launching into the rehearsal dinner.

My worry over her disappointment was needless, just as Talon said.

Smug jerk.

I take one last peek at my notes, and a chill slithers along my flesh.

The room is silent.

When I peer around, my stomach twists.

Harley, Rowan, Shayla, Jewls, and Ember stare at me keenly.

Mom fiddles with her pen, Grandma is perched with a sly grin, and Bex has a sudden interest in the hem of her skirt.

“Normally, Raven or Charlie would be the deciding vote, but we have enough experience between us.” Jewls waves a hand my way.

Please, no… I can’t take them all on. I’m sure to buckle under pressure.

“I’ll get us some snacks, or drinks, or clean the kitchen.” Mom scurries away with Bex on her heels.

Really smooth, traitors.

I glance at Maverick sleeping in his carrier and stop myself from lifting him.

Don’t cuddle the baby, Willow! That’s a dead giveaway!

“What kind of experience?” My damn cracking voice betrays me.

Harley quirks an eyebrow. “Really? That’s how you want to play this?”

“Play what?”

“Willow, we haven’t known each other long, but you’re one of us. You’re safe,” Rowan says kindly.

Jewls’ head snaps to her. “She’s safe? Really, Hollywood?”

“What? I want her to feel comfortable.”

“For God’s sake, this isn’t an intervention. She’s having a baby, not a breakdown.”

And there it is… reflexively, my hand goes to my stomach and a loud squeak escapes.

Grandma snorts and I shoot her a dirty look before clearing my throat and sitting taller. “Why would you think that?”

“We have a little experience in this area.” Ember’s gaze goes to my hand.

“You are skin and bones,” Jewls points out.

“I was stressed these last few weeks,” I defend a little too forcefully

“Yes, but your boobs are huge,” she counters. “And your skin is glowing. Your hair is different, too.”

“Perfect pregnancy hair, I miss it,” Harley agrees.

“I don’t have any familiarity in the particulars, but I’m an excellent observer.

You turned green when I offered you barbeque chips, you teared up during your dress fitting, and you keep sneaking glances at Mav with such emotion it even touches my dark heart.

” Shayla crosses her arms, waiting for my excuses.

“Barbeque chips are gross, wedding dress fittings are monumental experiences, and I love babies!”

Grandma full-out cackles this time. “Give up the ghost, girlie. You are a shit liar.”

I deflate, knowing she’s correct. I am a shit liar.

“I’m pregnant,” I confirm lowly. “Eleven weeks.”

The room erupts in cheers and I’m immersed in a mass of bodies, hugging and squealing.

Wolf and Mack join in, barking excitedly.

When they release me, Rowan has tears in her eyes. “I’m so happy for you!”

Something in her tone is off, and I’m not the only one who notices.

Jewls turns to her. “Okay, Hollywood, now it’s your turn.”

Rowan pales, her jaw dropping. “W-w-what?”

“We’ve been talking about Willow for a week and you didn’t think we’d notice the changes in you?”

“There are no changes!” She looks around and sinks back into the sofa. “This is all Ford’s fault!”

“Ummm, I’d normally agree, but it takes two,” Harley says gingerly.

“Yes, but I tried to reason with him. His new job, completing the house, my growing business—we needed to wait. But he disagreed, and he can be very persuasive.”

We all share a sigh of understanding. These guys aren’t just persuasive, they are unwavering.

“He threw out my birth control! Literally flushed it down the toilet the week before the wedding. He wanted a honeymoon baby. I knew the statistics of getting pregnant were slim, considering how long I’d been on the pill and it would take time to get it out of my system.

Turns out, the joke’s on me. Apparently, we didn’t need a honeymoon. We didn’t even need a wedding.”

“Nothing stops the super sperm,” Jewls throws in matter-of-factly.

“Jewls!” I cry, glancing at my grandma.

“What? It’s the truth. Can you deny it?”

I shake my head. “No, birth control is no defense to these men.”

“I actually planned my pregnancy.” Harley preens proudly.

“Oh, please, you misjudged your due date by weeks. Were you off the pill?” Shalya asks.

Harley turns red. “No.”

“It was only a matter of time before your birth control failed.”

“Shayla, shut up.” Harley motions to Grandma.

“You girls think I’m an old hag? I know how babies are made,” Grandma chimes in, gleefully. “How far along are you?”

“Almost eight weeks,” Rowan answers sheepishly.

A loud pop pulls our attention to the kitchen. Mom holds up a bottle of champagne, Bex a bottle of sparkling juice. “Time to celebrate!” Mom pours.

Bex brings Rowan and me our glasses while the others rush to get the good stuff.

“Congrats to you both.”

“I’m sorry to steal your special day.” Rowan’s apology is completely unnecessary.

“Are you kidding? Thank you for taking the heat off of me.”

“We wanted to wait. Actually, I wanted to wait since it’s still early. But Ford is dying to share the news.”

“I can understand that.” We toast and she gives me a squeeze before going to the others.

Bex side-bumps me gently. “That went weirder than I expected.”

“You knew they were ambushing me?”

“Of course.”

“And you didn’t warn me?”

“Consider it payback for taking the exam without me.”

I’ve been waiting for her to exact her revenge. She may have completely understood my reasoning and was ecstatic about the baby, but she’s sneaky.

“How long are you holding that over my head?”

“Forever, unless…”

“Unless what?”

“How do you feel about the name Beck for a boy?”

I stare at her a beat and burst into giggles. What’s even more amusing is Beck Simms has a nice sound to it.

“You two want to stop fawning and get over here?”

Rowan and I share a conspiratorial look and both answer, “No.”

Max’s mouth splits in a wide grin and he leans back in his lounge chair, elevating his casted ankle on the stack of towels.

Rowan rambles on, explaining the serums she’s put together to help his scarring.

Ember brings him a fresh beer and grins at us, knowing our game.

“Thanks, Little Star.” He takes a slug as Robbie groans.

“You’re pushing it.”

“What, man, I’m injured.”

Without warning, I’m hefted off the ground and moved five feet back in Talon’s hold. Ford does the same with Rowan, setting off a round of laughter around us.

“Talon, I was making sure he’s comfortable.”

“He’s fine,” he grumbles, circling my waist.

“Are you seriously jealous of Max?”

“You haven’t left his side since he arrived.”

“He’s lucky to be alive!” I protest.

“Thanks to me. It wouldn’t be nice to kick his ass for flirting with my fiancée.”

I twist in his arms to see he’s totally serious. “You are shameless.”

His eyes light up and my stomach flips at the mesmerizing shade of blue piercing into me. “Please let our baby get your eyes.”

“I did my best.” He kisses me quickly, stroking his fingers across my abdomen.

My eyes dart to the side gate as it opens and a hoard of kids fly through, all diving directly into the pool.

Raven, Declan, Charlie, Blake, Presley, and Finn all follow, dragging large Hulken bags.

“What in the world did they bring?”

“Looks like they bought out the liquor store.”

Raven and Presley give their stuff to Major and Ace, then head straight to Max.

“Jesus Christ, he’s milking this shit.”

I try to eye him sternly but fail, head-planting on his chest in a fit of laughter.

“Uncle Talon, are you getting in the pool with us?” Wyatt squirms his way between our legs.

I jump at the chill of his soaking wet body and he stills. “Did I hurt you, Aunt Lolo?”

“No, you startled me.”

“I didn’t hurt the baby?”

My heart squeezes as he stares at my stomach. Everyone’s excitement over my pregnancy paled in comparison to Wyatt's. While he didn’t have a clue about exactly what it all meant, he was over the moon to have a cousin—who he insisted was a boy.

“No, honey, the baby is well protected,” I assure him.

“Good, because Daddy says we have to be careful with you.”

“I’m not?—”

“Your dad is right. We have to be careful with your Aunt Lolo,” Talon cuts me off.

“Can we sit her in the shade and you get in the pool now?”

I gaffe at the suggestion. “Why do I need to be exiled in the shade? I can get in the pool, too.”

“We’re about to team up, no girls allowed.”

“You know, this baby may be a girl and I hope you won’t leave her out.”

He looks like I crushed his little spirit and Talon coughs back a laugh.

“What? It’s true. This could be a girl.”

“Yeah, babe, it could be, but likely it isn’t.”

I want to argue with every single person who keeps insisting this is a boy, but it’s fruitless. Chances are super sperm heroes produce boys first.

“’Lo!”

I turn in the direction of my name and find Dad, Mom, Chase, and Bex standing on the patio. Chase gestures for me to join.

“Give us a minute, buddy. I’ll meet you in the pool,” Talon tells Wyatt and steers me toward my waiting family.

“What’s going on?” I ask when we get to them.

“I reached out to a friend today and the system is fixed,” Dad announces, and my stomach does a deep dive.