There was no doubt in my mind that while she may have caught herself from saying tit in front of the kids, she was actually looking for Embry who would have managed to catch her slip up and make her pay the swear jar for it. I was seriously curious just how much money she had, but figured it was a pretty penny.
Paxton grabbed my hand and started pulling us up the sidewalk where the hosts waited for all of us to get inside. Most of our friends were already there; I’d seen their cars. With the others following, we all made our way inside.
We followed our friends further into the house and I couldn’t contain my smile. Kids were already running everywhere, playing together and so full of life. They were happy, carefree, and they adored one another.
A happy sigh floated from my throat.
At this time next year, our baby will be part of this beautiful family.
Paxton squeezed my hand. “This time next year, darlin’.”
He didn’t have to say anymore without me knowing we were on the same page.
* * *
What would our friends think?
We were all sitting around the enormous and beautiful dining room table Gemma and Bodie had, along with a smaller table set up for kids. With our group we needed the space and you could pretty much find huge tables in all our friends’ houses just to accommodate our growing group.
Paxton placed his hand on my knee and leaned closer to whisper, “Breathe, sweetheart.”
Both my hands slipped under the table, one going to cover the top of Paxton’s and the other protectively touching the very minimal baby bump that had just appeared a couple days ago. It was a wonder in itself. Seeing it made everything even more real. When I showed Paxton, his expression was priceless.
Every night, the sweet man kissed my belly while talking to his child before bed. It was hard to believe that I was already at the end of my first trimester and once again hoped that our friends wouldn’t be angry that they hadn’t been told earlier.
“You want to tell them, darlin’?”
I glanced at Pax and shook my head. “You do it.”
I knew he was dying to do the honors but would have let me if that’s what I wanted. He was the most considerate man I knew. That made me think of my father and sadness assailed me. He was the same way with my mother and they would have not only loved Paxton but doted on their grandchild. I could hardly bear the thought they wouldn’t get to meet him or her.
“You sure, darlin’? Why the sad face?”
“I was just wishing my parents could be here,” I whispered so only he could hear. Everyone was chatting so it was loud and nobody was paying us any mind, but that soon changed.
“They are watching over you right now and every step of the way, baby.” He pulled my hand out from under the table and turned it over, kissing the palm and sending goosebumps trickling down every inch of my skin.
He then laid my hands back on my lap and stood from his seat. Bringing his glass up, he clanked his spoon on the side of it, causing a hush to fall over the room and all eyes to turn in his direction.
“I’d just like to say a few words,” he began.
Everyone’s gazes filled with curiosity. While Pax had been coming out of his shell and bonding with the group by leaps and bounds, he still was less talkative than all of the men. It wasn’t like him to stand up and gain the attention of everyone the way he was.
What they didn’t know was the news he had to share was changing him every single day. As it was me.
“First, thank you to my sister and brother for having us today. And then to all of our amazing friends for sharing it too.”
Everyone stayed quiet, likely sensing more was coming. Paxton was nervous but excited and you could visibly see his body radiating with emotion.
“It’s no surprise that this stunning lady next to me caught my attention the moment I first laid eyes on her.” He glanced away from the group and looked at me. There were some awes and murmurs from everyone, but I only had eyes for him right then.
“We moved slowly at first but when she stopped resisting me”—he winked at me and turned back to the group,—“things started to move at warp speed. There is a lot of bad shit going on that we will handle—”
“You can pay me later,” Embry said, interrupting him. “Carry on.”
Laughter burst through the room.
Pax turned to Embry. “Nobody can slide one by you, can they?” he teased.
