I don’t answer. I just wave it again, grinning like I’ve got a few screws loose. The second Jasper sees it, everything explodes. “You’re going to be a fucking father?”
Queenie’s boots hit the ground first, and the next thing I know, she’s shoving her way through brothers and club girls. “Let me see,” she demands, already reaching for it. I don’t get to decide whether or not I’m going to give it to her because she plucks it right out of my hand. Tessa, Christina, and my brothers all come to see what Queenie is making such a big deal about. The women all take turns congratulating Emily.
Jasper slaps my shoulder hard enough to knock me sideways in my seat. “You’re gonna be a dad,” he says, like he’s still processing the words. Mica’s grin splits his face, Jinx throws his arms up like this is the real victory, and Rock steps closer, quiet as always. His eyes linger on Emily for a long moment before shifting to me. I can see the pride on his face.
Queenie reaches Emily and cups her face with both hands, looking her over. “Are you okay?” she asks, softer than she ever is with anyone else.
“Yeah,” Emily says, “I’ve got a little morning sickness but other than that, I’m doing well.”
Queenie kisses her forehead and they start whispering planning for the baby. Eventually, my ma notices her ring and shoots me an impressed look as Emily shows it to her. The other women gather around to have a look as well.
I’m the happiest fucker alive because literally all my problems in life ended up being solved in a single day. It feels fuckin’ surreal. The celebration swells around us, louder and brighter now, because it isn’t just about Brennan anymore.
After the pregnancy test strip gets passed around, I take it back and shove it into my pocket because I don’t want someone to accidentally toss it. Then I pull her closer and wrap my arm around her without thinking. My hand settles low on her stomach instinctively. She laughs softly, and I hear the note of awe and disbelief in it. I feel exactly the same way. I don’t hesitate or overthink this situation. It feels too right to bother questioning it.
“You’re ridiculously overprotective,” she teases.
I lean in, brush my mouth against her temple. “You haven’t seen ridiculous yet.”
***
We eventually head upstairs as my club brothers continue partying without us. That’s how our clubhouse works. People drift in and out as it suits them with no obligation to cut the party short because any one person leaves. And no one keeps track of who leaves early or where they go.
Our suite is quiet because it’s designed to be our sanctuary, shutting out the noise from downstairs. I turn to her while she’s still taking her boots off, proudly admiring what is now mine.
“Hey,” I murmur, low and familiar. “I don’t know if I mentioned it, but you looked nice tonight.”
She steps closer and gazes up at me. “Are you just saying that because I’m pregnant with your child?”
“You’ve always been beautiful, Em. But I noticed earlier that you were glowing. I just didn’t know why.”
Wrapping one hand around the back of my neck, she pulls me down for a long, lingering kiss. I could kiss this woman all night long. When I start to pick her up, she chides me.
“Easy,” she says with her forehead resting against mine. “Remember, you’re the one who got stabbed.”
I smile because I realize that she’s protective of me in her own way. “I’m fine,” I tell her, knowing the truth is I’ve never been better a day in my life.
We shed our clothes and crawl into bed exhausted. It’s been a hell of a long day and we both need to get some sleep in order to face whatever comes tomorrow. As we lie there cuddled up toeach other, it occurs to me to ask, “Are you disappointed that I didn’t take you to a fancy restaurant, get down on one knee, or make some other grand gesture when I gave you your ring?”
Emily snorts a laugh. “Of course not. I would have hated having a bunch of strangers staring at me during a private moment.”
“I probably shouldn’t have done it in front of everyone downstairs,” I tell her.
“I didn’t mind that. I really like everyone here. It felt like sharing our special moment with the people who meant the most to us.”
For some reason, her words really get to me. Emily has accepted my people as her own, my family as her family. I don’t know how to explain it, but that’s pretty heavy stuff.
She traces the edge of my bandage with one finger, gentle. “Does it hurt?”
“No,” I say honestly. My arm tightens around her. “I’ve always had a high pain tolerance.”
Her brows furrow. “I don’t like you being in pain.”
“Yeah,” I say, kissing the top of her head. “I know that already.”
Sleep comes easy when Emily is safely wrapped in my arms. My hand slides down to protectively cover my child growing in her belly, and I drift off to sleep.
Chapter 25
