Heat flooded my face even as I laughed. “Keegan!”
He laughed too, then pulled me against him again, careful now, like I was suddenly made of glass. His big hand splayed protectively over my stomach. “Our baby. Fuck, little dove. I’m gonna be a dad.”
“You’re gonna be the best dad,” I whispered.
He kissed the top of my head, then my temple, and my mouth. Softer than he ever had before, and full of wonder. When he pulled back, his eyes were shining. “You got the ring and the baby. I guess we just need to find a house next.”
I bit my lip, suddenly shy. “It can be wherever you want. I don’t want to go back to the office, obviously. But I also don’t want to juggle college and a baby. I want to be home with our kids. Maybe work with you on the side wherever I can help. Something I can do from home when they’re little.”
His expression turned tender. “You don’t have to work at all if you don’t want. Club’s solid. I have cash put away, and I pull down good money. Whatever you want to do, we’ll make it happen, little dove. You’re not just my old lady. You’re my partner. In everything.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck, burying my face in his throat. “I love you.”
“Love you more.” He held me tighter, one hand still resting on my belly like he couldn’t believe it was real. “Gonna take such good care of you both. Swear it.”
He set me gently on the bed, then climbed over me, careful not to put weight on my stomach. His eyes roamed my face, then dropped to the vest, the ring, the faint swell I knew wasn’t there yet but he looked for anyway.
“Mine.” His voice was rough with possession. “All fucking mine.”
I reached up and cupped his jaw. “Yours. Always.”
“Gonna be a family,” he vowed.
I smiled up at him. “We already are.”
My family had fallen apart after my brother’s death, but I had found a huge one with Keegan and the Hounds of Hellfire. And my baby growing inside me, I hoped my parents would find their way back to happiness too.
EPILOGUE
TOMCAT
Istood in the corner of the exam room, my arms folded across my chest, doing my best to keep my expression blank and appear unfazed. Meanwhile, my heart hammered like I'd just pulled 7Gs in an F-35, and my palms were sweating like some green recruit. Linden sat on the table, wearing a thin gown, her eyes wide and bright as she glanced nervously between me and the ultrasound machine next to her.
My gut tightened. I didn't like seeing her anxious, but hell, my own nerves were giving me enough trouble. I didn't know what it was about that damn machine, but something about being able to look inside my woman had me on edge. I didn't like anyone else seeing what was mine—even if it was some friendly sixty-something tech who’d come highly recommended by Razor and Flint.
Barbara smiled reassuringly at Linden as she lifted the bottle of ultrasound gel. “It might be a little cold, dear. Sorry about that.”
“Why is it always cold?” I growled quietly from the corner, scowling at the bottle. “They can’t invent a bottle warmer or some shit?”
Linden shot me a look, her lips quirking up. “It’s fine, Keegan.”
“It’s bullshit,” I muttered under my breath, glaring harder when Barbara laughed softly.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Connelly,” Barbara said, amusement in her tone as she squirted a generous amount of gel onto Linden’s stomach. “I’ll be gentle.”
My eyes narrowed slightly, instantly suspicious. “You do this a lot?”
“Only for forty-two years.” Barbara didn’t even blink. “You’re welcome to check my credentials again.”
Linden tried to hide her soft giggle behind her hand, and I felt some of the tension ease from my shoulders. I moved closer, resting my hand protectively on her shoulder as Barbara positioned the wand over the gel.
“Okay, let’s take a look,” Barbara murmured, adjusting the screen so Linden and I both had a clear view.
The black-and-white image on the monitor flickered and shifted. My throat went dry, the sound in the room fading until it felt like my heartbeat was the loudest thing in the room.
Then there it was.
Our baby.
