Baby Montgomery took that moment to do a loop the loop in Velma’s belly. She pressed against her ribs, trying to extract the kid’s foot from her lungs.
“Martin’s practicing to be an acrobat.” If his antics inside were any indication, when he said hello to the world, he would be off and running. The kiddo never stopped.
Brek put his lips to Velma’s belly button. “Trixie, be nice to your mama.”
They had decided to go for the surprise at birth. Brek insisted she carried a girl while she remained certain the baby was a boy. When Velma was a little girl, she had decided her son’s name would be Martin—a nice, normal name that wouldn’t invoke teasing from the other kids.
Brek wasn’t on board at all. He said it was a sissy name, and he would use his veto power. This only prompted her to call the baby Martin more often. Whatever. Brek said if she was a girl, he wanted to call her Trixie. Velma had veto power, too, and she wasn’t afraid to use it.
“He’s not listening to you.” Velma propped herself on her elbows.
Brek grinned his lopsided grin. “Just like her mama.”
“Do you want to put on your dress here or there?” Brek climbed onto the bed beside her and kissed her forehead.
“There. You’re not supposed to see the dress before the wedding.” She leaned against him and tossed her arm over her forehead.
“Thought we established the rules don’t apply to us?” He nibbled on her earlobe. Her breasts felt a little heavier with each nip. “What about just a quick roll in the sheets before we head over?”
He worked his hand lower down her thigh and lifted the corner of her robe.
“People will be there soon, we should go.” With great effort, Velma rolled over and planted a kiss on her almost-husband.
“Waiting’s gonna kill me.” He took her hand and pulled her up, stopping to hold her shoulders until she got her balance. “You good?”
She nodded. “I’ll call Aspen and ask her about shoes.”
Early on, Velma had asked Brek if he wanted a theme for their wedding. He said the only thing he wanted was her naked in the limo afterward.
She ran her hands over her swollen belly. Limo sex would be interesting at her size, that was for sure. “Are you going to tell me what your big surprise is?”
He kissed her nose. “No.”
“When will I find out?” she asked.
“Soon. You get your things. I’ll get the car.” He headed for the garage, and Velma glanced down to the socks he had tossed to the hamper.
They hadn’t quite made it in.
And it was wonderful.
* * *
Hank’s Barhad gone through a transformation after Brek had bought it a couple of months ago. Next week it would reopen as Brek’s Bar. He had upgraded the space with a better kitchen, a stage, and a sound system. Eli had helped create the menu and agreed to consult as needed. Staying in Denver had become a priority, and who knew how long Dimefront would stick together, so Brek needed a plan. Hans had agreed to handle most of the on-the-road management. They had already hashed out the details.
Aspen had decked out the bar in sunflowers and candles for the wedding. She moved out the tables and arranged the chairs in a makeshift aisle. The guest list was small—close friends and family only. Brek didn’t particularly care who attended, as long as he had Velma.
Jase nudged Brek in the ribs as Tucker McKay played the bridal chorus on his guitar and Claire sashayed toward them.
“Can’t believe you got Tucker McKay to play at your wedding. Bad-fucking-ass,” Jase said out of the corner of his mouth.
Pops cleared his throat and tossed Jase a look. He liked cussing about as much as Velma did.
“You have the ring, right?” Brek asked Jase. The guy had one job to do. Well, two: show up and have the ring ready.
Jase tapped his pocket. “Yup.”
Brek had added to Pops’s inscription. Now it read,To Velma, Forever My Ten.
