Page 30 of Claimed By my Bodyguard

“Good,” he says, flipping another burger.

Silas presses a kiss into my temple, and there’s a single beat before the sound of another car door echoes from the driveway.

It’s only a moment before I hear my mother’s voice. She’s coming around the corner with my dad and my sister, who has a big box of Josie’s bear claws in her hands. “We have to do the reveal first. I can’t take the suspense anymore.”

“I think she’s right,” Cash groans, his kids doing circles around the yard like crazy little monkeys. The rest of Silas’ brothers follow behind, their families in tow.

“Let’s get this show on the road,” Cash continues. “The kids have been asking me all week if they're getting a baby boy or girl to play with.”

I don’t know if it’s hormones or what, but tears stream down my cheeks in quick succession as I stare out at all the people suddenly surrounding us.

Here… inourbackyard. The little cabin with the big red barn, and the fields of lavender.

Silas presses a kiss onto my cheek. “Should we do it now?”

I nod, my heart full. “Yeah, let’s do it now.”

As everyone gathers, Silas hands Adam the confetti cannon and squeezes my hand.

“Alright,” Adam says, smiling ear to ear, “on three.”

The whole family counts down.

“One.”

“Two.”

“Three.”

The cannon pops and a burst of soft pink confetti rains down over the yard as cheers erupt.

“A girl.” Silas turns to me, eyes shining. “Our little girl.” He pulls me into his arms, lifting me off the ground as everyone claps and shouts.

Somehow, against all odds, we’re here, in love, holding each other, surrounded by family and friends, and I know this moment is only the beginning.