Page 82 of Blissful Devotion

I’d felt so bad when she first showed up, knowing that the guys no doubt had Lorenzo killed.

How could I ever look her in the eyes again when I was the reason one of her boys was dead?

Funny enough, she seemed just as upset, but for the opposite reason. She’d raised him and worried I would blame her, that I would keep her from the kids and her boys. She’d apologized so many times, even though we both knew it was far from her fault. I’m not sure there was anything she could have done to stop how he ended up, but I can see how she might think there was.

No parent wants to think their child is a monster, much less doomed to a fate like his.

We’d had a long conversation, and in the end she’d not only thanked me for loving her boys but for making them a family again. She’d long since worried their company would run them into an early grave.

She also insists that I call her "Mamma."

“How about I go and collect the boys, and you help your mamma get down to the dining room?”

Addison lights up at her question, so excited to be helpful. She really is the sweetest little girl.

“Come on, Mommy.” She beams up at me, and all I can do is smile back as her little fingers wrap around mine. She leads me toward the stairs as if I’ve never been here before, and I chuckle at her as Mamma leaves to get the guys.

We make it right outside the room when something feels strange, and I have to stop.

“One second, honey.” I pull my hand free of hers to touch my pants and find them wet.

What?

I can’t think of anything I might have done. My water is still downstairs where I left it this morning after breakfast…

Oh!

“My water broke.”

“What?” The confusion in Addison’s voice reminds me I’m not alone and I need to keep it together.

“Mommy needs you to go and tell Nonna and Daddy that Mommy’s water broke. Can you do that?”

“Is the baby coming, Mommy? Do I get to meet my brother finally?” She’s nearly bouncing in place, so excited that it helps me remember why all this terrifying unknown is so worth it.

“Yeah, baby, you're going to be a big sister, but I need Daddy, your uncles, and brother, please,” I bite off the word as pain shoots through my back, leaving me hunched over the banister.

Shit.

Thankfully, when I look back up, Addy’s already gone, and despite the sheer size of this house, I get to see just how fast the guys can get across it.

“Shit, babe.” Desmond makes it first, scooping me up in his arms without missing a beat. His smile is so damn handsome, but it also makes me want to punch him.

This hurts.

“Shh, it’s okay, love. We'll get you to the hospital and get ya all sorted out.” Even as Alex says it, the pain fades, and I feel like I can breathe. I hadn’t realized I even said it out loud.

One second we're upstairs; the next everyone is piling into the car, with Vince behind the wheel. His eyes meet mine in the mirror for a moment, and I see the worry that shines in them even from here.

“I’m okay,” I tell him with a smile that is a little more forced than I hoped as another wave of tightness hits me.

Oliver slips into the car with both the baby bag and my hospital bag, and his brows pull together so hard I swear he’s going to give himself wrinkles.

“Maybe one baby is more than enough?” he says as Vince takes off down the driveway, and I can’t hold back the laugh that rips out of me.

“Watch it. Those are fighting words.” I look at Nathan, who is giving him a very dark look. It’s no secret he loves me pregnant and loves the idea of getting me pregnant even more.

I might be terrified of having this baby, but I can’t deny I want more, even now.