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She saw the instant regret in his eyes before he sighed.

“I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that.” Sloan rubbed a hand down his face. “It sounded funnier in my head.”

A half grin tipped her lips. “Well...it was kind of funny, but I'm being serious.”

Sloan walked over and knelt in front of her. “I am very happy, Becky.” She could see the truth in his eyes. “And I'm failing you miserably if you feel like I'm not.”

“You're not failing me.” She cupped his face in her hand. “But when you won't talk to me, and I know something's bothering you, it makes me doubt myself. Just be honest with me.”

Sloan remained silent, but Becky didn't push him. She knew he would answer when he was ready. He was a man who chose his words carefully, especially when something weighed heavily on his mind.

“Before I was turned, I wanted a family...kids. Even when I was enslaved and forced to fight for my life for the entertainment of the rich, that dream never died. It wasn't until I made the deal to be set free that it did. I traded my human life for one of immortality, and with that went any hope of having a family...a normal life.” Sloan's gaze never wavered as he stared at her.

Becky put her hand on her rounded stomach, trying to hold back the tears. She felt for him. Never could she fully understand everything this man had been through in his long life. “And the pregnancy has brought all those memories back.”

Reaching up, Sloan swiped away a tear from her cheek. “I will say that it has thrown me a little bit,” Sloan admitted, then chuckled. “And yes, before you ask, that was hard for me to admit.”

Grinning, Becky sniffed with a chuckle. His smile was crooked, but it didn't really reach his eyes. She realized how hard this was for him to do, opening up even to her. “Sloan, I understand. As long as I know you are okay with everything, then I'm okay.”

“I'm more than okay, Becky. I'm excited, but for centuries I never gave much thought to being a father because it wasn't possible.” Sloan's eyes shifted away from hers. “I've known nothing other than my job as the leader of Warriors. I've hunted monsters, broken laws, and killed more than I care to remember. I'm a hard man who has seen and done things that would frighten most, and I've never regretted doing what was necessary to keep others safe. But being a father...”

Becky wanted so badly to reach out and take him in her arms. Seeing the struggle he was having broke her heart, especially knowing how difficult it was for him to share something so personal. But she held back, afraid that if she interrupted him now, he'd shut down before saying everything he needed to say.

Finally, he shook his head before looking back at her. “I know how to protect our child from the monsters out there, Becky. I've spent most of my existence doing just that. But what happens when our child needs a father who knows how to comfort them? I don't know if I'm even capable of doing that. I'm a different man from the one who dreamed of having a family. I've never doubted my ability to protect those I love, but the thought of failing our child...”

Moving quickly, Becky was out of the chair and kneeling in front of him with Sloan's help. She took his face in her hands and looked him straight in the eyes. “You've given me comfort, Sloan. You've loved me beyond my wildest dreams, so you are very capable. A parent's love for their child trumps everything. Every parent fails at something. I know I haven't been the perfect parent to Frankie, but he was never without love, and that's what matters most to a child. There will be times I'll fail, but I'll have you, and when you fail, I'll be right here. I didn't have that with Frankie, but I have it now. Our child will have both of us, Sloan, and we'll figure this out together.”

“Yes, we will,” Sloan said, then kissed her softly.

Becky smiled against his lips, not quite ready to pull away. When Sloan shifted to sit on the floor, she settled beside him, grateful for his arm around her as she leaned against his chest. Resting her head on his shoulder, she sighed. “Thank you for opening up, Sloan. I know that isn't easy for you.”

“No, usually it isn't, but you make it easy, Becky.” Sloan's deep voice soothed her. “Just don't let the Warriors know. I'd never hear the end of it.”

“I would never, but...” Becky laughed, a huge grin spreading across her face.

“But what?” Sloan tilted her face up to his.

“Just don't make me mad.” She tried to look serious but knew she was failing. “I could use you opening up as blackmail.”

Sloan looked at her for a second before he snorted. “No, you wouldn't.”

“Of course I wouldn't,” Becky said, then frowned. “Did you really have to think about that?” She tried to pinch his stomach, but he was so rock-hard with muscle she could barely get any skin between her fingers.

Sloan laughed at her attempt to pinch him. “Has it been kicking?”

“Sloan, stop calling our baby an it.” Becky huffed, then put her hand on her stomach.

“Well, what in the hell do I call him or her?” Sloan asked, putting his hand next to hers. “You didn't want to find out the sex, so...”

“Yeah, I'm kind of regretting that decision.” Becky sighed, then grabbed his hand and placed it on the left side of her belly. She smiled when they both felt a strong kick.

“That's the strongest one I've felt so far,” Sloan said with a proud grin, but then frowned. “Doesn't that hurt you?”

“No, not really,” Becky replied, then moved his hand again. “Feeling the baby move is one of my favorite things about being pregnant. The little cutie can kick and punch me all it wants.”

Sloan grinned at her with a cocked eyebrow. “It?”

“Okay, dammit.” Becky huffed. “I made a mistake. We should have found out so we can both stop calling this precious baby an it.”