Her heart clutched even as she nodded in response to Michael’s question.
“I went to see Dr. Burton several days ago. I suspected … or rather I had a suspicion, or maybe it was a fear. He did a test there in the office, then gave me a bunch of vitamins to take and scheduled another appointment in a month. My best estimate is that I’m around six to eight weeks along. Probably closer to eight by now.”
“We’ll all go with you to your appointments. Every one of them. Have you been feeling sick? Are you more tired than usual?”
Lily smiled at the concern in Michael’s voice. Though as a vet he treated animals, he still went all doctorly on her at the first sign of any illness or upset.
“Queasy. And yes, tired. Like oh-my-God tired. And my breasts are sore. But the fatigue was what clued me in. It was exactly how I felt with Rose—like I didn’t even want to get out of bed. I felt that way for much of my pregnancy, and it’s why I never really recovered when I went home with her.”
Dillon’s expression grew fierce. “That won’t happen this time. You’re going to rest. You aren’t going to lift a finger. And after the baby is born, you’re coming home and you’re not going to do anything more than hold or feed the baby.”
Her heart ached at the protectiveness in his voice. If only she’d had them when Rose was born. So many if-onlys. She reached down to place a hand on her still-flat belly. She couldn’t bring Rose back. And she couldn’t replace her. But she could give birth to her brother or sister, and a part of Rose would live on.
Dillon picked up her hand and pressed a gentle kiss to her palm. “I love you, Lily. We’ll take care of you and our baby. I swear it.”
She leaned forward and hugged him tightly. He wrapped his arms around her and held on. He trembled against her, so much emotion shuddering through his big body.
“I know you will, Dillon. I love you too. So much. You and Michael and Seth saved me. You save me every day.”
When she pulled away, Michael tugged her into his arms and cradled her close.
“Do you want to tell the rest of the family or would you rather wait awhile?”
Lily hesitated. “I thought it would be a great Christmas present. For everyone. A new Colter. The first grandchild for your parents. Everyone will be together this year. Somehow it just seems fitting to break the news then.”
“I think that’s a wonderful idea,” Seth said, joy lighting his eyes.
“You know what I think would be an even more wonderful idea?” she said in a low, husky voice.
Dillon’s hands tightened on her thighs as though he recognized the tone in her voice and knew exactly what it was she was up to.
“What’s that?” Dillon asked in a near growl.
“If you all took me to bed and made love to me.”
“Oh hell yes,” Michael said as he rose from the couch. He was already reaching for her, pulling her up from Dillon’s lap.
He swept her into his arms, cradling her against his heart. He gazed down at her, relief and love like a beacon shining in his eyes.
“I love you,” he said, his voice hoarse and a little shaky.
She reached up to touch his face. “I love you too.”
He carried her toward the bedroom, followed by Seth and Dillon. Once there, he laid her gently on the bed and kissed her deep and sweet.
There was a reverence to their every touch as they undressed her. Their touches were gentle, so much so that it made her chest tighten and ache. Their fingers stroked, their palms caressed, and their lips kissed.
She lay there naked, spread out before them as they stood over the bed, their gazes riveted. Their eyes brimmed with love, with adoration. Tears burned her lids because she could feel their love. They didn’t just say the words. They lived them each and every day.