“No different. Linda’s tried to form some sort of relationship with him, but it hasn’t worked. I worried that the longer he was with us, the more attached she’d become to him. But she’s not attached to him as a person, she’s attached to the idea of him.”
“Which is why it will definitely be good for him to meet his maternal family,” Knox pointed out.
“I’ll speak with Linda and get back to you with a good date and time.”
“No later than Sunday, Wyatt,” Knox warned. “For McCauley’s sake.”
“Right. No later than Sunday.”
Later that day, the girls, Jolene, Tanner, Keenan, and Larkin were scattered around the living area of the mansion, talking and laughing. At first, Harper’s demon was on its guard while so many people were on its territory, even though it knew and partially trusted them. After a while, it lost its tension, though it remained alert.
The day had gone by pretty fast, which could have been because Harper found herself disappearing into her mind between jobs – mentally listing everything she’d need to buy and do to be ready for the baby’s arrival.
Devon and Khlo? had commented on her “acting weird”, not at all appeased by her promise to tell them everything later. Tanner and Keenan hadn’t commented, but they had watched her closely. Too closely.
Everyone in the room quieted when Knox and Levi finally joined them. Even as they all exchanged greetings, Knox made a beeline for Harper.
Sitting on the sofa, she smiled up at him as he bent down and dropped a lingering kiss on her mouth. “Hey,” she said simply.
“Hey.” Knox sensed her nervousness and gave her nape a comforting squeeze. His demon relaxed now that she was close – it had harassed him all damn day to find her and stay with her. He’d telepathically checked in with her many times, but it hadn’t done much to placate his demon. I missed you.
And I missed you. “How was your day?”
“Relatively good.” Knox nodded in thanks as Raini and Devon shuffled along, making room for him on the sofa. He took the seat next to Harper, draping his arm over her shoulders. How’re you feeling?
Nervous, Harper replied. I know they’ll be happy for us and I’m confident that they won’t spread our little announcement, but it’s hard not to be… protective of the news.
I understand. We can keep it to ourselves a little longer if that’s what you want.
No, it’s better that they know. Hearing a throat clear, Harper realized that everyone was looking at them expectantly.
“Well, don’t keep us in suspense, Harper,” said Jolene. “You know I don’t like that.”
Harper crossed one leg over the other. “We only want to do this once, so we figured it would be easier to just get you all in one place.” She took a deep breath, but no words came out.
Linking their fingers, Knox took pity on his mate. “She’s pregnant.”
“I knew it!” crowed Devon, a huge smile on her face.
The whole room pretty much descended on Harper and Knox, excitedly passing on their congratulations… aside from Keenan, who said to Knox, “Quick, run. I’ll hold her down if she tries to chase you.”
Harper sighed at him. “You’re an idiot.”
“I’ve known this for a while,” said Keenan.
“I can’t wait to be an aunt!” Raini clapped her hands a few times. “How pregnant are you?”
“Sixteen weeks,” replied Harper.
“Ah, that explains so much,” said Khlo?. “I should’ve seen it.”
Devon’s eyes widened. “Ooh, we get to go shopping for baby clothes!”
“Um, actually, you don’t,” said Harper. “If a bunch of you buy baby clothes all at the same time, people will guess pretty quickly who they’re for.”
They all fell silent for a moment. Then Khlo? spoke. “We’ll take Aunt Kayla with us. She’s pregnant. People will just think the stuff is for her.”
Devon pursed her lips. “That would work.”
“Have you had an ultrasound scan yet?” asked Jolene.
“Yes.” Harper took the picture from her purse and handed it to Raini, who cooed over it before passing it on.
“The baby’s fine,” said Knox, “albeit slightly on the small side.”
“So was Harper,” said Jolene, her smile nostalgic.
Harper raised her brows. “Really?”
Jolene nodded. “You had a growth spurt near the end of the pregnancy. You were still tiny, but not dangerously tiny. There was no need for you to go into an incubator or anything.”
“Are you going to find out if it’s a girl or a boy?” Larkin asked, eyes lit up.
“Personally, I’d rather have the surprise.” Harper looked at Knox. “You?”
“Whatever you want,” he told her. He truly didn’t mind either way.
On the sofa opposite them, Khlo? leaned forward. “Got any names yet?”
Harper scratched her nape. “I haven’t even thought about names.” Of course, everyone then helpfully started reciting their favorite names. It wasn’t long before they then all began criticizing each other’s choices.
Knox spoke above all the noise in the room. “We plan to keep the news quiet for as long as it’s sensible to do so. I’m sure we can trust you all to keep it to yourselves.”
“Of course,” Jolene told him, sobering. The others nodded.
“No one,” Knox stressed. “You share it with no one – not even members of your family or lair. Do it for Harper and the baby’s sake.”
Raini put a hand over her heart. “We won’t say a word.”
Satisfied, Knox nodded.
Jolene and the girls stayed for a while, arguing with Harper about throwing a baby shower. Harper saw it as yet more “fuss”. They weren’t sensitive to her plight, however, and seemed determined to arrange the shower. Once that argument had past and Tanner was done riling Devon, Jolene drove the girls home in her Mustang.
Finally alone with Harper and his sentinels, Knox poured himself a gin and tonic and then returned to Harper’s side. “I don’t think I need to tell you all that we need to tighten the security around Harper.”
“The problem is that if she has several guards, people may guess why,” said Tanner, sprawled on the sofa opposite. “Now that I know she’s pregnant, I can see it. The fatigue, the weight loss, the dark circles under her eyes that show she’s not sleeping well – they’re obvious signs. We attributed it to stress, so others probably did too. But if she suddenly has several guards, people will speculate.”
Beside the hellhound, Keenan nodded in agreement. “That will spread like wildfire.”
Tanner looked at Harper, expression almost apologetic. “I know you love your job but, not to be an asshole, it’s going to be hard to adequately protect you when you’re constantly around strangers.”
Harper sighed. “Tanner —”
“You have to admit,” the hellhound began, “now that you’re pregnant and don’t just have your own safety to worry about, you’re going to look at everyone suspiciously, wondering if they’re Horsemen or if they hired the hunters. Your demon definitely will be.”
Harper wiped a hand down her face. “All right, I won’t deny that. But I have a business to run.”