“What the—”
“Baby, open up.” I recognized the voice instantly and felt my blood drain. I was rooted to the spot. Breathing was no longer an option.
Sheldon growled beside me and stormed for the door. “I swear if Keenan told—” She ripped open the door and was met by my anxious husband who rudely pushed past her. Dash was behind him but she said, “You can’t come in here,” and slammed the door in his face.
“Keenan said you weren’t feeling well.” Keiran reached out and grabbed my waist to pull me close. He tucked his chin low and spoke against the side of my face. “What’s wrong?” His voice was tender with fear.
“I threw up.”
“Why?” The guttural sound of his voice broke me, and I was pretty certain he already knew.
“Because I’m pregnant,” I stated matter of factly and looked up to meet his eyes. I needed to see his true feelings. I was surprised to find him smiling. “Wait… Why are you smiling?”
“Actually, I think we should give you guys a moment,” Sheldon cut in and grabbed Willow’s hand. “But don’t take too long. The wedding starts in fifteen.” She checked to make sure the coast was clear and then they left.
“You’re smiling,” I repeated as soon as the door was closed.
“I was beginning to think my soldiers were weaker than Keenan’s.”
“Explain please.” My tone was short because this was not the reaction I was expecting. He should be yelling and making threats and storming out.
Keiran doesn’t want kids.
“He’s been bragging how he got Sheldon knocked up even though she was on birth control.”
“I’m still not following.”
He swallowed hard and suddenly looked very serious. “I want this.”
“No,” I argued more out of confusion than denial. “You don’t want kids. You’re scared—” I didn’t get to finish because he had placed his palm on my stomach but stared down at his hand confused.
“I’m fucking terrified.”
I didn’t know how to respond because he wasn’t making sense.
“So why?”
“I promised to give you everything, and I know this is what you want. So, I thought maybe I could make that sacrifice.”
“That’s not a reason to face your fears. I don’t want a family to be a sacrifice.”
“I thought so, too.”
“Then why!” I yelled frustrated and stepped back. I wanted to believe him. I wanted a family with him.
But not if my happiness was a sacrifice that he couldn’t live with.
“Haven loves Dash and Dash loves him back. He’s. Just. His. Son.”
“Keiran, baby, explain a little better,” I pleaded. I felt just as desperate as the look in his eyes.
“I got a call from Daniel after we were married. They wanted me to know the inheritance is still in place. If I have a son, I’ll inherit.”
“My son will not be a meal ticket.”
“I’m glad you said that because I told him if I ever did have a son, any cent given to me will be donated or burned. He seemed to understand.”
“So what does this mean?”
“It means I’m not Mitch, and I never will be. I know that now. I want to be a father.”
“What if one day you wake up hating me, or I wake up one day and you’re gone?”
He reached out for me and I went. He needed to touch me just as much I needed him to but he didn’t stop there. He kissed my lips until I softened against him. “That’s never going to happen. Even when I hated you, being without you wasn’t something I could do. It’s you and me forever, wife. Get used to it.” I laughed until he lowered to his knees and looked up at me. “Do you trust me with our kid?”
My relief over his willingness to give our family a try was nothing compared to how I weakened at the humbled look in his eyes. “I trust you,” I found myself saying easier than ever.
He kissed my stomach through the dress, and I wanted nothing more than for him to continue, but a knock on the door pulled us apart. He glanced at his watch and cursed.
“The wedding is about to start.” When he opened the door, we found Willow standing on the other side with her arms crossed. “Shouldn’t you be getting ready to walk down the aisle?” he joked.
“In a minute… Is everything cool?” she grilled with her threatening glare on Keiran. He snorted and ignored her to wrap his arm around my waist and he pulled me in front of him. They had grown closer and by closer, I meant they agreed they were each equally important to me. Willow still tried to assert dominance over him, though, and Keiran still found it amusing.
“We’re going to have a baby.”
KEIRAN
NINE YEARS LATER
“Phee. What is this?” I held up my favorite ball with flower stickers all over the surface. I almost wept when I saw it. Keenan and Dash gave me shit the entire practice after I’d pulled out my ‘pretty ball.’ A few years ago I took over coaching the boys high school basketball team with the help of Keenan and Dash during Saturday morning practice.
“What do you mean, daddy?”