Giving Her My Baby(16)

“Babies,” he corrects, but I keep going.

“I need her to be there and to meet you. It’s always just been her and me before now.” Brooks pulls me into him so our bodies are pressed together.

“Invite her over for dinner tonight. I want to meet the woman who raised my beautiful, sweet soon-to-be wife.” I wrap my arms around his neck and he picks me up easily.

He moves towards the bathroom again and I feel light and happy. Everything in my life has led to this and it’s all coming together. Finally, all of my dreams are coming true.





11





Brooks





I carry in the last of the bags and put them in the room next to ours. We might have gone a little overboard today with baby shopping. When we were in the shower I told her that I wasn't going to work and we could spend the whole day looking at baby stuff if she wanted to. The look on her face went straight to my heart. And I promised myself that I’d live my life making sure to keep that look on her face. I’d never seen someone light up like that before. It was so innocent and sweet. No matter what it takes, I’ll do right by her and our children.

I look around at what used to be a guest room. It’s right beside the master, so it’s the perfect room for a nursery. The space is completely empty after I had it cleared out today. We were out buying things to fill it up and I wanted it to be a blank canvas for whatever Ella chooses.

A shard of worry cuts through me when I think about how her mom will be here soon. All day I kept trying to come up with a way to tell her that I didn't really have a sister, but there was never the right moment. I needed to tell her how I really came to find her, but I couldn't bring myself to dim her smile. I can’t find the right words, but I know I have to tell her. Soon.

Part of me is terrified because I don’t know how she’s going to react. I’ve never been scared of a thing in my life, but the idea of losing her is more than I can stand. Upsetting her isn’t something I’m prepared to do. I remind myself that no matter what happens I won’t let her get away. I’ll figure this out.

Hopefully I can win her mom over tonight and drag her to the courthouse tomorrow to make it official. I need to have her legally bound to me. We can plan a wedding as big as she wants in a few months if she likes, but I need us married now. I want my name branded on her.

“Hey.”

I turn around to see Ella standing in the doorway, sleep still in her eyes. I’d carried her into the house after we’d gotten home and made love to her until she passed out.

“Hey, beautiful.”

I walk over to her and pull her into my arms. Like always she melts into me. How I got so lucky to have found this sweetness, I’ll never know. I hated her father Vick when I met him, but maybe I should be thanking him for giving me such a woman.

I don’t know how that dumb fuck could walk away from my girl. She has something special in her heart, and I love her. I could feel it from that first moment I laid eyes on her. Something deep inside me shifted and fell into place. I didn’t realize I’d been waiting for her my whole life.

She wraps her arms around me like she always does. I love how easily she gives herself to me. God, she’s going to be an incredible wife and a wonderful mother to our children. I hope I can live up to everything she wants.

“My mom texted me. She’s on the way.” She gives me one of her big smiles.

There’s no way her mom could know who my mom married. Could she? I doubt it. I just need to get through tonight without Ella finding out. We’ll get married first thing in the morning and then I’ll tell her. I know I should probably do it before, but I just can’t take that chance.

“Go get ready. I’ll finish dinner.” I give her ass a small squeeze and it makes her giggle before she goes back to our bedroom.

I watch her walk away and want to follow her, but I hold myself back knowing that if I do, her mom will show up while I’m deep inside her daughter. Probably not the best introduction to each other.

I want her mom to like me. I know how much she means to Eleanor, and I know how much my own mom means to me. Hell, this is how everything started. Because of my mom and wanting to protect her against a con artist—it all led to my woman.

I shake the thoughts from my mind. Right now, I need to focus on getting through tonight.

I go to the kitchen and check on the pasta I requested be made ahead of time. Then I start pulling out the sides the staff had prepared to go with it. I set the table and make sure everything is perfect just as Ella comes walking into the kitchen. She’s wearing a light blue dress and her feet are bare. Her long dark hair flows behind her and she’s practically glowing. I’m pretty sure she’s pregnant just from the light around her. I can’t stand the distance between us, and I pick her up by the hips and sit her on the counter.

“I’m a little nervous to tell my mom about everything,” she admits. Her small hands lock together in her lap as she bites her lip.

I use my thumb to pull her bottom lip out from between her teeth. Then I give her a quick kiss before I rub my hands up and down her arms.

“It will all be fine,” I tell her. “I’ll make sure of it.”

“You can’t control everything.” She shakes her head at me.

Maybe not, but I sure as fuck can get pretty close to it. I stand between her legs and she rests her hands on my chest.