Limitless Love (Lotus House #4)(19)

The bed had a bright-white comforter, but the walls were a deep burgundy. Above her bed was a mirror with a gilded frame. The center of the ceiling was inset and had a small dangling chandelier that splintered sparkles of soft light around the ceiling in a flower-like shape. The carpet was soft beige, and she had a Turkish-style area rug under the bed. A comfortable-looking pinkish-colored ottoman spanned the bottom of the bed. A pair of slippers were tucked neatly under it. The furniture was dark cherry with gold knobs that complemented the style of the room. Monet definitely had good taste. Elegant and classy but not overdone.

Made me wonder what she’d think of my bachelor pad. It definitely wasn’t a home but more a place to crash, with all the creature comforts a guy needed. Black leather sofas, TVs, stereo, game system, and after Atlas had moved out, I converted my spare bedroom to a home gym.

While I scanned the top of Monet’s dressers, mostly finding pictures of Lily and Mila, I thought about how much I’d like coming home from a long day to a bedroom like this. To a charming woman like the one lying in bed. My gaze landed on hers.

“You all settled?” I asked lamely.

“Yes. Again, thank you.”

I groaned. “Stop thanking me. You’ve used up your allotment of that word this week.”

She smiled and rested her head on the pillow. Unable to stop my forward motion, I made it to the side of her bed, tunneled my hand in the crook of her neck and shoulder, and kissed her forehead and then her cheek. I may have pressed my lips to her face a little too long, because out of nowhere, Lily had reached over and bonked my head.

“Ouch!” I laughed, rubbing at my temple.

“Where’s my kiss, Clay?” Lily blinked several times, her sweet little face innocent and happy.

I laughed, got close, and kissed the pretty girl on the forehead.

Her brow furrowed and she pointed at her cheek. “And here. Like on Mommy.”

Again, I kissed her cheek. “You good, Queen Lily?”

She nodded and flailed back.

“You remember what I said about being really careful around Mommy?”

“I ’member.”

“You re-mem-ber,” I sounded out for her.

“’S’wat I said.” She frowned. “I ’member. Be careful wif Mommy ’cuz she’s hurt.”

“That’s right, sweetie.”

“Will you come back tomorrow and make dinner? I want mac and cheese.” Her demand was succinct and thoughtful.

I laughed. “You’ve had pasta two days in a row.”

Her nose crinkled when she responded. “I luv pasta!”

She smiled huge, and it melted my heart. Yep, this little girl had me wrapped around her pinky finger already.

“Yes, I gathered that.” I ruffled her dark hair. “How about I come over and make tacos? Does that sound good to everyone?”

Mila and Atlas chimed in at the same time. “Hell yes!” Then they laughed, and Atlas covered Mila’s hand.

“Uh, before Clay goes, Mila, I believe you had something you wanted to tell the family yesterday,” Atlas prompted, sitting up straighter.

My eyes widened. “I, uh, I can go.” I moved backward a couple steps to head out, and Atlas grabbed my wrist.

“No, man. Stay. This is the good part.” He winked. I already knew what she was going to say because he’d told me, but being included and hearing it officially, in a family environment, made my heart pound double time.

Mila kneeled ceremoniously on the bed, placed both hands over her belly, and looked at Monet. “You’re going to be an auntie! We’re pregnant,” she said happily.

Monet grabbed Mila’s hand and squeezed. “I’m so excited for you guys.”

Atlas grinned so wide I could see his gums. Lucky bastard. At least he had a woman who wouldn’t lie about carrying his child and take him for a ride. Mila loved him and was good people. They both were. Still, it grinded my gears when I was reminded of that time in my life years ago.

“What’s pweg-nant mean?” Lily asked.

“Means Auntie Mimi is going to have a baby,” Monet offered to Lily. “I’m so happy for you two. This is amazing news.”

Monet yawned sleepily. I could tell she was about to fall asleep any minute.

Lily’s blue eyes widened so big I could have gone swimming in those excited pools. “You got a baby? Where? I wanna see it!” She jumped on the bed, ready to bolt to wherever this magical baby was.

We all laughed while Mila tugged an arm around Lily’s waist, pulled her into a hug, and kissed her neck a bunch of times until Lily squealed in delight. “No, silly. The baby is growing in my belly. We have to wait for just about seven months before the baby is here.”

Lily pushed back and scrambled down to put her face near Mila’s abdomen. She poked it experimentally. “It’s in there?”

“Yep. And I’m going to get all round and big!”

Her lips pursed as she placed her ear to it.

“What are you doing, love bug?” Monet asked.

“Trying to hear it. Be quiet,” she admonished. Then her eyes got big again. “I think I hearded a swish swish. My baby is in there!”

“Already laying claim, munchkin? I think that’s my baby in there,” Atlas said proudly.

A spike of jealousy slammed into me once again. Several years ago that had been me. Happy and elated that I was going to be a father. Until the lying bitch took the dream away.