Conviction (Consolation Duet #2)(58)

Liam: I’m hoping security doesn’t care that I’m going to maul you.

The blush paints my cheeks as I picture him attacking me. Not that I’m far off wanting the same.

Liam: God, seeing your face is going to be the only good thing about this trip. I miss you so much.

I close my eyes and try to respond but another one comes in.

Liam: Look up.

My eyes lift, and he stands before me. He drops his bags and the loud thump echoes in the terminal. I get on my feet and rush toward him. He’s here.

Liam’s arms open as I approach. I close the gap between us with a smile and wrap my arms around him. As soon as our bodies connect, I feel whole.

“Hi, sweetheart,” his deep voice grounds me, and I look into his blue eyes. His lips lower and he kisses me.

My mouth molds to his as his arms keep me flush against him. All the fear disappears like a puff of smoke, and I know I’ll survive no matter what. If I lose this baby, I know we’ll make it through. Liam won’t turn his back on me and seek out another. He’s the man who will hold me and love me regardless. We’re reunited and all is right in the world. There may be a lot of hell waiting for us, but we’re together. He’s alive and I’m in his arms.

He breaks the kiss and stares into my eyes. “I missed the shit out of you.”

I laugh, “I missed you too.” He pulls back a little as I bite my lip. He’s going to see, and I want to tell him before he does. “Liam, I have to tell you something,” I blurt out.

His face falls, “I didn’t make it in time . . .”

“No,” I stop him before he thinks he lost his mother. I practiced and rehearsed this all day, but now I’m choking on the words. I take his hand in mine and place it on my stomach. “I’m pregnant.”

He looks up with wide eyes, and his breath catches. “You’re . . . ?” he stumbles on the words. “We’re . . . ?”

I nod with unshed tears forming.

“A baby?”

I sigh while touching his cheek. “I’m pregnant with a baby. Your baby.”

He takes me into his arms again with such tenderness. “I wish I could say something, but you have no idea how I feel right now,” Liam says against my hair. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah, I’m sure.”

His eyes return to my stomach as his hand rubs the small bump. “Lee, I didn’t think you could.”

“I didn’t either . . . apparently, you and I worked.” I don’t know how to explain it other than a miracle.

Liam smiles before he kisses my nose. “I love you so much. I love Aarabelle, and I’m going to love this baby just as much.”

Right there. Those words solidify everything. He not only included Aara, he said her first. Once again, he proves why he has my heart. He didn’t choose to love his own child any more or any differently. Liam is the man who will be a father to both my children, because to him, Aara is his as well.

“I want you to be happy, but I need to be honest,” I say and we sit. “I had a huge scare. You know some of what I went through to have Aarabelle, and the fact that I’ve carried this long is promising. I cramped pretty bad the other day and have been trying to stay off my feet . . .”

Liam cuts me off. “You’re not going with me then.”

“Stop. I got the clear from the doctor to go.”

“Natalie, you and the baby come first. I want you with me, more than you know, but I’m not going to argue.”

“You’re not going to boss me around either,” I snap.

Liam smiles at my small outburst. “I’m not?”

“No, you’re not.” I cross my arms.

He cups my face and his smirk only irritates me. “I’m so in love with you.”

Well, that doesn’t make me hate him. “You’re confusing me.”


“I’m loving you. And loving that my super sperm knocked you up.”

I roll my eyes and fight my smile. “You’ve been home five minutes and I’ve already cried, yelled, gotten mad, and smiled. You’re something else.”

“I’m yours,” he replies.

“And I’m yours.”

“Yeah, sweetheart. You sure are. Okay, so tell me what the doctor said,” he requests.

I go over all the rules, how far along I am, and more about the scare. His emotions play across his face like a movie. The one thing that remains clear is how happy he is and how much love he has for me. I’ve never seen a man look at me like he does. Liam sees through me and even with every flaw showing, he only loves me more. What we share is rare and precious, just like the child we’ve made.

He hoists the bag on his back with a grin. “Got it,” Liam puffs up. He stands with sheer determination across his face. Then, he bows down and lifts me into his arms.

“What are you doing?” I ask practically yelling.

“You said to stay off your feet. So, you’re staying off your feet.” He somehow manages to shrug while holding me.

“Liam!” I laugh but wrap my arms around his neck. “I could get used to this, but you know if we make it through this, I’ll just get bigger.”

“I’ll make sure I keep hitting the gym,” he smiles.