Two Years Later
“I look like a whale. A blue whale as a matter of fact, since this dress is blue.”
Aidan stared at his wife and smiled. He stood from the bed and walked up behind Megan, who looked at herself in the full-length mirror. He reached around and laid a hand on her round, pregnant belly.
“No, you don’t. You look beautiful.”
She sniffled as her hazel eyes filled with tears and met his in the reflection. “You have to say that. You did this to me.”
And he didn’t regret a second of it. But he wasn’t going to tell her that.
He bit back a chuckle. “I know. I’m sorry. But I promise, I’m being completely honest when I say that this dress looks amazing on you.”
He wasn’t saying that to make her feel better either. The stretchy material was a deep blue and purple swirled together, bringing out the glow of her skin. The wide straps connected to a bodice that hugged her even more amazing boobs. The dress was flowy but clung to all her new curves he was crazy about, stopping at the ankle, or as she called them these days, her cankles.
It was a simple, long tank dress, but she made it look sexy without even trying.
As his sisters had told him, Megan Reynolds was one of those pregnant women that made it look easy. She’d gained all her weight in her belly, morning sickness had lasted only two days, and she’d been a tiger in the sack from the beginning. There’d been a few times he’d wondered if he could keep up with her.
Of course, he did. And he wasn’t complaining.
But he could also tell Megan was becoming increasingly uncomfortable as the weeks counted down. She was a week from her due date, and while her appetite for sex hadn’t waned yet, a foot or back rub was likely to give her as much pleasure as an orgasm in recent days.
And getting dressed brought tears more days than not. This was one of those days.
Megan turned to face him and looked up. “Are you sure we have to go?” She put her palms on his chest and ran them up to his neck. “Can’t we just stay here and have orgasms and you feed me bonbons or something?”
Aidan slipped his hands around her waist and pulled her as close as he could with her belly between them. “First, chocolate has made you sick, so there’s no way I’m giving you bonbons.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Right. That’s so weird. I love chocolate. Usually.”
“Second, as tempting as that is, it’s kind of important I’m there. Being sworn in as sheriff and all.”
A couple of months ago, Sheriff Thompkins had succumbed to his cancer, and Aidan had been appointed to take over the remainder of Thompkins’s term. It was a bittersweet day for him and the town.
“I know,” she said on a sigh before lifting her gaze to his, and it glittered with unshed tears and love. “Have I told you how proud I am of you? You’ve worked so hard getting that department to where it needs to be.”
He lowered his forehead to hers. “I never tire of hearing it from you.” His lips met hers in a soft kiss. “I love you, Megan.”
“I love you too.” She lifted her arms and twined them around his neck. “Do we have time for at least the orgasms part of my plan?”
Desire sparked quick and hot like gas to a flame. Though honestly, it didn’t take much where Megan was concerned.
It never had.
He checked his watch. “Not as much time as I want with you, but we got a few minutes.”
“That’s all I need,” she said before grabbing his head and bringing his mouth to hers.
Thoughts of obligations and responsibilities flew out of his head as his hands roamed over her body and her hot mouth devoured his. He backed her toward the bed, their lips fused together, his hands pulling up her dress, her hands fumbling to unbuckle his belt.
When the back of her legs hit the bed, she lay down, her dark hair fanned out around her, a stark contrast to the light-colored comforter that covered the bed. His breath caught in his chest looking down at her. Megan and the child she carried that they’d made from love were everything in the world to him. The love that coursed through him made him drunk and nearly brought him to his knees.
And to think he’d almost let all of it go.
He lifted the hem of her dress up her legs and stopped when he got it around her waist. His cock surged behind his zipper, and he raised narrowed eyes to hers. “Commando? You’re a dirty girl, wife.”
Her smile was seductive. “Always, husband.”
“Well, it does make for easier access.” He dropped to his knees and pulled her to the edge of the bed. Her gasp became a moan when he leaned forward and clasped his mouth on her swollen clit. As always, Megan was ready for him, making it nearly impossible for him to take his time with her anymore.
At the moment, that was a good thing.
In less than two minutes, she writhed beneath him, his name like a prayer from her lips as she rode out her orgasm. He stood, stroking himself while she rolled over and lifted her ass up for him. At this stage of the game, taking her from behind was the easiest way.
Not that he complained about that either.
He gripped her hips and slid between her folds, pushing inside her easily. Their groans filled the otherwise quiet room. As always, sinking into Megan was like coming home. He knew he’d never tire of being inside her, listening to her moans, of loving her.
It didn’t take long for her to clamp down on his cock and ride out another orgasm that sent him over the edge as well. With quick kisses and giggles—from Megan—they cleaned up, put themselves back together, and made it out the door managing to look like upstanding citizens.
Hand in hand, they arrived at the main square in town where the swearing in ceremony was taking place with a few minutes to spare. His cousin and fellow deputy, Landon, escorted Megan to the front row where his entire family sat to see his big day. Nerves rattled around in his gut as he headed to the stage where the mayor and a longtime judge stood waiting.
The mayor had a few words to say honoring the late Sheriff Thompkins, making the crowd sniffle, including Aidan himself. He’d miss ole Thompkins, who’d taught him so much over the years and took a chance on him when Aidan had come home from the military. He was grateful for the opportunity to serve his beloved town, but it was sad to think about how he’d ended up being sworn in.
After he’d put his hand on the Good Book and taken his oath, Megan met him on the stage. She lifted on her toes and kissed him soundly on the mouth. “Congratulations, Aidan. I love you so much.”
His heart leapt in his chest as he kissed her back and wrapped her in his arms. “I love you more.” His words were muffled into the side of her neck.
Within minutes, the rest of his family surrounded him, with hugs, handshakes, and claps on the back.
Aidan and Del were talking sports when Megan gripped his arm. When he looked down, panic ran cold in his veins. “What’s wrong, baby? Are you okay?”
There was a grimace on her face, which had gone pale, and she held her belly. She blew out a breath and raised her head to meet his nervous gaze. “I’m not feeling so good.”
“Shit, okay.”
“I’ll get Mom,” Del said, already moving away.
Stella and the rest of his family appeared, surrounding them a moment later.
“Aidan, go get the car.” Stella stood on the other side of Megan, whose face was a mask of pain. “It’s time.”
“Time? For the baby?” He shook his head. “She’s still got another week.”
Just then, the sound of a small splash made them all look down.
“Um, I don’t think the baby is going to wait, little brother,” Amelia said.
“Oh no. Was that…?” Megan looked at Stella, who nodded with a huge smile on her face.
“Yes, sweetie. Your water just broke.” She looked around Megan at him. “Now will you go get the car? I’ll call the doctor to meet you there.”
All he could do was nod dumbly.
“Come on, Daddy. Let’s get going.” Noah clapped Aidan on the back and pulled him along.
Chaos seemed to break out around them as people moved out of the way while he and Noah ran toward the truck and Stella took care of Megan.
“Want me to drive, or will you be okay?” Noah asked, his breath short as they ran.
“I’m good. I’m good.” His laughter bordered on hysteria. “Holy shit. It’s time!”
His brother laughed with him as they climbed into the SUV, tires squealing as Aidan pulled away from the curb. It was a short trip from the sheriff’s office to the square. Landon motioned him into the square to get closer to where Megan sat with his sisters and mother. Del and Shane helped keep the crowds out of the way as he drove over the grass.
When the vehicle came to a jarring stop, Aidan and Noah jumped out, and within minutes Megan had been gingerly loaded in, and the parents-to-be sped off to the hospital with everyone waving in the rearview mirror.
In the passenger seat, Megan breathed the way they’d learned in the childbirth class.
“Hang on, babe. We’re almost there.”
“Aidan?”
“Yeah, babe?”
“We don’t have anything. My bag, the birth plan. Nothing. My slippers. I really wanted my slippers.” She stopped and blew out some breaths. “Did you put the car seat in?”
His hand gripped the steering wheel. “Uh, no. Not yet.”
“Aidan!” Megan wailed. “What are we going to do? They’re not going to let us take our baby home. I can’t leave without our baby!”
Shit, he’d fucked up, hadn’t he?
“Calm down—”
“Don’t you tell me to calm down.”
He ran a hand through his hair. “Okay, okay. I’m sorry. But don’t worry, I’ll get the seat. We’ll be able to take the baby home.”
Although he had to admit, he still wasn’t sure he was ready for someone to hand him a tiny human and send them home without some kind of handbook.
He drove as quickly as he could without wrecking, though he did make a couple of illegal passes on a solid line. When he jerked the SUV around a slow-moving pickup, Megan held on to the oh-shit handle. “Try not to kill us before we get there, Aidan,” she said through gritted teeth.
Minutes later, without further incident, they pulled into the emergency entrance of the hospital. When he came around to help Megan, he hollered for someone to bring out a wheelchair. As she lowered herself into it, beads of sweat broke out on her forehead, and she panted through the pain.
Once inside and checked in, Aidan could barely keep up with the whirlwind of activity that happened around them. They’d been situated in a private room that was welcoming and cozy. Machines had been set up, and nurses bustled around, preparing Megan for the next steps. He sent a quick text to his mother letting her know the status and that he’d be in touch later.
Aidan sat next to her and held Megan’s hand while she breathed through contractions. Watching the monitors, he coached her through. As time passed, the contractions came closer together; her grip on his hand was bone-crushing, and she started to curse under her breath.
“This fucking hurts, Aidan.”
“I know.”
“Ha, you know, my ass. This is all your fault, Reynolds. You’re impossible to resist.”
“I take full responsibility.” He wiped her forehead with a cool cloth. “You’re doing great. Here comes another one.”
Even as she swore he’d never get near her with his penis ever again, Aidan thought Megan was amazing. He would take every insult she hurled at him and then some. Whatever the love of his life needed, he’d do.
Dr. Thatcher, Megan’s doctor, came in soon after they’d settled in a room. “Hey, Megan. You ready to have a baby?” A mask covered the bottom of the doctor’s face, but her dark brown eyes sparkled with delight.
Megan nodded and groaned through a contraction. “Can I have drugs yet?”
“Well, let’s check you out and see where you are.”
Once gloved up and settled between Megan’s legs, Dr. Thatcher flipped back the sheet and murmured. She looked up at him and then moved her gaze to his wife. “I’m sorry, Megan. You’re not getting any drugs today. You’ve blown right past that. You’re fully dilated, effaced, and ready to go. You need to get ready to push.”
“No, no, no. Stop lying to me.” Megan shook her head against the pillow, long dark tendrils of her hair sticking to her damp face. She turned her pleading gaze to Aidan. “Aidan, please get me drugs. I can’t do this. I want to go home.” Each word she said was punctuated by a breath and followed by more tears that tore his heart into pieces.
He brushed the damp strands away from her face. Her chest heaved in exertion as he grabbed her hand and held it over his heart. Focusing on her hazel eyes, he spoke lovingly but firmly. “Megan, listen to me. You are the strongest person I know. Our son or daughter is waiting to meet us, and you’re the only one in the world that can bring them here. This is the home stretch, babe.” She cried and tried to catch her breath. “You can do this, okay? I’m right here with you. Until the end.”
She nodded and tightened her fingers around his. “Until the end?”
“I promise. I love you so much, Megan. You got this.”
She nodded again, and determination settled across her features. “I got this.”
“Megan, it’s time to push,” Dr. Thatcher said.
Aidan smiled at Megan and leaned forward, planting a quick, hard kiss on her lips. “Let’s do it. Bring our baby home.”
“Push, Megan.”
With a long, loud groan, Aidan encouraged Megan to push while two nurses took her legs to give her leverage against her feet. When the contraction ended, she dropped her head back against the pillow and breathed heavily, her eyes closed.
“You’re doing great, Megan,” Dr. Thatcher said. “When you feel like you need to push again, push.”
Aidan wiped the cold cloth against her forehead. “Baby, you’re a badass. Keep going.”
A few seconds later, she started to push again and stopped. She barely took another breath before another one hit. Aidan was in awe of the sight before him. He’d always thought Megan had incredible strength and was tough as hell. But holy shit. This was a new level of amazement he had no words for.
For the next half hour or so, the contractions came regularly, and Megan pushed and pushed and pushed. Aidan continued to encourage her and do whatever he could to help the process along.
“Keep pushing, Megan. You’re doing great,” Dr. Thatcher said. “Almost there.” She shifted and glanced up at Megan. “One more. When I say push, you need to give it everything you have, okay?”
Megan nodded weakly, her energy waning. But when the doctor said push, his incredible badass wife dug deep and found the strength to give one last push. With her eyes squeezed shut and a loud groan, she pushed with every ounce of energy she had left.
“Come on, baby,” Aidan said. “Almost there.”
With one last groaning yell, Megan dropped her head back, her chest rising and falling rapidly. He glanced down at the doctor.
“It’s a boy!”
Dr. Thatcher held a pink, squirming, slime-covered baby in her gloved hands.
Aidan’s heart pounded in his ears.
He had a son.
Megan lifted her head and held out her arms as the doctor placed him on her chest. The tiny thing started to cry, his arms and legs moving in jerky motions. He blinked his eyes open and closed a few times before settling his gaze on his mother.
“Oh my God. Look at him, Aidan.” Megan’s voice shook.
Aidan couldn’t take his eyes off him. His son. Holy shit. His boy.
His inky, dark hair was plastered to his little head, and he squirmed against Megan’s chest. “Hey there, little buddy.”
“Dad, would you like to cut the cord?” Dr. Thatcher asked.
Aidan blinked before realizing she was talking to him. “Absolutely.”
Once the cord was cut, they took him away to clean him up. Aidan watched the nurses with one eye while helping Megan through delivering the placenta. When all checked out and both mom and baby were cleaned up, the nurse brought their son back, swaddled in a blanket with a little blue beanie on his head, and laid him on Megan’s chest. Aidan sat on the edge of the bed next to her, his arm around her, playing with the ends of her hair.
His heart swelled at the sight of his gorgeous, strong wife holding his son. He fell further in love with both of them right then and there.
She raised her head and looked at him. “I was thinking. What about Nathaniel Paul for a name? After our dads? And my brother who’s been like a dad to me?”
Just when he thought he couldn’t love her more.
He dropped a soft kiss on her lips and cleared his throat before he could speak. “That sounds perfect.”
Aidan reached out, and tiny little fingers wrapped around his pinkie.
Everything he ever wanted was in that bed and in his arms.
Aidan Reynolds was finally right where he needed to be.
