Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 53521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 268(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 268(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Not just because she’s soon-to-be the mother of my child, but because I generally like her. She’s funny. Cute. And so hot. I love being inside her.
I think back to yesterday afternoon in my house when she came over with her cute little notepad. How she wanted to treat our lovemaking like some sort of business arrangement. It was cute, and it pissed me off at the same time.
But I get it.
She’s not into me the same way I’m into her. I guess I’ll have to change all of that.
“Yeah, we’ll plan everything to be sure you can go. I need my big brother standing next to me when I get married,” Paxton says.
I nod. “Of course I’ll be there. I may just have a little baby with me.”
Paxton smiles wide, slapping his hand down on my shoulder. “And of course I want my little niece or nephew there too.”
“I can’t believe you’re having a baby,” Brock says, shaking his head.
“Me neither.”
Tripp steps out onto the patio. “Hey Shep, Felicity just got here.”
I stand, making my way back inside to meet Felicity at the front door. She stands there, looking stunning in a pink sundress with her baby bump protruding.
“You didn’t have this yesterday,” I say, pulling her closer, and setting my hand on her belly.
Felicity’s brown eyes widen. “I popped.”
“You what?”
“I popped overnight. This baby bump just protruded when I woke up. Crazy, right? I Googled and it says it’s normal.”
I smile wider, this whole thing becoming more and more real to me. “Let me introduce you to everyone.”
“I’m nervous,” she says, taking my hand. “Stay by me the entire time.”
“You already know Hartford, right?”
She nods. “Sort of. I know of everyone, just don’t know everyone.”
“That’s about to change.” I lead Felicity further into the house.
My father and Callum are still watching the baseball game in the living room, only now Griffin has joined them. I do quick introductions with everyone, and my father’s eyebrow rises when he notices Felicity’s baby bump.
Shit.
Next, I lead Felicity into the kitchen. My mother busily prepares dinner, chopping vegetables to put into a nice-sized salad.
“Mom, I want you to meet Felicity.”
My mother smiles, stepping closer, wiping her hands on her apron before holding her hand out to Felicity. “Nice to meet you, dear,” she says, warmly.
“You have a beautiful home.” Felicity’s so pretty, and I wrap an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into my side.
“Thank you.” My mother glances down, taking in Felicity’s baby bump, and then her eyes widen. “Why don’t you sit down in your condition.”
Felicity waves away my mother’s concern with a wave of her hand. “I’m fine.” She rests her other hand over her protruding baby.
“How far along are you?”
Hartford and Anya walk into the kitchen, and before Felicity can answer, I’m introducing her to them.
“You know my sister, Anya. And this is Hartford.”
They each say their hellos to each other, and Anya makes it very obvious that the child Felicity is carrying is mine.
Anya hugs Felicity, smiling wide with tears in her eyes. “I can’t wait to be an aunt.”
“An aunt?” my mother says, her eyes shooting to connect with mine.
“Does Mom not know?” Anya says, stepping back from the embrace she’s in with Felicity.
“She does now,” I say. “Thanks for that. Mom,” I say, turning my attention to my mother who now has tears in her eyes. “Felicity and I are having a baby.”
My mother breaks down into tears, and grabs me into a bear hug. “I have so many questions,” my mother says, crying into my shoulder.
“And I’ll answer all of them.”
“Welcome to the family,” Hartford says to Felicity, wrapping her into a hug.
“Oh, I’m not really a part of the family.” Felicity steps out of Hartford’s arms, her cheeks tinged pink.
My mother lets go of me, moving closer to Felicity to wrap her into a warm embrace. “You’re carrying an Atwood in your belly. You’re part of our family now.” My mother cries more. “If you ever need anything, Felicity, you let me know.” She steps back. “Are you two a couple?”
Felicity is quick to answer with a, “No.” and it kind of pisses me off, but I act like it doesn’t affect me.
“Mom, Felicity will always be important to me.”
My mother nods, reaching out to put her hand on Felicity’s arm. “You’re still family. Whether you’re with my son or not. You’re about to become the mother of my first grandchild.” My mother glances over her shoulder. “Don, get in here. Now.”
Now everyone’s in the kitchen. My entire family, including Griffin and Hartford. Who I guess will become family one day. Paxton already asked Hartford to marry him, and I know Griffin and my sister will stay together. They’re perfect for one another.
“Shepherd and Felicity are having a baby,” my mother announces to everyone in the kitchen.