“So why don’t you have a dining room table?” Everly asked asshe leaned forward to take another bite of her food off the high coffee table.
They were currently all three sitting on the living roomfloor facing the large fireplace. With their backs supported by the base of thecouch, they used the wide coffee table as their makeshift dining table. Thetable was actually at the perfect height for the two large men on either sideof her, but for her, it came up to her chin.
As she reached awkwardly for another bite of the herbcrusted chicken, Reid let out a small laugh.
“Here,” reaching behind her, Reid turned, pivoting his broadchest in her direction as he grabbed at two of the couch pillows. “Use these.”
Pushing the cushions underneath and behind her, it helpedbring the table, and more importantly her food, in managing distance.
“Thank you,” she replied sheepishly, she wasn’t used to mencatering to her like they did.
Brushing his shoulder with hers, Zane pulled her attentionback to him on her left. “Actually, we decided to let you decorate the rest ofthe house, that includes picking out the dining room table.”
Her fork paused in midair, taken aback she looked at Zaneunsure of how to reply. If she accepted their offer, it felt like giving in tothis bizarre situation, giving up her right to freedom.
“We built it, you decorate it, does that sound fair?” Reidpressed, turning her attention back to him. Just like his brother, she couldsee the hopefulness glittering in Reid’s eyes as well as his ever wariness toher reaction.
Why did they always make her feel like the cruel one, likethe one spoiling their innocent desires?
Looking directly ahead at the fire Everly took the awaitingbite of her food before eventually replying. “That seems like a more than fairoffer considering your blood and sweat went into this place.”
“And you can put the finishing touches on it and make it areal home, instead of an empty shell.” Though Zane’s tone was cheerful, everyword was mortared in absolute seriousness.
They needed her to want them and this place, just as much asthey did.
Looking to Zane, she narrowed her eyes at his expectantexpression. “I will pick out the table,” she let the silent but heavily implied“only” linger in the air around them.
Smiling broadly, Zane took her small concession as anabsolute win. Grabbing his bottle of beer, he set back against the couchlooking immensely pleased with himself. Turning to Reid, Everly didn’t miss hisown small smile. Feeling terribly duped, she pulled at the loose string on hersweater doing her best not to let her defeat show. A thought suddenly occurredto her. Sitting straight on her cushion Everly faced Reid, her eyes wide andalert, frowning Reid waited for her to respond.
“You don’t intend to make me give birth here, do you?” Thehorrible thought, tightened her throat, spiking the volume of her voice.
The gurgled grunt from Zane alarmed her, turning she watchedhim clumsily slam his beer down as he choked on the liquid in his throat.Leaning over, Zane coughed and sputtered. “What…the…fuck Everly?!” Zane coughedsome more, his voice sounding raw and scratchy while his eyes watered slightly.
Not sure what to do, she rubbed his back soothingly.
“No, Everly we…” Reid’s serious tone was cut off by Zane ashe regained his breath.
“No dammit, do you really think we’re monsters?” The littlered veins in Zane’s eyes only made him seem even more upset. “We would never dosomething so barbaric to you.”
“You will be delivering your baby in…” Reid attempted toexplain.
“Our baby,” Zane corrected firmly, taking another sip of hisbeer as he kept his eyes trained on her.
“Yes, our baby,” Reid’s tone was a blatant warning to Zaneto stop interrupting him. “Will be delivered in one of Toronto’s finesthospitals. We will stay in our Toronto condo a few weeks before the deliveryand however long you need afterwards.”
“What about the doctor, I want to…” She had so manyquestions she could barely keep them from all tumbling out at once, but Reid’ssoft kiss stopped the flow of words.
Pulling her slightly into the crook of his arm Reid’s eyessoftened. “Don’t worry I found you a top-rated doctor that is only two hoursfrom here and she will be moving her practice at the end of your pregnancy. Onceshe relocates to Toronto, we’ll move to our condo and wait for your due date.”Tipping her chin up, Everly exhaled as he leaned down for another kiss. “Don’tworry my love we have everything covered.”
No sooner than he pulled away, she felt Zane tug her in hisdirection. His eyes were implacable blue. “An at home birth,” he repeated withincredulous anger. “How could you even think we would do that to you?”
“I didn’t…” She tried to explain.
“I’m going to have to have some convincing apology on yourpart to get over it,” Zane murmured, eyeing her lips. Tilting her head back,she gave the impossible rouge what he wanted. Using his weight against her, hecrushed her against the sofa as he plundered her mouth.
Pushing away to catch her breath, Everly shuddered when shefelt Reid kiss her neck.
“Our mom died giving birth to Zane,” Reid whispered calmly.
