“Scary,” Carter finished for me.“I know.It's okay to be scared, Olivia.Hell, I'm terrified.But I'm also happier than I've ever been in my life.You know why?”
“Why?”
“Because I get to do this with you.Because in seven months, we're going to meet this little person we created together.And that's...that's fucking incredible.”
Fresh tears blurred my vision.“When did you get so good at this?”
“Must be all those romance novels Wick's been forcing me to read.”
I giggled and wiped my eyes with my hand.“Care to share your reading list?”
“A gentleman never reveals his secrets,” he said with a wink.
It was nice to banter back and forth.I felt almost normal again.Yes, our lives were about to change dramatically.Yes, there were still fears and uncertainties ahead.But with Carter by my side, somehow everything seemed manageable.
When we got home, Pete met us at the door, his tail wagging furiously.As I bent to pet him, I wondered how he'd react to the new addition to our little family—assuming we made it that far.
“You know,” Carter said as we settled on the couch, Pete curling up at our feet, “we're going to have to tell people soon.”
“I want to wait.Last time…” I faltered, unable to finish the thought.
Carter slid an arm around my shoulders.As always, his touch grounded me.“That’s fine.We can wait until you're ready.”
“Maybe Thanksgiving?”
“Sure.Thanksgiving sounds good.”
I bit my lip, anxious to voice my next request while I still had the courage.“Can we… host?”
Carter raised his eyebrows.“You want to host Thanksgiving here?”
“It was just an idea.We don't have t—” I backpedaled frantically.
But Carter's face split into a grin.“I'd love to have Thanksgiving here, Sunny.”
“Okay!But maybe we should tell my mom first.And your dad?”
Carter's mouth tightened almost imperceptibly.“Definitely your mom.I don’t think we need to tell my dad early.”
My heart hurt at the resignation in his voice.“Carter, don't be silly.He's your only family.”
I realized my hand had drifted to my stomach as I spoke.Carter followed the movement, his expression softening.“Youare my family.”His large hand covered mine, warm and protective.“Both of you.”
As I snuggled closer to Carter, Pete snoring at our feet, a feeling of contentment washed over me.Our little family—Carter, me, Pete, and our raspberry—we were going to be okay.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CARTER
A bemused smiletugged at my lips as I beheld the chaos unfolding in my kitchen.Ellie, Olivia's mother, was a whirlwind of activity.Her blonde hair frequently escaped its neat bun as she darted between the stove and the counter.The air was thick with the mouthwatering scent of roasting turkey and freshly baked pies.
“Olivia, sweetie, please sit down,” Ellie said for what must have been the tenth time in the last hour.“You need to rest.”
Olivia's shoulders tensed, her jaw clenching in that stubborn way I'd come to know so well.“Mom, I'm pregnant, not an invalid.I can help with the cooking.”
“Your mom’s right, Sunny.”I moved to wrap my arms around her from behind.My hands rested on her belly, which had just started to show a slight curve.“You should take it easy.”
She turned in my arms, fixing me with a glare that would have made a lesser man quake in his boots.But I just grinned and kissed her forehead.“Don't give me that look.Doctor's orders, remember?”
