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I shake my head with a smile. “I’ve been pretty much okay, except that I like to eat weird things sometimes.”
He chuckles.
“You mean like Wheat Thins with pimento cheese?” he asks.
“Hey, that’s not that weird!” I protest. He makes a mock-face of disgust.
“Yeah, but I hate pimentos, so it’s weird to me.”
I giggle.
“No, I mean like cucumbers smothered in grape jelly. That’s been one of my faves lately.”
He grins and pulls me close once more before looking down at my slightly bulging belly.
“A baby,” he whispers rapturously. “Holy hell. When did you know, honey?”
I blush.
“I’ve suspected it for a little while now. I mean, I’ve been feeling a little off recently. My breasts got really tender for no reason, and I’ve been having trouble at night. So finally, I mustered up my courage a few weeks back and took a pregnancy test. It came back positive.”
At that, he looks confused.
“You’ve known for a few weeks, but you didn’t tell me?”
I look down, suddenly afraid.
“Yes, I meant to, but things just kept coming up and before I knew it … well, we’re here now.”
Mason takes a deep breath and then smiles at me. “No, it’s okay. What’s important is that we’re having a child together, and you’re going to be a wonderful mommy, Charity.”
I look into his eyes, suddenly serious.
“But do you want children, Mason? I know we haven’t talked about this, and my pregnancy’s come as a surprise.” He nods fiercely.
“I’ve always wanted to have a family, Charity. Rose and I never talked about a family because of her age. It sounds terrible, but I never brought up the subject because she’s forty and she already has you. But with the right woman …”
I’m quiet for a moment before looking up into his eyes searchingly.
“Am I the right woman though, Mason?” I ask, my heart thumping hard. “I don’t want you to feel pressured just because I’m pregnant. We can make this work as co-parents—”
But he cuts me off while pulling me into those strong arms.
“No,” he growls almost angrily, blue eyes intense. “I’m in love with you, honey. I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to overwhelm you. Heck, at your age, I couldn’t tell my navel from my toes and probably thought the world was flat too. But I’ve since realized that you’re different, sweetheart. You’re not some immature kid. Instead, you’re wise beyond your years, incredibly kind, insanely intelligent, and exactly the type of woman I want to spend my life with. I love you Charity, and meeting you is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
The tears in my eyes spill over because these are exactly the words I need to hear. I throw my arms around his neck and begin to cry a bit, pressing my face against his strong, bronzed throat.
“I love you too, Mason,” I manage in a choked voice, “I love you so much and I’m so glad you want me and this baby.”
With that, the alpha male takes my face in his hands and kisses me deeply, our souls touching and then melding. I can taste the promise on his lips to make a good life for us, despite the challenges and ordeals. After all, the handsome firefighter used to be my mom’s boyfriend, but now, I’m claiming him as all mine.
Epilogue
Mason
Mason
Two years later.
My daughter gurgles up at me, her blue eyes sparkling.
“Da,” she coos. “Da-da.”
I lean down to press a kiss to her black curls.
“Hey baby,” I growl. “Daddy’s here for you. Just eat some of these peas, pretty please?”
The grilled chicken, peas, and mashed potatoes before us are absolutely delicious, and I have Charity to thank for that. My woman has always been excellent in the kitchen, and I’ve been the beneficiary of her skills in the kitchen for almost two years now.
After all, after the dust-up at the Tudor Hotel, Charity immediately moved in with me at 921 Cupid’s Chase. There was no reason to stay in the same house as Rosanne, and although it seemed scandalous that a pregnant eighteen year old was now residing with her babydaddy, we ignored the nasty comments. I wouldn’t have it any other way, in fact. My girlfriend belongs with me, and life together has been blissful. Charity graduated high school soon after the Fireman’s Ball, waddling across the stage in her mortar board, and I was incredibly proud. She’s a stay at home mom to our little girl presently, although I know she wants to explore her career options once our daughter is a bit older.
But at the moment, Mercy takes up a lot of time and energy. My daughter’s just like me, unfortunately. She can be a troublemaker, and right now she’s got her chubby baby hands in the peas while throwing them on the floor with gleeful shrieks.
