by Lily Harlem
Within seconds, Dr Grace was holding up a second newborn.
“A boy,” Raul said, “we have one of each.”
Olivia propped forward on her elbows, desperate to see.
“Come on, little one,” Dr Grace said, laying the baby on a towel on the bed. “Let’s hear those lungs working.” She gave the still little baby a vigorous rub.
A shard of alarm went through Olivia. It was white-hot, like lightning flashing over her heart. She glanced at Raul. Fear filled his eyes.
Silence.
“Come on, little boy,” Dr Grace said. “You can do it.”
A loud wail filled the room, then another and another.
“That’s it, that’s what we want.” Dr Grace quickly sorted out the cord and wrapped him up. “Whoa, now you’ve started you’re going to keep going, are you?” She smiled and handed the crying baby to Olivia. “Here’s your mommy.”
Olivia took her son in her arms. Raul sat on the bed next to her, holding their daughter. She didn’t know which baby to look at first. Her eyes were drawn to both of them.
“She looks like you,” Raul said, kissing the tip of his daughter’s nose. She’d stopped crying and was staring up at him with wide eyes, her small rosebud mouth almost pouting. “She has the tiniest bit of blond hair, look.”
“She’s beautiful.” Olivia was bowled over by the love she felt for her daughter and son.
“And he is like me.” Raul nodded at the baby in Olivia’s arms, whose cries were subsiding.
“He does have dark hair.” But other than that, her son’s face was a bit squashed and he was very red-cheeked. She stroked the back of her finger over his jawline. “He’s a little cutie.”
Raul leaned forward and kissed her. “You made these two perfect human beings, you are so clever. I love you so much.”
“And I love you.” Her eyes were misting, emotion getting the better of her yet again. “Will you go and get the others?”
“Si, of course.”
Twenty minutes later, Olivia was sitting up in the bed, holding both of her babies. The pain of labor was a distant memory. Now her children were all she could think of. They’d become her world in an instant.
Dr Grace had finished up the necessary afterbirth jobs and helped Olivia wash and change.
“You did great,” the doctor said. “Delivering one baby is hard work, two is completely exhausting. You must be a fit person.”
“I try to be.”
“It pays. It’s called labor because it’s hard work, but if your heart and muscles are used to hard work it’s a lot easier.”
“There was nothing easy about it.” Olivia laughed softly.
“No, I agree. But you should be proud of yourself.”
“Thank you, and for being here and understanding.”
She pressed her hand over Olivia’s. “I’m here for you, and these little guys, you know that.”
“I appreciate it. I really do.” She nodded at the window. “And I’m sorry if having the extra support made you feel as if we didn’t think you could do it.”
“Don’t be silly. Complications arise, and in childbirth, they arise quickly and get serious quickly. It was a sensible plan B, if you can afford it.”
“Harry insisted.”
“Speaking of Harry, I’ll go and see where he and…”
“My other husbands.”
“Yes, I’ll go and see where your other husbands are.”
Olivia enjoyed a couple of moments alone with her children. She knew what their names were, but the guys didn’t. After much debate and no one agreeing on anything, it was left for her to make the final decision out of a list of names nobody hated.
Evan stuck his head around the door. “Can we come in?”
“Of course.” She grinned at him. “Come and see your babies.”
After Evan came Mason and Lucas, then Harry and Raul. Dr Grace came in behind, with Amal, Darius, and Banna. Amal was holding her hand and sucking his thumb.
“Are you okay?” Evan asked, his attention on Olivia.
“Yes, I’m fine.” She nodded at the babies. “Meet our new son and daughter.”
“Son and daughter. Wow.” He hovered his hands over the baby girl who stared up at him the way she had Raul. “Can I hold this one?”
“Of course. That’s the girl.”
He took her, as if she were made of the most delicate china.
Harry stood next to him, staring down as if mesmerized. “She’s got your eyes, Olivia.”
“She seems to have eyes for her fathers.” Olivia smiled. “See how she looks at you all.”
“She’s perfect,” Mason said, gently touching her head.
Lucas studied her for a moment. He then turned away and appeared to brush a tear from his eye.
“Lucas,” she said. “Come and meet your son.”
He pulled in a deep breath, his shoulders hitching, then stepped around the bed. “He’s got dark hair.”
“Yes, and lots of it. It’s dried fluffy.” She paused. “Do you want to hold him?”
“He’s sleeping, I don’t want to wake him.”
“You won’t. Here you go.” She carefully rested the tiny bundled up baby in the crook of Lucas’s big arm.
“Hey, wee man,” he whispered. “I hope you’re gonna like boats, and horses and karate and treehouses, because we’ve got it all going on around here.”
Olivia smiled. It turned into a big grin. Had she ever been so happy?
Harry moved around the bed. He kissed her then peered at the baby Lucas was holding. “He’s a handsome dude, isn’t he?”
“Aye, he is,” Lucas said, then paused. “Well he’s a bit squished but I expect he’ll grow out of that.”
“He is not.” Olivia laughed. But she knew it was true, he was a bit.
“So what are we calling them?” Mason asked. “You can tell us now, hen.”
“Yes, I suppose I can.” She looked at her daughter. “This is Isabel Grace—Grace was my grandmother’s name and it’s perfect that it’s also the name of the doctor who delivered her. And this…” She nodded at her son. “Is Cameron James—my father is James.”
“Isabel and Cameron.” Evan nodded. “I like it.”
“Me, too,” Harry said.
“Hey, Cameron.” Lucas touched the tip of his nose to Cameron’s. “It’s nice to meet you finally.”
“How about a family photograph?” Dr Grace said, pulling an old-fashioned Polaroid camera from her bag.
“Yes, good idea.” Olivia gestured to Amal, Darius, and Banna. “Come on kids, come here, you’ve got a new brother and sister to meet.”
Darius scooted over to Mason and crawled up him and into his arms. He was getting too big to keep doing that, but Olivia wasn’t worried, Mason would soon tell him to stop when it was time.
Banna came to the bed and studied Olivia. “Are you really okay?”
“I’m fine. It was hard work, but it’s done now. Do you like the names I picked?”
She nodded. “Yes. Very much.”
“Oh, oh, dear, she’s doing something,” Evan said, looking worriedly at Isabel.
“What?” Olivia stretched her neck to see her daughter.
A sudden loud wail filled the bedroom.
“She’s crying, I don’t know why,” Evan said.
“Ah, she has had enough of staring at you.” Raul scooped Isabel from his arms. “I will take her.”
“And she’s probably ready for feeding,” Olivia said.
“Let’s do the family photograph first.” Dr Grace stood at the end of the bed. “Everyone get in close.”
Amal climbed onto the end of the bed, so he was nearest the lens.
“Smile.” Dr Grace took two pictures, each one whirring from the camera. “One for you and one for me, if you don’t mind.” She handed Olivia a smoky-gray photograph.
“As long as you don’t sell it to the press,” Harry said.
“Why would I do that?” Dr Grace appeared
confused.
“He’s joking,” Evan said. “Ignore him.” He jabbed Harry in the ribs.
“Hey. Watch it.” Harry rubbed his side and frowned.
Olivia grinned. Even Harry and Evan’s sparring couldn’t dampen her joy. She was on cloud nine. Life had never been better.
She studied the photograph. The image was becoming clearer by the second. She was on the bed, her smile bright and wide even if her hair was a mess and she had rings beneath her eyes. Amal sat near her feet grinning. To her right, Harry and Evan stood side by side, each with a hand on Banna’s shoulders. Then there was Raul, holding Isabel, and twisted a little so the camera could capture the baby’s little face. On her other side, Lucas and Mason, Lucas holding a sleeping Cameron, and Darius clinging to Mason’s neck and smiling broadly for the camera.
It was a perfect photograph of her perfectly unconventional family. Five husbands, and five children. She loved them all so much, and always would, no matter what challenges life threw their way.
About The Challenge
The Challenge is a reverse harem series starring Olivia Bailey and her sexy men. Set in modern times, packed full of adventure and steaming from the page it’s sure to keep you hooked.
Grab your copies now
#1 CASTAWAYS
#2 TEARAWAYS
#3 RUNAWAYS
#4 STOWAWAYS
#5 BREAKAWAYS
(All books can be enjoyed on Kindle Unlimited. Best read in order.)
Readers who enjoy Lily’s books should know that Amazon reviews are very much appreciated. It only needs to be one line saying what you enjoyed about the book. If you want to connect with Lily sociably, join her exclusive Facebook Reader Group.
A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR
Thank you for reading BREAKAWAYS, I do hope you enjoyed it and the rest of the series. Olivia and her men have become very close to my heart and it’s with reluctance I’ve brought THE CHALLENGE to a close at BREAKAWAYS.
However, you should know that I ‘never say never’. Having published THE CHALLENGE independently I can pick up again at any time and start on Book 6.
Book 6, will be titled – if it gets written – THE BOYS, and will be set five years on from where BREAKAWAYS ends. As the title suggests this is Harry, Evan, Raul, Mason and Lucas’s chance to have their say as each guy will get several chapters told entirely from their point of view.
So if you’d like to see Book 6 hitting the shelves soon, do consider leaving a review on Amazon for THE CHALLENGE books, and help spread the word on social media by letting reader groups know about Olivia’s sexy stories.
Thank you, as always, for your support. If you didn’t read, what would be the point of us authors writing? And I for one, have to write, without it, I’d go a little bit crazy…or maybe I am already!
Lily x
PS. If you enjoy the dynamic of two guys and a girl - where the guys are also hot for each other - check out THE GLASS KNOT, THE SILK TIE, MUSCLING IN, and A FIGHTER'S LOVE (voted for Readers’ Choice Book of the Year), all full length MMF novels. (The Glass Knot and The Silk Tie are available on Kindle Unlimited)
About Lily Harlem
Lily Harlem is an award-winning, bestselling author of sexy romance. She writes for several publishers including HarperCollins, Bonnier, Evernight, and Stormy Night Publications.
Lily writes Male/Female, Male/Male and ménage a trois romances that all leave the bedroom door wide open and have a happily ever after. Her emotionally charged M/F novel Breathe You In was named a USA Today Reviewer’s Recommended Read of 2014.
Lily also self-publishes and The Silk Tie, The Glass Knot, Cold Nights, Hot Bodies, Bite Mark and Shared have been blessed with many 5* reviews – all available on Kindle Unlimited. .
If you love sporty romance don’t miss Hot Ice a seven novel 5* series about those sexy bad boys of the ice all available on Kindle Unlimited and the first book FREE when you sign up to her VIP Group.
Lily also co-authors with Natalie Dae and publishes darker plot lines and suspense under the name Harlem Dae - check out That Filthy Book which has been hailed as a novel 'every woman should read' and is available in book stores nationwide. The Sexy as Hell Trilogy, a critically acclaimed boxed set, is available on Amazon and KU.
One thing you can be sure of, whatever book you pick up by Ms Harlem, is it will be wildly romantic and deliciously sexy. Enjoy!
Visit Lily’s website for more details of her other books or her Amazon Author Page. Subscribe to her newsletter to get a FREE ebook and be the first to hear of new releases, and if you enjoy Facebook hop on over there and say hi!
Find your next great read…
Male/Female
Male/Male
Menage a Trois
Reverse Harem
Hot Ice
Harlem Dae
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