“Lindy, I love you,” he said, gazing deeply into her eyes. “I love you, and I love our baby. I want to be with you, and I want to build a happy, loving family with you. That's what I want. I...” He took a deep breath. “I hope that's what you want as well. Will you let me take care of you, cherish you and love you for the rest of my life, Lindy?”
Her vision wobbled suddenly and she realized that her eyes were suddenly filled with tears.
She blinked and the tears plopped onto the back of their joined hands.
They were hot, sweet, happy tears.
“Yes,” she whispered at last. “Yes, Baxter. That's what I want. That's what I've always wanted.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
Baxter growled and grunted as he paced the length of the corridor. He was going to gnaw all his claws off in no time.
“Why didn't you contact me earlier?” he snarled at Dylan for the umpteenth time.
“We contacted you as soon as we got the news,” Dylan answered levelly. “You were on a mission.”
“Yeah, but this is a bigger mission. This is the biggest mission of my life!” Baxter said, raking his hands through his hair.
The rest of the Black Bears nodded in understanding. The clan was here, supporting him and giving him the space to rant and vent.
This was the most nerve-racking, gut-clenching few hours of his entire life. His bears were behind him all the way but they weren't of much help in this matter.
Everyone was here. Even his alpha, Ethan was here with his mate and cub.
Cora was bouncing her son, Matt, on her knee and trying to keep the little bear cub out of everyone's hair. With a growl, Matt shifted into a furry black bear and scrambled out of his mother's arms. The little bear ran to his dad, but when Ethan bent to pick him up, Matt darted away and began to climb up Caleb's leg.
Caleb laughed and ruffled the cub's soft fur affectionately. “Good climbing skills, Matt,” the Black Bears beta said. “Keep practicing.”
Caleb put his arms around Prisha's swollen belly as she came up to him. “Ah, our cub is going to be like that as well,” Prisha said, smiling down at Matt. “Full of action and mischief. See, she's doing another somersault in my belly.”
Caleb kissed his mate. “Our daughter will be a strong, beautiful she-bear,” he said proudly.
Aubrey went to pry the mischievous cub away from Caleb's leg. “Come here, Matt. Come play with your Aunt Aubrey and Uncle Thor,” she cooed and propped Matt up on Thor's broad shoulder. “Oh, guess what I got for you? Honey biscuits!”
Cora shook her head at her best friend. “Aubrey! You'll spoil him.”
“I did warn you I'll do just that, didn't I?” Aubrey said, grinning indulgently as she handed a big, gooey biscuit to Matt. “I'm going to spoil all the cubs rotten.” She turned to Caleb and Prisha. “You've been duly warned. You too, Bax.”
She laughed when Baxter growled at her. “Tsk, such a grumpy Papa bear.”
Baxter tuned out all the voices and shook away the hands on his shoulder. His clan members meant well, but he couldn't bear to be touched right now. He was too highly strung, too stressed and jumpy.
God, he should have stayed with Lindy. He shouldn't have left. He should have refused this assignment. He should have known that she would go into labor any time. He should have…ah!
This was fucking killing him.
The door of the labor suite opened and the doctor stepped out. Baxter almost knocked the good doctor over when he pounced on the woman.
“Dr. Kelly!” Baxter bellowed. “How is she? How is…?”
“Lindy is fine.” Dr. Kelly beamed. “So is the baby.”
“Can I see them? Now!” Baxter craned his neck.
“Of course.”
Baxter muscled past the doctor and was in the room in a heartbeat.
“Lindy!” He raced to her, almost crashing into her bed. “Oh, oh...”
He spluttered, unable to speak when Lindy smiled and held out a tiny, red-faced bundle to him. “Isn't she beautiful?” she whispered.
“Oh...” Baxter couldn't find the words. He could only nod mutely as he took his newborn daughter in his arms.
His clan members hustled excitedly into the room, and were congratulating and hugging Lindy. Baxter was only vaguely aware of hands clapping his back and oohs and aahs near his ear. He had eyes only for his beautiful little girl, and his lovely, amazing mate. He looked up and met Lindy's shimmering blue eyes.
His daughter yawned and opened one sleepy eye. “She has your eyes, Lindy,” he smiled proudly. “She's going to be a beauty like you.”
Baxter walked slowly over to Lindy and sat at the edge of her bed. Handing the precious bundle over to his mate, he kissed Lindy's brow and whispered, “Thank you. Thank you, for this. This moment, this life. You have given me everything I have ever wanted. I love you. I love you both so much!” He circled his precious family with his arms.
He leaned his forehead against hers as they gazed down at their baby together.
The Black Bears crowded round to take a look at the newest member of their clan. Baxter turned and grinned at his clan members. Hands and fists thumped his back and shoulders, but he didn't shrug them away this time. Instead, Baxter threw out his arms to embrace his clan. He ended up hugging the two bears nearest to him.
“Hey, watch where you put your paws,” Dylan grumbled, but he was grinning.
“You're a nice guy, Baxter. But you're not my type,” Luke deadpanned. “I prefer someone a bit curvier.”
Baxter laughed out loud.
He had his beautiful mate and cub, and a crazy, smart-mouthed, tight-knit clan.
He was a lucky, lucky bear indeed.
~ End ~
About the Author
Natalie Kristen is a writer who enjoys mixing the sweet with the spicy, the light with the dark, the possibilities with the unimaginable. She enjoys exploring paranormal and dystopian worlds, deep desires and inspiring romances. She is hopelessly addicted to coffee, chocolate, reading and writing. She loves to hear from readers so please feel free to follow her on Twitter and Facebook, or visit her blog for the latest news and updates.
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Bear's Baby (Bear Heat Book 4) Page 8