Gunner (Ride Series Second Generation Book 4)

by Megan O'Brien

  * * *

  “Higher, Daddy!” Weston exclaimed in delight as Gunner tossed him in the air in my parents’ pool later that day.

  Ellis sat on the steps, not so patiently waiting his turn as Leo sat by my side. He didn’t know how to swim and was still timid around water.

  “Blastoff, Daddy!” Betty, Max and Wren’s two-year-old daughter, demanded, wanting Max to throw her higher.

  Wren chuckled from alongside me, her hand on her growing belly where their second child, a boy, was growing. “So demanding,” she muttered with an affectionate smile.

  “She has her daddy wrapped around her finger.” I grinned, watching my brother dote on his daughter. It was such a joy to see what I’d known all along, that Max would be an exceptional father.

  “Who’s hungry?” my mom called, appearing with a tray piled high with snacks.

  She’d always loved doting on us kids, but I think if it was possible, she enjoyed spoiling her grandkids even more.

  “Leo, how about you?” she asked tenderly. “I got your favorite chips.”

  “Thank you,” he murmured, reaching out to accept them.

  “Do you think later you’d help me make some cookies? You were such a great helper last time,” she added.

  My parents had been so wonderful with Leo, not too pushy, letting him come to them as his comfort level increased, but also always ensuring he felt included and special.

  When a shadow appeared over me a little while later as I stole a few minutes of sunshine while the kids were occupied, I looked up to find my husband staring down at me. With his tanned, muscular torso glistening with moisture from the pool, he was even more handsome today than when we got married.

  “You keep looking at me like that and your parents will be having an unexpected sleepover,” he growled.

  I grinned cheekily. “Well, good thing I already asked them.”

  His hand gripped my thigh, squeezing. “Don’t tease me, baby.”

  “I’m not,” I assured him. “And I checked in with Leo about it to make sure he’s comfortable. He seems genuinely excited.”

  We both looked over to where my dad was talking to Leo, their legs dangling into the pool while my mom wrangled Ellis and Wes.

  I’d asked my mom that morning if they could take the kids overnight. I wanted some time alone with my husband for more than one reason.

  But when we got home alone a few hours later, I was quickly second-guessing my thought process.

  The moment the front door shut behind us, he grasped my waist, backing me toward our bedroom with singular purpose.

  He laid me on the bed, bracing himself over me. “All right, Emmie. What’s going on with you?” he demanded, staring at me intently. “And don’t give me that bullshit about being fine. I know something’s up.”

  I bit my lip, my heart hammering in my chest. “I’m pregnant.” In the shocked silence that followed, I blathered on. “I know it’s unexpected and we have so much going on with the other three. Four kids in such a short amount of time is—”

  “Babe.” He cut me off by kissing me softly. “Are you worried I wouldn’t be happy?”

  My eyes filled with tears, and I nodded.

  “Oh, baby,” he soothed. “You’re right, it’s a lot. But we always talked about a big family. This way, they’ll all be close in age. And maybe we’ll get our girl. If not, we can keep trying.” He grinned.

  I snorted through relieved tears. “I think we’ll quit while we’re ahead. But…” I peered up at him, my hand cupping his jaw. “You’re really okay with this?”

  He dipped low, his mouth skimming along my collarbone. “Way more than okay. There’s no man on earth happier than I am, baby. I love our life. Our family. I love you more every day.”

  “Me too.” I sighed.

  And nine months later when Haven Marie Pierce came screaming into the world, completing our family, I was amazed by the ability of my heart to continue to expand with love.

  I had everything I’d ever dreamed of, and I knew in so many ways, our adventure was just beginning.

  ~The End~

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