Always My Girl (The Shaughnessy Brothers)

by Samantha Chase

  Anna smiled at him.

  “So, Australia…” Quinn said—officially changing the subject.

  * * *

  Later that night, Anna was curled up against Quinn’s side, this time in her bed. “I hate to say it, but I like your bed better. It’s much bigger.”

  “Yeah, but there’s something to be said about a smaller bed—you’re forced to stay close to me. Where you belong.”

  She couldn’t help but sigh when he said things like that. Knowing him for as long as she had, Anna knew he didn’t normally talk so sweet, so mushy, to anyone.

  Only her.

  That put a smile on her face.

  When she remained silent, Quinn said, “I want you to know I’m going to try very hard to be a better man, Anna, someone who’s worthy of you.”

  Raising her head from his shoulder, she looked at him. “Let me tell you something, Quinn Shaughnessy—you’re a good man. One of the best men I’ve ever known. Remember how you once told me I didn’t have to change—how I was fine the way I was? Well, I feel the same way about you. There’s nothing wrong with either of us. We need to remember that even though our relationship has changed a bit, we’re still the same people. We need to talk to each other when something is bothering us.”

  Quinn chuckled.

  “What? What’s so funny?”

  “The last time I tried telling you something was bothering me, you kind of beat me up.”

  That had her laughing too. “And how many times in our lives have I done that to you?”

  Quinn thought about it for a minute. “A lot.”

  “Okay, so why would that change? I’ve always been prone to doing that when you’re being a jerk.”

  “And yet I don’t retaliate.”

  “Maybe not with your hands, but certainly with your attitude,” she replied.

  “Attitude? Me? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  That had her laughing even harder. “Quinn, you are the king of attitude.”

  “But you love me anyway, right?”

  Slowly, Anna crawled on top of him until she was straddling him. “Yes.”

  “Say it,” he whispered. “I need to hear you say it.”

  Reaching out, she skimmed her fingers across his cheek. “I love you, Quinn Shaughnessy. From the very first day when we snuck into my house and stole those chocolate chip cookies and then hid behind the jungle gym, I was hooked.”

  “You may not believe it, but that day I got hooked on you too. It just took a little longer for me to realize it.”

  “Twenty-four years, but who’s counting,” she teased.

  One of Quinn’s hands came up and curved around her nape. “I’m a slow learner.”

  “It’s okay. You were worth the wait.”

  “You’re not going to have to wait anymore.”

  She looked at him oddly.

  Carefully, he sat up, keeping his hands on Anna’s hips to keep her in place. “I had lunch with Aidan a couple of weeks ago, and he asked me where I saw our relationship going. At the time, I was feeling scared and insecure, but it got me thinking. All these years that I was—as everyone has reminded me—serial dating, it was because I couldn’t see myself with any of them.”

  “Quinn—”

  “No, no…hear me out. Please.” He paused. “I couldn’t see myself with any woman, and yet whenever I thought about my future, you were there. Always.” His hands left her hips and traveled up until he was cupping her face. “You’re my past, my present, and my future. You’re my life, Anna. I love you.”

  She sighed and leaned down to kiss him. “I love you too.”

  “I know I just said I was a slow learner, but it’s one of the things I’m working hard to change. Anna Hannigan, will you marry me? Be my best friend, my partner, my wife? Will you stay by my side and kick my ass when I need it, and love me and bake me cookies in the middle of the night?”

  She smiled. “That’s a pretty specific list you got there.”

  “Well, the cookie part is negotiable, but not the rest. What do you say, Anna? Will you marry me?”

  Tears filled her eyes and emotion clogged her throat. All she could do was nod as her hands went over her heart.

  Quinn’s thumbs instantly went to work wiping away her tears. “I told you I never wanted to be the reason you cried.”

  “These are good tears,” she finally said. “Really good tears.”

  He visibly relaxed and let one thumb glide across her bottom lip. “Good or bad, I hate to see you cry, baby.”

  “I’m afraid you’re stuck with this,” she said. “If we get married, you’re going to have to deal with the fact that I will cry from time to time.”

  “If? If we get married?” he croaked.

  She chuckled and leaned her forehead against his. “I meant when. I’m marrying you, Quinn. You’re not getting out of it.”

  “I don’t want to get out of it. You’re it for me.” His arms banded around her as he twisted until she was sprawled out beneath him. “Forever, Anna.”

  Yeah…she really liked the sound of that.

  Epilogue

  Six months later…

  “This is how life was meant to be lived.”

  “You got that right.”

  “Why don’t we live this way?”

  “Because we’re poor and have to work.”

  “Oh yeah. I temporarily forgot about that. Thanks for the reality check.” Anna stretched out on the chaise lounge by the pool on her belly and simply sighed with happiness.

  “It’s what I do,” Zoe said from her chaise beside her.

  Aubrey hummed her approval, rubbing her hand over her very swollen belly. “Although I have a feeling we’re going to get caught.”

  The three women were out in Quinn and Anna’s new backyard, sitting around the pool in new lounge chairs. The sun was shining, there was a beautiful breeze, and right then, it was downright heavenly.

  “I have to agree with Aubrey,” Zoe said.

  Anna lifted her head and looked at her. “What makes you think that?”

  “We’ve been out here for almost thirty minutes and we were supposed to be making lunch. It’s only a matter of time before one of the guys comes looking for us—and food,” Aubrey said. “And to be honest, I am kind of hungry.”

  “You’re always hungry,” Zoe reminded her.

  “I do feel a little bit guilty about it,” Anna said. “Not that you’re always hungry, but how I don’t have a whole lot here for you to nosh on.”

  “So maybe we should go and fess up and ask the guys to take a break. We can go into town and grab something to eat,” Aubrey suggested.

  “Nah. There is so much stuff still on the moving truck. There’s no way they’re going to even notice we’re not around or that lunch isn’t ready yet.”

  The sound of a male clearing his voice had them looking up.

  “Uh-oh,” Zoe murmured.

  It wasn’t one Shaughnessy male; it was all of them. Plus one Hannigan.

  Anna jumped up from her chaise and stood, almost falling over. “Oh, hey, guys! How’s it going?”

  “We’re all busting our asses getting the truck unloaded and you’re out here sunning yourself?” Bobby snapped. “How the hell is that fair?”

  “Okay…I know it looks bad, or like we’re just slacking off, but—”

  “It looks that way because it is that way.” Aidan chuckled. He looked at his wife and shook his head. “I’m ashamed of all of you.”

  “Um, Aubrey,” Hugh said, “I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be out here in this heat. You should be inside where the air-conditioning is running.”

  She waved him off. “I’m fine. It was just so relaxing out here, was being the operative word.”

  Quinn stepped forwa
rd menacingly, but there was a glint of humor in his eyes as he made his way toward Anna. “We just spent the better part of an hour getting our bedroom set up because you specifically mentioned it was the most important room, and instead of making lunch, you’re out here sunning yourself. Do I have that right?”

  She took a step backward and knew she was in trouble. “Okay, I’ll admit it was a little wrong of me to take an extended break while you’re all working so hard. But…but…”

  “An extended break?” Quinn repeated with a grin. “Is that what we’re calling it? When did you even have time to unpack your bathing suit?”

  Okay, that one will take a little explaining, she thought. “I…um…I wore it under my clothes so I could cool off if I needed to.”

  “We’d all like to cool off, but you said we needed to get the truck unloaded first.”

  “All right, I’m sorry!” she said, a nervous laugh escaping as she noticed she was getting dangerously close to the edge of the pool.

  “No, no,” he pressed, “you said you needed to cool off…”

  “Quinn…don’t you dare,” she said, holding her hands out to stop him. “I swear I’ll go inside right now and make lunch.”

  He shook his head. “Not good enough.”

  Anna shrieked when he lunged at her.

  “Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute!” Zoe yelled, coming to her feet. “It’s not her fault.”

  Quinn paused and turned to look at his sister-in-law. “I’m sure you’re just trying to buy her some time, but go ahead and humor us. How is this not Anna’s fault?”

  “Zoe,” Aidan began a bit hesitantly.

  “No, no, no…it’s okay. First, I ordered pizza for everyone for lunch, and it should be here soon.”

  “You did?” Anna asked. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  Zoe shrugged. “I got sidetracked.”

  “Ooo…so there’s food on the way?” Aubrey asked, slowly coming to her feet with her husband’s assistance. “Please tell me one of those pizzas has bacon on it!”

  Zoe grimaced. “I cannot wait for you to have that baby because your food cravings are making me queasy!”

  Quinn looked between the two women quizzically. “Okay, so you ordered lunch. That still doesn’t excuse Anna’s hanging out here relaxing—in her bikini, no less—while I’m sweating my ass off!” He tried to sound angry, but he didn’t quite pull it off.

  “I asked Anna and Aubrey to come out here and sit with me because I needed to talk to them. But then we got all comfortable and talking about the house and I never got to tell them what I needed to.”

  Anna stepped forward. “Are you all right? Is everything okay?”

  Aidan came to stand beside his wife and wrapped his arm around her waist. Zoe looked at him and smiled. “We’re having a baby!”

  In the blink of an eye, everyone was around them, offering congratulations and hugs and well wishes.

  “When did you find out?” Anna asked, squeezing Zoe’s hand.

  “I went to my doctor yesterday to confirm. Looks like we conceived him or her while we were on vacation in Sydney!” Zoe looked over at Hugh. “Your resort there was especially romantic and will always hold a special place in our hearts.”

  Hugh grinned. “That’s great! But I hope you won’t mind if I don’t use that blurb in a travel brochure or anything.”

  “Shut up,” Aidan said, but he was smiling from ear to ear. He looked at everyone. “I told Zoe I didn’t want her lifting anything heavy today so that’s why she lured the girls out here.”

  “Not that I could do anything either,” Aubrey added and then looked back toward the house. “So…do we know exactly when the pizza is going to get here?”

  “Oh, for the love of it,” Anna said. “Go inside. There’s some fruit and crackers in the kitchen.” She looked at Hugh. “Go and make sure your wife doesn’t pass out from starvation,” she teased.

  Everyone was talking at once, and a few minutes later, the sound of a car horn beeping quieted them. “I bet that’s lunch,” Zoe said and led the group out of the yard and into the house. Everyone followed except Anna and Quinn.

  She looked at him shyly. “Are you really mad?”

  He grabbed one of her hands and pulled her in close before kissing her soundly. “Mad?” He shook his head. “Not really. Although I hate how you’re parading around here in this bikini while everyone’s here.”

  She rolled her eyes. “We have been over this before—multiple times! It’s not a big deal!”

  He shrugged. “To me it is.”

  Wrapping her arms around him, she pressed up against him. “I’ll tell you what, when everyone’s gone, I’ll parade around all you want, just for you.”

  A grin slowly crossed his face. “Oh yeah?”

  She nodded. “Yeah.” Looking over her shoulder to make sure no one was within earshot, she added, “I’ll even parade around back here in nothing at all and we can go skinny-dipping.”

  He groaned. “I’m going to hold you to that,” he said and kissed her again.

  “Now come on, or all the pizza will be gone.” She turned to walk away, but Quinn grabbed her hand.

  “Not so fast.”

  “What? What’s the matter?”

  Without a word of warning, he tugged her in close, and before she knew it, Quinn had swung her up in his arms and was moving close to the side of the pool.

  “Quinn! No! Don’t! I said I was sorry!” Then she was flailing in midair before splashing into the icy-cold water. She went under and quickly came up sputtering. Swimming to the side of the pool, she shook her hair out and away from her face. “You are going to pay for that!”

  “You’ll have to catch me first,” he teased, but made no attempt to move.

  “I didn’t say you’d have to pay right now,” she said calmly, climbing from the pool. When she was standing right in front of him, dripping wet, she looked up and smiled.

  Quinn’s eyes were locked on her glistening body, and he swallowed hard. “We…um…we should get inside,” he said, his voice low and gravelly.

  “Mmm…we should,” she said quietly, closing the distance between them. Her arms went around his shoulders as she plastered her wet body against his. She was just about to kiss him—distract him, actually—before dragging him back into the pool with her, when Bobby shouted from the door.

  “We’ve got an emergency in here!” he yelled.

  Anna and Quinn instantly broke apart and dashed for the house. “What is it?” Quinn asked as they stepped inside. “What’s going on?”

  “Aubrey’s water broke!” Zoe said with a huge grin.

  Hugh was running from room to room, collecting their things, while Aubrey looked at everyone and smiled. “Sorry to cost you a mover,” she said and then winced with pain. “But we really need to be going.”

  Riley looked over at Bobby. “Come on, Mr. Policeman. We’re going to need a designated driver who can get us to the hospital and knows the fastest way to get there.”

  “Yes, please,” Aubrey said with a tight smile. “I don’t think Hugh can drive right now. Or at least he shouldn’t.”

  Bobby looked over at Quinn and Anna and smiled apologetically. “Sorry, but duty calls.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” Anna said. “Just go. We’ll be there as soon as we can!”

  Five minutes later, Hugh, Aubrey, Riley, and Bobby were gone. Anna looked around and quickly did the math—Quinn, Aidan, Ian, Owen, and her dad, plus herself and Zoe were all that were left. Everyone was eating pizza and talking excitedly about how there was soon going to be a new family member joining them.

  Anna felt slightly overwhelmed—not about the move, but about life. So much was happening, changing. Quinn looked over, caught her expression, and instantly walked over and wrapped her in his arms.

  �
�You okay?” he whispered.

  “For so long, it seemed like nothing ever happened around here. Everything was always the same and I used to almost resent it. And now, in just a short amount of time, everything’s changed.”

  He tucked a finger under her chin and forced her to look at him. “But they’re all good changes,” he said.

  She nodded. “I know. But we have so much going on, and yet I look at Hugh and Aubrey and now Aidan and Zoe and…I’m envious.”

  His eyes went a little wide. “Yeah?”

  She nodded. “Yeah.” Then she shrugged. “I know we haven’t talked a lot about it and we’re so busy and we’re planning a wedding, but…I wouldn’t mind doing something small like Aidan and Zoe did and…and starting our own family.”

  Quinn looked around the room and frowned. “I kind of wish we weren’t talking about this with our families here.”

  “Why?”

  “Because if we were alone, I’d strip that tiny bikini off you right now and start working on that family,” he growled against her ear. “Then I’d book us on the next flight to Vegas and marry you tonight.”

  She almost swooned at his words. “And I would love every second of it.”

  “How about we—”

  “Okay,” Ian called out. “Break time’s over. We have a lot to do and I know I’m not the only one who is anxious to get to the hospital and wait for the baby to be born.”

  “How much is left on the truck?” Anna asked.

  “If you hadn’t been sunbathing, you’d know that,” Quinn teased, and she elbowed him in the ribs. “Ow!”

  “We have two rooms of furniture left and about two dozen boxes,” Ian said. “Now I don’t mean to be rude, but I think we should just get the boxes in their proper rooms and get the furniture unloaded, and we can come back tomorrow and help you get it all in place, if that’s all right. I’d really like to run home and shower before going to the hospital. It’s not every day a man gets to meet his first grandchild for the first time.”

  Tears were back in Anna’s eyes and Quinn pulled her close before addressing everyone. “Okay, I agree with Dad. If everyone can give us an hour, I think we can empty the truck. If anyone wants to shower here, you’re more than welcome to, but I can’t guarantee I know where the towels and soap are just yet.”