Claim My Baby

by Taryn Quinn

  The only sound on the other end of the phone was the roar of the wind and voices, so many voices. Seth must be there, or Dare. While I was so very glad about that, if she hadn’t heard me—if I had to say all of that again…

  I would do it. I would say it over and over again, as many times as I needed to until she believed me. Until she loved me back even half as much.

  “Oliver, Dare’s here, and Seth’s pulling up too. I have to go.”

  I nodded, unable to speak. She couldn’t see me, but I still couldn’t find my damn voice. It was as if I’d stripped away everything with that speech, including the power of my vocal cords.

  “I heard you, Oliver.” She was whispering, had to be. Or else the wind was so strong that it was drowning out most of her reply. I still heard enough to bow my head to my fisted hand on the edge of my snoozing nephew’s crib. “Heard every word. I love you too. I’ll take you. God, will I ever. You won’t know what hit you, I’ll take you so damn much.”

  Even without full usage of my voice, I could manage to laugh. And send up a silent prayer that despite my many, many—many—flubs, I might just be able to make this work.

  She and our baby were okay, and somehow she loved me. Nothing else mattered.

  I grinned. “You have yourself a deal.”

  “I have to go now, but I’ll be home soon.”

  “Seth’s home. There’s something here for you—” I stared blearily at the dark, snowy world beyond the nursery’s windows. “Ah, fuck it. It’s probably ruined. Probably a stupid idea anyway. I’m full of them. But I’m here for you too.”

  “You’re all I want.” She paused to speak to someone else, and then she came back on the line, her voice seemingly so much closer. It poured into me like warm caramel, full of promise. “And Oliver?”

  “Princess,” I replied gruffly.

  “Yes.”

  23

  Sage

  “You should let me drive you to the doctor’s.”

  I shook my head from the backseat of Seth’s car. “I’m fine.”

  “If you say that any more, you’re going to turn into one of those bobblehead dolls.”

  I had to laugh at Ally. And that was a minor feat, because I still felt as if my vital organs were trembling under my skin. I kept hearing the squeal of the tires and the sound of the SUV crashing into the ditch, over and over.

  But over all of that, the number one thing on repeat in my head was Oliver’s low, frantic voice telling me he loved me. Asking me to marry him. Laying himself on the line for me and the baby in a way I’d never imagined in my wildest dreams.

  “You know Oliver is going to drag you right to urgent care the minute you step in the house,” Seth said, meeting my eyes in the rearview mirror before returning his attention to the road. It was still snowing just as bad as it had been when Ally had skidded.

  “Yeah.” I rubbed my arms, desperately trying to chase away the chill. It was as if I would never be warm again. “I’m all right with it. It’s better if we know for sure. And I know he won’t rest until he has it in writing that the baby is okay.”

  And God, wasn’t that the most wonderful thing in the world? Somehow when neither of us were looking, this pregnancy had become the most important part of our lives.

  “Try in blood,” Seth said, shaking his head. “He was ready to run out to find you, and he didn’t give a shit that Ally was my wife. Nothing came before him finding you himself. He said—” Seth stopped and looked at Ally. “The guy is gone for you and the baby, Sage. In a way I never thought he could be for anyone.”

  I reached for my necklace. My origami dragon was tucked safely in my purse—and yes, I had searched for it on the floor of the SUV, even when the vehicle was precariously balanced and even while Ally couldn’t find her cell phone. That dragon meant so much more to me than just paper and ink.

  It was the man I loved showing me he cared without needing to utter a single word.

  “What did he say to you? Tell me. I’ll keep your secret.” When Seth hesitated, I gripped my necklace and leaned forward. “Please.”

  “I said Ally was my wife, and he said you were his everything. You and the baby.”

  I slumped back into my seat. “Oh, is that all?”

  Lordy, no big deal. The guy just said me and the baby were his everything while he was panicking he was going to lose us. You know, small fries.

  Thank God I’d sprung for that lace cutout teddy with the little pink bows over the nipples. He was so getting laid tonight.

  Ally sighed. “Who would’ve guessed Oliver had it in him?”

  “Not me,” Seth said. “But after this afternoon, when he had us racing around doing the message in the backyard—” He broke off and glanced at the rearview mirror. “So…how about those Knicks?”

  “What message?” I questioned.

  “Open mouth, insert size twelves,” Ally said. “Though ‘what message’ is a very good question.”

  “Yeah, what happened to your violent diarrhea?” I asked suddenly. In all the chaos, I’d forgotten it. But Seth certainly didn’t seem ill. “Did you chug Imodium or something?”

  “Or something.”

  “Seth Hamilton, did you lie to us to get us to come home?”

  “Um, maybe?”

  I laughed and buried my face in my hands. “Does Oliver know you used the excuse of diarrhea? Because I almost had Ally drive me back to the loft instead. I’ll pass on those kinds of germs right now, thanks.”

  “He told me to get you guys back there fast. Then when you didn’t show, we were both losing our minds because of the snow. If it was my fault you rushed, Ally Cat, I won’t be able to forgive myself.”

  “Shh. I wasn’t rushing. I wouldn’t in this weather.” She rubbed his arm. “Diarrhea isn’t fatal. Besides, I know you have a tendency to exaggerate.”

  “Moi?” He cupped her hand on his arm and flexed his other hand around the wheel. “Sage, it would be good if you didn’t mention that to Oliver.”

  “Oh, you mean that you told your wife you were desperately sick right before she got in her vehicle during a snowstorm?”

  “The word desperately was not used.”

  “Don’t make him feel guiltier than he already does, Sage. Bad enough the SUV had to get towed to Dare’s shop.”

  “What she said.”

  “I’m not. I’m just wondering what’s in it for me if I don’t tell Oliver.”

  “Wow,” Seth said, extending the word as he flicked a glance at Ally. “She’s more like that jerk than I thought.”

  I pretended to examine my nonexistent manicure. There was no point in having one since I worked at the diner and usually chipped polish in an hour flat. “The jerk who is right now babysitting your children while you came to rescue us?”

  “Hmm, she plays hardball. Okay, what do you want?”

  “Babysitting on demand as needed for a year.”

  “A year? A whole entire year? You can just share our nanny. I’m sure she can tolerate Oliver. Besides, with you two running the bed-and-breakfast, you’ll need—”

  “What?” I whipped off my seat belt and practically hurtled between the front seats. “Say that again?”

  He slowed down in front of his house, blazing with a million lights, and lightly thunked his head on the wheel. “You know what? I’ll just pay for the wedding. How’s that?”

  “Deal.” I was already opening the door and climbing out, ignoring Seth’s shouts that he hadn’t parked yet. “I need my lingerie,” I called, racing around—as carefully as I could—to the back to grab my shopping bags.

  “You know, it sounds as if his night is going to be a lot better than mine,” he called out as Ally thumped him on the shoulder. “Maybe he should pay me, since this is all his fault. I was just thinking outside the box to help him.”

  “Too late, welcher. We have a deal.” I slammed the back of the SUV shut and turned to charge up the icy driveway, soon realizing I’d have to slow my roll.
/>   Not only was it slippery out, I ached all over thanks to the jolt from the crash. I didn’t think I had anything more than a few bruises, but I was a little sore. Perhaps I should’ve waited until Seth parked. The extra seconds I’d gained wouldn’t help if I ended up on my ass. But I was on a mission.

  With you two running the bed-and-breakfast.

  No, not now. I couldn’t think of that yet. I had to see what Oliver had done.

  Rather than head right into the house, I circled around the side and unlocked the gate to the backyard. The snow was still coming down at an angle, and no matter how many times I blinked, I couldn’t clear my vision. A couple of the spotlights were on, and as I tromped through the snow, I searched for whatever possible message Oliver could have left me. It was like a freaking winter wonderland. I could barely see the fence around the perimeter of the yard. Whatever he’d left for me, I needed to find it now before the snow messed it up even more.

  We were about to move into a new phase. This would be our origami swan song, so to speak, before everything changed. As much as I couldn’t wait for the future, I wanted to soak up every second of this moment.

  And maybe I was a little afraid too. I was putting my heart in Oliver’s hands and what if things changed? What if he’d been running on high emotion tonight, but he hadn’t had enough time to really think this through? It was all fun and games while the chase was on, yet what happened after reality set in? Dirty diapers, and middle-of-the-night feedings, and arguments where we couldn’t just run out the door and shut each other out. We had so much further to go and so much more to learn if we were going to make it. I had faith—and it was growing every minute—but that didn’t mean I wasn’t scared.

  Having more on the line only meant having more to lose.

  I held my hand to my brow to try to cut down on some of the onslaught and glanced around frantically. All I saw was snow and more snow. What the hell had he done?

  “Sage.”

  He didn’t give me time to turn around, just wrapped me in his arms and picked me straight up off my feet. My crazy hair flew back, probably choking the guy, but he didn’t set me down as I laughed and flailed. I wasn’t sure how it happened, but one minute we were standing and then we were in the snow, my body cradled and surrounded by his. And I wasn’t laughing anymore.

  “Christ, I’m putting you in a bubble. And me too. C’mon, we have to get up, get you to the hospital to make sure—”

  I let my shopping bags drop into the snow and shifted to frame his face with my mittened hands before lowering my mouth to his. I kissed him hard enough to shut him up, and also to let him know I wasn’t only fine, I was perfect. His lips were like a fever beneath mine, but only for a moment. Then they became soft and tentative. His palpable worry blanketed us almost as much as the snow.

  That’s how much he loves you and the baby. He’s not even interested in making out.

  Of course, we were in a snowbank, but whatever.

  “I’m fine,” I said between kisses, nibbling his lower lip. “Not delicate. Not breakable. The kid is like the size of a Jell-O shot right now, so trust me, we’re all good.”

  He didn’t laugh. “What are you doing out here? When Ally and Seth came in without you, I went through every minute of tonight all over again.”

  “Oh God. I’m sorry. I didn’t think.” I tapped my head against his chest and he stopped me, cupping my cheek so gently with his snow-encrusted bare hands. “I just wanted to see your snow origami before it got covered up.”

  “Snow origami?” Even in the low light where we were sprawled in the snow, his puzzlement was clear. “I don’t even know what that would entail. It’s beyond my paygrade in any case.”

  “Oh. Hmm. But Seth said—”

  “I should’ve known all roads lead back to him.” He sat up in the snow, angling me into his lap and cuddling me so close I almost forgot it was freezing out. “Are you sure you’re okay?” He brushed my hair away from my face, studying me intently. “You should know whatever your answer, I’m still taking you to urgent care. Doubly so, now that I’ve dropped you in the snow.”

  “I landed on you. Safe and sound.”

  “Not good enough.”

  “You really are that concerned about me and the baby?”

  “Of course. Did you ever doubt it?” As soon as he’d asked the question, he shut his eyes. “Yes, you did doubt it, because I’m the guy who can’t commit and doesn’t want a family and couldn’t grow roots in a hydroponic garden.”

  I bit my lip to stop from smiling. Now wasn’t the time. “I wouldn’t have put it quite that way.”

  “No, but it sums it all up.” He tipped up my chin with his thumb. “I didn’t think I wanted a wife and a family. Not until you. You made life so much brighter and fuller and yes, a little more insane. But you’re all I can see now.”

  I tipped my head against his, fighting tears. I didn’t want to ruin a beautiful moment with more preggo hormonal sobbing. “I already said yes, you know.”

  “I know. But I made a vow when Seth couldn’t reach you and Ally that if you came back to me whole, I’d spend the rest of my life spoiling you and the baby. That starts now.” Somehow he made it to his feet while still holding me in his arms.

  That whole seemingly weightless thing with him? Yeah, addictive.

  “Wait, where’s my message?” He was already carrying me out of the backyard, his face utterly focused.

  “Oh, that. Snow covered it up. Dumb idea anyway. Time to get you to urgent care, and then—”

  “Dammit, I want to see. You better put me down before I make sure this baby is your first and last with my knee.”

  Chuckling, he finally stopped in his tracks and rerouted toward the back of the yard. “Fine, you want to see? It was meant for viewing from the second floor, and it’s been hours, but there you go.” He pointed a few feet ahead and I cocked my head, trying to make sense of what I was seeing.

  “I lo u, Sag?”

  He swore and moved closer, hoisting me higher and tipping me a little forward to change my viewing angle. Which reminded me we’d left my naughty gear in a snowbank. Not what we wanted Laurie to stumble upon tomorrow while building snowmen. Especially since I’d snagged a little gift with purchase at the checkout that had batteries.

  Ah, crap, if my very first vibrator got water damage, I was going to be very pissed off. Then again, what was better suited to handle moisture? Probably not quite that much volume. Though sometimes I got pretty excited.

  I shrieked as he dangled me over the snow just right so I could take another look at the letters from this angle. “I lo u, Sag?” I finally got it and started to laugh, also because the jerk was trying to tickle me through my parka. “Aww, some of the letters got filled in. I get it now. I love you, Sage.”

  He finally righted me, and I slid down his body until my feet hit the ground. “Well, I did, before you mercilessly teased me about my romantic gesture.” He sounded a little breathless, and I was pretty sure it wasn’t just from lifting me.

  Minus the coats and stuff, that slide down his body had been freaking hot.

  “Aww, you’re pouting.”

  “I’m not pouting.”

  “You so are.” I leaned up on my tiptoes and rubbed my cold lips against his much warmer ones. “That was so sweet of you to do that in this weather. But I gotta say you could have just done more origami.”

  “Now she tells me.” He looped his arms around my shoulders and nuzzled his way along my jaw to my neck. “Let’s go get you checked out so I can play doctor myself. My stethoscope has amazing powers of perception.”

  I snorted. “I just bet.” I cupped his face and brought it back front and center. “I’d decided to say yes to going out with you before the accident.”

  “Oh yeah?” He flicked his tongue along the seam of my lips. “Just go out with me, hmm?”

  “And stay in. Often.”

  “That will definitely be part of the plan.” He slanted his head
, his mouth teasing mine. “Now if we can—”

  “Umm, no, we can’t. Aren’t you forgetting something?”

  “That I’m cold and hungry and want to make sure you’re okay before I fuck your brains out? What have I missed?”

  I had to grin. “Well, all very important points, but hi, bed-and-breakfast? Ring a bell? Seth told me,” Oliver’s head came up and his eyes narrowed dangerously, “um, absolutely nothing. Let’s go to the hospital. Actually, maybe I need an ambulance. Nurse!”

  “He’s going to get his ass kicked!”

  “Actually, no, don’t do that.”

  “Why shouldn’t I? He ruined my goddamned surprise.” He strode away from me, only stopping when I chased after him and yanked hard on his sleeve, nearly pulling off his jacket. “And I’m the unromantic one? Ha! He’s a romance killer. He literally stabs it dead and leaves the smoking carcass to rot.”

  Eww. But moving on.

  “So, it’s true?” I demanded. “How? How did you do that when it was already sold?”

  He glanced back, giving me the cockiest, sexiest smile I had ever seen. “I’m rich, baby.”

  If this had been a normal night, I would’ve pulled on his ear for that statement and brought him down a few pegs. But he had made my fondest wish come true.

  Because he loved me. Just as I loved him.

  I leaped into his arms, trusting he would catch me. And he did, barely, staggering back a few steps as he struggled to maintain his footing in the snow as I peppered his face with kisses. “I love you. I so love you. Did I mention I loved you?”

  “Yes, I think so.” He was laughing now too.

  “And you’re going to run it with me? Really? Both of us?” Delighted, I brushed that wild hank of hair out of his eyes. “But what about your real job?”

  “Well, I’m hoping the bed-and-breakfast is a real job too. That will make us real money.”

  “You know what I mean. Working at the real estate office.”

  “I’m still going to. Just part time until the bed-and-breakfast is up and running again.”