Broken Silence

by Natasha Preston

  I laughed through my tears. “You’re greedy. ”

  “Never said I wasn’t. Please don’t worry. Whatever happens I’ll always be here to protect you, and any children we have. Should we look now or…”

  “Will you?” I croaked, holding the test out.

  He nodded and took it from me. Cocking his head to the side, he frowned. What did that mean? “How do you tell? It doesn’t say anything. There’s a line in the ‘test’ window and a cross in the other one. ”

  I gasped and grabbed it out of his hand. A cross! It was positive. “What does that mean, Oakley? Negative? Why can’t it just say Pregnant or Not-Pregnant? Where’s the instructions?” He looked behind me, into the bathroom for the box.

  “Cole,” I whispered. “A cross means positive. ” His mouth dropped open. Oh God, I’m pregnant!

  “We’re gonna have a baby? Wow. ” He leapt forward and scooped me up in his arms, spinning me around. “Shit, I’m gonna be a dad!”

  I couldn’t help laughing, getting caught up in his celebration. When he put me down he had the biggest smile, one that lit up his whole face and showed his dimple. He stroked the side of my face. I took a shaky breath; my knees felt weak. We were going to be parents. In that instant, I knew that I would do anything to protect this little life inside me. It would be okay because the baby would have us.

  “We’re having a baby,” he repeated.

  Cole’s hand trailed down my neck and chest and rested on my stomach. I bit my lip. It seemed like a dream. Smiling, he slowly bent his head and pressed his lips softly against mine.