by Marla Monroe
It hadn’t been easy surviving at that age. He’d been a mere child really, but had grown up fast. For the first few years he’d run with a gang of boys his age and older, then when they’d started hurting people for their food and supplies, he’d left them and made his way west. That was where he’d met up with Benton and the two had become fast friends.
Now they had a woman. Their perfect woman, and she was giving them a child to raise. It wouldn’t be easy, but they’d make it just fine. All they had to do was watch over them and provide for them. Surely with two of them they could manage that.
Chapter Two
Gail woke the next morning to find that neither man was awake. She smiled. It wasn’t often that she got to watch them sleep. Normally they were up before her. Travis had one arm over her waist and faced back while Benton was turned the other way. She had her arm around him and relished the feel of his warm flesh beneath her hand. She contemplated tickling him but decided to kiss him awake instead.
“Mmm, morning, hon. What a way to wake up.” Benton’s deep voice, raspy from sleep sounded wonderful to her.
“I slept great. I’m hungry though and need to pee.”
“I’ll move so you can get up.” He sat up on the side of the bed and helped her climb off.
“Where you going, babe?” Travis yawned, releasing his hold on her.
“Bathroom,” she said.
“Hmm. Hurry back. It’s cold without you,” Travis said.
“I’m going downstairs to get something to eat. I’m hungry.”
“You and that baby are always hungry,” Travis teased. “I’ll go fix you something for breakfast while you get dressed.”
Gail didn’t waste time. She needed to pee something awful. Another condition of her pregnancy was that the baby was sitting on her bladder and had no mercy. After she’d cleaned up, Gail pulled on a pair of oversized sweatpants and long-sleeved shirt. The material strained over her now enormous breasts. Those the guys were most proud of, she’d found out. It made her smile at how they’d taken great enjoyment playing with them.
When she got downstairs, Tavis had a small steak cooked over the open fire with a side of potatoes. They were only cooking them for her since there were only a few cans of them left. She couldn’t wait until they started getting fresh vegetables out of the garden. It wouldn’t be easy work, but it would be necessary to keep them alive during the winter. They couldn’t depend on killing deer and such all winter.
“Here you go, babe. Grilled just like you like it.” Travis set the plate in front of her while he and Benton sat down with their one plate, minus the potatoes.
She didn’t comment on the fact they didn’t share the potatoes. They’d put an end to that conversation the first time she’d brought it up. She had to think of the baby, and they’d be fine without them for now.
I love them so much. They think about me before themselves. Always. I’m so damn lucky to have stumbled on them like I did.
“What’s on the agenda today for you guys?” she asked.
“I’m going to work on tanning the skins we have. They’ll make good baby blankets once they’re ready. The rabbit skin is perfect for one. The deer will be good for nights,” Travis said.
“I’m working in the cellar some today,” Benton told her. “I want to clean it out in preparation for the root vegetables we’ll grow, and I want to rearrange the jars and cans we have left so that they’re on the lower shelves. We’ll want to use them first before we use the new ones we put up.”
“I’ll handle the deer strips with the dehydrator. Were you able to get many?” she asked.
“Enough for two runs, I think, hon.” Benton moved the gadget closer to the counter so that she could easily reach it over her protruding stomach. “Remember to put up your feet in between.”
“I will. Sure wish I had something to do while I’m sitting on the couch,” she told them.
“Keep thinking of baby names. We haven’t settled on any yet.” Travis stood and raked off his plate in their scraps can before taking Benton’s from him.
“Leave the dishes. I’ll do them.” Gail finished her own meal and stood up.
“As long as you promise not to overdo it today. I’ll be right downstairs. All you have to do is holler for me. Don’t come down those stairs for any reason, honey. I’m afraid you’ll get overbalanced and fall.” Benton kissed the top of her head.
“I won’t. Maybe I’ll work with the wolves some, and see if I can teach them to get help for me if I need it,” she said.
“I have a feeling you don’t need to teach them that little trick,” Trenton said. “They are so damn protective of you we don’t dare make you mad.”
Benton nodded. “I’m still worried they’ll attack one of us if they think we’re hurting you.”
“I keep telling you they won’t. They like you guys, too,” she said.
“I agree with her, Benton. I really don’t think they’ll attack us.” Travis ruffled Gail’s hair then kissed her on the cheek. “Have a good time while I’m outside. I’ll check on you in a little while.”
Once both men had gone their separate ways, Gail took her plate to the sink and washed everything up. Then she got the strips of deer meat from the fridge, arranged them in the dehydrator, and turned it on. She replaced the remainder of the meat in the refrigerator. All she could do now was sit on the couch with her feet up. Gail was really getting tired of that. She wanted to do something useful. Then it hit her. She could use some of the clothes that wouldn’t fit any of them but that they kept in the back bedroom to create a few baby things until they could go down to town to raid the store one last time.
Gail pushed herself off the sofa and made her way carefully up the stairs. She sifted through the clothes for the softest things, which turned out to be pajamas and thermal underwear. She threw the items over her shoulder then pulled out the sewing basket she’d found when they’d gone through the rooms and headed back downstairs. Going down with the basket proved to be more difficult than she’d expected, but she managed to get to the bottom without incident. The men were going to have a fit when they realized what she’d done.
The wolves had followed her every step of the way but had kept out of her way. They seemed to know she was doing something she shouldn’t have since they whined at her the entire trip up and down the stairs.
Gail carried everything into the kitchen and used the table to lay out the first set of pajamas. She couldn’t help but smile that she’d be creating something for her baby by her own hands. The soft material would be perfect for a onesie. She estimated the size she needed to make it and carefully cut it out, so that the material looked like a letter small letter “t” with a curved neck at the top.
She stopped to check on the meat in the dehydrator. Another hour and they’d be ready to take up. It only took about four hours with the dehydrator until the meat was perfect for munching on and using to flavor stews and soups.
I can’t wait to see my baby in one of these outfits I’m making. I just hope they fit.
Since it had been years since she’d even seen a baby, Gail wasn’t sure if she remembered the right size. The youngest child back at the farm where she’d been living had been four. There had been a few of the women pregnant, but none had given birth before she’d been abducted.
She threaded a needle and began the arduous task of hand sewing the outfit together. She made tiny stitches close together so the outfit would withstand the harsh hand washing they were forced to do since they didn’t have enough electricity for the washing machine and dryer. She’d just finished one side when Benton stomped up the stairs from the cellar and walked into the room.
“Hey, hon. What are you doing?”
“I decided I needed to make some outfits for the baby.” She held up the one she was working on.
“Where did you get all of that?” he asked.
“From the spare bedroom where all the extra clothes are. I picked out the softest material I
could.”
“You went up and down the stairs without me here with you? Gail. What were you thinking?” he asked with a massive frown that made him look years older.
“I was very careful. The wolves were right there with me and would have called for you if I’d fallen,” she told him. “You can’t be with me all the time, Benton. You’ve got to stop treating me like an invalid. I’m pregnant, not crippled.”
White-hot fury burned through her blood like a spewing volcano. Her hormones were acting up again, but this time it was in anger, not tears. Those would probably follow though. They usually did after she’d gotten angry for some reason. Right now, all of her anger was directed at poor Benton. She was tired of being mollycoddled like an old lady. They had to back off some. She knew better than to take chances.
“Now, honey. We’re only trying to keep you safe. Now that you’re so far along, you don’t have the best balance. Your center of gravity has shifted. I promise, we don’t think of you as crippled.”
“I’m being careful, Benton. I just wanted to make something for the baby with my own hands.” Tears brimmed behind her eyes then overflowed like a waterfall.
Benton groaned. “I’m sorry, Gail. I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
“I can’t help it. I got mad, and every time I get angry, I cry.” She hiccupped when he wrapped her in his arms.
Gail laid her head against Benton’s shoulder until she had better control of her emotions. She pulled back and looked up into his hazel eyes and smiled a watery smile.
“I’m sorry. I really am careful. Next time I’ll call for you to go with me.”
“Thanks, honey. That would make me feel better,” Benton said.
“I need to change out the dehydrator.” She turned to get the rest of the meat from the fridge, but Benton stopped her.
“I’ll do that while you work on the baby clothes. I’m finished downstairs anyway.”
Gail smiled and walked back over to the table to continue working on the baby clothes. She finished stitching up the first one. It looked pretty darn good if she said so herself. She’d show the guys when Travis came back inside. For now, she’d cut out a few more as well as some clothes for diapers. She could stitch them up while she was on the sofa so her feet wouldn’t swell as much.
“Have you eaten anything yet, hon?” Benton asked once he’d finished switching out the meat.
“No. I was just thinking that I was a little hungry. I can warm up some stew if you want some.” Gail stood and walked over to the fridge.
“I’ll warm it up. We can eat in the living room so we don’t mess up your sewing,” he said.
“I’m finished cutting it all out. I plan to do the sewing part in the living room anyway so that I can put up my feet.”
“Good idea.” He took the container with the leftover stew from her and poured it into a pan to put over the fire. “Come on and get comfortable. I’ll get your sewing kit after I put this on to warm and bring it into the living room for you.”
“Thanks.” Gail grabbed the pile of cloth she’d cut out and carried it with her.
Sitting down had become an exercise in patience. She had to brace herself on the arm of the couch so that she didn’t fall backward when she sat. Gail turned until she could sit with her back to the arm of the chair with a pillow behind her then settled the material over her lap.
Benton finished with the stew and brought her sewing basket to her. Then he repositioned the pillow at her back and settled her feet on another pillow.
“How’s that?”
“Perfect.”
“Love you, hon.”
“I love you, too.”
He kissed the top of her head before returning to the fireplace to stir the stew. She watched him for a few seconds, enjoying the play of muscles along his shoulders as he stirred. Both of her men were muscular but not hard. It didn’t hurt to lay her head on their chest. It was one of her favorite things to do at night. She’d lay on either Benton or Travis’s chest and fall asleep, then sometime in the middle of the night, she’d turn and they’d all spoon until morning.
“What has you smiling with that dreamy look in your eyes?” Benton asked.
“Just thinking how much I love it when you guys hold me. I don’t feel quite so bloated next to how big and tall both of you are.”
“You’re not bloated, and the only place you’re big is that basketball that’s growing strong inside your belly. Oh,” he said with a huge grin. “There’s those gorgeous breasts, too. I’m really partial to them.”
“Pervert.”
“But I’m your pervert, honey.”
Gail couldn’t help but laugh. They always made her smile.
“Hey, where are you guys?” Travis slammed the back door.
“In here. I’m warming up stew if you’re hungry,” Benton called out.
Travis walked into the living room and headed straight for Gail. She grinned up at him before he took her mouth in a warm kiss.
“Hey, babe. How are you feeling?”
“I’m great. How goes the tanning?” she asked.
“Slow, but it’s coming along. Can’t wait to eat though. I was about to pass out from starvation,” he told her.
“Look what I made.” Gail held up the onesie for the two men to see.
“Hey, that’s pretty damn good. When did you make that?” Travis asked.
“This morning. I’ve cut out a bunch more to sew while I’m being lazy sitting on the couch. I was getting bored just staring at the fire. There’s only so many naps a woman can take, you know.” Gail shifted her ass in an attempt to settle in a more comfortable position.
“Just as soon as it warms a little more but before we need to get on the planting, we’ll drive down to town and raid some stores for baby things,” Travis said.
“I can’t wait. We need a crib, a baby bed, a playpen, and all the bottles and clothes we can find. We might as well take some of every size since there might not be enough gas to go back later,” she said.
“Don’t worry, babe. We’ll load up on everything. The truck will hold a ton of stuff,” he said.
“It wouldn’t be a bad idea for you to start a list so that we don’t forget something important,” Benton suggested.
“I’ll do that. I’ve got plenty of time on my hands to think about it,” Gail said.
“Looks like the stew is ready,” Benton said. “I’ll fill the bowls. Travis, hand the first one to Gail.”
Gail’s belly chose that moment to grumble, making everyone laugh. Travis handed her the first bowl, and she dug in, suddenly even hungrier now that she had it in front of her. It tasted wonderful even without the flatbread she’d completely forgotten to make. She’d make some after she’d rested for a while.
“Want some more, babe?” Travis asked when she handed him her bowl.
“No thanks. I’m full. I’ll probably be hungry again in a couple of hours though.”
“That’s our baby growing strong. Be sure to feed him every chance you get, babe.” Travis rubbed her distended belly before bending down and placing a kiss on it.
“How do you know it will be a he? I think it’s going to be a girl,” she said.
“I’m hoping for a girl that looks just like you, hon,” Benton said.
“I don’t care if it’s a girl or a boy as long as it’s healthy and you don’t have a hard labor,” Travis said.
“Me, too,” she and Benton said at the same time.
Chapter Three
The wolves seemed to pick up on Gail’s restlessness as she paced in front of the fire. She couldn’t be still as the baby bumped, kicked, and moved inside of her. She wasn’t sure what was going on, but figured it was stretching or something. So far it had let her sleep at night, but the night before the little watermelon had moved off and on all night, keeping her awake most of the time.
Everything she’d read in the baby books had said it was normal for there to be periods of movement as the baby developed. She ju
st wasn’t expecting it to be so uncomfortable. It didn’t hurt so much as irritate her.
Gail wanted to finish up the clothes she’d been making. So far, she had four onesies and six diapers. She’d even managed to make a patchwork quilt that she hoped to find some cloth at the store that wasn’t dry rotted for the back of it. She had four more sets of clothes to sew, but she couldn’t sit still to work on them.
Wolfie whined as she paced. Gigi and Sasha paced with her while Max lay in front of the fire watching them. Benton was outside working in the shed. Travis was upstairs but would be back down soon. She hoped to be able to rest when he got back or he’d be worried about her. Everything that seemed odd to the men worried them. Maybe he could rub her belly and put the little munchkin to sleep for her.
“Hey, what are you doing up?” Travis asked.
Gail hadn’t noticed that he’d walked into the living room. Wolfie whined again.
“What’s wrong?” Travis asked with a frown.
“The baby is really active right now. It’s uncomfortable to sit. I was thinking maybe you could rub my belly and put her to sleep for me,” she told him.
“You bet, babe. Come here.” Travis pulled her back in his arms and wrapped them around her to gently rub her belly through her shirt.
“Here, do it like this.” Gail lifted her T-shirt and leaned back in his arms.
“Got it.” He rubbed both hands over her belly in soothing strokes until the baby slowly settled down.
“Thanks that did it. I’m going to take a nap while she’s sleeping,” Gail said.