He leaned in close to me as I mindlessly poked the steaks with a fork. “When is she due?” His voice was barely audible.
Reaghan, my two-year-old niece, ran out with Kross chasing his daughter. Her black-as-night curls bounced with every step she took as she squealed.
“Daddy’s going to get you,” Kross said as Reaghan latched on to my leg.
“Uncle Kade,” she cooed, her tiny hands digging into my leg.
I handed the fork to Kelton. “Can you pile the steaks on the plate?” Then I lifted Reaghan up and into my arms. “Hey, button. I’ll protect you from the big bad wolf.”
She giggled as her tiny hand latched on to my neck. “Daddy’s not a wolf, silly.”
Kross bared his teeth in an attempt to mimic a wolf with long fangs. “I’m coming to get my little Red Riding Hood.” His blue eyes went wide.
According to Kross, Reaghan loved when he read Little Red Riding Hood to her at bedtime.
She stuck out her little chin and flashed those big blue eyes at her dad. “I’m not afraid of the big bad wolf.”
Kelton, Kross, and I burst out laughing. The child would be a force to contend with, as she got older. I couldn’t help but think about the triplets we were having.
Holy fuck! Every time I thought about three babies, I had to pinch myself. Regardless, I wanted my kids to be strong and not take shit from anyone.
Kross grabbed Reaghan from me. “Something is off with you, bro.”
Reaghan rested her head on Kross’s shoulder.
Kelton piled the steaks on a platter, chuckling.
I rolled my eyes. “I’m good.” Better than good. But we needed to get the food on the table and everyone seated. Otherwise, I was going to burst.
Reaghan lifted her head, planting her hand on Kross’s cheek. “I’m hungry.”
“Me too, sweetie,” Kross said. “Well, bro. What is it? Lacey and baseball? Did she get any more offers from Triple-A teams?”
Kelton carried the plate of steaks into the house, shaking his head before he announced loudly, “Time to eat.”
I sighed in relief and silently thanked Kelton for the distraction. Everyone scattered, as though they were starving, except Lacey, who glided toward me.
Kross carried his daughter inside without waiting for an answer to his question, which was fine with me. Baseball wasn’t on my mind. However, Tara was talking to the Sea Dogs about Lacey’s contract.
After Lacey had shared our good news with Tara, and Tara had come down from her excitement, she’d told Lacey she would talk with the Sea Dogs’s management on Lacey’s behalf.
Lacey winked at Reaghan and maybe Kross as they breezed by her.
Sounds of voices faded as the family settled in the dining room, leaving Lacey and me alone in the kitchen.
She lifted up on her tiptoes. “You ready?” She beamed like a bright light shining through the fog on a humid night.
I inhaled her citrus scent as I wrapped my arms around her. “More than ready.” Then I kissed her—slow, wet, and teasingly long for good measure.
She let out a whisper of a moan. “We better get in there before I drag you into the bedroom.”
I started thinking of sports and cars and anything else to get rid of the bulge in my jeans. My dick was throbbing and itching to get out and inside my sexy wife.
“Go,” I said to Lacey. “I need a minute.”
Her gaze latched on to my groin, and she giggled. “Don’t be too long.” She pivoted on her heel and wiggled her ass teasingly.
“Lace,” I warned.
She tossed one of her come fuck me looks as she licked her lips.
“You’ll pay for this later.”
“I know.”
Once I was alone, I took in a few deep breaths, adjusting my dick. Then I shook my head and joined the family.
Eleven pairs of eyes looked up as I walked in.
I found a spot behind Lacey at the head of the table and gripped the back of her chair. She pushed to her feet and came around to hold my hand.
Mom flashed her blue eyes wide as though she knew what we were about to say.
I blinked once, and Lacey squeezed my hand as if to say, “You got this.”
I swung my gaze around the room, stopping to look at each person for a brief second. The only one relaxing back in his chair was Kelton. He was watching and waiting to see the reactions on everyone’s faces.
Lizzie, Kelton’s girl, flipped her black hair over her shoulder before she angled her head toward Lacey and me. Ruby had a crease in between her bluish-green eyes.
“Why are you standing up, Uncle Kade?” Raven asked.
Kross kissed his eight-year-old daughter on the side of her head, moving her braid off her shoulder. “I think he and Aunt Lacey have some big news to tell us.”
Mom’s expression perked up.
Jessie and Kody, who were the closest to Lacey and me, sat quietly.
I draped my arm around Lacey and tugged her to me. Then I regarded my parents. “Lacey and I are having a baby.” A sigh poured out of me, taking with it all the pent-up tension from keeping that secret for over a month.
Tears filled Mom’s blue eyes. The women squealed, as did Raven and her sister, Reaghan, although Reaghan probably didn’t get the full meaning of what I’d just said.
Dad came over to give me a hug. “I’m so happy for you.” Then he wrapped his arms around Lacey.
Before I knew what was happening, my brothers got in line to congratulate us. Then Lizzie, Ruby, and Jessie followed suit. My nieces stayed at the table, munching on bread rolls. The last to hug me was Mom.
Her hug was tight as happy tears flowed down her beautiful skin. “I had an inkling something was up.” She regarded Lacey. “I can see a physical change in you.”
Her tits for sure.
She held out her arm to Lacey. “Come here.”
Lacey stepped into Mom’s arms as she prodded me with her eyes to tell them the rest.
“So when are you due?” Mom asked Lacey.
The low chatter that had ensued quickly died.
“Well…” I said.
Everyone was listening intently except the kids.
“Lacey will be delivering triplets in April.”
With the exception of my nieces, everyone’s jaws hit the wooden table. Mom, who was sandwiched in between Lacey and me, swayed a little before she threw her arms around me once again.
“Holy cow!” Kody said. “Way to go, bro.”
Mom released me then hugged Lacey.
I looked at my dad. He nodded as if to say, “You got this. You were born to raise triplets.”
In a way, I guess I was. I’d taken care of my brothers after Karen had died when my mom was living in a mental health facility for a couple of years.
“Do you know what the sex is?” Lizzie asked.
“How far along are you?” Ruby asked.
“You know, we should start planning the baby shower,” Mom added.
The buzz and excitement filling the room was making me a bit dizzy.
Mom returned to her seat next to Dad.
“Your mom and I are so proud of you, Kade,” Dad said. “We’re proud of all of you.” Dad regarded my brothers. “You’ve grown into responsible young men who know what family means.”
Tears threatened as I took in a deep breath. “You’ve raised us right.”
Kelton, Kross, and Kody chimed in with the same, nodding their heads.
Jessie, Kody’s girl, finally spoke up. “So, triplets! I’m so happy for you two.” She set her loving expression on Kody.
“One day, baby doll,” Kody said to Jessie as though he knew what her expression meant.
Kody hadn’t proposed to her yet. For that matter, Kelton hadn’t proposed to Lizzie yet either. Both had their reasons.
“Lacey,” Lizzie said, tucking strands of her black hair behind her ear. “Are you ready to carry three babies?”
Ruby joined the conversation as she filled Reaghan
and Raven’s plates with food. “Carrying one is enough.”
Lacey and I took our seats. She was at one end of the table, and I was at the other.
Kody handed Lacey a bowl of potato salad. “Honestly, I’m a little scared.”
Mom reached over and patted Lacey’s hand. “I’ll be here for you. It’s not as daunting as it sounds. The body is amazing.”
Jessie buttered a roll. “She’s right. You might have to be on bed rest or at least off your feet toward the end, but as long as you stay in shape, triplets will be a breeze for you,” the nurse in her said.
I exchanged a thankful look with my dad, blinking and nodding at him as I swallowed down a ton of emotions waiting to burst free, from love to trepidation and everything in between. But I was more than ready to start down this road. I was more than ready to tend to screaming babies at three in the morning. I was more than ready to expand my family. And I was definitely more than ready to do all of that with the woman who’d stolen my heart seven years ago in the high school parking lot.
Chapter 16
Lacey
My eyes flew open as a gripping pain had me trying to catch my breath. I sat up and checked the time. The clock on the nightstand was flashing four a.m. I swung my gaze over to Kade, who was fast asleep, which was unlike him. He’d been tossing and turning just about every night for the last two months of my pregnancy.
I’d gotten so big that I couldn’t do much. I couldn’t even see my ankles when I stood. I was so ready to have these babies. The kicking and heartburn and peeing and pain in my lower back were getting to be too much.
I climbed out of bed, or more like waddled out, pushing off the mattress to stand upright, my belly protruding out over my feet.
Argh! I was so ready to see my ankles. I was so ready to get back to my normal body. I often wondered how I would’ve even pitched if I’d been playing. Standing on the mound with my belly growing, trying to cock my leg and release the ball would’ve not only been impossible but comical. My belly had started to poke out at four months. Then at five, with three babies inside me, I blew up like a darn balloon.
The minute I was standing, a gush of water slid down my thighs followed by a sharp pain in my belly. I bit down on my tongue and counted to three, blowing in and out as I’d done many times during birthing classes when being taught how to handle contractions.
This is it. Time to bring our babies into this world.
Holy crap on a cracker! I held my stomach as pain so sharp kept me from moving.
Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.
I inhaled then exhaled, once, twice, three times.
When the contraction finally subsided, I let out the air in my lungs. I wasn’t sure if I was ready for more pain to come.
Nevertheless, I went over to Kade’s side of the bed. He looked peaceful, and I hated to wake him. The man had bags under his eyes and needed more rest than me, with as much running around and doting on me as he’d done.
I dragged a nail down his arm lightly. “Kade, honey.”
His eyes moved rapidly behind his lids.
Crap. REM sleep. That meant he was deep into this sleep cycle.
Before I freaked out too much or another pain gripped me, I went into our en suite bathroom and cleaned up. Then I changed out of my sleep shirt and into a pair of yoga pants and an oversized T-shirt. Then I grabbed my hospital bag, which we had prepared a month ago, and deposited it at the door.
I ambled back to my sleeping giant. “Hey, baby,” I said in a louder voice than before, shaking him.
As I did, a contraction made me moan, and I clutched his arm so hard, I dug my nails into him.
His eyes shot open. He blinked rapidly, looking out of sorts. “What’s wrong?”
I took in several short breaths, puffing them out, closing my eyes, and trying to stay on my feet when all I wanted to do was keel over and curl up into a fetal position.
Kade flew off the bed then helped me sit down. “It’s time. Isn’t it?” His voice cracked.
I nodded as the contraction waned. “We need to get moving. My water broke, and I think the babies are coming fast.”
The ladies in my birthing class who were on their second pregnancies had said their first deliveries took hours because they were in labor for so long.
Something told me the three inside me weren’t going to take hours.
He spun around, running his hand through his hair, searching the room. “Oh shit. Where the fuck are my clothes?”
I giggled for no other reason than to calm myself down.
He whipped his tired eyes at me. “Seriously? You’re laughing at me?”
I shook my head. “No. I just envisioned how this night would go, and never in a million years did I think you would freak out.”
Once he found his jeans, he stumbled as he managed to get one leg in then the other. “Bag?”
I stabbed a finger at the door as I rose, pushing out my stomach to balance myself. I giggled again. Between my breasts and my belly, which was as big as the universe, I was surprised I didn’t fall forward. I wobbled when I was on two feet.
Flinging the bag over his shoulder, Kade rushed over to me then wrapped his fingers around my arm. “Okay, let’s go.”
“I can walk. I’m not ninety years old,” I teased. “Besides, you need a shirt. Unless you want the nurses drooling over you.”
He reared back. “Fuck.” He let go of me, dropping the bag as he practically vaulted in the air toward his dresser.
I waddled as I headed to the door. I might as well get a head start.
Kade pulled out the first T-shirt his hands landed on and shrugged into it as though he were the Flash. Once he was fully dressed, with the bag over his shoulder, I was in the hallway.
“How far along are the contractions?” he asked.
“No idea.” I should have been counting, but I’d been too busy getting ready. “All I know is the pain seems to be coming faster and faster.”
When we reached the kitchen, I let out a moan that sounded like someone was stabbing me.
“Breathe,” he said.
I snarled. “I’m trying. Get the car,” I said through clenched teeth.
“Lace, you need to breathe.”
My nostrils flared. “Please, get the car. I’ll meet you out front.”
He studied me for a beat, his eyebrows drawing down, debating if he should leave me. “Fuck no. I’m not leaving you.” He paled.
I held on to the wall outside the kitchen. “By the time you”—I moaned as the pain seemed to intensify—“get the car, the pain”—I inhaled then exhaled—“will be gone.”
He didn’t move.
I planted my hand on his heart, which was beating out of his chest. “I know you want to make sure I’m okay. But if you don’t get the car, I’m going to have these babies on our kitchen floor.”
He mashed his lips into a thin line then bolted down the hall toward the garage.
I loved the attention. I loved being home with him. I loved that he took care of me. But I was ready to be my own person again. I felt like I’d been cooped up and unable to breathe at times. And if I were being honest, I was missing baseball. The season had started, and I wasn’t there. But the season and playing ball would have to wait.
The contraction finally started to subside. Then as fast as I could go, I met Kade in the driveway.
He rushed around to the passenger’s side and helped me in. Then like a madman, he got behind the wheel. He sped through the quiet streets of Ashford. The ten-minute ride to the hospital was quiet except for my moans when a contraction came barreling down on me once again.
When he screeched to a halt under the portico to the emergency room, Kade threw the car in Park and jumped out.
An orderly was outside with a wheelchair in hand as though he were waiting for us. He’d probably seen Kade’s erratic driving as we sped into the hospital lot.
“My wife is in labor,” Kade all but shouted.
As calm as
the ocean on a windless day, the orderly smiled. “Park your car, sir. I’ll take the missus inside.”
Kade’s forehead creased. “Are you mad? She’s in labor, and I’m not leaving her.”
I eased down into the wheelchair. “Park the car, honey. I’ll be fine.”
He muttered swear words under his breath as he sped off once again.
“Thank you,” I said to the orderly, whose name on his uniform read Fred.
“I see this all the time,” Fred said, wheeling me in. “So, contractions close?”
I’d had another contraction halfway to the hospital. If I was counting correctly, they were about five or six minutes apart. “They are.”
“Well then, I’ll get you up to maternity in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.” He did as promised, rolling me into the maternity ward two minutes later. Nurses scrambled when they saw me, as though I were the life of the party, and one of those nurses was my BFF, Becca.
Becca rushed up to me, her dark eyes lighting up. “It’s time?”
I nodded. The babies were definitely coming.
“Let’s get Lacey prepped and call Dr. Livingston,” Becca ordered as though she were in charge of the nurses.
I wanted to ask what she was doing in the maternity ward since she worked in the NICU, but another contraction bore down. “I suddenly feel like I need to push.” I winced as the pain blinded me. Thank God I was in a wheelchair. Otherwise, I would be barreled over.
A brunette nurse ran around the nurses’ station, and within seconds, the paging system blared, “Dr. Livingston, please report to the maternity ward.”
“Her husband is parking the car,” Fred said.
Becca replaced Fred behind my wheelchair. “Thanks, Fred. We got this from here. Can you let her husband know where she is?” Then she wheeled me down the hallway. “Kade must be freaking out.”
“I thought you worked in NICU,” I said in between breathing like I’d been running for miles.
“I’m filling in for someone tonight. Don’t worry—you’re in good hands. And since you’re having triplets, you’ll have a team of nurses in the delivery room.”
I wasn’t worried. I was sure Becca was great at her job. “I’m so glad you’re here. But you mentioned Dr. Livingston. Can you call Dr. Gardner?” I knew I might not get him, depending on whether he was on call, but I sure was going to try.
Dare to Embrace: The Maxwell Series Book 7 Page 9