Total pages in book: 188
Estimated words: 182255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 911(@200wpm)___ 729(@250wpm)___ 608(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 182255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 911(@200wpm)___ 729(@250wpm)___ 608(@300wpm)
She would be incredibly excited.
Seth nodded. “Absolutely, before Mom and Carl come back.”
Which would be soon.
Beck nodded, then nudged her soft shoulder while Seth brushed a strand of hair from her cheek.
“Angel,” Seth murmured. “Wake up. We’ve got news.”
Heavenly stirred, her lashes fluttering as she blinked at them, groggy and confused. When she saw their serious expressions, her brows furrowed. Her gaze sharpened.
She sat up, whispering, “What’s wrong?”
Beck shook his head, smile filled with joy. “Nothing, little girl. In fact, everything is perfect.”
Seth’s throat tightened. “Liam just texted us, angel. According to him, you conceived last night. You’re pregnant.”
The words hung in the air.
Heavenly blinked. Her lips parted, but no sound came out. Tears welled up in her big eyes and spilled over.
“I’m…” Her voice cracked as her hand instinctively dropped to her stomach. “I’m pregnant? Really?”
“Really.” Beck’s voice came out rough. “We did it. We’re going to have a family.”
She looked between them, searching their faces. “You’re sure?”
“Liam and Bryn both saw it.” Seth nodded. “It’s real. How do you feel?”
A sob broke from her chest—half laugh, half cry. She pressed both hands to her stomach as tears streamed down her face. “Oh, my…” Her voice trembled. “It’s real.”
“It is, little girl.” Beck’s smile widened as he pulled her close and kissed her tears away.
He hugged them close, love filling his aching chest. But fear coiled around it, so tight it threatened to smother his breath and strangle his joy. “You’re going to be a mom.”
Which meant he was going to be a father again—and not to a teenager like Hudson, but to a fragile newborn who would depend on him for everything.
I can’t lose this again.
Seth closed his eyes and made a silent promise. He would not let history repeat itself. He would be vigilant as hell and protect them. Ready or not, he would leave the past behind, and embrace the future...whole, complete—exactly like Beck was doing now.
Heavenly’s tears dripped onto his shoulder. Beck’s hand gripped his arm.
Seth buried his face in Heavenly’s hair, breathing her in. Beck’s forehead pressed against his shoulder.
This was his family. His future.
And he’d protect it with everything he had—no matter what.
Heavenly sniffled again. Tenderly, Beck dried her tears. Seth watched, wishing he could lose himself in the moment with them. He gave them what he could while his thoughts raced, caressing her crown and kissing her forehead.
Then he pulled away, breaking the moment.
Fuck, he needed space, needed to breathe. No time to linger or wallow or reverse-engineer how to jettison his fears enough to fully embrace his future. Mom and Carl would be home soon to prep for their post-wedding brunch—friends, family, and out-of-town guests gathering for one final celebratory moment before saying goodbye. Later this afternoon, he’d take Beck, Heavenly, and Hudson back to the airport for their flight to LA.
Then tomorrow…he’d sit his mom down and come clean. The weight of that responsibility pressed down on him—not panic, but something heavier. Unavoidable. With a baby on the way, telling her about the three of them wasn’t optional.
Whatever he felt, whatever the fucking tangle in his head…it had to wait.
With a last, lingering kiss on the bow of Heavenly’s mouth, Beck slipped out of bed and grabbed his clothes. “As much as I hate to break up this party and what could be a really promising morning, I’ll head across the hall and start getting ready. After all, we have to keep up appearances.”
Beck’s expression was tight, resentful.
Seth didn’t blame him. “Last day.”
“Thank fuck.” The surgeon slid a lingering smile Heavenly’s way before he left, closing the door behind him.
If not for his mom’s convictions about right and wrong, the three of them would probably pass a lazy Sunday in bed, laughing, talking, and making love as they celebrated their pending future.
Instead, they had to resume their roles and hide their love. They had to pretend they didn’t know about the child growing in Heavenly’s womb. Seth knew Beck and their girl hated that. He hated it for them, too.
Heavenly grabbed Seth’s hand. She must have read something in his expression because her voice was searching and soft. “Now that Beck’s gone, tell me how you really feel. Are you happy?”
“Yeah, angel. I’m happy. Of course I’m happy.” He cupped her cheek. “I won’t lie and say I’m not scared shitless. I am, and I don’t know if that feeling will ever go away.”
She sent him a sympathetic smile and wrapped her fingers around his still against her cheek. “I know. But whatever happens—the baby, the move, all of it—we’ll handle it. Together.”
Seth wanted to believe her more than anything.
“It’s going to be okay,” she assured. “You don’t have to carry the weight alone. The three of us will move heaven and earth to keep our child safe.”
He nodded. “I know you’re right. We won’t let anything happen to him or her.”