Sully
“You must be Dad?”
I take the offered hand.
“Sullivan Eckhart.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Dr. Tippen, but you guys should probably call me Lindsey since we’ll be seeing a lot of each other.”
She gestures for us to follow her down the hall. I feel a little out of my element. Heck, that same blonde who was here when I brought Nella in was looking a little confused. The doctor shows us into an examination room, and my eyes catch on the table outfitted with the kind of stirrups I’m not that familiar with.
Holy shit. Talk about uncomfortable, especially when Pippa automatically sits on the edge of the bed.
“So, Sullivan, since I assume this pregnancy was a surprise for you as well, have you had a chance to get used to the idea?”
I keep an eye on the doctor as she wraps a blood pressure cuff around Pippa’s arm.
“Working on it,” I admit.
“Well, coming here is a good start. I may break out the ultrasound to give you a quick peek. That made things real in a hurry for Mom, didn’t it?”
The latter is directed at Pippa, who is keeping an observant eye on me.
“It sure did,” she responds.
“Blood pressure is slightly elevated. We’ll try again at the end of the appointment.”
She helps Pippa lie back and I dart a quick glance at the door, tempted to go wait outside, but when I turn back and catch Dr. Tippen’s knowing grin, I dismiss that idea. I’m being tested and am determined not to fail.
To my relief—although I’d never admit it—only Pippa’s belly is exposed. I’m suddenly mesmerized by the silky olive-tone skin stretched tightly over her abdomen. Her clothes hide a lot, this is a much larger baby bump than was visible from the outside.
The doctor gently palpates her stomach, commenting on the baby’s activity level, and asking Pippa a few questions about her health. I listen with only half an ear, trying fucking hard not to get turned on by the mother of my child lying on a bed, which invokes a fantasy or two. It seems almost sacrilegious to have these thoughts, yet they persist.
“Why don’t you pull your chair over here?” Dr. Tippen suggests, indicating a spot by Pippa’s head. “I’m just going to grab the ultrasound.
“Wait,” Pippa stops her. “The test, is everything okay?”
“Absolutely. I would’ve called you if there was anything of concern. Hang tight, I’ll be right back.”
When she’s gone, I drag my chair closer and sit down by her shoulder. Her stomach is still exposed. I reach out my hand, letting it hover over her smooth skin.
“May I?”
I glance over and find her nodding at me, the rich brown of her gorgeous eyes shining like jewels. She looks vulnerable, almost fragile, and every protective fiber in my body roars to the surface.
Then I touch her, feeling the heat of her body penetrate my calloused palm. Such a stark contrast between my rough, hard hand and her soft, delicate skin. Both protectively shielding the baby growing inside.
The door opens and the doctor rolls in an ultrasound machine, setting it up on the other side of the bed. I pull back my hand, but Pippa grabs on, curling her fingers around mine. My eyes lock on hers and for a moment everything else disappears, except for the silent communication between us.
The feelings masked by fear in her eyes, I know are reflected in mine.
When the clearing of a throat draws our attention to the grainy image on the screen, it feels like we’ve come to some unspoken understanding.
“There’s the little one,” the doctor says, her voice gentle.
At first, I don’t know what I’m looking at until I see movement. Then I recognize a profile and what looks like a hand. The image shifts and I see a rib cage, part of a spine, and a darker spot pulsating quickly. The heart. Next thing I know, the sound of a heartbeat is audible, beating in tandem with the image on the screen.
I know it’s there; I’ve felt it move, but being able to see it and hear it throws a switch in my brain. This baby is instantly transformed from a concept to a reality as tangible as the Stetson I have clasped in my other hand.
It takes me a moment to realize Pippa is asking a question.
“Dr. Tippen, is it possible to see the baby’s gender?”
“You’ve changed your mind? Oh, and please call me Lindsey.”
Her hand squeezes mine and she darts a quick glance my way before answering the doctor.
“We’ve decided we’d like to know.”
“It’s in the report, but let’s see if this little one is willing to share the secret.”
The image shifts again as she manipulates the wand sliding over Pippa’s stomach.
“There, that’s a good view.”
I’m still trying to sort out what I’m looking at when I hear Pippa’s sharp intake of breath.
“It’s a girl?” she whispers.
“Sure is. Congratulations.”
With quick, efficient movements, Lindsey wipes the gel off Pippa’s stomach, tugging her shirt back down, before she unplugs the machine and starts rolling it out of the room.
“You can get off the bed. I’ll be right back,” she announces before walking out.
My heart was already beating fast but is now making its way up my throat.
I’m scared. Forty-four years old, have faced down brutal enemies, looked down too many gun barrels, felt the hot sear of a bullet penetrating my body more than once, but I don’t think I’ve ever been this afraid.
A girl. A daughter to cherish and protect.
The thought terrifies me.
“Are you okay?”
Pippa lets go of my hand and swings her legs off the bed, sitting herself up.
“Sully?”
I pinch the bridge of my nose before rubbing a hand over my short-shorn scalp down to the back of my neck. My eyes pop open when I feel Pippa’s cool touch on my cheek. She’s leaning down, her nose almost touching mine, as her gaze searches my face.
“A girl…”
My voice is raw. Fuck, I don’t even know what I’m feeling right now.
Pippa does. The vibrant smile on her face holds no secrets.
“Yeah. We’ll have to start thinking of names.”
Fucking hell.
It’s like throwing a switch. Yesterday her face had been etched with worry after the sheriff’s visit as she sent me home. Today—not twenty-four hours later—she’s beaming and wanting to talk baby names.
I’m not that flexible, my mind is still set to worry.
Ten minutes later, I help Pippa into the truck before I get in behind the wheel. She has an appointment to see the doctor again in two weeks. The subject of insurance came up and I explained we’re working on that. I guess there’s no time like the present to tackle that issue.
“It’s not a problem to switch my insurance to a family plan. I looked into the blood test for a license, but there’s a consent form we can both sign to get around that. All it takes is a visit to the county clerk’s office.”
“A license?”
I turn my head and catch sight of the look of disbelief on her face.
“As in a marriage license?”
The pitch of her voice is even higher this time. She’s pissed, which is a bit of a hit to the ego. I don’t like the fact marriage to me seems to strike her as such an outrageous idea.
Then abruptly she dissolves into peals of laughter.
I’m pretty sure I like that less.
Pippa
His knuckles are white against the steering wheel as he turns the truck onto the road.
Maybe I shouldn’t have laughed at his suggestion, although it wasn’t so much at the marriage part as it was at the way he presented it. Like some kind of business proposal; exactly what every girl dreams of.
Still, I probably could’ve responded better, so I reach out and put a hand on his forearm.
“Could you pull over?”
Instantly his eyes dart my way.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, but I really want you to pull over.”
He aims the truck at the parking lot in front of the Smoking Gun restaurant. It’s early and the place isn’t open yet, so the parking lot is empty.
“What’s wrong?” he asks as he shuts off the engine and turns in his seat.
“Let’s talk about this,” I propose. I don’t bother clarifying, we both know exactly what I’m referring to. “You’re suggesting marriage?”
“And you find the idea laughable,” he replies, clearly butthurt.
It almost makes me laugh again but I manage to keep it under control. He’s simply surprised me with these sudden displays of frailty in this past hour. My impulse to laugh is more from nerves than hilarity. I don’t find his vulnerability funny; I find it dangerously attractive. Another layer to add to this strong, almost formidable man. Complex layers hidden by what I thought was an impenetrable shell honed by years in the military. The only parts of him suggesting a more approachable personality are the plentiful tattoos decorating his skin and the easy, irresistible dimples framing his mouth.
“No. The idea makes me nervous,” I admit, watching the surprise on his face. “Last week we agreed to focus on parenting together, taking things a step at a time. This week you’re talking about marriage, which is leaping ahead.” I close my eyes and shake my head, not sure if I’m explaining myself right. “It almost feels like a business decision.”
Then I feel him pick up one of my hands, covering it in both of his.
“My biggest concern is having you looked after. Both of you. Insurance is one consideration and a big one. We may be able to carry the cost of a healthy pregnancy, delivery, and baby, but what if not everything goes as planned? I need to make sure you are both covered in that event.”
I open my eyes and find his closer than expected. He makes sense and clearly thought this through, but it still seems like a giant leap in a direction I’m not sure we should take.
“It’s also the fastest way to get you permanent residence,” he adds before he brings his point all the way home. “And finally, as your husband, I feel I’d be in a better position to stand up for you. Protect you.”
Previously, I might’ve found that synonymous with controlling me, but after yesterday’s visit from the sheriff, I read it in an entirely different light. To be honest, I was scared out of my wits—still am—and well out of my depth. Having Sully there to stand up for me made it better.
By a lot.
“And I guess I’d be moving in with you?”
“You’re making it sound like a sentence,” he observes with a grimace. “But yes, it would make sense.”
I get it and I’d have to agree, but that still leaves the bitter taste of a business proposal in my mouth, so I decide to address that too.
“What about feelings?” I bring up. “As convenient as a marriage would be, this feels like a business arrangement. I’m just trying to identify what this is.”
His blue eyes deepen in color, warming.
“It’s not an arrangement to me, Fillippa, it’s a commitment.”
I don’t think he’s ever used my full name before. I like it. I like the message it emphasizes too. But it’s his next words that have my heart skipping a beat.
“And to answer your question, there are feelings. Right now, more than I know what to do with.”
I barely have time to digest their meaning when my phone rings in my pocket.
“It’s Fletch,” I announce when I see his name on the screen before I answer with, “Hey.”
“Need you to get your ass over here or you’re gonna miss it.”
A surge of excitement has my heart pounding and my skin tingles with excitement.
“Nella?”
“She’s fine, making it look like a fucking tea party. Six centimeters and moving fast, so you may wanna hustle, Pippa.”
I can hear my sister yelling something at him in the background.
“On my way. Tell her I love her.”
Sully already started the truck and is trying to pull into traffic before I end the call.
“Hurry!”
“We’re three blocks from the hospital, Honey. We’ll get there in time.”
I almost snap at the amusement I hear in his voice, but rein it in. I manage to wait for him when we get to the hospital, although everything in me screams to run ahead. When he takes my hand, slipping his fingers through mine, I hang on tight or I might float away.
He stops us when we get to her room and turns me to face him.
“I’ll be in the waiting room.”
I nod, already reaching for the door when he pulls me back. He takes my face in his hands and presses a kiss on my mouth. When he raises his head a little, all I can see are his eyes, deep lines fanning out from the corners as he smiles down at me. Then he kisses me again before letting me go.
From the other side of the door I can faintly hear a deep, guttural moan and Fletch’s soft voice, soothing.
With one last look at Sully, I push through the door.
Two and a half hours later, I walk into the waiting room a little shell-shocked.
That was pretty fast, and definitely furious. My only experience with childbirth was on TV, most of it badly acted out and nothing like the real deal.
Holy shit.
“I changed my mind,” are the first words out of my mouth when I catch sight of him.
Sully immediately gets to his feet and grins as I almost throw myself in his arms. I’m worn out and I haven’t done anything but stand in shocked amazement as my sister pushed an eleven-pound baby from her body. Her doctor chuckled and joked the baby was almost big enough to walk out of here, which had me hanging on to Fletch, who was less than amused.
“Afraid it’s a little too late for that, Honey.” His voice rumbles in my ear, which is pressed against his chest. “I’m guessing the baby is here?”
Oops, I forgot what I came out here for.
I lean back a little and grin up at him. “Hunter Thomas Boone, eleven pounds two ounces, and I wasn’t kidding about having changed my mind. That was fierce. He’s like a gorgeous little sumo wrestler.”
“That’s great. Congratulations.”
His arms pull me a little tighter as he lowers his head. My arms curl instinctively around his neck and my face lifts up for the kiss I know is coming.
It’s delicious, celebratory, and over far too soon.