by Toni Aleo
“I agree. Gotta start him young.”
“Agreed,” he said, wrapping his arm around her shoulders as he led her toward the cribs and other nursery furniture. There was so much, so many options, and even more things that she didn’t even know she needed. Before she could react to it, though, he asked, “Now, big question. Which crib?”
Her shoulders fell as she took in all the options, which were endless and so damn cute. “Crap.”
“Yeah,” he agreed. “At least it’s cute?”
“Yeah, but we’re gonna be here forever, aren’t we?”
She gazed up at him, and he nodded slowly, a resigned look on his face, though his eyes were full of gusto. “Looks that way.”
“But we hate shopping.”
“We do, but it’s for the little man. Who we really need to name, by the way.”
She exhaled once more as she nodded. “This is true.”
“And at least we’ll be together through it all.”
Her lips quirked at the side as she looked up at him. Her anger from the night before was gone, and while she wasn’t sure of his intentions, it did feel good to have him by her side. Even if the longevity of his position there wasn’t certain. She knew, Lord, she knew, to keep her heart wrapped up tight, but when his lips curved and his eyes brightened as he leaned in, kissing her cheek, the wrapping she had around her heart loosened a bit as he whispered, “That’s a good thing, Wren.”
She returned the grin as she nodded. “I know.”
“So smile.”
“I am.”
When he poked her side, she laughed out as he wrapped her up from behind, holding her close, his hands coming along her belly. “There you go, now let’s do this.”
Swallowing hard, Wren felt her heart becoming more and more of a hot-ass mess. But for a moment, she ignored it.
She found herself smiling. Really smiling.
For Jensen.
“Maybe we should wait for Jo and Brie?”
Jensen closed Wren’s car door as he looked over at her. Of course, he thought she was gorgeous. She blew his mind with her beauty in a pair of simple overalls that stretched across their child and a tank that rode low on her breasts and would be starring in his dreams that night. They were so damn full, so sexy, but he was staying strong. Ish. The last couple days had been hard, but he was doing his best. Though, seeing her change each day that passed, well, it was getting harder.
She brushed a piece of hair out of her face as she looked up at him. Her hair was up in a messy bun, and she wore big glasses that covered her made-up eyes. She had done something to make them brighter, and it had also taken her an extra twenty minutes since she claimed the lines weren’t straight on both eyes. He thought they were, but she wouldn’t leave until they were perfect. He was pretty sure she thought he was an idiot, but he wasn’t. He was completely on to her.
She was stalling.
Ever since her breakdown in the middle of the baby store, he had been worried about her. She used to have small panic attacks when they were younger, especially through college, but the one in the middle of the store was scary. Even for him, who usually handled pressure like that okay. But this time, he had almost been on the brink of tears. Wren wasn’t one to cry. She was a strong chick, even through her panic attacks. She’d deal with them and move on, but that one stunned him. He knew it was because it was Wren. Anyone else, he wouldn’t have worried, but he worried for her. Completely. Those pregnancy hormones were no joke.
It made him nervous for obvious reasons, but he tried so hard not to think about what could be going through her head. Was she already plotting out her escape when she got her money? Not that he was holding her like a prisoner, but was she ready to go? Sometimes he felt she was, but other times, he felt like she was maybe, sorta falling for him. He wasn’t sure, and it was driving him insane. But he couldn’t think about it now. All he could do was love her more than he had before and hope for the best. But coming out to the whole team, their boss, and everyone at Lucy and Benji’s baby shower wasn’t going to be easy. It weighed on her, he could see it in her eyes, and it bothered him. More than he liked. He wanted to be confident in them, but standing beside her as she looked for a way out already, he felt like he was a lamb going to slaughter.
She could ruin him.
Fuck.
“Wren, they’re already here. We’re late.” Reaching into the back seat, he grabbed the little box she had spent another thirty minutes wrapping and tucked it under his arm. “So let’s go. We’re late.”
She bit her lip as she looked up at the Paxton’s home. It was something out of a rustic southern magazine, it was so rich with culture. He thought it was gorgeous, but the way Wren’s brows pulled in, you would have thought the damn place was on an episode of Hoarders. “How late are we? Can we just skip it, you think?”
He rolled his eyes, letting out a sigh. “No, babe. We gotta go.” Tucking her hands into her pockets, stretching the fabric so tight across the child he already loved, she nodded as his hand went to the small of her back. “It’s fine.”
She glanced up at him. “I’m nervous they’ll judge us.”
He made a face. “Who the fuck cares?” She seemed shocked by that, and maybe he was being a prick, but he was frustrated. He was proud to show her off, and he felt like she didn’t feel the same. “I mean, is it that bad to be seen with me?”
Her brows furrowed more as she reached out, holding his bicep. “That’s not it at all. I’m lucky as hell to be seen with you, Jenny. I’m worried they’ll be like your mom, judge that I waited so long to ‘fake’ tell you.”
His lips pressed together as he nodded. He shouldn’t have told her about that conversation with his mom. “My mom didn’t judge you. She was just upset it took so long for her to find out.”
“She was pissed.”
He hissed out a breath. “Either way, it doesn’t matter. We don’t answer to them. We answer to each other, right?”
She swallowed hard as she nodded. “Yeah. I guess.”
“So let’s go have a good time with our friends. Celebrate baby Paxton.” He urged her forward, but she didn’t move, her gaze still on him. “What’s wrong now?”
“Are you super sure about this?”
He let out an annoyed breath. “If you’re asking if I’m sure that I want to do this and that the child in your belly is mine, then the answer is yes.” Pulling down his sunglasses, he bored his eyes into hers as he said, “And please don’t ever ask me that again.”
Her lips pressed together as he put his glasses back. “I was just asking—”
“And I’m just telling you.”
“You’re mad.”
“I’m annoyed.”
“At me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re stalling, Wren.”
“I’m stalling because I’m nervous.”
“Why are you nervous?”
“I told you why!” she yelled, and he glared. He swore he thought she couldn’t piss him off, but lately, he was finding that was a delusional thought. She could irk him like none other.
“And I told you, you don’t need to worry or be nervous. Am I here?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“Then you’re good. I got you. Remember?”
Even though he couldn’t see her eyes clearly, he felt hers on his. “I don’t get it.”
“Get what?”
“Why you’re good to me.”
“Because I care for you,” he said simply. “Can we go?”
But she still didn’t move. As she inhaled deeply, letting it out in a whoosh, she looked up at him and whispered, “You’re a really good man, Jensen Monroe.”
His shoulders fell on an exhale. Didn’t she realize he was this man for her and only her? “And I’m your man, so you have nothing to worry about. Okay?”
Looking at the house, she started toward it, not acknowledging his comment, which annoyed him a bit. But he couldn’t pus
h her. He had to be patient. Walking together, they didn’t say anything as they followed the signs to the backyard where the party was in full swing. Everyone was there, the whole team, their wives, girlfriends, but to Jensen’s surprise, he didn’t spot any of the kids. But then, he remembered it was an adult party, which was a nice change.
When Benji stopped in his tracks, his eyes fell on Wren and then on Jensen before he pointed to the both of them. “Hey, guys.”
Wren looked like a deer in the headlights as Jensen smiled, handing him the gift. “Hey, man. Congratulations.”
“Thanks,” he drew out, looking back at Wren as Jensen returned his hand to her back. Benji looked utterly confused, and Jensen wanted to laugh, but before could, Elli Adler appeared beside him, her eyes wider than Benji’s when she revealed them from behind her sunglasses.
“Wren? Jensen?”
Before he could answer his boss, Vaughn was waving at him from beside the grill. “Jenny! Wrenny! Over here.”
“I see you,” he called over to him before he looked back to his boss. “Hey, Elli,” he said before leaning over and kissing her cheek.
But her mouth was a little open as she glanced between them. Meanwhile, Wren was shaking against his hand. Guess this was the judgy part she was worried about. As he looked around, all eyes were on them. He could feel it, Wren was about to hightail it out of there. Leaning toward her, he kissed the spot on her temple before whispering, “It’s okay.”
“Why’s everyone staring at you two?” Vaughn asked, coming over and wrapping his arm around Wren’s shoulders before looking up at Jensen. He then looked around. “People, really? We are on a team with extremely fertile men who impregnate their wives daily. So, really, this is nothing new. Just our very talented goalie and our therapist who eloped, and guess what, are having a baby! So yeah, let’s give them a round of applause.”
When he started clapping, some followed suit, but Elli was still staring at them.
“Thank you, Vaughn,” Jensen muttered through tight lips.
He nodded with a grin on his face. “Anytime, brother.”
“I’m legit going to kill you in your sleep,” Wren said for the whole backyard to hear, but Vaughn just laughed it off.
“She threatens me all the time. It’s endearing.”
Letting her go, Vaughn walked away before Elli stepped up, taking Wren in her arms. “Well, congratulations! I didn’t even know you two were dating!”
When they parted, Vaughn appeared again, pointing to their boss. “By the way, Elli, maybe you might have to shred some more paperwork. Hint, hint.” When he coughed exaggeratedly, Jensen rolled his eyes. “Dumb-ass non-fraternization rule.”
“I’m subcontracted, asshat,” Wren supplied, glaring.
Jensen chuckled as Benji shook his hand, along with some of the other guys. Wren explained, “Anyway, it was an on-and-off kind of thing. We’ve known each other our whole lives, though.”
“Oh, I knew that, but I didn’t know it was anything romantic,” Elli said before taking Jensen in her arms and kissing his cheek. “I’m so happy for y’all.”
“Thank you, we’re really excited.” Jensen beamed since he wasn’t lying. But Wren, Jesus, her lips turned up in what he assumed was a smile, and he was convinced people would think she was in pain.
“I usually know everything. You got one by me!”
Jensen laughed as he pulled Wren into the crook of his arm. “She’s private.”
“I’d say so! So, how far along?”
“Six months.”
“Goodness! We’ll have to have a baby shower for you!”
But Wren waved her off. “No need. It’s fine. Really.”
“I insist,” Elli said, her drawl coming out as she looked between them. His boss was a smart lady, but she was also very kind and loving. She would give the shoes off her feet to anyone, but she was also a no-holds-barred kind of chick, and she could see through any bullshit.
He was pretty sure she saw right through them.
“I’m just floored that I never noticed.”
Wren shrugged. “You always came in when I was sitting behind my desk, and I just didn’t tell anyone.”
Elli made a noise; he wasn’t sure what the noise meant, but she was smiling. “Well, either way, we’re excited for a new addition to the Assassins family. Babies everywhere! It makes my heart so happy.”
When Wren didn’t answer, an awkward silence fell between the three of them while Jensen rocked back on his heels, unsure what to say to make the situation any less awkward. Yeah, this was going awesome.
Not.
When he ran his hand along the small of Wren’s back, she looked up at him and he smiled, trying to make it better. When she didn’t smile back, his heart sort of stopped. Didn’t he say he was there for her? He had her back, so instead of worrying about what to say to his boss, he didn’t think, he just leaned in, pressing his lips to Wren’s. He watched through her glasses as her eyes drifted shut, and his heart sang while his arm came up and around her neck, holding her to him. Pulling away, his lips only a breath away, he whispered, “Smile. You’re beautiful.”
Her lips quirked as her hand came to the middle of his back just as Elli said, “Well, I don’t know how I didn’t suspect it because you two are adorable together.”
Jensen nodded. “Eh, she’s a little too hot for me, though.”
Wren scoffed at that. “Please.”
“It’s true,” he insisted, and for the first time that day, she beamed.
“Stop, I’m getting as big as a house.”
“Oh, girl, let me tell you about being as big as a house,” Elli said, taking Wren’s other hand and pulling her toward the drink table that was covered in pink. Wren glanced back at Jensen, but it wasn’t for help. At least, he didn’t think so. Instead, her lips were still curved.
Man, she was beautiful.
When an arm came across his shoulders, he looked over to see Dylan Alexander, his backup since Tate was still out. “Dude, I didn’t even know!”
Jensen just smiled. “No one did.”
“True story, it’s like it just happened,” Vaughn said from beside Karson King and Jordie Thomas. Markus Reeves and Phillip Anderson stood on the other side of Jordie, all of them with smiles on their faces but curiosity in their eyes. Sending a death stare at his best friend, Jensen shrugged. “Yeah, it was all kind of fast, but we’re happy.”
“And that’s all that matters,” Jordie said, gesturing to Jensen. “But congratulations. She’s a good girl.”
“She is.” Jensen looked back to where Wren was standing with Elli and a bunch of the other wives. They were gushing over Karson and Lacey King’s new baby girl. Wren wasn’t touching her, but the interest was on her face.
When a slap came to his back, he turned to see Shea Adler, a constant presence in the Assassins organization and Elli Adler’s husband. “Knocking up the therapist, I’m impressed. I thought she hated everyone.”
Vaughn laughed. “She does.”
“Obviously not our pretty boy goalie,” Shea teased, and Jensen laughed.
“Who isn’t attracted to him? He’s all hot and shit,” Markus joked, and everyone chuckled.
“I’m waiting for them to make us do those calendars again. Thousand bucks says Monroe is the cover model for the whole thing,” Anderson teased, while Jensen rolled his eyes.
“Shit, would your wife let you?” Shea asked, glancing back at Wren and the girls. “She looks like the jealous type, also one of those girls who might kill you in your sleep.”
Vaughn pointed to Shea. “You have no clue. She tried to smother me when we were teenagers.”
Jensen scoffed. “You cut her hair when she was sleeping!”
“What?” Shea laughed, and Vaughn shrugged.
“She kicked me in the balls.”
“You popped her bra, breaking the damn thing, and Elaine couldn’t get to the school for an hour, so Wren ran around with her boobs floating while everyone
teased her.”
Vaughn shrugged. “You gave her your hoodie, she was fine.”
“But everyone knew,” Jensen scolded. “And all you did was laugh.”
Vaughn laughed like he had back then. “Her face. She was so pissed.”
“Asshole.”
“Jesus, how long have you guys known each other?” Phillip asked.
Vaughn and Jensen shared a look before they both said, “Forever.”
Everyone laughed at that while Jensen shook his head. They really had known each other forever, and as he gazed over at his now-wife, he smiled. He had really cared for her and wanted to protect her for as long as he could remember. And not a damn thing had changed since them. Even with the need for flight in her eyes, he still wanted to be there for her. Protect her.
He loved her.
“So, do you know what you’re having?” Phillip asked, and Jensen looked toward him with a nod, his heart fluttering in his chest.
“A boy.”
“Thank God. Everyone is having girls,” Jordie mentioned as Jensen looked around the totally pinked-out place.
“Not me. It’s a boy. I know it,” Vaughn called, crossing his arms over his chest. “I’m a man’s man, and I’m having a man child.”
They all scoffed, shaking their heads. “I would love to see you with a little girl. She’ll shatter your world, just like Brie did,” Karson said with a laugh.
“She didn’t shatter my world. I shattered hers.”
“Yeah, pretty sure she wasn’t the one sending you millions of flowers. It was the other way around,” Jensen teased, and Vaughn shot him a look.
“Shut up.”
“Hey, girls are trouble. All of them. They get you all fucked up, in love with them, and then they give you a daughter who does the same thing all over again,” Jordie agreed with a nod as he stared across the yard at his beautiful wife. “In an instant. Just like that, and you’re never the same.”
“This is true, but so does a boy. I love my boys with everything inside of me,” Phillip added with a small grin on his face. “One look at my first main man when he was born, and I was a changed man.”
“Every single one of mine took a piece of me with them,” Shea said then, his lips curving. “I thought after Elli and Shelli I couldn’t love anyone else, but then each one, I loved more and more. It’s crazy. Life. Ya know?”
