Conviction (Consolation Duet #2)

by Corinne Michaels

  Aaron laughs and then stops. “I’m not waking her,” he says as it dawns on him he’ll get her wrath.

  “All on you, bro.”

  “Thanks,” he smirks. It was strained for the first few weeks after the wedding between all of us, but then Aaron met Rebecca, and that seems to have eased some of the tension. They’ve been together these last few months and he seems really happy.

  After that, he didn’t look at Natalie and me as if we were hurting him all the time. He comes and gets Aarabelle regularly, and when he dropped her off last week while Natalie was out, we sat and had a beer.

  It was odd but a step in the right direction.

  “Liam!” Natalie yells out, and I take the stairs two at a time.

  “I’m here.”

  “Did you forget to grab me? I’m kind of the key piece here.” Her face scrunches and I rush over.

  “Never. Plus, you’re kinda scary right now.”

  “Uh huh.”

  We get down the stairs. Aaron has Aarabelle in his arms as she shoots daggers at him. I laugh to myself because at least it’s not me.

  Lee walks over to her and rubs her back. “Bye, my sweet girl. I’ll see you soon.” She kisses her and I see the tears welling in her eyes.

  “Lee, you’ll see her as soon as we have the baby.”

  “I know,” she says as she kisses the top of her head.

  “I’ll bring her by when Liam calls,” Aaron explains. It’s weird that we can all be around each other so easily, but hey, I’ll take it. I think for Aara’s sake, we all try extra hard. And now that Becky’s around, I don’t have to watch him eye fuck my wife.

  “Okay, car now before we don’t make it . . .” I nudge Lee and she nods.

  I grab the towel and rush out to the car. I try to be discreet and not let her see what I’m doing. There’s not much chance she won’t catch me, but you can’t blame me for trying to protect the seats.

  “Liam Dempsey!” she yells as she waddles behind me. She’s such a cute, little penguin. “I’ll cut you.”

  “Oh, I love when you talk sweet to me,” I reply playfully.

  “You left me back there. Your pregnant and having contractions wife . . .”

  “No, I was preparing Robin so you’ll be comfortable.”

  Her eyes narrow and she tilts her head. I’m screwed. I rush over and grab her arm and help her to the car. She sits down and I rush over to the other side. I can feel her hostility and I haven’t even gotten inside.

  “You’re dead.”

  “I figured.”

  “Good . . . it’ll make it less awkward when I kill you.”

  I grab her hand and kiss the top. Maybe I can soothe her by being swoony. “I love you so much, sweetheart. You’re going to make me the happiest man in the world today.”

  “You’re still dead.”

  Or not. She squeezes my hand with herculean strength and I try to pry it away, but she just grabs harder.

  “I need my hand.”

  She doesn’t say anything, but I can feel her eyes burning holes into the side of my face.

  We arrive at the hospital and they bring her to the room. Once she’s connected to a bunch of monitors, I start making calls. I call my command to let them know, and I’m granted immediate baby leave. I’m half tempted to tell them to forget it since I’m apparently now married to the devil. Her face turns some funky color and she hates me.

  “Liam.” Her voice is suddenly sweet, and I wonder what the hell is going on.

  “Yes, sweetheart?”

  “I want you to promise that whatever I say in the next few hours you will forget.”

  “I can do that.”

  “Okay, good. Because I hate you.” Her face turns bright red and all her muscles tense as the contraction hits. I look at the monitor in amazement.

  “Wow, that’s a strong one!” I look at the lines going up and down.

  “You’re a fucking genius!” she says through gritted teeth.

  I look at her and smile. Which probably isn’t the smartest thing in the world, but she’s kinda busy and I enjoy playing with fire.

  “I’m going to pretend you don’t want me to forget that.”

  The contraction passes and the nurse comes in before she can reply. I make note to buy her something pretty for saving my ass.

  “You’re almost nine centimeters. It’s too late for an epidural. I’m going to get the doctor. You’re going to have this baby very soon.” I suddenly feel faint.

  I rush over to Lee’s side and grab her hand and kiss her forehead. “We’re going to have our son soon. You’re so perfect, sweetheart. So amazing and perfect.”

  “Liam,” she says sounding exhausted. “I love you and I’m scared.”

  “Why?”

  “What if something goes wrong?”

  “I’m right here. I’ll be by your side the whole time. You can do this,” I try to reassure her, but she’s been having dreams that there will be something wrong with the baby or the birth. I can’t really argue her insanity because they’re dreams and she threatens to kill me quite often.

  I do like to drive her nuts. I’ll give her that.

  “I don’t want anything to be wrong.” Her lower lip trembles.

  My hands hold her face and I press my forehead to hers. “If something is wrong, we’ll handle it. Don’t worry until there’s something to worry about. I’ve got you.”

  I don’t know how to help her and it kills me, but I know I have to keep it together.

  She nods and sucks in a deep breath.

  “Are we ready, Mrs. Dempsey?” A small thrill runs through me each time I hear someone call her that. It reminds me that this woman is mine now. That she chose me, and I somehow convinced her to marry me.

  “If he’s ready to come out, then I guess we are.” I squeeze her hand and then she adds on. “With no drugs.”

  “Drugs are overrated.” Her eyes flash with hostility, and I put my hands up in mock surrender. “Of course, I don’t know this . . .”

  “Hate.”

  “You love me.”

  Natalie grunts and the doctor gives me a sympathetic look. Dr. Contreras checks her for what I don’t know. I mean, is it like a turkey that the little plastic thing pops? This whole checking her thing baffles me.

  “Okay, Natalie. I need you to give me a push.”

  She looks at me and they lift her legs. I don’t comment because I know it’ll end with me getting punched in the balls, so I just stay by her side. She groans and sweat breaks across her face, and I’m pretty sure my hand is now detached from my body. Where the hell does this hundred and twenty-five pound woman have this strength?

  “Hand, hand, hand,” I say as it starts to turn purple.

  Fucking hell.

  “My vagina is on fire as I push your giant kid out. Suck it up,” Natalie says with a little too much happiness at my pain.

  “Again,” the doctor orders.

  I don’t even have a second before my fingers mash together as she squeezes them and pops a few out of joint. Well, not really, but it feels like it.

  “The baby is crowning,” the doctor says.

  “Crowning?” I ask.

  “Come see.”

  I head down as Natalie breathes and lays her head on the pillow. There are some things I can’t unsee, and this is one. I’m not queasy by nature, but I never can look at her pussy again and not think of this image. A giant, bald, nasty looking thing is stretching her, and I’m pretty sure I’m going to hurl.

  Instead of freaking her out, I head back to her side. I’ll take the broken fingers before that shit.

  “Is he coming?” Lee asks.

  Still unable to form words, I nod and offer her my hand.

  “Liam?”

  How the hell do I explain how disturbed I am? I know I need to say something, so I just let it out. “Yup, it’s coming all right.”

  “Just a few more pushes, Lee, and you’re right there.” The doctor saves my ass this tim
e because I don’t know what I would’ve said if I had to go further than that. “Another contraction is coming.”

  “Okay,” Lee says and then she pushes again. Her whole body is tight as she lets out a long cry.

  “Do you want to see him?” the doctor asks. Is she high?

  “No. I’m good.”

  She smiles knowingly. “Okay. One more, Lee. One more push and he’ll be out,” Dr. Contreras tells her and I look at Lee once more.

  This is the woman who’s going to bring my son into the world. The woman who gave me a family I could only dream of. We were meant to be and now we’ll have another child. A son who will bear my name. This perfect, gorgeous woman who I hope to knock up at least ten more times.

  “I love you, Natalie.”

  She huffs and puts her hand on my face. “I love you.”

  “Push!” the doctor yells and sheer determination covers Natalie’s face.

  She does what she’s told and then I hear the most remarkable sound ever.

  My son’s first cry.

  I look down as the doctors and nurses start to clean him and then they place him on my wife’s chest. I stare at him in wonder. My son. A boy. Natalie cries as she holds him and touches his hands, feet, and face.

  She looks up at me with tears and a smile. “He’s perfect.”

  “He came from you; of course he would be,” I reply and press my lips to hers. Then I touch my son’s fingers. He’s here and has all his fingers and toes. He’s got the most important part too.

  The doctor comes over and cuts the cord after I refuse. No, thank you. They weigh him and clean him up as I watch over him. I don’t think my eyes leave him for even a moment.

  Once he’s wrapped in a blanket, the nurse extends her hands and places him in my arms.

  I look at Natalie and then back to him. Tears fill my eyes as I hold my son for the first time. My heart just grew twice the size as I look at him, half me, half Natalie. I walk over and sit next to Lee as her hand touches his arm.

  “Hi, Shane. I’m your dad.”

  THE END

  Beloved (Book One in the Belonging Duet)

  Purchase Beloved from Amazon

  Not enough.

  Catherine Pope has never been enough.

  She repeatedly lets men in—only to be left broken.

  Then Catherine met Jackson Cole.

  Jackson makes her feel alive, desirable, and consumes her with a fierceness she’s never known.

  But Jackson struggles with his own past. His training as a Navy SEAL never prepared him for the battle to win her heart. He’s different, honorable, and worth the chance…but he must prove it.

  If she gives him what’s left of her heart—will he protect it? Will she get the one thing that has always evaded her – to finally be someone’s beloved?

  Beholden (Book Two in the Belonging Duet)

  Purchase Beholden from Amazon

  Catherine Pope got a second chance at love, only to have it ripped away—again. She should’ve known better.

  But she dared to hope.

  She refuses to let fate take the reins this time. Catherine decides she’s going to fight.

  Jackson Cole risked it all.

  He thought this time would be different.

  With his loyalties pulling him in two directions—it’s time to make a choice…his past or his future.

  Will they be beholden to their fears or will they both fight against their demons and finally find the love they both long for?

  Consolation (Book One in the Consolation Duet)

  Purchase Consolation from Amazon

  Liam wasn’t supposed to be my happily ever after.

  He wasn’t even on my radar.

  He was my husband’s best friend—forbidden.

  But my husband is dead and I’m alone. I ache for him and I reach for Liam.

  One night with Liam changed everything. Now I have to decide if I truly love him or if he’s just the consolation prize.

  Coming Soon

  Finding Serenity

  (A Contemporary Standalone Romance)

  More to come from The Salvation Series

  Defenseless

  (Mark & Charlie)

  Indefinite

  (Ashton & Quinn)

  Corinne Michaels is the USA Today Bestselling Author of The Salvation Series (Beloved, Beholden, Consolation and Conviction). She’s an emotional, witty, sarcastic, and fun loving mom of two beautiful children. Corinne is happily married to the man of her dreams and is a former Navy wife. After spending months away from her husband while he was deployed, reading and writing was her escape from the loneliness.

  Both her maternal and paternal grandmothers were librarians, which only intensified her love of reading. After years of writing short stories, she couldn’t ignore the call to finish her debut novel, Beloved. Her alpha Navy SEALs are broken, beautiful, and will steal your heart.

  Connect at corinnemichaels.com

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  My attempt to keep this short and sweet should be interesting.

  My readers: I can never fully explain what it means to me that you not only took a chance on me, but that some of you have stuck with me. I know I tend to keep leaving you with these crazy cliffhangers and you still love me. The support that you give me is astonishing and humbling. I love you so much!

  My beta readers: I really am the luckiest person because of you. Jennifer, Melissa, Katie, Roxana, Linda, and Mandi . . . you make me laugh, keep me on my toes, and always striving to impress you. You are some picky bitches but I wouldn’t know what to do without you.

  My early readers: Melissa & Alison, you guys are the first to get a full glimpse and each time I bite my nails. Thank you for dealing with my neurosis and messages. I love you to the moon!

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  My editor: Lisa, you make editing fun and often funny. Thank you for the support and friendship through this process.

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  To my husband and children, I’m so lucky to have you. You probably bear the worst part of this process. I love you three more than anything in this world. Thank you for putting up with all that you do. I know I need to put the computer and phone down more because you deserve that. Thank you for being here and supporting me day after day. Thank you for letting me cry when my feelings are hurt. Smile when something amazing happens. But mostly thank you for loving me and believing in me.

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  Shit happens.

  I never really understood that saying. Yeah, there were certain situations in life that were shitty, but they were just that; they were life. So it really wasn’t the shit in life that was, well, so shitty. It was life itself.