by Lynn Hagen
Maxwell ran his hand through his dark-brown hair and Gabe could see his father slowly relaxing. Gabe’s eyes widened slightly when he noticed a holster and gun hidden under his dad’s jacket. “Did you really plan on shooting him?”
Maxwell tucked his jacket closed and then narrowed his eyes at Legend. “Make my son happy or I will shoot you.”
Legend grinned and pulled Gabe into the folds of his arms. “Already planned on doing that.”
Maxwell studied them both for a long moment before a smile spread across his face. “I’m going to be a grandfather.”
Legend helped Gabe inside the house as Maxwell followed. Gabe took a seat at the kitchen table and thanked his mate when Legend gave him a glass of lemon water.
“When are you due?” his father asked.
“Any day now,” Gabe replied. Although he was looking forward to being a parent, the thought of giving birth scared the shit out of Gabe. The doctor had explained to Gabe how the process would work, but Gabe still couldn’t wrap his mind around him popping a baby out.
His father took a seat and nodded. “Then I showed up just in time.”
Gabe rubbed his back and winced. Legend moved closer and Maxwell’s eyes widened.
Gabe rolled his eyes. “Just back pain. Calm down. I’m not in labor.”
“I remember when your mother was pregnant with you,” Maxwell said. “It was the most exciting and scariest time of my life. I had the car packed a month ahead of time with everything she would need at the hospital. Anytime she made a strange noise I would grab my keys and haul ass toward the car. I worked her nerves so badly that one night she made me sleep in the car.”
Gabe chuckled. He loved hearing stories about his mother. He knew how much his father had adored the woman and wished that Maxwell would find someone if only for companionship. He wasn’t going to fool himself and think that Maxwell hadn’t had sex since his wife had passed away, but there were times when Gabe noticed a wistfulness in his father’s eyes.
The man deserved to be happy. He deserved to move on. But Gabe wasn’t going to push the subject. Maxwell would find someone when he was ready.
“I sold the estate,” Maxwell said, catching Gabe off guard. “It’s time I retired. I also sold my shares in the bank. I transferred a large portion of the sales to you, Gabe. I never want you to have to worry about money.”
Gabe was overwhelmed at the news. He sat there for a moment and ingested what his father had just said. Although he had made Bear County his home, he had looked forward to going back to the estate for visits. He wanted to be angry, but hadn’t he just wished that Maxwell move on and live a little?
He nodded and wiped at the tears in his eyes. His father stood, rounded the table, and gave Gabe a hug. “I saved all of your mother’s things. I couldn’t bear to part with them. It was just the house. Her memories are in here.” Maxwell touched the place over Gabe’s heart.
“I know,” Gabe said. “But I cry about everything these days. Just give me time to absorb what you just told me.”
Maxwell pressed a kiss into Gabe’s temple and then straightened. “Do you have a guest room or should I check into a hotel?”
“We have plenty of space,” Legend answered. “Let me show you to a room.”
Gabe was left sitting at the table, smiling at the fact that his father and his mate were getting along. He knew Maxwell and Gabe was damn glad his father hadn’t killed Legend.
* * * *
Legend was standing in the living room talking to Colton when Stripper came downstairs. “Where’re your damn clothes?” Legend growled the words.
Stripper waved at his body. “What, I’m wearing boots!”
And that was all he was wearing.
Legend headed over to Stripper, pointing his finger at the man. “Either you go upstairs and put some clothes on or I’ll—”
“Legend!”
He froze when he heard Gabe shouting for him. Legend’s eyes went wide as he glanced between Colton and Stripper.
“Legend!”
The three raced up the stairs and hurried into Legend’s bedroom. Gabe was close to the door, rocking on all fours. Perspiration coated his body as he cried out.
“Call the doctor,” Legend said over his shoulder as he lifted Gabe from the floor and carried him to the bed.
Maxwell strode into the room, a cup of coffee in his hand. He appeared relaxed until his eyes landed on Gabe, who was trying his best to breathe through the pain.
Maxwell’s eyes grew large. “Is he…in labor?”
“That about sums it up,” Stripper said as he leaned his arm on Maxwell’s shoulder. Maxwell glanced down at Stripper’s naked state and then took a step to the side. “Get some damn clothes on.”
Stripper chuckled and flexed. “What’s wrong? Can’t get used to my naked body?”
Maxwell set the cup aside and walked over to the bed. “No, you just have the biggest balls I’ve ever seen and they’re disturbing as hell.”
“If you guys keep insulting my nuts, I might develop a complex,” Stripper said as he walked out.
Legend and Maxwell stripped Gabe down before Legend pulled a sheet over his mate’s groin.
“This is probably the most bizarre thing I’ve ever witnessed.” Maxwell brushed his hand over Gabe’s head. “I always knew you’d do great things, but giving birth never entered my mind.”
“Mine either,” Gabe panted. “Now can we get this baby out of me or are we going to just talk our way through this?”
Maxwell chuckled. “Snarky.”
“Pain,” Gabe countered.
Legend moved in behind Gabe, supporting his shoulders as he tried to keep his mate relaxed until the doctor arrived. He hoped like hell the guy didn’t take too long.
“Something’s happening.” Gabe blew out a long breath.
“What do you mean something’s happening?” Legend asked. “You have to wait for the doc—whoa!”
“Holy shit!” Maxwell moved back from the bed as the line that ran from Gabe’s naval to his groin began to open.
“What are we supposed to do?” Legend felt the panic set in as he gripped his mate’s shoulders. He had no experience with this. When they’d gone to Columbia to rescue Milo and found the man in labor, Legend had stayed outside the hut to guard it.
“Get T-Rex in here!” he shouted at Milo. “He’s delivered a baby before.”
Maxwell took off as Gabe cried out. Legend cried out as well, matching Gabe’s pitch. Fuck!
T-Rex walked into the room as if he were a pro at this sort of thing. “Don’t worry, Legend.”
“What the fuck do you mean ‘don’t worry’?” Legend shouted. “My mate is giving birth and the doctor isn’t here.”
T-Rex shook his head. “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that sight.” He rolled his shoulders as if he were getting ready to play some extreme sport and then moved to the bed. “Okay, let’s do this.”
Legend growled.
Gabe cried out.
Maxwell looked a bit green.
And then the shrill of a baby’s cry filled the room. As T-Rex worked, the doctor walked in and Legend felt relief flood him. T-Rex and the doctor worked side by side until T-Rex glanced up and smiled at Legend.
“Well?” Legend asked.
Maxwell moved closer to the bed, his eyes shiny with unshed tears. “It’s a girl.”
Gabe collapsed against Legend, panting.
“What was your mother’s name?” he asked his mate as he wrapped his arms around Gabe’s upper body and held him tightly, so many emotions coursing through him that he didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry.
“Sofia,” Gabe answered.
“Then that’s what we’ll call her,” he whispered into Gabe’s ear. “Sofia Legend.”
The doctor handed Sofia over to Maxwell and Legend watched as a solitary tear fell from the man’s eye. “Hello, Sofia.” His tone was light and filled with reverence, and he stared at his granddaughter as if sh
e hung the moon and stars.
After crooning to her for a long moment, Maxwell carefully handed her off to Legend. He was a bit intimidated by the tiny bundle, but he took her into his arms and immediately knew exactly how Maxwell felt.
She was perfect. Legend’s throat closed up, a lump forming as he glanced into her amber eyes. She squirmed a bit and then settled, looking right at him.
Legend would take on the world to keep her and Gabe from harm. He’d taken the assignment to keep Gabe safe because he was bored in Bear County.
But now, Legend could clearly see a lifetime of love and laughter with the family he had always dreamed of having.
THE END
WWW.LYNNHAGEN.COM
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/LYNNHAGEN.AUTHOR
[email protected]
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lynn Hagen loves writing about the somewhat flawed, but lovable. She also loves a hero who can see past all the rough edges to find the shining diamond of a beautiful heart.
You can find her on any given day curled up with her laptop and a cup of hot java, letting the next set of characters tell their story.
For all titles by Lynn Hagen, please visit
www.bookstrand.com/lynn-hagen
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
