by Marla Monroe
Devin nodded and listened as the doctor asked questions and Libby answered them before the doctor had her lie back on the table and expose her belly. He and Levi crowded on the other side of the table as the doctor squirted some kind of jelly substance on her abdomen then moved a wand around on it.
At first there was just the squelching of the monitor, and then the womp, womp, womp of the baby’s heartbeat could be heard. His stomach tightened at the sound of their baby’s heartbeat echoed in the room. He looked down at Libby and noticed tears brimming her eyes. He understood how she felt. Their child was alive in there. Levi nudged him with his shoulder.
“Sounds strong,” he whispered.
“Strong and looking good,” the doctor said.
Then he pointed out the baby’s head and hands, and they could see the heart beating inside the little thing, making Devin’s own heart beat a little faster. Their child.
“Do you want to know the baby’s sex?” he asked.
All three of them said yes at the same time. Libby laughed, rubbing away the tears from her eyes.
“Well, it looks like you’re having a baby girl. She’s healthy looking and about the right size for your dates, Libby.”
Devin couldn’t stop the wide grin from splitting his face. A little girl. Then the horrors of taking care of a girl rolled over him like a tidal wave of fear. What did he know about taking care of a girl? Hell, what did he know about taking care of a boy?
“You look a little pale there, Devin. Need to sit down?” Levi asked with a shitting-eating grin plastered on his face.
“What are we going to do with a girl? I don’t know anything about little girls,” he said.
“You’ll love her and protect her,” Levi told him.
“We’ll all learn as we go,” Libby said with a smile when the doctor had cleaned her belly off with a cloth then pulled her shirt back down.
“Now, let’s go over your chart,” the doctor said.
Devin crossed his arms, prepared to listen and commit everything the doctor said to memory. He wanted to be sure they took good care of their woman.
“The only thing I see that I would work on is your weight. You’re about five pounds under where I’d expect to see you weigh based on your normal weight. A lot of doctors try to keep it down, but I feel that babies are healthier with their mom carrying a little more weight. So, between now and next time, try to fit in a few more snacks and let’s see how you do,” he said.
The doctor closed her folder and stood. He rolled the little stool off to one side and smiled at Libby. “I’ll see you in two months. Then we’ll shorten the time period after that. If you have any trouble, call and we’ll fit you in. Okay?”
“Thanks, Doctor,” Libby said.
He turned and reached out to shake their hands. Devin liked the man for not seeming to judge them or make Libby feel dirty for having two men there with her.
“Thanks, Doctor. We’ll take good care of her. She’ll gain that weight before next visit,” Devin assured him.
“Good deal.” The doctor walked out of the room and left the door open behind him.
Devin hurried over to help Libby off the exam table before she could try to jump down herself.
“Easy, babe. I don’t want you to fall.” He lifted her down then tucked her into his side as he turned to follow Levi back to the waiting room where they checked out, setting her next appointment as they did.
“Did you see her little hands? I bet I could have counted her fingers if she’d spread them for me. She’s so cute.” Libby turned in the seat so that she could see him and look over her shoulder at Levi.
“She’s definitely a butterbean,” Levi said.
Devin thought she was beautiful. He’d never thought much about what a baby looked like inside a woman before, but now he was in awe of the tiny life growing inside Libby. She was a life they’d created. He didn’t care who was the actual father. She was part of all of them. It floored him to see that heart beating strong and steady. So tiny yet developed enough that she looked like the precious little angel he’d imagined should she turn out to be as a girl.
He was still worried about how he’d take care of a little girl, but Libby would know what to do, and there were always books out there about raising kids. He’d learn. He’d make sure he was the best dad ever. Still, thinking about her growing up to be a young woman wanting to date and go out was like a blow to his stomach. Gut-wrenching worry tightened his belly. What would he do with her then?
* * * *
Libby grinned at the two men from the doorway. They were putting the last coat of paint in the nursery. It looked perfect. Bright yellow would go great with the primary colors she planned to use in the other décor that would go in there.
“Libby, how many times do I have to tell you to stay away from the room until the paint is dry? You don’t need to breathe in these fumes, babe.” Devin stuck his hands on his hips and shook his head. “Stubborn woman.”
“I’m not coming in the room. I just wanted to take a peek. You’re getting bossy again.”
“Fine. You’ve looked. Now go back into the office and work. You can come in tonight if we have the fumes fanned out by then.” Devin’s face relaxed slightly.
“Okay. It looks amazing, guys. You’ve really done a fantastic job.” She beamed at them then turned to return to the office and work.
It was hard to work with them painting the nursery. She wanted to be right there with them but knew Devin was right. The fumes from the paint weren’t good for her or the baby. They had the windows open to help ventilate the room to keep the fumes from flowing deeper into the house, but it would be awhile before they were all gone.
Libby tried to concentrate on work, and before she knew it, Levi was placing a cheese and cracker plate next to her. She smiled and looked up.
“Thanks. I forgot all about my snack,” she told him.
“I figured you would. Eat up. We’ve finished the room, so now we’re cleaning things up. Hopefully the room will be fresh smelling by tonight so you can look at it more closely. We’ll add the applique figures in a few days when the paint isn’t tacky. You’ll have to show us what goes where though.”
“I can’t wait. It’s going to look perfect. I really appreciate you guys doing this,” she said.
“Of course we’re going to help, Libby. Devin would have blown a gasket if you hadn’t wanted help with the nursery. He’s so excited about setting the room up he’s already planning out when we can unbox the furniture.” Levi chuckled.
“He’s really excited about it?” Libby had been worried. He seemed so stuck on her health and what she wasn’t doing that she should be or what she was doing she shouldn’t be.
“Hell yeah. You should have seen the look on his face when we finished. He was beaming. Never thought I’d say that word about my brother, but he looked even prouder than he did about our first remodel job.”
“I’m glad. I guess it’s hard for me to see. He’s so bossy with me all the time. I keep warning him, but he doesn’t seem to listen.”
“He does. He just can’t help himself. He’s always needed to be in control. Give him time. He’ll relax more once we get the baby’s room put together.” He seemed to think about it and winced.
“What?”
“Well, then he’ll probably start worrying about you going into labor and getting you to the hospital in time.”
She sighed and shook her head. “I guess I might as well resign myself to being herded around like a sheep,” she said.
Levi chuckled. “You are not sheep. You’re like a stubborn goat and he’s a herd dog that you frustrate every time you turn around and head butt him.”
Libby couldn’t help but laugh at the picture in her head. She could see it plain as day.
“Thanks. I’m not sure if I should be insulted that you refer to me as a goat or not.”
“How about a scratchy cat instead?” he asked.
“Better.”
“Nothing is wrong. I just told Levi that comparing me to a cat was better than a goat. That’s all, Devin. Chill out.” Libby huffed out a breath.
Really, the man was driving her crazy with his constant hovering. She loved that he was so concerned about her and how he pampered her all the time, but the rest was seriously getting on her nerves.
“What the hell? Why are you calling her a goat, Levi? That’s insulting.” Devin threw a nasty look at his brother.
“Whatever. You weren’t here to hear the rest of what I said. Shut it, asshole.”
“You haven’t eaten your snack,” Devin pointed out after shooting his brother one more aggravated stare.
“I’m eating it. Levi just brought it to me.” She picked up a slice of cheese and placed it on a cracker before popping it into her mouth, lifting her brows as if to say “see.”
He nodded before striding across the room to sit behind his desk. She looked at Levi to see if he might tell her what Devin was doing. The other man shrugged and left the room. Libby sipped at the lemonade then ate another cheese cracker before returning to her computer.
Nearly thirty minutes later, Devin walked over to her desk and shoved a set of papers toward her. She took them, puzzled over what he was giving her.
“See if this is what you’re wanting the room to look like. I printed out two different configurations,” he said.
Libby spread the two pieces of paper on the desk and noted that it was a drawing of the nursery with the furniture arranged inside where one had the bed on the right side and the other had it on the left. The changing table next to it or the chest next to it. She looked between the two and chose the one with the changing table next to the baby bed. It would make it easier to move her baby from one to the other.
“This one. I like how it’s arranged best.”
“Good. That’s the one I thought, as well, but you needed to make the decision.”
He’d consulted her and let her pick out what she wanted. It made her smile. Tears brimmed in her eyes at how much that had to cost him when he was used to making all the decisions. Damn pregnancy hormones.
“Why are you crying?” he demanded, his face creasing as he knelt down next to her.
“It was sweet of you to draw these up so I could make a decision. Thank you,” she said.
“Don’t let him fool you,” Levi said from the doorway, a sandwich in one hand, talking with his mouth full.
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“He just doesn’t want to have to move the furniture all over the room a dozen times until you make up your mind.”
“That’s not true, asshole,” Devin threw back.
Libby laughed. “Regardless, thank you, Devin. This was a great idea.”
Levi made a face at his brother then turned around and left the room once again. Devin crumped up the discarded idea and took the one she’d picked back to his desk. He slid it into the corner of the blotter and nodded as if pleased with himself.
She smiled. He was making some progress even if it was slow going, and Libby appreciated it. Maybe everything would work out between the three of them after all. She had moments when she was sure they wouldn’t be able to make a go of it, but times like this gave her hope.
“Eat up, Libby. The baby needs the nutrition and so do you.”
Then again, Devin always seemed to push her buttons. This time she ignored him and continued to stare at her computer. He was exasperating on the best of days. She had to figure out how to get him to back off some. If he continued with this strong of an attitude, she’d be frustrated all the time. That wasn’t good for her or the baby either. Libby sighed and concentrated on work. Devin needed to get a grip before the baby came, or she’d be looking for a place to settle down in once her baby was born.
Chapter Twelve
Levi watched as Libby gathered her night shirt and panties then disappear into the bathroom, closing the door behind her. She mesmerized him with her simple beauty. She didn’t even realize just how gorgeous she was to him and his brother. The pregnancy only made her more beautiful in his eyes. Maybe it was that pregnancy glow people said women got when they were carrying a baby. All he knew was that he had trouble taking his eyes off her when she was in the same room.
“You look like a lovesick boy jonesing for his school teacher,” Devin said with a smirk.
“Fuck you. I’ve seen how you watch her. You’re in the same boat I’m in.”
Devin’s smirk morphed into a grimace. “Yeah. All I can think about is how much I’d miss her if she leaves us. Not just the baby, but her, too. I guess I’m halfway in love with her. Having her with us has just about killed me. I want to make love to her and think about her all the time.”
“At least you’ve managed to back off bossing her around as much. That shit was going to drive her away after the baby comes for sure.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“Devin. I love her. I’m not embarrassed to say that losing her would devastate me. We’ve got to convince her to permanently move in with us. Sleeping next to her every night is heaven and pure hell all at the same time.” Levi ran a hand over his head and through his hair.
“Yeah. I know. That’s why I’m trying to back off some. I just hope it’s enough. I can’t help wanting to be sure she’s safe and healthy.”
“You need to be sure she’s happy just as much.”
“I’m trying.”
Levi knew he was. To his brother’s credit, he’d seemed to stop and think before he barked something at Libby that would get her back up. He knew it was hard for the other man to give up some of the control he seemed to need to survive.
“Do you think she’s honestly considering being a family, here in the same house?” Devin asked.
Levi sighed. “I don’t know. Sometimes I think she is, but other times I’m not so sure.”
“I’ll try harder. She seems relaxed most of the time. It’s good for the baby that she is.” Devin shoved his hands into his jeans pockets. “I want there to be more between us than just sleeping together. Do you think she’d go for it?”
“Man, I don’t know. I hate to push it. We’re lucky she lets us sleep with her.”
Levi knew what his brother wanted. He wanted the same thing. Intimacy. He wanted to love her beautiful body until she cried out with her orgasm. He still remembered how they’d made love all those months back and how explosive it had been. He wanted that again.
And again.
The door to the bathroom opened, and Libby emerged with rosy cheeks and pink skin from her bath. The overly large sleep shirt covered her down to her knees, but it poked out playfully over her stomach. Levi wanted to hold her and feel their unborn child move against his hand.
“How’s the munchkin doing tonight?” he asked instead.
“She’s practicing soccer I think. You’ll have to feel her kicking when we get in bed.” Libby sat at the foot of the bed and began brushing her hair.
“Here, let me do that.” Levi sat on the bed and pulled her between his legs.
He took the brush from her hands and began brushing her long golden-red hair, marveling at the curls that framed her face. Brushing it for her felt intimate and right. He loved the way she moaned when he pulled the brush through it and felt his cock stir and lengthen. It was a kind of hell to do this and nothing else.
“That feels so good,” she said.
“I like brushing your hair, hon. It’s soft and has the cutest curls that frame your face.”
Devin reached down and pulled her up into his arms. “My turn.”
“I think her hair is done now,” Levi said, smirking up at his brother.
“Yeah, but she could use a massage. I’m sure her back and shoulders are sore from the weight of the baby pulling on her,” Devin pointed out.
Levi sighed. His brother had him there. Well, he could remember that and volunteer tomorrow night for his chance to touch her.
“I can’t lie on my belly, Devin.” Libby grinned and rubbed her belly.
“You can lie on your side, and I can reach your back,” Devin said.
Libby kicked off her house shoes and climbed on the bed before lying in the middle on her side. Levi watched as she got into position and Devin began rubbing her low back just above her sweet ass with the pad of his thumbs. He envied his brother in that moment then thought of something.
Levi climbed on the other side of the bed and lay facing Libby. He laid his hand on her protruding belly and lightly rubbed it until he felt the baby move beneath his hand. He couldn’t help the huge grin that rolled over his face.
“You feel her?” Libby asked.
“Yep. She’s strong,” Levi said.
“She sure is. And she has her days and nights mixed up. Sometimes I wake up around three in the morning with her using my insides as a punching bag.”
“Come up with some good names yet?” Levi asked.
“I like Kimberly Ann and Leslie Denise,” she said.
Both he and Devin spoke at the same time. “Kimberly Ann.”
She laughed. “I was leaning toward that one myself. We can call her Kim.”
“Kimmy,” Levi said.
Libby chuckled and shook her head then moaned when Devin seemed to hit a good spot. He loved that look on her face. She looked as if she were happy and on the verge of an orgasm in that brief instant. He wanted to see it when he was buried balls deep inside of her. Needed to feel her body convulsing around his cock.
“You’re beautiful, Libby,” he said instead.
“Thanks, but not really. My nose is too thin, and my lips are too big.”
“Your lips are perfect for kissing, babe. I don’t know where you got the idea they weren’t pretty,” Devin said from behind her.
“I don’t know how you can think I’m pretty with my belly big as a pumpkin and my ass so wide it would stop trucks on a two-lane road,” she said.
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