Deep Trouble
Page 6
“And I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you about our baby and how special she is. I didn’t want you to worry about something that isn’t a problem.”
“Then why were you worried.”
“Wasn’t sure you’d understand why I needed to shift when I was hurting.”
“You were hurting?” he whispered.
“Only briefly. Cramping starts every time she wants to shift. That’s why I keep sneaking away. Why you find me hanging out as a wolf.”
“Wish you had explained.”
Sighing, she glanced away. “You were already so scared by the time I found out, and I didn’t want to freak you out needlessly any more than you already seemed.”
“Get in, we’ll talk on the way,” he promised.
She hopped in the truck, and he hurried around to join her. Once he fired up the engine, she started. “I had plans to tell you today, and ask you what’s been bothering you.”
“Why wait so long?”
“Afraid of your reaction. Worried you might think there was a problem. I’ve been careful, even before Tremaine told me there was a difference with one of our twins. I’ll never let anything happen to our family.”
“You proved that by going against your primal instincts to fight.”
She took his hand. “My initial instinct was to protect. I was sure what his first move in a fight would be. I could probably counter it, but why chance it when I knew it wouldn’t be long until you all found me?”
“Have I mentioned I love you?” he purred.
“You have. I thought if I admitted the pain, you would want to watch over me. As much as I love how protective and caring you are, I couldn’t handle too much of that without a real reason.”
He nodded. “Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out. It’s why I didn’t want to tell you about the nightmares. They were stupid.”
“You aren’t stupid.”
“No, but I knew better. I don’t doubt you. Never have.”
“But you did. When you didn’t tell me, wanting to keep me from worrying, you doubted my reaction. Same as I questioned your reaction to the news. We can’t do this again.” Her gaze met his.
“You’re right. Wish you had confronted me when you first heard me talking about the nightmares.”
“It was before that. When you woke up after some of the bad dreams, I tried to ask, but you always chose to make love to me instead of talk about it.”
“Because making love to you is better than dwelling when I know you won’t let anything happen to you or them.”
“You still should have told me. Together, we could have worked through it. Neither of us would have been stressing over the unknown.”
He pulled into the drive, and she hopped out. A second later, he took her hand. Together, they walked into their house.
Unable to resist, he scooped her into his arms and ran up the stairs.
“Now that’s out of the way,” he rumbled, “is there anything else you need to tell me about?”
“Uh-uh, you?”
He set her down and stopped. “One thing. Why didn’t you mention you and Tremaine were together before the mess with the Dales?”
She laughed. “That was forever ago and ended amicably. I honestly didn’t think about it until Amethyst made a silly comment causing Tremaine to laugh.”
“He wasn’t one of the assholes in your past?”
Her grin broke into a wide smile. “No. And he broke it off when Gabriel gave him the riot act for going after a kid. I was nineteen. Trem was dangerous but sweet. Gabe had asked me to tattoo wards on him, and I developed an infatuation.”
Brody shook his head. “And you didn’t think of that when I asked about Robert and you?”
She laughed. “No. That was before I knew Tremaine and Liz were up here. It happened and was over with. Then after what Malachi forced the two of them to do, I banished it from my mind with the memories, for the most part.”
He frowned and caressed her face. “Didn’t think of that.”
“Besides, how many women in this town were you with before you met Sarah? How many of them do I know?” Fallon’s brow arched.
He frowned. “More than the men I know you were with.”
“But that doesn’t matter because I know who you’re with now. So no, I didn’t bother to mention Tremaine. It doesn’t really cross my mind. Same as I’m sure you rarely think about your past conquests.” Fallon smirked.
“No one compares to you, Fallon. You’re everything to me. You and these two,” he covered her tummy with his hand.
“Forgive me for keeping secrets?”
“Yes, because I know if I had asked, or you had thought about Tremaine, you would have told me. As for having a werewolf baby, I’m not worried. I’m sorry you anguished about my nightmares, my fear. Don’t ever want to do that again. Next time, I’ll tell you.”
She pressed closer. “Next time, we can talk and find our balance. I’ll do the same.”
“Promise. Now come to bed,” he purred.
“My pleasure.”
* * * *
The next morning, Brody held onto his whole world. Fallon, their twins. Never had he been so happy.
“Don’t want to go to work today,” he mumbled when Fallon reached over to shut off the alarm. As soon as she lay back, he pulled her closer, putting his hand back over her belly with a grin.
“Could play hooky with me,” she purred, grinding her ass against his hard cock.
“Tempting,” he groaned.
She rolled to him, mischief in her eyes. “You could stay in bed with me all day long. I’ll keep you entertained.” Her fingers wrapped around his rigid length, squeezing tight as she pulled.
He rolled on top of her, spreading her legs with his knees, not that she needed any encouragement. Fallon wrapped her legs around him as he slid home.
“Mmm, feels so damned good,” she moaned as he slowly stroked in and out. Her emerald eyes glowed, her face radiant in ecstatic abandon.
This woman brought him out of the empty darkness and filled his world with love. Her belly had grown round with their children. His heart swelled. Everything he’d ever wanted was right there with him.
“Need you,” she cried, her hand slipping between them to finger her clit.
Her sheath gripped him tight, taking him over the edge with her.
“Fuck, so damned tight,” he grunted as stars danced through his vision.
Brody panted and rolled to her side, bringing her with him. Once again, he caressed her tummy. A soft flutter moved under his hand, and his eyes rounded.
She grinned. “Yes, they’re already moving. Maybe we woke them up.”
He scooted down the bed to kiss her belly. “Precious little one, Daddy loves you. Both of you.”
When he looked up at Fallon, he caught her wiping away a tear.
“What’s wrong, Sugar?” Brody shifted in bed to pull her into his arms again.
“Never wanted to be a mother before you. Now it’s all I can think about. Well, that and you.” She grinned, wiping another tear away.
Brody kissed her lips in the softest kiss possible. “No more tears. You’re going to be an amazing mother.”
“Because I have such a wonderful husband and soon-to-be best father in the world.”
His fingers threaded into her hair as he focused deep into her eyes. “Don’t ever doubt yourself.”
“I’m not. Really.”
“So, you want to play hooky?”
“Camping out in bed sounds like a fanfuckingtastic idea.”
“Agreed.” He reached over to snag his phone to tell Phineas to stay home.
Chapter 13
Soon her babies would be born. Fallon gripped the counter as she closed her eyes and breathed deeply. Her stomach tightened, pressing in on itself. She relaxed through the contraction, letting her body take over.
Brody’s hands closed over her shoulders. His warmth rushed through her as his breath tickled her ear. �
��Think it’s time to go, Sugar.”
She shook her head slightly. When the contraction ebbed away, she sighed. “Not yet. Soon. Otherwise, we’ll be sitting there forever. More comfortable here.”
“Your contractions are coming fast. It’s not going to be long. Or are you trying to have a home birth?”
She laughed. “No. Wouldn’t want to worry you. But these things take time.”
He nodded against her shoulder. “Fallon, your contractions are only four minutes apart. Let’s go down there now.”
“Make love to me first?” Turning, she leaned up to nip his bottom lip. “Semen is supposed to ripen the cervix.”
“It’s been less than an hour since the last time. Maybe that’s why they’re coming so fast.”
“Okay, okay,” she sucked in a breath and let it out slowly. “Get my things.”
He took her hand and grabbed the overnight bag on the way to the garage. He’d been packed and ready for this for months. If he wasn’t so traditional, she would have kept them home until it was too late to make the trip.
Another contraction rolled in before she could click the seatbelt on, so Brody did it for her. Then he massaged her belly.
One of the twins kicked into his hand, and he grinned. “Can’t wait to hold Ryan and Rhiannon.”
She laughed. “Then get in the truck so we can get going.”
His head dipped, and he hurried around to jump in.
The ride was silent. Time between the contractions kept decreasing. Relaxing through each one worked well, but every time expended more energy.
“Tell me how you’re doing, Fallon.”
She nodded, breathing deep.
He reached over to massage her again as he pulled into a parking spot. “Want me to carry you?”
Fallon shot him a glare. “Oh, no. I’m perfectly capable of walking.” She slipped through the door and started on her way across the lot. Three cars down, she paused and put a hand on the hood of a car.
Brody hurried to catch up. “The last contraction ended all of thirty seconds ago, Fallon. It’s going to be fast.”
She shook her head.
“Sure you don’t want me to carry you?”
Her eyes narrowed as she straightened. “Positive.” She made it to the entrance before having to stop again.
He ducked inside and grabbed a wheelchair, raising a brow at her. “Won’t have to pause every ten steps if you’re seated.”
Fallon smiled and carefully lowered herself into the seat as another contraction wound tight. This one seemed to go on forever. Listening to Brody’s drawl comforted her immensely as he checked them in.
Jolene entered the admission area to greet them. “How close are they, Fallon?”
“Two minutes, maybe less,” Brody answered.
Fallon finally looked up and nodded. “Yeah. They’re close.”
“Follow me.” Jolene walked in long strides toward the doors marked: Labor and Delivery.
* * * *
Two hours later, Fallon was curled up in the chair with Ryan in her arms. Brody held Rhiannon, a wide grin on his face. “They’re perfect.”
She nodded. “She looks like you.”
“He looks like you.”
Laughing, she agreed, “Yeah. Poor little guy with flaming red hair. She rubbed her fingers through the bright curls. He’s going to hear it all.”
“Did you?”
“Until they learned not to mess with me.” One corner of her mouth tipped up as she stared down into his green eyes. “That’s okay, though. Plenty of girls secretly love gingers.”
“You wound up with a blond,” he teased.
“I didn’t say me. I wouldn’t trade your golden hair for anything.”
He leaned down to steal a quick kiss. Rhiannon wound her tiny hand in Fallon’s hair. She held her arm out, and Brody tucked their daughter into her embrace before taking Ryan.
Ryan’s foot stretched to touch Rhiannon’s.
“Aww, we make beautiful babies,” he cooed, taking Ryan and kissing his head.
“Can’t argue that.” Fallon checked around the room with a frown. “How long do you think before they’ll let us leave? I really hate the idea of staying here overnight.”
Brody chuckled. “I called Devlin already. They’ll meet us at home. Jolene agreed as long as you had a healer around, she’d let us go if we promised to call if there were any problems.”
“Thank Goddess. I can’t imagine being cooped up here an entire twenty-four hours.”
“I know, Sugar.” He grinned, staring down at Ryan. “He’s just like you, Fallon.”
“Yeah, but he’s pretty mellow so far. I’m not sure I was ever that calm.”
“Who says he’ll stay that way?”
She drew a breath and shrugged. “No one. But my bet is Rhiannon will be the loud one. Ryan will remain quiet and sweet.”
“Not if she takes after me.” He shrugged. “Doesn’t matter, though. I’m already in love with them, with you. My life is complete now.”
Practically on cue, Jolene entered the room. “You sure you want to go home?”
Fallon nodded. “Very. I told you, hospitals make me nervous. I only came to make him feel better.”
“And I don’t mind going home. Our bed is going to be a hell of a lot more comfortable than these.” Brody nodded at the bed behind him.
Jolene acknowledged. “True. Please call if you have any concerns.”
“We will,” Fallon promised. “At least, anything you can help with. If they shift, or magic comes into play, you’re not going to be able to do anything for them.”
Her brow wrinkled. “This early? Jacob hasn’t had anything happen yet.”
Fallon shrugged. “Druids and shaman aren’t the same. Plus, Rhiannon is both druid and a werewolf. So, she could shift anytime.”
Jolene rubbed her arm as she watched Rhiannon wiggle in the blanket. “Would it be too much trouble to keep a journal of how their powers develop?”
“Shouldn’t be too hard.” Fallon looked up at Brody. “As long as you aren’t planning to do any extra poking and prodding beyond the normal.”
“No. No extra procedures. They aren’t a science experiment. I simply want to see if I can learn something from what you record. Maybe it will help if this situation arises again.”
Fallon nodded and smiled.
“I plan on asking the same of Roxana Nights. Her situation is different but similar. Between the werewolves and various magical shifters in the community now, we may see more cases.”
“It’s rare. Both instances. But you never know.”
Jolene smiled. “Want a wheelchair?”
Fallon shook her head. “I’ll walk. Thank you, though.”
“You were pretty amazing,” Jolene praised. “Take care of them.”
Chapter 14
Six months later and Ryan and Rhiannon were growing so damned fast. Brody sat in front of the twins who were playing with stuffed animals.
Ryan rocked back and forth for a moment, then put his chubby hands on the floor and scooted to his knees. Then his boy crawled to him, sporting a big grin and pulling himself into Brody’s lap.
“Aren’t you a big boy?” Brody cooed, lifting the baby up to smile at him.
Rhiannon’s blue eyes narrowed before she shifted to a wolf pup and charged into his lap, butting his stomach with her head.
“Hey now,” he laughed, rubbing her head.
Fallon sank down beside Brody and picked Rhiannon up to snuggle her. “She can’t be outdone. Always competing.”
“Funny, reminds me of you.”
She shrugged, a hint of mischief on her face. “Nothing wrong with a girl showing off.”
“Not at all. I love it when you shine.”
Rhiannon shifted back to pat Fallon’s cheeks with a big smile.
“They’re perfect,” Fallon told him.
“Just like you.”
“And you.” She leaned against him, laying her head on his
shoulder. “Our perfect family.”
About Brandy L Rivers
Brandy L Rivers is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She is kept busy writing the Others of Seattle, Others of Edenton, Combustible, and the Pine Barrens Pack series.
An avid reader, Brandy has always loved writing. She became serious about it as a stay-at-home-mother. With every story her world of characters expands, pulling her new directions.
Living in rainy Western Washington with her husband and three kids, Brandy is already working on future stories in each of the series, and several other projects.
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Others of Edenton
New Beginnings
In Too Deep
Shadows Fall
Shadows of the Past
Falling Into Place
Fated Love
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