She sighed, and a small smile spread across her lips. “I suppose that is more than enough.”
“Now kiss me before Sam comes barging in ruining my moment when I finally win over his mom.”
“Oh, all right,” she whispered. Her lips were a breath away from mine when she started up again. “I hope you know this does—”
I kissed her. I couldn’t take it anymore. Any other time, I loved hearing Sage’s voice, but right now, all I wanted was to feel her lips against mine, and her body in my arms.
“I love you, Roman,” she gasped when we finally came up for air. “I’m sorry I was such an idiot.”
I brushed her hair over her shoulder and shrugged. “You’re not an idiot, baby. I know you’re just protecting yours and Sam’s hearts.”
“But now you’re part of our hearts.”
“Until the last breath leaves my body, you and Sam will always be a part of me.”
She looked down and rubbed her belly. “And baby Yeck, too.”
I laughed. “And baby Yeck, too. Although, I really think we need to come up with a name for him. As much as my last name is Yeck, it really doesn’t work for a first name.”
Sage shook her head and giggled. “I will have to agree with you on that one.”
“What’s for dinner?” Sam skidded into the kitchen with a huge smile on his face.
“Um, breakfast.”
“Sweet. Can we have french toast?”
Sage gagged and turned back to the eggs that were about to burn to the pan.
“Negative on the french toast, little dude, but we got bacon.”
Sam tapped his finger to his chin. “I guess that’s okay, as long as I can have extra.”
I high-fived him. “Totally doable. Run and get washed up while mom and I finish it, okay?”
“Yes, sir!” Sam flew down the hallway with a wave of his hand.
Sage dumped the eggs into a bowl while I finished up the bacon and popped the bread into the toaster.
We set everything on the table, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“What’s so funny?” Sage asked.
“You said we didn’t work well together. Even while we were arguing and trying to figure shit out, we still managed to make dinner together.”
She rolled her eyes and grabbed the jelly from the fridge. “No one likes a bragger, Roman. So you figured it out before I did, so what.”
“Figured what out?” Sam asked. He sat down at the table and grabbed a piece of bacon from the plate.
“That I love you and your mama.”
“What about the baby?” he asked around a mouthful.
“I love him, too.”
Sam’s jaw dropped. “It’s a boy?”
I looked at Sage. “You didn’t tell him?”
“I figured you wanted to be here when I told him.”
“Then I guess we can tell him the other surprise since we are both here.”
Sage shook her head.
“Another surprise?” Sam stood up on his chair. “Tell me what it is! Are we getting a puppy?”
Sage laughed but pointed her finger at me. “Don’t even think about it.”
I grabbed Sage’s hand and pressed a kiss to the back of it. “What would you think about your mama and me getting married?”
Sam’s eyes bugged out. “You would live with us then, right?”
“Yup, every day. You won’t be able to get rid of me.”
“Yes! Let’s get married,” Sam shouted.
Sage ran down the hallway, then ran right back to the table. She stood in front of Sam and told him to close his eyes.
“Open them.”
Sam looked directly at the ring I had bought Sage in Vegas.
“What would you say if Roman and I were already married?”
“I would say he can move in tonight then, right?” Sam jumped up from the table and hugged Sage. She wrapped him in a hug and whispered something in his ear.
He ran over to me and threw himself into my lap. “Thank you for marrying my mama.”
“You’re welcome, little dude. I know she’s kind of a handful, but I kind of love her.”
Sam gave me a thumbs up. “Now, does that mean you’re going to be my daddy?”
I heard Sage gulp, but I didn’t look up from Sam. “Is that something you want?”
He nodded his head. “Totally.”
“Good, because you didn’t have a choice. Even when your mama gets sick of me, you’ll never be able to get rid of me.”
“Promise?” he asked earnestly.
I held up my hand. “I promise on my own life, I will never leave you or trade you in for a newer model.”
Sam busted out laughing. “You can’t trade me in.”
“Oh, well, then I guess it’s a good thing I decided to keep you.”
“Wait until I tell all of the kids my dad is a ninja!” Sam pumped his fist in the air and ran a couple of laps in the living room.
“I’m gonna have to add the fist pump into my victory dance.”
Sage turned to look at me. “You have a victory dance?”
“Yeah, I just came up with one.”
I jumped up from my chair and joined Sam in the running around. “Fist pump,” I called. Sam and I both fist pumped then made a couple of crazy dance moves.
Sage laughed her ass off and pulled out her phone.
“Hey, hey,” I called. “Just what do you think you’re doing?”
She snapped a couple of pictures and shoved her phone in her pocket. “Just getting proof of Roman Yeck dancing like a fool.”
I scoffed and shook my head. “It’s a victory dance, baby. One Sam and I are going to dance forever, as long we both have you.”
I swept Sam into my arms and pulled Sage to me. “There’s no getting away from this, Sage. You need to decide right now if this is what you want.”
Sam stuck his thumbs to his head and wiggled his fingers as he crossed his eyes and stuck his tongue out. I screwed my face up and crossed my eyes.
This was all I had to offer Sage.
*
Sage
Even looking like a bunch of goofballs, I had never seen a better offer in all my life.
*
Chapter 34
Sage
“I need you.”
“What’s wrong?”
I sighed and leaned against my car. “I think my battery is dead, and I really don’t want to go back into Mary and Dale’s.”
“I’m on my way. Stay on the phone with me ‘til I get there.” And just like that, Roman was on the way to save me.
“Is Sam okay?”
I looked into the car to see Sam playing with his toys. “He’s fine. He didn’t hear anything Mary said to me.”
“Wait, she said something to you?”
I was just as shocked as Roman was when Mary talked. It had been two months since we had told everyone that Roman and I were married. Well, we had told everyone but Mary and Dale. “Sam let it out today we were married.” We hadn’t told Sam to not tell them; we just left it up to fate. Fate had decided today was the day.
Roman whistled. “Oh Lord. I’m not sure I really want to know what she said because I’m not into hitting women.”
I laughed and looked up at the house. “It really wasn’t anything I didn’t expect. What was I doing? How could I do this to Sam? What about Jack’s memory? Blah, blah, blah. I’m really kind of relieved. I knew she was thinking all of those things, but now they are out there, and I don’t have to walk on eggshells around her anymore.”
“How could you do what to Sam? Give him a dad that cares about him and actually wants him?” Roman was steaming on the other end of the phone.
“You need to tell them, Sage. They can’t go on blaming you for living your life because they think their son was a damn saint who loved his wife and unborn baby.”
I sighed and shook my head. “I can’t tell them, Roman. I know she’s just heartbroken about Jack. That would just kill
her.”
“So she gets to treat you like trash for the rest of her life?”
Yes. That was how it was going to be. “How long until you get here?”
“Now you’re going to ignore everything we just talked about?”
I rolled my eyes. “Yes, because we’re never going to agree about this, Roman. Mary and Dale can think whatever they want about me. They don’t dictate my life.”
“Well, you’re a bigger person than I am, Sage. I’m pulling into the driveway right now.”
“Sage, are you okay?” Double shit. Of course, Dale would walk out of the house as soon as Roman pulled up.
“Uh, yup. I’m all good,” I called. “Just a dead battery.”
“Why didn’t you come into the house? We would have helped you.” Dale stood in front of the car and motioned for me to open it.
Roman stepped out of his car and moved to the front of my car next to Dale. Lord have mercy.
Dale looked him up and down.
Roman returned the gaze.
“I’m Dale.” He stuck out his hand.
Roman shook it. “Roman.”
“Sage’s husband.”
I still got a little thrill when I thought about Roman being my husband. Even when it was Dale saying it.
Roman nodded his head.
“Thank you.”
My jaw dropped.
Pretty sure the world ended.
“Um, excuse me, sir?”
“Thank you. Thank you for taking care of Sage and Sam. They both needed someone in their lives to take care of them. Mary and I have been worried about them since the accident.”
Roman shook his head slightly. “Sir, I don’t think I’m following you. From what I’ve heard from Sage, she hasn’t had the easiest time with you and Mary.”
Dale frowned. “That’s my fault. There are things Mary doesn’t know. Things that would change the way she thinks of Jack.”
“So you’ve had the power to make Sage’s life easier and decided instead to do nothing?”
Dale sighed. “I’ve fought with this for so long. Before you came into the picture, it really wasn’t a problem. Now she’s got it in her head Sage is disrespecting his memory.”
“He didn’t want her,” Roman thundered. “He didn’t want anything to do with her.” There went Roman not saying anything.
“I know, I know.” Dale hung his head. “He sent me a letter about a month before he died. He told me he wasn’t happy being married and was seeing another woman. He asked me to contact a lawyer for him and get the ball moving on a divorce.”
I couldn’t hold back my gasp. That rat bastard had asked his dad to help him get a divorce.
“I’m sorry, Sage. Jack was so confused about what he was doing. He told me he loved this other woman, and that he didn’t want,” he cleared his throat and looked into the car.
“He wasn’t confused, Dale. He told me the same thing.”
He hung his head. “I know. I’m sorry, Sage. I was hoping to talk to him when he came back and talk some sense into him. I wrote him back telling him he needed to think everything through and to not throw away one of the most precious things he’d ever have in his life.”
“He didn’t care,” Roman growled.
“I know. I’m sorry for everything Mary has said. I knew after today, I was going to have to tell her. She can’t keep blaming you for what happened to Jack.”
“She has to live her life. That life is with Sam and me.” Roman was right.
Dale looked at my stomach. “And your baby. I think that’s what is driving Mary the craziest. She remembered being there for Sage when she was pregnant, and now she has nothing to do with the baby.”
“She made it that way, Dale. I never once told her she couldn't have anything to do with the baby.” Mary had been there for me when I was pregnant the first time. With Jack being gone and not really caring about the baby or me, Mary was amazing.
“I know, Sage. I know everything you are saying. It’s just hard.”
I got that. I understood that more than he could ever know.
“I don’t want Mary being nice to her, only to rip the rug out from her when she decides she is still pissed about Jack.” There was Roman. Always looking out for me.
“It’s going to take time. She loves Sage and Sam. Even though she acts differently, I know she loves them both. And in time, she’ll learn to love you and the baby, Roman. My wife may be a stubborn woman, but once she decides on something, she’s committed for life.”
Roman looked back at me. “This is your call, baby. I’m just here to make sure you’re safe.”
And this was why I was uncontrollably in love with Roman Yeck. He just wanted me safe.
“You can tell her, Dale. But I want you to know Sam and I won’t be around while she adjusts to it. I can’t have her being mean to Sam.”
Dale shook his head. “She would never take this out on Sam, but that’s fine. Whatever you want, it’s yours. Just please don’t turn your back on us.”
“You and Mary will always have a place in Sam’s life. I’d never take that away from him or you.”
Dale nodded. “I’ll talk to Mary tonight and keep you posted on what’s happening.” Dale shook Roman’s hand again, nodded to me, and disappeared back into the house.
Roman stared back at me. “You good?”
“Um, I’m scheduling a breakdown for about nine o’clock tonight.”
He nodded. “Sounds good. I’ll be there.”
Roman got my car started.
We fed Sam.
Watched the newest Transformer movie.
Put Sam to bed.
And then I lost it.
But Roman was there the whole time.
*
Chapter 35
Roman
“When did you learn to do that thing with your tongue?”
I ran my hand down her bare side and pulled the covers over us. “Babe, I’ve done that to you before.”
She lifted her head. “Really? How have I not noticed?”
“Probably because you’re too preoccupied coming?”
She contemplated that and shook her head. “Is it weird to say the more pregnant I get, the more I want you?” She really was more pregnant. She was almost eight months, and while she thought she got hornier, I thought she got prettier.
“Um, well, I guess not really, but does that mean you didn’t really want me before?”
She shook her head again. “No, I mean like I really want you.”
“Not sure I’m following you, baby, but if it means I get you like that every night, I’m good with it. Might have to keep you pregnant forever.”
She smacked me on the shoulder. “Ain’t no Duggar shit going on in this bed, Roman. That is so not happening.” She jumped out of bed and grabbed something out of the closet. “I got you these.” She tossed a bag at me and dove back under the covers.
I opened the bag and pulled out a pack of underwear. “Um, you bought me underwear? You had to jump out of bed for that?”
She shrugged and rested her head on my shoulder. “I figured you needed some.”
“Sage, I own underwear. It’s in the damn drawer right next to yours.” I had officially moved in with Sage a month ago. It wasn’t hard letting go of my apartment. I never really lived there. It was just a place for me to sleep at night.
“Just, um, wear them when you want to think about me.”
“That is the weirdest request I have ever had in my life,” I laughed.
“That’s me. Weird. Now maybe you should put a pair on.”
I tossed the underwear on the floor and rolled over on top of Sage. “You know I’m going to figure out what the hell this means, right?”
She shrugged. “You’ll never figure it out. Just wear the underwear. At least for the next two years.”
“So weird, but I love you, Mrs. Yeck.”
She leaned up and pressed a kiss to my lips. “And I love you, Mr. Yeck. Now, get the da
mn underwear on.”
The End
Epilogue
Molly
“Tell me something.”
I dropped the diaper bag next to my feet. “If you want me to carry anything else, I’m going to have to tell you to shove it up your butt.”
Kellan chuckled and shook his head. “I was going to ask how you look so beautiful day in and day out.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “Nice save, hottie.”
He held out his phone. “Also, can you take a couple of pictures of me during the belt promotion?”
“Knew there was something more you wanted from me. All you do is get me pregnant and ask me to hold stuff anymore.”
He pulled me into his arms and buried his face in my neck. “Twice I’ve gotten you pregnant, and the only reason you had to carry everything today was because I had to leave before you.”
So, maybe he was right. My morning struggle of getting Kam and Kyle out the door had traumatized me today. “Well, next time you leave when I leave.”
“Sounds like a plan, cookie.”
He nuzzled my neck, and I closed my eyes. “What have I told you about doing this when you’re in your karate outfit?”
“And how many times do I have to tell you it’s a gi and not an outfit.
“At least six more times.”
“Do I wanna know where you stashed the kids?”
I pulled back and hitched a thumb over my shoulder. “Hadley kidnapped them before I even had the car in park.”
Kellan shook his head. “Tate needs to knock her up. I swear to God, she’s going to seriously take Kam one day.”
“Could we really blame her? She’s damn adorable.”
“Just like her mama. If she starts baking cookies like you, you know Dante is going to get in on kidnapping her.”
“Cookies?” Dante peeked his head out of the back office. “You brought cookies?” A naked baby came streaking out of the office, waving a diaper in the air. “Hey, get back here, you little rascal.”
“Dante,” Kennedy called, “how the hell did you hear her say cookies? We’re knee-deep in dirty diapers over here. Get Roxie back here.”
Black Belt Knockout Page 19
