Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
“Today is your last day.”
“What am I going to do at home?”
“Nest.”
“The nursery is finished. We have enough clothes washed and ready to dress the entire maternity ward at the hospital. I have nothing left to do.”
“Nugget man is due in three weeks. You can be a sloth on the sofa until then.”
She opened her mouth to protest, but I hit a particular sore spot, and instead, she groaned, the sound low and sexy. My cock noticed and stood up, and I had to remind myself we were in the office.
As if on cue, Jessica walked in, stopping in the door and staring.
“Why does this feel like déjà vu?” she asked, laughing.
I chuckled. “My wife’s feet are swollen. I’m trying to convince her it is time to call it quits.”
Jessica pursed her lips and nodded. “As much as I fear for the temp pool, I agree with Bane, Magnolia. The last few weeks are hard enough.”
My wife stared at Jessica as if she had just wounded her. No doubt, she had expected Jessica to take her side, joining in the “I am woman and hear me roar” moment Magnolia was attempting to have.
“Fine. Tomorrow is my last day.”
I was about to argue, but Jessica lifted an eyebrow, and I shut up. Then I huffed. That used to be my signature move to get people to stop talking. When had she stolen it?
“I’ll get the paperwork ready.” Jessica handed me a file. “I need your signature on these.”
“Sure.” I began to get up, but Magnolia gasped and grabbed my arm.
“I’ll just be a minute,” I assured her.
“No,” she gasped. “Bane—my water just broke!”
Jessica met my panicked eyes. “Call your driver,” she said calmly.
I picked up the phone. “Darryl—”
“Out front in five,” he responded, reading my voice well. “Her bag is in the back.”
“Good.” We had two bags packed just in case.
Then I bent and scooped up my wife. “I can walk,” she protested even as she grasped my bicep. “Bane, he’s coming,” she panted. “Fast.”
I rushed to the elevator, trying not to laugh as she kept talking. “The papers you need to sign!”
“Magnolia?” I asked as Jessica pressed the lobby button.
“What?”
“Shut up about the paperwork. You’re fired.”
She leaned her head on my shoulder. “Okay.”
I stared down at my son, his red face, chubby cheeks, and tightly clenched fists the most beautiful things I had ever seen.
Aside from my amazing wife.
I met her sleepy eyes. “He’s perfect, Mommy.”
She smiled. “He needs a name.” He began to fuss, and she sighed. “And his mommy.”
I settled him beside her and sat next to her bed. “Do you still like Jensen?”
“I do.”
“Jensen Daniel Bane.”
“Oh,” she whispered, tears gathering in her eyes. “My dad would love that.”
“I love it. I love you. I love Nugget Jensen.”
She laughed and winced. “Stop it.”
I ran my knuckles down her cheek. “You were incredible today, Magnolia Bane. So strong and brave.”
“You were so calm it helped me,” she muttered sarcastically. “Honestly, Bane.”
I laughed. I had been a mess. Twice, the doctor had asked me if I had a medical degree and, if not, to step aside. But he let me cut the cord and take our son to his mother. It was a memory I would hold forever.
“Good thing I have you.”
She smiled at me. “You have us.”
I kissed her. “Even better.”
FOUR YEARS LATER - BANE
“Higher, Daddy!”
“That’s high enough, Jensen,” I replied. “Mommy said so.”
“And Daddy’s heart can’t take it,” I added silently.
He pumped his legs, not really caring. Then he pointed to the slide. “There!”
“Hands on the chains, Jensen!”
He laughed at me.
Laughed.
Then he jumped, landing squarely on his feet in the sand and heading to the slide. I looked over at Magnolia, who was laughing at me, shaking her head. “He’s fine, Daddy. Come sit.”
I sat beside her, leaning over to kiss her cheek and peek into the pram. Our six-month-old daughter, Ciara, was sleeping, her fist jammed into her rosebud mouth. Her brown hair was a mass of curls on her head, and her dark eyes were like her mommy’s.
She had me wrapped around her finger.
And my wife had me by the balls.
I was good with both.
“When did Jens get so…big? He always needed me to lift him off the swing, help him up the ladder.” I groaned. “Now he’s hanging upside down on the monkey bars. By himself.”
Magnolia rubbed my back. “He’s growing up too fast. I know. He wants to go to school. Be a big boy.”
“I’m not ready.”
She laughed. “You never will be.”
“At least Ciara will grow slower.”
“In your dreams.” My wife laughed, then sighed. “Maybe the next one.”
I sat back, slinging my arm over her shoulder. “It took us three years to get her. Not sure I can face being that old when another one comes.”
“Nine months in the future isn’t that long.”
It took a moment for her words to register. I turned to her, gaping. “Are you—really?”