Chapter 29 Finley
TWENTY-NINE
FINLEY
“Thanks again, Syd,” I say, giving my friend one more big hug as Theo carries the last of my shower gifts in from her car.
Baby girl was spoiled rotten, and we ended the day with games and drinks—mocktails for me—before she brought me back home.
My feet are swollen, and my muscles ache, but I can’t remember the last time I laughed so much in my life.
“Make sure that man takes good care of you,” she says with a wink. “You deserve all the pampering for growing that tiny human while he does absolutely nothing.”
I chuckle because we both know he does so much for me already, but she just can’t stop herself from busting everyone’s balls. It’s who she is, and we love her for it.
We say our goodbyes and I go inside, greeting the happy little furball that waits by the door. Boner has been so good lately. I truly think he senses the baby is coming soon, because he’s been gentle and calm, just like his daddy.
“Go ahead, good boy,” I tell him as he looks up at me, his fluffy tail wagging from side to side. “Say hello to your little bestie.”
As though he knows what I’m saying, he gets close, taking a few tentative sniffs of my belly before rubbing his nose all over it.
I giggle loudly when the baby stirs, a small bulge moving under my skin like she’s rolling over to play with him.
I can’t wait to see how they interact when she’s on the outside, and how amazing of a protector he’ll be.
Boner may not be mean, but I have a feeling he’d be happy to stand in the way of anything that tries to hurt her.
“Tell Mama she’s never allowed to leave us again,” Theo says, a devastatingly sexy grin pulling at his lips.
He’s mouthwatering in a crisp white T-shirt, gray sweatpants, and a black Renegades hat turned backwards.
I’m almost stunned speechless as he erases the space between us, every muscle in his body firing off beneath the fabric that covers them.
“We barely survived it, and Daddy almost beat up Uncle Em. We can’t be trusted. ”
I roll my eyes, unable to hide the smile that grows bigger with every step he takes in my direction, until he’s close enough to reach out and pull me in.
His palm finds my cheek, cradling it softly as his mouth slants over mine.
He kisses me like I’ve been away for months instead of hours, his warm tongue teasing and tasting as soon as I let him inside.
“Fuck, I missed you,” he sighs against my lips, walking me backward so I’m pressed into the door. His hands roam, settling on the sides of my stomach as his thumbs coast over the soft material of my maternity dress.
“I missed you too,” I reply, smiling into the kiss.
My arms snake around his neck, pulling him even closer as we make out lazily right in the middle of the entryway.
The aches and pains I was feeling moments ago are a distant memory, my feet barely even registering the floor beneath them while I try not to float away.
He breaks the connection, a soft laugh weaving through the air between us when I attempt to chase his mouth with mine.
I whine, pushing my lower lip into a pitiful pout, but he doesn’t give in, grinning down at me with a sparkle in his enchanting blue eyes.
“It’s time for my shower gift. I’ve been waiting patiently. ”
My face twists with confusion. The girls slipped and told me that he had footed the bill for our entire day, including the beautiful pink roses that awaited me when I got to the restaurant. I know it had to cost him a fortune, so I certainly wasn’t expecting there to be more when I got home.
“Theo,” I say quietly, shaking my head. “You’ve already done so much. I don’t need anything else, truly.”
“Well,” he says, kissing the tip of my nose.
“Good thing it’s not for you, then. It’s for her.
” My heart gallops in my chest at his words.
No matter how many times he refers to the baby like she’s one of the most important people in his life, it never gets old.
She’s the luckiest little girl in the world already, just knowing how excited he is every day for her arrival.
I’m pretty lucky, too, since he always goes out of his way to make sure I’m feeling cherished and adored.
“Okay, fiiiiiine,” I say, drawing out the word as I pretend to be unexcited. But how can I not feel giddy when the man beside me is nearly bursting at the seams with his entire expression radiating happiness? He wraps his hand around mine, holding gently as he leads me up the stairs.
“Before I show you,” he warns, slowing as we turn down the hallway, “I want to apologize for the amount of sneaking around that had to be done. I promise, it was with the best of intentions, and if I need anything going forward, I’ll ask you myself.”
I look around as we come to a stop in front of the closed guest room door, completely bewildered. “You’re scaring me a little bit.”
He chuckles. “Don’t be scared. I just wanted to show both of you that you belong here, and for the baby to have everything she needs.” Wrapping his fingers around the handle, he pushes it open, my breath getting caught in my throat at the sight in front of me.
The room is painted the most beautiful pale pink, with subtle gold accents adorning each wall.
A large round mirror hangs above a white dresser, which is decorated to perfection with soft pastel trinkets.
A white rocker sits in the corner, a plush blanket draped over the back as though it’s just waiting to provide warmth and comfort.
Everything from the faux fur area rug to the jeweled chandelier hanging overhead was taken directly from the nursery inspiration photos I shared with the girls, but nothing more so than the round white crib, complete with the bedding set I’ve seen in my dreams on more than one occasion.
“Theo,” I whisper as I step through the door, barely even able to hear my own voice over the blood that’s roaring between my ears. I’ve never seen this kind of perfection in my life. “I can’t believe you did all this.”
“Do you like it?” he asks, stepping up behind me and dropping a soft kiss to the heated skin of my neck. “Do you think she’ll like it?” His hands slide around to cradle my stomach, and I lean back into his chest as he holds us.
“She’ll love it. It’s the most beautiful nursery in the world.” I turn my head, my tear-filled gaze finding his. “Thank you.” It seems like such a small way to express how I’m feeling in this moment, but to be honest, I don’t think I could ever find words that are big enough to cover it.
“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to make you happy, Finley,” he says, spinning me in his arms. His deep blue pools shine with emotion, a nervous smile pulling at his lips as a shaking palm settles against my cheek. “I love you.”
In an instant, every breath is being stolen from my lungs as I stare up at him.
I’ve never been so overwhelmed—so consumed—by a single sentence, yet I feel like the weight of everything I’ve been holding onto for so long has been lifted from my shoulders.
But that’s how it always is with him. He’s always there to remind me that I’m not alone, and I can’t remember the last time I truly felt like I had a safe space.
Theo has given me that, in every sense of the word.
He’s my home. My rock. My other half.
“I love you too,” I reply softly, tears of pure joy spilling down my cheeks. I’ve never said those words to a man before, but I’ve never been surer about anything in my life. I feel free. I feel alive. Like I’m no longer treading water, my soul tired and ready to give out as I fight to survive.
“Holy shit,” he chokes out, all the tension in his body relaxing as his eyes flutter closed. “You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting to tell you that. I was afraid it might scare you away.”
My expression softens, and I ghost my hands up his stomach and chest. “To be honest,” I say, holding his gaze, “it terrifies me. But the way you stepped up and empowered me when I felt like I had nothing good to offer makes me want to be better. Not only for myself and the baby, but for you, as well. I have no idea what I’m doing, and I’m sure I’ll fuck up every now and then, so please be patient with me while I figure out how to be everything you need. ”
He dips down, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. “You already are, Mama. You already are.”