Chapter 42 Finley
FORTY-TWO
FINLEY
“There’s my birthday girl,” Theo says as he steps into the bedroom. I’m standing in front of the full-length mirror, staring at my fifth dress of the day like it personally offended me by not fitting the way it used to. “I was starting to think you were ditching your own party.”
I turn, my bottom lip pushed into a pitiful pout. “Tell everyone I said thanks for coming, but there’s no way I’m going down there like this.” I lift my arms, expecting him to understand my pain, but he just furrows his brows, perplexed.
“I’m…confused,” he replies, his expression twisted but cautious because he can tell that I’m an emotional bomb, ready to go off at any second. “Forgive me for being obtuse, but what about this is bad? I think you look fucking hot.”
I roll my eyes at his stupid cuteness. Of course he thinks I look hot. He hasn’t been laid in over a month, which everybody knows is like a year in guy time.
“You’re not obtuse, baby,” I say. “You’re backed up.
A stiff wind could make you hard right now, so I’m not surprised that you think this is attractive.
” I gesture at my torso, where the cotton material is stretched tight around me.
“I look like a busted can of biscuits, and this is the loosest non-maternity dress I own.” My eyes water, my lower lip wobbling as I drop my face into my hands.
I cry quietly, barely registering the sound of him rushing to my side until he’s right there, pulling me into his arms. I melt into him, letting all my emotions out as he presses gentle kisses to the crown of my head.
My hormones haven’t really leveled back out yet, and I can’t help but feel a little stupid for breaking down so easily.
But it’s my birthday, we have a house full of people, and I just want to feel like myself again.
“Finley,” he says softly. “You just had a baby four weeks ago. It’s going to take a little time to bounce back.
And even if you don’t, you’re still the sexiest, most beautiful woman in the world.
” He pulls back slightly, dragging his gaze down my frame.
“In fact, I’m even more turned on by this body after seeing you give birth to my baby. ”
“Really?” I whine, sniffling. “I don’t still look pregnant?”
He barks a laugh. “No. Not at all. I think maybe you’re just not used to all the amazing new curves you have.
Even though I know I shouldn’t, it’s impossible not to fantasize about knocking you up again every time I look at you.
I swear, you’ve turned me into a feral animal.
” A slow smirk tugs at one corner of his mouth, his eyes locking onto my chest. “Also, your tits are fucking huge. I’m dying to get my mouth on them. ”
My cheeks heat, and I stifle a smile as he leans in, his lips and tongue ghosting along the side of my neck.
I moan, enjoying the way it feels when he sucks gently.
It’s not even really sexual, which is good, since I’m nowhere near ready for that.
But it makes me feel desired in a way that I’ve been missing for the past few weeks.
“Oh yeah?” I ask, tipping my head to give him better access as his hands explore my lower back. “What happens when you end up with a mouthful of milk? I bet you won’t be so enthusiastic about them then.”
He drags a wet line with his tongue from my pulse point to my ear, his breath fanning over the sensitive skin. “That’s where you’re wrong, Mama. I think I’d love it.”
I exhale a shaky breath, a very dull, yet familiar tingle prickling along my skin.
The thought of Theo with his lips wrapped around my nipple as he drinks me down causes a reaction that I’m not sure either of us was prepared for, but I can’t say I’m closed off to it when we’re ready to be intimate again.
He chuckles, nipping at my lobe. “Let’s table that for another time, so I’m not bricked up in front of our friends, yeah?
” His eyes soften, recalling what started this in the first place.
“Seriously, though. You look incredible. Now let’s go get our daughter before Stella runs off with her.
They’ve been here all of fifteen minutes, and she’s already asked Emmett to put a baby in her twice. ”
I shake my head, giggling. “Our friends are weird.”
“I’m really happy you were able to make it,” I say to Vince as we sit on the couch, the boisterous voices of the Renegades and their significant others bleeding in from the kitchen.
When Theo asked me if I wanted to invite him to my birthday get-together, I didn’t even hesitate to say yes.
He’s been making an effort to check in via phone or text at least every few days, offering to help in any way he can while we settle into parenthood.
I’m still not ready to confront my mother about what she did, nor do I want her to be a part of Norah’s life right now, but I’m thankful that fate gave me a second chance with Vince.
“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” he replies with a warm smile. “I hate that I wasn’t there for so many of them when you were growing up. You deserved better than that.”
I nod, my lips pressing into a tight line. “I know. So did you.”
His soft, grateful expression comforts me, and I can’t stop my heart from swelling in my chest at how complete I feel after a lifetime of loneliness.
I grew up thinking I wasn’t worthy of love, but now I have more than I ever dreamed of.
Between Theo, his family, our friends, and now Vince, I’ve been given the opportunity to build something brand new and share it with my daughter.
She’ll never know what it’s like to be alone, because she’s surrounded by people who love her to the ends of the earth.
“Is it okay if I steal my girl for a few minutes?” Theo says, walking our way with a sleeping Norah in his arms. He’s got her swaddled in a dinosaur blanket that matches his pajamas, which he had made for her right after she was born because—and I quote—You can never have too much good luck.
“Of course,” Vince replies. “But only if I get to cuddle that little one while you’re gone.
” Theo chuckles, pressing a gentle kiss to Norah’s forehead before passing her off and extending a hand to help me up.
He intertwines our fingers, a sly smile playing at his lips as he leads me through the kitchen.
I try to stop when I hear Stella ribbing on Austin over the fact that he’s retired but still hasn’t gone on a single date, knowing that the impending quarrel will be hilarious to watch.
I swear, those two are like brother and sister, always poking around in each other’s business uninvited.
But Theo doesn’t let me stay for the fireworks, pulling me right past until we’re standing at the back door.
“What are you doing?” I ask. “It’s freezing out there.”
He smirks, sliding the closet open and emerging with a thick blanket. I roll my eyes playfully as he wraps it around me, dropping his lips to my cheek as I draw it in tight. “I’m giving you your birthday present. We’ll only be outside for a minute, I promise.”
“Okay,” I reply softly, warmth spreading throughout my body like it always does when he’s around.
I wonder if I’ll ever stop feeling this way—like my heart is doing little somersaults in my chest just from being in his orbit—but I already know I won’t.
Theo Calloway is etched into the deepest part of me, where he’ll remain long after I take my last breath.
He wraps his fingers around the handle, pulls the door open, and ushers me out into the cold Cleveland air. I scan the back yard, my eyes immediately locking onto the carefully curated setup as a smile blooms across my face.
“I get to go in?” I ask, leaving him where he stands and running toward the hot tub.
He’s hung string lights all around, illuminating the space in a soft glow as steam rises from the water.
Quiet music plays through the speakers, mingling with the sound of the jets whirring and bubbles dancing across the surface.
Pair that with the thick layer of snow that’s blanketing the rest of the yard, and it’s like a dream—one that I never want to wake from.
“Yep,” he says, joining me as I lean down and swipe my hand across the heated waves. “I called your doctor yesterday to make sure, and she said we were good to go.” I stand, and he grips my waist, stepping into me. “But this is for later. There’s something else I wanted to give you now.”
I want to argue—to tell him that he’s already done so much already—but I know it wouldn’t make a difference.
This man loves giving meaningful gifts more than anything in the world, and I’m not about to rob him of that level of happiness.
It could be a container of chicken tenders or an entire nursery, but one thing is certain…
he’s going to put his whole heart and soul into it.
I wait with bated breath as he reaches into his back pocket and pulls out a long, black velvet box.
My gaze locks onto it, softening when he opens the top and reveals the most beautiful necklace I’ve ever seen.
It’s got a dainty vine chain, the lights around us reflecting off the white gold and making it shine.
There are three small bezel-set round stones dangling from the bottom, each a different color, but equally as beautiful.
“Theo,” I gasp, reaching out and running the tips of my fingers across the piece. “It’s gorgeous. Are those—”
“They’re our birthstones,” he cuts in, the dimples I love so much sinking into his cheeks. “Mine, yours, and Norah’s. There’s plenty of space for more, too, if you want to add to it.”
I press up to my toes, grab the back of his neck, and crash my mouth to his in a passionate kiss that says everything I’m thinking. Of course, I want to add to it. I want as many of Theo’s babies as possible. We have so much love to give, and I can’t wait to grow our family.
We make out for several minutes, until we’re both shivering and our noses are bright red from the nippy Ohio winter.
He clasps the beautiful chain behind my neck before wrapping me in his arms and ushering me back inside.
I can’t help but snap a quick photo of Norah and Vince on the couch, both sacked out with their mouths hanging wide open.
It’s the most grandfatherly thing I’ve ever seen, and I’m filled with gratitude at the thought of him being there to watch her grow up.
We spend the rest of the evening laughing and dancing with our friends, my heart swelling as I embark on a brand-new year of life.
It feels like just yesterday that I was spending my last birthday alone, waiting for phone calls and text messages that I knew would never come.
Now, I have the most incredible team surrounding me, all of whom make their love known in so many different ways.
Theo was right. Family isn’t always who you’re born to, or whose blood you share, and I’m beyond thankful for the chance I’ve been given to be a part of this one.