Chapter Eight.
Warren
I blink my tears away and glance from Jess’s face to my twin, who’s about to jump out of his skin with excitement, but his question still hasn’t been answered.
“Jess?” I probe gently, and all she does is sniffle.
“I’m so incredibly happy. I never thought I’d be a mom. Figured I’d be too busy with my career. It just wasn’t in my future, but now all that has changed, and well,” she breaks into sobs of joy as her hand cradles her belly.
I hip check War and glare at his pants.
Dude, take a hint.
I climb on the bed and cradle Jess in my lap and kiss her forehead as I rub her back. I watch the light bulb click on in War’s eyes as he fumbles for the ring tucked away in one of the pockets.
“Love, this is the most incredible gift you could ever give us, but I feel like we need to give you one equally important.” I kiss her lips before she can ask what I mean to give War another few seconds to get his head on straight.
“Jessina Blake, love of our lives and mother of our child. Will you marry us?” War manages to get the words out rather eloquently, considering the high emotions in the room.
It clicks for me suddenly, and I feel like an idiot for not noticing all the signs before.
Her mood swings.
All the bathroom trips.
The no fucking period for…wait, how long?
Before I can ask her another question, she jumps out of my lap and tackles War to the ground. Smothering him in yes’s and kisses that make me laugh.
“Careful! You got precious cargo there.” I tease as they sit up carefully and kiss.
“Wait, what do you mean by us?” Jess says, looking up at me.
“Legally, it can only be one of us, but honestly, with our situation, it wouldn’t matter. We could switch up on the priest, and he’d never know. However, War and I made a deal. He marries you. I knock you up. Guess I’m winning.” I grin at her shocked face.
“I want to be mad at this, but I’m too fucking happy right now. I’ll save it for later.” I lean in and kiss her lips.
“Very sensible. You’re going to be a terrific mom.” And then she’s cringing again, bringing me back to my question.
“Jess, love. Wanna tell us how far along you are and when we’ll be parents?” She clears her throat and nods.
“Right, yes. According to the ultrasound, I’m about four months.” I do the math and grin.
“Ha, it was me! War was deployed.” War growls as I take Jess out of his arms and kiss the shit out of her.
“Ass,” she teases as I drop to my knees and kiss her belly.
“Hello, pumpkin. You’re gonna be a Halloween baby. Is four months too soon to learn the sex? Wait, do we want to know?”
War and Jess both say yes at the same time.
“Silly me. Sorry, Sirs.” I roll my eyes and kiss her belly again.
“Dare, the cake is one of those reveal ones. When you cut it, it’ll be blue for a boy, pink for a girl.” I’m up and ready to run for a knife, and War growls at me.
“Use your fucking hand. I need to know now!” I laugh as I salute him and then bring my palm straight down onto the cake.
I close my eyes and send up a silent prayer.
THIS CHILD WILL NEVER FEEL THE HUNGER WE DID GROWING UP.
“Are you praying?” Jess asks, confused.
“You choose now to get religious on us?” War adds, but I ignore both of them as I open my eyes and grin.
That vow was between me, God, and our child.
“Are you sure? You can look away, and I swear I’ll keep this secret.” I wiggle my eyebrows at them.
“YES!” I pull my hand back slowly to reveal pink icing on my hand.
“We’re having a baby girl.” Jess covers her mouth to hide the wobble that my daughter better inherit.
“I hope she looks just like you,” I say out loud.
“You’re going to need to learn how to shoot,” War growls as we hug Jess, who’s crying openly again.
“You ready for six more months of this?” I ask War over her head.
“As horny as she’s been? Bring it on.” I grin and nod.
“Triple the hunger sounds like the life to me!”