Chapter Twelve
BACK TO SLEEP
Nine Weeks Later
When we sat Nash down and filled him in that he was going to be a big brother, he was absolutely thrilled.
Every night as I’m tucking him in, he tells them all the things he’s going to teach them.
He’s going to be the best brother. When we asked him if he wanted brothers or sisters, he opted for diplomacy and decided he’d take one of each.
I tried to explain to him that since they’re identical, they’ll be exactly the same, but he didn’t quite understand.
Braxton, on the other hand, says he doesn’t care one way or the other as long as they’re healthy. I don’t have the heart to tell him that the bet he placed with Knox for “two strapping boys” says otherwise.
“Ready to find out what we’re having, baby?” Braxton asks absentmindedly from across the room. He’s been poking at the 3D model of a fetus in utero for the last ten minutes.
“Yeah.” As if in slow motion, he pokes it a little harder than he intended to, and the whole thing falls apart onto the floor.
I cover my mouth, trying hard not to laugh, but it’s impossible when he turns and looks at me in disbelief.
Unable to hold back, I burst out laughing.
“Oh God, that’s hilarious. I told you, you were going to break it.
Shit! I’m going to pee myself.” Comically his eyes widen even bigger, which only serves to make me laugh harder while tightly squeezing my legs together.
“Good morning, Mom and Dad,” Dr. Sloan greets.
Frantically, Braxton grabs the pieces from the floor and stuffs them behind his back, making me howl even louder.
Tilting his head, Dr. Sloan takes in the situation just as plastic body parts fall out of Sparrow’s hand and sail across the room.
A slow grin crosses Dr. Sloan’s face before he, too, starts to laugh.
“I don’t know what it is about that thing that always seems to interest people.” The sheepish look on Braxton’s face is priceless.
“Sorry, Doc.” Braxton carefully places the pieces onto the counter before moving to stand beside me.
Weeks ago, when we first met Dr. Sloan, I instantly knew he was the doctor for us.
He not only put me at ease but Braxton as well.
After his first freak-out, I’ve been a little nervous that he’ll bail on me again, but every day he’s gone out of his way to show me that he’s in this for the long haul.
With Nash and two babies on the way, it’s a good thing he is because while I could do it all by myself, I don’t want to do any of this without him.
I love him, and I know he loves me too. I’m just waiting for him to realize it.
“Today’s a big day. Are you both excited to find out the gender of the babies?” Dr. Sloan asks.
“Actually, we were hoping you could put the results in an envelope because we’re having a gender reveal party in a few days. Right, babe?” I say, looking up at Braxton.
“Whatever you want, darlin’.”
When the ultrasound tech comes through the door and catches sight of Braxton, she trips over her own two feet.
Thankfully, Dr. Sloan steadies her before she can go ass over teakettle.
Throughout the whole ordeal, she never takes her eyes off my man.
It’s starting to piss me off because she’s still looking at him like she has a shot.
The growl that leaves me has Braxton whipping his head in my direction and smirking, causing me to roll my eyes. Like he has any room to judge, he might as well pee on my leg when men look at me like this wench is looking at him.
“Dad, if you could help Mom lean back, that would be great. Shannon, I’ve got this one.” Thank the Gods, he’s making her leave. The green-eyed monster in me was ready to rip her hair out.
With Braxton’s help, I lean back and get comfortable.
Dr. Sloan squeezes the gel on my bump, causing me to shiver.
It’s much colder than I was expecting. When he glides the wand across my stomach, the sounds of our babies’ heartbeats fill the room.
Tears pool in my eyes at the love I already feel for the two lives growing inside me.
“Their heartbeats are strong, and they measure slightly above average, which is fantastic. Usually, twins are a little smaller because there are two of them, but with you and Mr. Allen being tall, it doesn’t surprise me they’re as long as they are.
” When I glance up at Braxton, my heart flutters at the look of wonder on his face.
I love that he’s completely mesmerized by our children.
“Alright, folks. Everything looks great. If you don’t have any questions for me, I’ll print out these pictures, and they’ll be waiting at the front desk when you check out.”
“Thanks, Doc.” After shaking Dr. Sloan’s hand, Braxton crouches down and places two kisses on my stomach.
“I can’t wait to meet you both,” he whispers. He does this every night when we’re lying in bed, and every night it warms my heart.
“Are you happy, baby?” he asks.
Ducking under Braxton’s arm, I smile over my shoulder and nod. “Very.”
As we approach the counter, nurse Shannon is there drooling like a bitch in heat.
I don’t know why this woman is getting to me so much.
I’m used to women looking at Braxton. He’s sexy as hell, and with him being over six and a half feet tall, he’s a little hard to miss.
But there’s just something about this thirsty woman that’s getting to me.
I know I don’t have to worry about anything with Braxton, but she’s making me feel insecure, and I don’t like it.
I wonder if Kierra had doubts about her relationship with Viper when she was pregnant with Xavier. When I was pregnant with Nash, the last things on my mind were feelings of inadequacy, so this is unfamiliar territory for me.
“Ready, baby?” Shaking off my negative thoughts, I nod and force a smile.
“Ready.” After grabbing the envelope off the counter, I take Braxton’s hand and let him lead me out of the office.
Before I can open the truck’s door, he has me caged against it. Bracing his arms on the top of the door, his eyes close as he presses his forehead against mine.
“What’s wrong?” he asks.
“Nothing.”
“Birdie,” he growls. “Tell me what’s wrong so I can fix it. Yeah?”
“I’m just tired. The babies were active last night, and I didn’t sleep well. That’s all.” It’s not exactly a lie. I don’t want him to know that I’m feeling insecure about damn near everything. I’m not a weak woman, damnit.
Stepping back, he breathes heavily in frustration. “Not sure when we started lying to each other, but I don’t like it, Birdie,” he grunts, reaching around me to pull the door open. I hate the look of disappointment on his face when he gestures for me to climb in.
Feeling like shit, I open my mouth to tell him what’s really on my mind but get interrupted when his phone starts ringing, and he steps away to answer it.
Ducking my head, I climb inside and watch him as he keeps darting his eyes from me to the office building and back.
Maybe I’m paranoid, but I feel like he’s discussing me with someone, and it’s making me nervous.
He’s never taken a call and moved away, so I couldn’t hear before. Ugh! I’m driving myself crazy.
I turn towards him when he gets in the truck, but he refuses to look at me. Taking in his profile and the set line of his jaw, it’s pissing me off that just looking at him makes me horny.
Braxton nods at Easy as we pull through the gate, and the closer we get to the cabin, the more I want him. Biting my lip, I rub the tattoo on my wrist and try to think about anything other than ripping off his clothes and riding him like a rodeo queen.
“Go inside, Birdie.” The rumble in his voice has me squeezing my thighs together, desperate for some relief.
“Braxton—”
“Now, baby!” The tone of his voice leaves no room for argument. I hate that his bossiness is making me wet. Scrambling out of the truck, I hurry up the drive and onto the porch to wait for him to get the door. Once he unlocks it, I move into the house with him right behind me.
“Babe.”
“Strip!” I turn around at his barked order and shudder when I can’t read the look on his face.
“Wha . . . What?” I stutter, searching his eyes.
“You heard me, baby. Take off your fucking clothes. We’re going to get to the bottom of this.
But first, I’m going to fuck you and remind you who you belong to.
I love you, Birdie, but you don’t get to keep shit from me.
Especially things that put this wall between us.
” Stepping closer, he fists my hair and drags his tongue up the side of my neck.
“You're mine, baby. Nobody is going to come between us, and that sure as fuck includes you,” he growls.
Biting my lip, I nod. My hands shake as his words play on repeat in my head. He loves me. I fight back the tears at his declaration.
“Now, Birdie!” he snaps, making me jump. I quickly kick off my sandals and pull off my maternity dress. I’m not scared. My man would never hurt a hair on my head. I’m just not used to seeing this side of him.
Standing before him in my bra and panties, I start to feel self-conscious because my body has changed so much in the last couple of weeks.
“Get that fucking look off your face. Do you have any idea what it does to me to know it’s my babies growing inside your belly?” Grabbing my wrist, he presses my hand against his denim-covered cock that’s hard as a rock.
“Please,” I breathe as he unbuckles his belt with his free hand while kicking off his boots. My mouth starts to water when he shoves his jeans and briefs to the floor. As he strokes his hard length from root to tip, my fingers twitch, wanting to touch him.
Falling onto the couch, he crooks his finger as he continues to stroke the rod between his legs. Licking my lips, I glide between his splayed legs and grab his shoulders for support as I straddle his thighs.
“You wet, baby?” The gravelly tone of his voice has me dripping. With these pregnancy hormones, I’m always ready for him.