“You’re a terrible tease.” She twisted around to face him and at the press of her glorious breasts and swollen stomach, he couldn’t hold out any longer.
He began to repeat them:
The blue grey of your eyes, like the sea in a storm
2. Your beauty, like none I have ever seen before.
3. The fact that I am in love with you, though I told Sunderland it was your hips. In fairness, he deserved it.
4. Your sharp tongue, honed from years of verbally sparring with your brothers.
5. Your smell. Like cinnamon and honey mixed with pastry.
6. Your cooking, though I will grow fat from it.
7. The way your smile lights your entire face.
8. The trust you place in me.
9. The vulnerability and compassion, carefully tucked away, that you show only to a very few. I am blessed to be one of them..
10. The promise I made to your brother, Reginald.
She placed a fierce kiss on his lips when suddenly, her face tightened in pain. All of her muscles tightened. It had been happening more frequently.
“Is it time?” he bit out nervously.
“Let’s wait and see. I don’t want everyone in here unless it’s necessary.” She gave him a thin smile as her body relaxed again and she once again, snuggled down into his body. But within the hour, it became clear that it was time.
As the sisters-in-law charged in, Eliza, Bridget, and Alexa ushered Roderick out of the room under great protest. Stone grabbed his brother-in-law’s arm. “They never let the husbands in. The doctor is on his way.”
“I don’t want to leave her. I want to be there.” Roderick tried to shove Stone but the other man, true to his name, held fast.
Matthew joined them, patting Roderick on the arm. “They’ll take good care of her. They’ve delivered seven Alban babies successfully between them.”
“Eight, you daft bastard. Have you forgotten my new baby boy?”
Matthew punched his brother and Roderick relaxed a little at the light banter. Until he’d met Delia, he had never known he had such an affection for teasing but it soothed him now.
“How long will it take?” he grimaced.
“Difficult to say. We may as well have breakfast.”
Roderick looked at Stone as though he had gone mad. Eat at a time like this?
“Trust me, you’ll need your strength.” Stone gave him a heavy pat on the shoulder.
Roderick gave a single nod but the door opening stopped them all. Bridget poked her head out. “Won’t be long. Delia is progressing quickly.” And then she snapped the door closed.
The blood drained from Roderick’s face and Stone led him to a chair. “Sit. Even if she is pushing, it could take hours.”
It didn’t. Within fifteen minutes, the cries of a baby filled the air. The doctor never even made it. Bridget opened the door, smiling affectionately, but grumbling nonetheless. “Unbelievable, first birth and it barely took two hours.”
“What is it?” Roderick breathed as he rushed into the room.
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Delia sat on the bed, looking serene as she clutched a wrapped bundle against her chest. “Roderick, come here. Meet your son.”