He pulled her into his arms, kissing her lips and holding her close.
“Be careful. If there’s even a chance you guys make twins, they’ll be a handful,” Caleb said.
“Having sex twice is not how you make twins.”
“You don’t know that.”
James broke away from the kiss.
“You brought your brother?” Eliza asked.
“He can’t hold his own shit. The moment he saw you with the box, he had to come and tell. It’s the kind of guy he is.”
“I’m a good guy.”
“Marry me, Eliza,” he said, ignoring his brother. This was their moment.
“You really want to marry me?”
“I don’t have a ring for you yet, but I can change that. I want to marry you. Be my wife. You won’t regret it.”
“Yes,” she said.
He lifted her up and she wrapped her arms around his neck, and he held her tightly together.
“You know, I hear a pregnant woman can have an insane appetite. You’re seriously going to drive Rome crazy,” Caleb said.
Eliza burst out laughing and James shook his head. “Welcome to my crazy family.”
“Your family,” Eliza said, with a groan. “What if they don’t like me?”
“Nah, you see, that’s not possible. I know for a fact my family adores you.”
“You do?”
“Yes.”
“How do you know that?” she asked.
“Because if I know my parents and other brother, they’ve already parked outside to come and hear the news.”
“The entire town is going to know,” she said.
“Yep.”
“I don’t think I can go out there.”
“James isn’t wrong,” Lilly said, raising her voice. “His parents and Rome are outside.”
He held her as she groaned. “There’s no point in hiding.”
“They’re going to think you’re only marrying me because I’m pregnant.”
“Nah, they’ll know I’m marrying you because I’m in love with you. Completely, one hundred percent in love with you.” He took hold of her hand. “We can do this, together. We can do anything together.”
She linked her fingers with his, and together, they stepped out of the bathroom. He sensed how nervous she was, and he held her hand, wanting to be there for her. He would never forget this day. It was more perfect than he imagined. He hadn’t foreseen her being pregnant, but he certainly wasn’t going to regret a single moment.
They walked outside and his mother was the first to come forward, pulling her into her arms and welcoming her to the family. Next, his father, then his two brothers. They all embraced and the town looked on. He held Eliza close, showing her love in front of everyone.
They were getting married because he wanted her, not for any other reason, and the town, anyone who dared to say something different, would deal with him.
****
Seven and a half months later
“Nah, you’ve got to move it a little to the left. Too much. To the right.”
“You do realize it’s just a picture and our little girl won’t see it, don’t you?” James asked.
“I thought you were a professional.”
“I am, but a professional has limits here. You’re pushing me to them.”
She rolled her eyes. “I want it to look perfect.”
“And it will.” He straightened the picture and Eliza nodded. Perfect. She sat in the rocking chair that Theodore had made for her. Jane had sewn her some cushions to help with the comfort. She’d been getting an uncomfortable shooting pain down her back all day. She hadn’t told James because any time something concerned her, he was at the hospital, demanding the staff to do their damn jobs and take care of her.
Their first child was due any day. Aunt Betty was on call. Lilly now lived with her Aunt Betty, and she wanted to be there. Any time James had a call out, and his mother or her aunt were busy, Lilly came with her to the breathing classes. She was having to breathe hard right now and hide it so James didn’t panic.
“What is it?” James asked, coming toward her.
“It’s nothing.” She wriggled forward, hoping to get up. With her stomach so huge, she had long stopped seeing her feet. She wrinkled her nose. “I can’t get up.” She pouted.
He laughed and came to her side.
The moment he helped her to her feet, she felt a wetness sliding down her thighs, and pain shot through her back. She bowed over and cried out.
“Eliza, what is it?”
“I think my water just broke on the new carpet.”
“Fuck, forget the carpet.”
“We had it put down last week,” she said. It was a nice pale-peach color, for their little girl.
“I’ll clean it when I get back home. We’ve got to go.” He seemed to be in a state of panic as he helped her downstairs.
“I need to change.” She screamed as a contraction took her by surprise. “Oh, holy fuck. This isn’t fair. Why does it hurt so bad?”
“You were told it would hurt.”
“Do not even think of trying to help me right now. Wow, oh my God, I hate you. I fucking hate you.”