Pierced Hearts (Southern Charmers 1)

She laughs harder, clutching the pictures to her chest. “I’m in so much shock that I can’t even be mad at you for knocking me up, again, before we were married.”

“I’m ready to scream it from the rooftop.”

“Such a good baby daddy.”

We both remember that day from long ago. I’m floating on a high when Miller calls.

“You’re on Bluetooth with both of us,” I greet him.

“Great, where are you?”

“Headed to the bakery.”

“Where have you been?”

“Why?”

“You not showing at work this morning has everyone scrambling.”

“I’m a newlywed and spent the morning with my wife. That should speak for itself.”

“I get it, but this baby watch gig is serious business.”

Darby covers her mouth to muffle her laugh.

“Do you know how fucking crazy that sounds?”

“Not my fault. You’re the one who committed to five more kids, and you’re not getting any younger.”

This time, Darby gasps. “You did what?” she screeches. “Five? I agreed to three!”

“Oops, take it you haven’t let her know?” He chuckles.

“I’m hanging up now, asshole.” I punch the button on my steering wheel and feel the heat of her stare.

“If I wasn’t so happy, I’d strangle you.”

“Lucky for me, you’re happy.”

A few minutes later, I’m pulling into the bakery. “What the fuck?”

Miller is leaning against his truck with Evin at his side. Then, I figure it out. He tracked my phone.

“Oh no,” Darby whispers.

“What?”

“Evin knows.”

“How? There’s no way—” I shut up when she quirks an eyebrow and purses her lips.

The twin thing.

I’m barely parked when they’re opening Darby’s door.

“What have you got there?” Miller motions to the pictures in her hand, smirking.

She hands them over without a word. I crowd into her, resting my hands on her stomach, and watch our brothers scan the pictures.

“I know nothing about babies, but is this normal size?”

Darby tilts her face to me, her eyes shining bright, and gives me a quick nod.

“The growth is normal for almost three months.”

Their heads jerk, eyes flying between Darby and me. “Three months?” Evin questions.

“Eleven weeks to be exact,” she clarifies.

“Holy shit. You didn’t know?”

“No. Let’s just say my body was going through changes, and I didn’t have any signs.”

“Is everything okay?” he asks with concern written all over his face.

“Yes. As you know, we were trying, so I stopped drinking when we got back from our honeymoon, thank goodness. All signs show the baby and I are healthy.”

“Come here.” He holds out his arms, and she falls into his embrace.

“Congrats, brother.” Miller offers his hand, and I take it, pulling him into a one-armed hug. “You have to be fucking excited.”

“You have no idea.”

“This time’s going to be different, and I’m glad to be a part of it.”

I step back and read the meaning in his words. This time will be different for many reasons.

“Seeing as she’s so far along and neither of you knew, I can assume you took my advice?” He wiggles his eyebrows, speaking low enough for only me to hear.

“Pleading the fifth.”

“When are you going to tell everyone?” Evin asks.

“We’re going to wait until we hit the—”

“Actually,” she breaks in, coming back to my side and curling into me. “I changed my mind. I don’t want to wait. Let’s give our families another reason to celebrate.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m not scared anymore.”

“All right, your choice. When?”

“Right now.” She looks to her brother. “Evin, can you send a text to everyone to meet us here? Since they’re all on baby watch, I’m sure it won’t take long.”

He takes out his phone and types.

“I think it’s appropriate we announce it in the place it all started, don’t you?” she teases.

“It’s the perfect place.”

“Here? It happened here?” Miller’s eyes fill with shock, and Darby throws her head back, laughing.

I take the opportunity to kiss up her neck, placing my hand back on her stomach. It may be my imagination, but I swear there’s a ripple against my fingers.

My wife and my baby are happy, and that makes me feel like a fucking king.

•—•—•—•—•

“Proud of you, boy. It took longer than I wanted, but you came through.” Edward hands me a fresh beer.

“Do not let her hear you say that. She’s already strung up about us not knowing earlier. I promised her a wedding.”

He grins, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. Silence lingers, and I wait for him to work through whatever is bothering him.

“I took a chance that morning, coming to your house, knowing I’d kept quiet for too long. Many times, I wanted to track you down, but life got complicated, and my allegiance was with Darby.”

“We’ve covered this ground and moved on. No need to talk about it again, especially today.”

“Today’s exactly the day to talk about it because I owe you an apology, and I want to thank you. You slayed those demons I couldn’t. You brought my daughter back, and she’s getting the life she was meant to live.”