Ryder (Slater Brothers 4)

He already foresaw himself going to prison because he was certain he would murder any lad who even looked at his precious little girl when she was older.

As I continued to look at pictures of my niece when everyone went back to work, my hand absentmindedly stroked my abdomen where my own baby was growing. My and Ryder’s baby. And I couldn’t wait to see how he took to fatherhood.

“When are you going to tell that lad of yours that you’re knocked up?”

I jumped and dropped my arm to my side like I had been caught with my hand in the cookie jar.

“Excuse me?” I asked, pocketing my phone.

Ash was leaning over the station.

“You can’t bullshit a midwife,” he stated with a bright smile. “You have been puking for weeks, you’re constantly smiling, and you keep touching your belly when you think nobody is looking. You’re with child, my dear.”

I glared at my friend. “Why are you so perceptive?”

“Because I’m brilliant.”

Smartarse.

“Look,” I said, lowering my voice. “I just found out a few days ago. I thought I was sick with the flu when me mornin’ sickness hit, being pregnant never even entered me mind. I’m so happy, and I know Ryder will be happy too, but I keep chickenin’ out when I try to tell ‘im, and I don’t know why.”

“You’ve been through a hell of a lot together, and worked hard to get to where you’re both at now after what happened to you. I know you’re happy, but maybe you’re scared of another big change?”

“Maybe,” I said, chewing on my inner cheek. “I plan on tellin’ ‘im tonight for real though because I asked Taylor to give me a quick ultrasound this mornin’ when we had some downtime. I wasn’t sure how far along I was so she just gave me a regular scan to see if she saw anythin’, and she did. The baby is measurin’ at twelve weeks exactly.”

With the dates, and measurements of the baby, it meant I conceived the first time Ryder and I were intimate since we were back together, and if that wasn’t a sign that things were meant to be, then I didn’t know what to believe.

“That’s wicked,” Ash said and bumped fists with me. “You’re officially starting your second trimester!”

“I know,” I beamed. “I’m so excited.”

I can’t believe I’m really pregnant.

Ash came around the station and gave me a big hug.

“I’m happy for you, kid, you deserve it.”

I poked him in the ribs. “I’m older than you.”

He jumped away from me. “How many times do I have to tell you that age is just a number?”

“At least once more.” I teased.

“Fine,” Ash grinned. “Age is just a number.”

I swatted at him, making him laugh.

“How did your date with Taylor go last night?” I asked him, waggling my brows.

He snorted. “Why ask when I know you were both talking about it during your ultrasound.”

I smirked. “Okay, she told me how she thinks it went, but how did you think it went?”

“We had a delicious dinner then I had her for dessert.” Ash said, winking. “We had a fucking incredible first date.”

I pointed my finger at him. “You’ll call her, won’t you?”

He nodded. “You think I’d sleep with her then never call her again… when we work at the same job? Really?”

I shrugged. “You’ve never mentioned that you wanted to start datin’ so I wasn’t sure.”

Ash scratched his head. “I never thought about it, and I’m still not thinking that way because I don’t want to label shit this early, but Taylor is a hell of girl. She’s gorgeous, her arse is to die for, she’s on fire in bed, and she can cook. Also, she supports Man United. I may eventually marry the woman.”

That delighted me.

“I better be part of the weddin’ party at your weddin’,” I warned.

“Only if I can be part of yours.” Ash countered, chuckling.

“It’s happenin’, we haven’t picked a date yet, but it’s happenin’. Eventually.”

I looked to the switchboard when a call light flashed, and a small alert to it sounded. I turned it off, poked Ash once more then headed down around the corner and down the hallway to check in on the patient who called for assistance.

When I left the woman’s room, it was ten minutes later, and I was yawning as I dragged my feet up the hallway. I checked my watched and was delighted to see it was ten to eight. It meant Ryder would be picking me up soon and bringing me home.

I thought about how I was going to tell him I was pregnant as I walked, but when I thought I heard his voice, I halted at the turn before I came to the nurses’ station.

“You’ll take care of this for me, won’t you Ash?”

It was him.

“Yeah,” Ash replied. “I’ll make sure everything goes good on my end. You didn’t need to remind me, I already have it sorted since last week.”

“Thanks,” Ryder exhaled. “I owe you one for this.”

“Before you go, I want to talk to you.”

I think Ryder chuckled. “Is this a big brother kind of speech?”

“She hasn’t got a big brother, so yeah, I guess it is.” Ash countered.

I imagine Ryder folded his thick arms across his broad chest as he said, “Shoot.”

“I’m going to be blunt. Would you do anything for Branna? If you fought over the simplest of things, would you get on your knees if that would bring her home to you?” Ash asked Ryder.

What the hell was Ash doing?

“Why are you asking me this?” Ryder asked, his voice suddenly a growl.

“Because,” Ash hissed, “I care about Branna and unless you’re willing do anything to keep her forever then you don’t deserve her.”

I heard movement then a grunt.

“Go on, hit me,” Ash urged. “It won’t change anything, she’ll still always be in my life and you can’t change that so you might as well accept it.”

Silence.

“Are you trying to take her from me?” Ryder asked a few moments later, his voice dangerously low. “Think very carefully before you answer.”