Ryder (Slater Brothers 4)

I nodded. “I’m twelve weeks exactly.”

He sucked in a huge breath before he encased me in his arms and hugged me like his life depended on it. When he pulled back, he stared at me then looked around and shouted, “She’s pregnant!”

Gasps and excited squeals filled the church and even a “No fucking way” followed by a quick “Sorry, Jesus” was heard.

“Branna!”

I turned my attention to my sister. Bronagh was right next to me, with my beautiful niece in her arms. I hugged both of them and smiled.

“This little chubster is gettin’ another cousin,” I gushed.

Bronagh began to jump up and down and scream. Georgie laughed at the movement, but because she was still very young, Dominic came over and took his daughter so Bronagh could continue her jumping and screaming.

She all but dove on Ryder and me when she was baby free.

“Can you believe all this?” she asked.

“No,” I replied. “I really can’t. I had no clue what the hell was happenin’, Ash would barely talk to me on the way here.”

“This has been in motion for weeks, I helped get your dress.” My sister beamed.

“You sneaky bitch!” I laughed and hugged her.

Georgie began to cry so Bronagh moved over to Dominic who was soothing her and swaying her from side to side.

“Here’s mama,” he said when Bronagh approached.

I looked from them with a smile and turned my focus back on Ryder.

“While you were in work, we spent the day putting up a white tent out in the back yard. We decorated it, too.”

“You mean… like a reception too?

“Yeah. We put up twinkling lights, more flower arrangements, and I have that restaurant from the village that you love so much catering.”

My lower lip wobbled, and I lifted my fingers to my eyes, and carefully wiped under them.

“You have made me so happy, honey.”

Ryder smiled. “Are you ready to go home?”

“I don’t care where I am as long as it’s with you,” I replied honestly.

He squeezed my body against his and said, “I feel the same way…. Mrs Slater.”

Oh. My. God.

I gasped, and it made Ryder snort.

“What?” he asked, amused.

I blinked up at him. “I’m somebody’s wife.”

“Not just somebody’s,” his lip curled upward, “mine.”

Shivers raced up and down my spine. “Yours,” I whispered and pressed my face against his chest, breathing him in. “Forever.”

“It’s only forever,” he murmured, “that’s not long at all.”

He just quoted the late and great David Bowie and it only caused me to fall in love with him that much more.

I closed my eyes and thought about how things have changed. A few months ago I dreaded every waking day, but now? Now I couldn’t wait for the rest of my life by Ryder’s side. By my husband’s side. I had a fecking husband. Emotion filled me, and for the first time in a long time I felt nothing but delight. Everything was how it should be. I had my family, my friends, my husband, and my whole life with him ahead of me.

My eyes welled up with tears and I smiled. For months I willed myself never to cry because I was afraid it would show as a weakness, but now I knew it was another way to express pure happiness.

It’s okay, I told myself, you can cry.