Seth steps up, that sheepish grin blooming on his lips, and my insides explode with heat, my heart blooms ten times in size.
Seth looks at me with those mesmerizing granite blue eyes. “Would you mind if I stole you for a moment?”
I look to my brothers. “I think I’ll take a rain check on dinner.” I hug Nolan first and whisper into his ear, “Thank you for being such a great big brother. I know you’re going to make a fantastic dad.” I head over and embrace Rush as well. “I love you so much it hurts. Thank you for being there for me. I promise I won’t hold back ever again.”
Trixie tousles my hair. “Hold your own, girl. Make sure you give him a little hell. Do it for me, too.”
“You bet.” I take a step out toward Seth, and we walk out of the Black Bear together.
Neither of us says a word.
Spring gives way to summer as Hollow Brook gleams under the light of a full rising moon. A balmy breeze wraps its arms around us as soon as we step out of the Black Bear. I can’t believe it’s finally happening—this long, long overdue conversation with Seth and me. Just having him next to me makes me shake. I’m dying to pick up his hand, wrap myself around him, and inhale the warmth of his cologne from the base of his neck. As confused and frustrated as I am over everything that’s transpired, I’m far more addicted to his touch, to him in general, to let it override my true feelings for him.
Seth reaches over and picks up my hand. His steel blue gaze falls over me as he presses out a sad smile. “I love you, Sunday.” He wraps his arms tight around my body as if he were a mind reader, and my chest bucks as those ever-present tears that are always on the surface rain down like a river. “You want to head to my place—you know, to talk?”
I shake my head at him. Once I get to Seth’s apartment, I won’t want to leave, not anytime soon at least, and there’s one more place I need to be tonight. His face is quickly shadowed with disappointment, and he offers an understanding nod.
“I know just the place.” I lead us wordlessly across the street, to the woods adjacent to Founder’s Square, where there are benches strewn throughout the periphery of the campus forest. I’ve seen students hanging out here all year reading, making out, and everything in between. But at this late hour, in the black of night, the woods are all but abandoned.
Seth and I settle on a flat wooden bench with our back to campus, a curtain of evergreens draping us from the public eye. For a moment, I think how fun it would have been to sneak behind my brothers’ backs all these years. Instead, I fed into their anxieties by staying away from Seth, and along the way created an entire slew of new anxieties. But that’s the old me. The new me thinks for herself and her child. I’m determined to let my own good senses be my guide in life. I’ve learned the hard way that you should never let someone’s conclusions about your life rule you.
I glance down at my belly as Seth leans in close, our bodies facing one another, just a couple of breaths away from a kiss.
“Sunday, there’s so much I’ve been dying to say to you over these past few days. I—”
“No, please, let me go first.” I marvel at how the blue wash of moonlight makes him look aggressively handsome, and those darn viral hormones of mine take ahold of me once again. “Seth, I don’t want you to ask for my forgiveness.” His eyes round out in horror, and a tingle of twisted delight bounces through me. “You held my hand when I found out I was having a baby. You were kind enough to care for me when I thought I was outright dying with nausea and fatigue. You have come to every doctor’s appointment I’ve had. There were so many chances you had to tell me that you were the father of my baby. There were so many chances you had to delude the idea that Eli was, in fact, the father, but you didn’t take them.” I watch as his body slumps. His affect hardens because he’s thinking the knife is to his neck. “And I know why. I understand it, and I can’t judge you for it. As confused as you were, I was ten times so. I get it. You were just trying to process everything. If you were a true coward, you would have stayed away from me altogether. But you didn’t. You offered to help me raise the baby.” I reach up and rub the scruff on his cheek. “You told me you loved me.”
“And I do.” A lone tear rides down his cheek. “Thank you. And you’re right. Everything that’s happened since December has been a blur. That night I was just as wasted as you were. And I take full responsibility for getting us in that position to begin with. I never should have let it get that far.” Seth tightens his grip around me, and my thigh brushes against his. “But I couldn’t get my head around the fact the girl I’d pined over, worshipped from afar from the moment I met her, was paying me any attention.”
Our eyes hook into one another, and my mouth falls open. “You felt that way about me?”
“Only every day. So that next morning when I deduced what had happened, I thought you’d probably hate me if you knew the truth. You figured it was Eli, and I stepped back from that one. I opted to let you believe what you wanted and I’m sorry about that. Initially, I thought the truth would shut the door on what was fast becoming a good thing between us.” Seth takes up my hands and brings them to his lips. “I still think we’re a good thing, Sunday.” Grief pours from him as he says those words. “It seemed every time I tried to tell you the truth, something came up. And once I was determined to tell you, it quickly became too late. Please, Sunday, I am begging your forgiveness.” His glossy eyes bear hard into mine, assuring me every word is true.
“No.” I swallow hard. “There’s nothing to forgive. We have the truth now. And I believe you. I really do think you were about to tell me because, much like you, I was about to tell my family. Everything happened so quickly, so unexpectedly.” My body shakes as I try to hold back from wailing the way my emotions demand. Seth buries his face in my neck, my hair, before brushing my cheek with a kiss.
“I love you, Sunday. I want nothing more than to spend my life loving you and our baby.” An electrical jolt jumps from his eyes to mine as he says those final words.
“Our baby.” A tiny laugh bubbles from me as my arms collapse around him. “You don’t know how good it feels knowing it’s you, Seth. As nice as Eli is, a part of me would have still felt very alone. But with you—I feel like I share the load.”
“You will never be alone. I promise you that.” A smile bounces on his lips, and yet his brows dip as if he were hurting. “I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed you these last few days—the both of you. It was hell, and I never want to end up without you again.”
“Then you’d better mind your P’s and Q’s.” I’m only half-teasing. After all, I am under strict orders from Trixie to give him hell.
“If we had minded our P’s and Q’s to begin with, we wouldn’t be here.”
“Ha!” I belt out a laugh. “I get it, pints and quarts. They should have a K for kegs.”
“That they should.” His chest expands with his very next breath. “I also want you to know that I’m sort of glad we didn’t mind them. I’m extremely happy that you’re in my life, and even though we’ve yet to meet Little Fish, I already feel like he or she is a part of our team. I’m madly in love with him or her, and I know you are, too.”
Tears pour from me as if someone turned on a faucet. It’s all I can do to give a little nod. Instead of reassuring him with words, I lean in and reassure him with kisses, molten hot, drenched with happy tears, chest bucking, moaning for more kisses.
Seth loves me with his mouth as proficiently as he’s done in the past with his body. I’ve never been kissed the way Seth kisses me. I’ve never been loved the way he’s loved me before.
Before too long, I ask Seth to drive us out to Hollow Brook General. I stop by the gift shop and buy a stuffed white teddy bear with a yellow bow around its neck as we make our way to the maternity ward, and it’s not nearly as cold and sterile as I had envisioned up here. Shockingly, there’s not a single woman screaming for someone to clobber her into unconsciousness. Instead, the ward is filled with families
running around, and there’s a palpable excitement in the air that lets you know you’re a part of something special.
Seth and I are directed to Izzy’s room, and I give a gentle knock before entering.
“Come in!” a cheery voice calls out, and I’m stunned to find Izzy glowing, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, holding a tiny, peach-faced bundle wrapped in a blanket. Her husband, Holt, looks a bit ragged, teary-eyed. “You just missed the onslaught. Baya and Bryson just took off with about a hundred of our closest friends and family.”
Seth and Holt shake hands as he congratulates them both.
“Yeah.” My voice grows small. “Congratulations.” My enthusiasm at the moment is marred by the fact that giant baby burrito just came out of her lower far more delicate half.
“Whoa.” She adjusts herself against the pillows as she looks to me. “Do not freak out. I promise you, it was not at all what I thought it was going to be like, but you don’t have to torment yourself. You’ll be fine. And just look at this precious peanut. It’s a girl. Her name is Paige.” She holds her out to me and nods. “Go on. She’s light as a feather and smells like heaven.”
A dry laugh brews in my chest as I carefully take the infant from her as if she were made of the thinnest blown glass and cradle her in my arms. “Wow, she is light. Oh my God,” I coo as I bring her close to me. Seth wraps his arms around me as we take in this tiny angel. “She’s amazing.” The waterworks start up again, and everyone in the room gives a light chuckle. I bring her in closer and take in her powder fresh scent. She does indeed smell like heaven.
Seth and I spend an hour, at least, marveling at their little miracle before congratulating them once again and taking off. Outside, a full moon dipped in hues of pale blue flirts with Hollow Brook below. Just before we get back into his truck, Seth wraps his arms around me tight, and I can’t help but feel safe, feel as if he will never let me go, and I know that’s true. Seth and I have each other forever in the very best way.
I sniff back tears as I look up at him. “I’m glad I get to go through this all with my best friend.”
“You and Trix, huh?” He gives a little wink. “I’m damn glad we have each other. You’re everything to me, Sunday.” His thumbs brush the tears from my cheeks. “You took my breath away the first moment I laid my eyes on you, and you’re still doing it today. I don’t want you to be afraid of what comes next.” He glances down at the bump between us. “I’m going to be there for you.” His eyes bear into mine, and I swear each of them is smiling. “Our love is strong enough to get us through, no matter what lies ahead. And you know what? A hell of a lot of great things lie ahead.”
A laugh warms me from the inside out. “I think you’re right.” My hand cradles my belly. “And I think they’re already happening. With you in my life, I don’t think they’re ever going to stop.”
“You stole my line.” His brows waggle as he presses a light kiss to my lips. “Your place or mine?”
“Yours. And I don’t care if my brothers know it. What’s the worst that can happen? I’m already knocked up. I just need you to hold me tonight.” I lay my head over his shoulder, and Seth gives a knowing nod before he blesses me with his lips. Seth’s kisses assure me that every word was just as true as his golden heart. Seth and I are starting out on our forever. It might have been a rocky start, but we’re on solid ground now with a smooth, wide path of love spreading out as far as the eye can see.
I’m in love with Seth Baker. I always have been, and I always will be.
Seth
Friday night at The Sloppy Pelican, we’re all set to have a gathering of family and friends. The place is bustling, the live band is doing their thing, and the scent of a grilled steak is coming my way. Sunday and I arrive together. It’s another reprisal of the Bakers and the Knights, not to mention everyone in the Maxfield clan has joined us as well— save for Sunday’s father, who is busy buying New York. Serena and Trixie are already whispering in one another’s ears, laughing it up over something, and I trace their gaze to Shep, who’s standing with Axel, Lex’s husband. Hollow Brook is a pretty small town, but in this room, it feels smaller than a thimble.
Mom and Dad come at us, and Sunday squeezes my hand a bit as they make their way over. I don’t know if it was conscious or not, but Sunday has never looked too comfortable around my parents.
“Look who’s here.” Mom’s eyes widen until she looks certifiably insane. She nods to my father as if they’re speaking a language of their own, and for as long as I can remember, they’ve been doing exactly that.
“It’s just Sunday and me, Mom.” I look to Sunday, glowing with an otherworldly beauty.
Mom crimps her lips. I know that look. It’s rife with disapproval, and I hope to God Sunday doesn’t pick up on it. “It’s not just the two of you anymore.”
Dad clears his throat, his own eyes look as if they’re about to shoot out of his skull, slightly embarrassed by mother’s brashness. “I think what your mother is trying to say is, congratulations.” My parents have already lambasted and scolded the shit out of me, so I suppose in the natural order of things a congratulations would be next.
“Thank you.” Sunday’s cheek turns a bright pink. “I mean, I know this must come as a shock to you. I’m sorry about that. But”—her hands cradle her stomach—“we’re actually pretty excited about it now.”
“Excited?” Mom balks. “That’s a little naïve, don’t you think? I think you need a reality check. Do you realize what a sleepless night feels like? I promise you, this will be the toughest thing you’ll ever experience.”
My blood boils in an instant. The urge to steal Sunday away and take off hits me hard, but we vowed we wouldn’t do anything to ruin Nolan and Misty’s take-two on their own good news.
Dad tugs at his collar as if it’s getting a little too hot in here, and I’d have to agree with him. Mom is bringing all the heat straight from the pit of hell.
Sunday chokes out a laugh. “I think I do realize that this won’t be a walk in the park, but I’m prepared to accept the challenge.”
“And school?” Dad asks almost nonchalantly as if it were an aside, but I can already tell Sunday is on high alert, and she’s not taking too well to him either.
“I’ll handle it. I’ll be taking online classes as soon as next spring, so I’ll only be out a semester. I’ll still be ahead of my peers who opted for a gap year. I’m not worried about school. I’ll graduate sooner than later.”
Mom sighs as she averts her gaze to Dad, and a sickening feeling takes over. There’s something about the displeasure written all over her face that frustrates the hell out of me.
“Your father and I have made the decision that we’ll raise the baby.” She looks to the two of us, cold as ice. “That way it doesn’t interfere with your studies.” She offers Sunday a curt nod as if that were the end of the discussion. “It’s imperative you finish your education—and Seth, grad school is a must for you. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. You’re going.” Her tone is stern, her demeanor stiff. And right now, she’s batting two for two on chasing us the hell out of here. If Sunday bolts, I’ll leave with her. No ifs, ands, or buts about it.
Sunday offers a nervous glance my way before nailing my mother with a hard look. “That’s very kind of you, but Seth and I are raising the baby ourselves. I’m not auditioning parents. The baby has a complete set.”
No sooner does Sunday get those last few words out than Nolan and Misty come up behind my mother.
“Dear God,” Misty groans as she steps into our tense circle. “Mother? You didn’t! You promised me you wouldn’t.” She grunts as she looks to Sunday, “Please, for the love of all things good, ignore my mother. She can be a bit overbearing without meaning to.” Misty wraps an arm around Mom. The two of them have always been close, and someday I’d love to see Sunday just as close to my mother. Especially since she doesn’t have a mother of her own. But seeing that my mom has no problem scaring the hell out of her, I
doubt that will ever be a reality.
Sunday gives a sly smile to my sister, and something warms in me. “Duly noted. And now that the topic of who will raise my child is settled, I want to congratulate the two of you properly.” She lunges into a group embrace with Nolan and Misty.
“Congratulations, man.” I slap Nolan five. “Next Christmas, huh?”
“That’s right. And since we’re all here together, and our first announcement went a little sideways…”
“A little.” Sunday cups her belly, and we share a laugh.
Nolan nods and raises a brow. “Okay, more than a little. Nevertheless, Misty and I thought we’d try it again—this time we’re going to have a gender reveal after dessert.”
“During dessert,” Misty corrects. “We’ll cut into the cake, and if it’s blue on the inside, it’s a boy, pink it’s a girl. We don’t know ourselves. I gave the results directly to the bakery.” She reaches out and picks up Sunday’s hand. “I’m scared spitless, I’m so darn excited! But I know whether we have the same gender or not, our kids will be close.” She looks to me with tears flickering in her eyes. “I for one am thrilled with the way things worked out. And I’m so relieved you’re the father.” She gives a little shrug. “I’ve been rooting for the two of you for years.”
Nolan thumps my arm with a light sock. “Me, too.”
Sunday is quick to swat him. “No, you have not!”
“I was”— he holds up a hand in the event she’s moved to strike again—“on the inside.”
Mom takes a breath, then exhales as if she dropped a granite boulder she’s had on her back for years. She looks to Sunday. “I’ll be honest, the day we met, I said ‘now that’s a cute girl for Our Seth.’”
I’m ashamed to say that Our Seth is an actual moniker gifted to me by my parents. They’ve been prone to shelter and coddle, and those are two traits I don’t plan on taking with me on my own parental journey. But the kindness, the generosity, the faith, the positivity, the work ethic, all of those wonderful attributes they’ve instilled in me are coming along for the ride.