Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 43456 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 217(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43456 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 217(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
EPILOGUE
TOMCAT
Istood in the corner of the exam room, my arms folded across my chest, doing my best to keep my expression blank and appear unfazed. Meanwhile, my heart hammered like I'd just pulled 7Gs in an F-35, and my palms were sweating like some green recruit. Linden sat on the table, wearing a thin gown, her eyes wide and bright as she glanced nervously between me and the ultrasound machine next to her.
My gut tightened. I didn't like seeing her anxious, but hell, my own nerves were giving me enough trouble. I didn't know what it was about that damn machine, but something about being able to look inside my woman had me on edge. I didn't like anyone else seeing what was mine—even if it was some friendly sixty-something tech who’d come highly recommended by Razor and Flint.
Barbara smiled reassuringly at Linden as she lifted the bottle of ultrasound gel. “It might be a little cold, dear. Sorry about that.”
“Why is it always cold?” I growled quietly from the corner, scowling at the bottle. “They can’t invent a bottle warmer or some shit?”
Linden shot me a look, her lips quirking up. “It’s fine, Keegan.”
“It’s bullshit,” I muttered under my breath, glaring harder when Barbara laughed softly.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Connelly,” Barbara said, amusement in her tone as she squirted a generous amount of gel onto Linden’s stomach. “I’ll be gentle.”
My eyes narrowed slightly, instantly suspicious. “You do this a lot?”
“Only for forty-two years.” Barbara didn’t even blink. “You’re welcome to check my credentials again.”
Linden tried to hide her soft giggle behind her hand, and I felt some of the tension ease from my shoulders. I moved closer, resting my hand protectively on her shoulder as Barbara positioned the wand over the gel.
“Okay, let’s take a look,” Barbara murmured, adjusting the screen so Linden and I both had a clear view.
The black-and-white image on the monitor flickered and shifted. My throat went dry, the sound in the room fading until it felt like my heartbeat was the loudest thing in the room.
Then there it was.
Our baby.
Barbara smiled as she pointed at the tiny pulsing shape on the screen. “There’s your little peanut.” A rhythmic whooshing sound suddenly filled the room. “And that’s the heartbeat.”
The faint, rapid flutter filled the room, strong and steady, and I suddenly couldn’t breathe. I stared at the screen, mesmerized by the tiny life we’d created, and a rush of emotion hit me so hard it was almost overwhelming.
“Keegan,” Linden whispered, squeezing my hand tightly. “You okay?”
I cleared my throat. “Yeah, little dove. Just…damn.” I swallowed hard, my voice hoarse. “That’s our kid.”
“Yeah.” She smiled, her eyes shiny with tears. “That’s our baby.”
For a moment, I just stood there, staring at the screen in stunned silence. This woman was carrying my child. It hit me with a force that nearly dropped me to my knees.
“Everything looks perfect,” Barbara murmured. “Healthy heartbeat and right on track for how far along you are.”
I barely heard her, my eyes still locked on the screen. Linden squeezed my hand again, bringing me back. I glanced down at her, my chest tightening at the love and happiness shining in her eyes. And I realized something then that sank deep into my bones.
I’d been flying all my life, but this was the first moment I’d ever felt completely grounded.
Later that evening, I walked into the bathroom, and Linden smirked at me through the reflection as she stood at the mirror, brushing her teeth. When she was done, she grinned widely. “You seemed pretty moved during the rest of the ultrasound.”
I quirked a brow as I walked up behind her, crowding her until she had nowhere to move. Then I caged her in with my hands on the edge of the counter on both sides of her.
“I was happy.”
“Yes, but I’m pretty sure I detected some suspicious moisture in your eyes.”
Scoffing, I muttered, “Don’t know what you’re talking about, little dove.”
My expression made it clear that she should stop there and not head in the direction I was sure she was going.
“Your eyes were definitely a little teary back there,” she replied with a giggle.
My chest pressed firmly against her back as I moved my hands to rest low on her belly, still flat but soon-to-be beautifully swollen.
“You think you’re funny, huh?” I growled softly, dipping my head to bite gently at her neck.
Her breath hitched, the toothbrush she was still holding clattering to the sink. “Maybe a little.”
“Hmm.” My fingers slid beneath the edge of her shirt, tracing slow, deliberate circles over her soft skin.
She shivered, then teased, “You know, it doesn’t make you less manly to cry.”
“Careful, little dove,” I growled. “Or I just might need to remind you how manly I can be.”
Her eyes met mine in the mirror, dark and hungry. “Please do.”