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  “How about Matthew?” she asked.

  “Too common,” Body said. “How about we make it his middle name?”

  “Okay, then what do you suggest for the first?” Brody was silent for a moment before announcing, “Grayson. We can call him Gray.”

  “Grayson Matthew Gillis.” Marie tested the name and opened her eyes to look at him. “I like it a lot.”

  “Then we have a name?” he asked with a grin.

  “We have a name,” Marie replied and moaned as he went back to rubbing her feet. “You do that so well. My feet are in heaven right now.”

  “You keep making sounds like that and I’ll have you naked in the blink of an eye,” Brody said.

  She met his gaze and saw desire there that instantly enflamed her. But her self-esteem issues about her body stopped her and she frowned. “Don’t say things like that when you don’t mean it.”

  “What do you mean I don’t mean it?” She heard confusion in his voice.

  She made a frustrated sound. “Because look at me, I’m huge and round in the middle and certainly not sexy.”

  “That’s bullshit. To me you are always sexy,” Brody retorted. “I’ve been trying to keep my hands off you because I figured you weren’t in the mood.”

  “Oh, I’ve been in nothing but the mood, but…”

  “But nothing.” Brody took the earphones off her belly and whispered to the baby growing there. “Night, buddy, it’s mom and dad time.”

  “What are you doing?” she questioned.

  “I’m going to go grab my shower and then I’m making love to my woman,” he said firmly. “Do you disagree?” His eyes said he would take no refusal, not that she could think of a good one anyway.

  “No, I don’t disagree,” she said meekly.

  “Good. That’s my girl.” He leaned over and kissed her hard.

  Marie was unsure of what to do. Before she was pregnant, she would have been naked in the shower with him. In the end, she decided to stay in bed and wait for him to make the first move. Pregnancy had made a very sexually aggressive Marie into a tamed kitten. She didn’t know if she liked the change. Insecurity was not an emotion she had very often. Brody came out of the shower a few minutes later, walked into the bedroom very naked and his cock erect. Her breath caught looking at him as he dimmed the lights and moved over to the bed. He slid under the covers and pulled her into his arms, kissing her temples, her eyes and finally her lips.

  “You’re beautiful to me Marie Watson, not just because of your body, but who you are,” he murmured. “You try to be so brave all the time and you don’t have to be. I’m here, to hold you and catch you when you fall.”

  “I have family, but we’re not close, so I consider myself alone. I never had any close friends until I met Ivy and then it was even a battle to let myself believe she had good intentions and wasn’t trying to get something out of me.” Marie sighed and felt tears fill her eyes. “I’m so scared I won’t know how to be a good mother or a good woman to you. For a long time I thought that Charlie was the way he was because I wasn’t good enough. I put on a good act, but I’m mucking through the world the best way I can, the only way I know how.”

  He cupped her cheeks and looked into her eyes. “Baby, you don’t have to pretend with me, not ever. And Charlie wasn’t your fault, he’s a fucking defect. He won’t be in our lives this night or any night. Put him out of your mind forever.”

  “Oh, Brody, he couldn’t even come close to walking in your footsteps,” Marie said. “Through it all you’ve been so kind and good.”

  “Because it’s you, Marie, damn woman, that has made me this way.

  Until I met you, I was just a soldier, would do my job, go home, throw mindless parties, but it all felt empty. Damn, I wanted to be the one you loved from that very first night.”

  “Oh, Brody, I do love you. I’m just so scared at failing at everything,” Marie whispered.

  “You won’t, baby, trust me, a person like you never fails.” He smiled gently. “We’re going to be great parents and we’ll figure it out together.”

  “Okay,” Marie whispered and kissed him. “You’re right. We can do this. Together, we can do this.”

  Brody kissed her gently at first and then again with more passion. She clung to his shoulders while his tongue penetrated her mouth and his hands roamed up under her night shirt to cup her breasts.

  “Let me make love to you like the goddess you are,” he whispered. He helped lift the nightshirt from her body and then slowly removed her panties. They weren’t her usual lacy things; instead, she was now wearing pregnancy underwear from Target since they were the most comfortable.

  Yet Brody didn’t seem to notice, peeling them away from her skin with a long groan and cupping her sex. She felt his fingers slip between the lips of her pussy and she shuddered in his arms.

  “I can smell your scent, you’re thick and swollen and wet against my fingers,” Brody murmured. “I want to be inside you already.”

  “Yes,” she whispered.

  “Not yet, love, not yet.” Brody’s voice was harsh with desire.

  He cupped her breasts and licked each nipple. He squeezed the heavy globes and she watched as tiny beads of a milky white substance beaded at the tip.

  This time Brody’s groan was filled with awe. “You’re making breast milk already?”

  “It’s not really breast milk, not yet. It’s called colostrum. It’s what the baby will need for the first few days. It has antibodies…” She laughed.

  “You probably don’t want to hear all about that, a mood killer.”

  “On the contrary.” He licked the tip of her breast taking the beads of liquid with his tongue. “I almost came just thinking about tasting it, tasting you at the same time.”

  “Suck them harder, please,” she whispered.

  Brody did as she asked and Marie cried out as his hot mouth closed over the sensitive nub. He pulled the hard beaded tip and his moan was guttural. She knew he got another taste and it turned him on more. His hips moved reflexively and she could feel his cock primed and ready to take her. He moved to the second breast, repeating the action while she held his head to her breast. It felt so good she felt herself grow wet. Brody kissed his way down her stomach and when she felt his hot breath and lips against her core she gripped the sheets as pleasure washed over her in waves. She felt him penetrate her with one digit moving it slowly, almost tortuously, in and out.

  “Oh, please, Brody,” she whimpered.

  “Nice and slow,” he said huskily. “We’ve fucked, now we’re going to make love. I’m going to take you to heights you’ve never been.” He moved from between her legs and lay close to her. She tasted her own essence on his lips as he kissed her and felt his fingers probe and enter her once more. He thrust them slowly into her, each time going a bit deeper, finding that spot that made her body tremble and her pussy tighten around him. Her head fell back against the pillow and she arched as he pleasured her with his hand. She could feel his eyes on her and she reached between their bodies to stroke his cock in rhythm to his fingers thrusting into her snatch. His groan reverberated through her, yet he kept his own pace, not changing it even as her hips rose faster, her silent way of pleading for release, until she finally crested in her orgasm with a cry. It washed over her like a warm blanket and left her panting.

  “I love watching your face when you come,” he said gruffly.

  “I want to feel you inside me.”

  With his help, she lay on her side and he put one of her legs over his hard muscled thighs. She felt the tip of his cock at the entrance of her sex.

  He slipped into her slowly and because of her pregnancy, the lips of her pussy seemed thicker and each glide of his cock more erotic. Brody slowly caressed her belly and reached up to cup her breasts, fondling the nipples and massaging the heavy globes until she was panting with renewed arousal.

  “Oh, Brody, more,” she said and he thrust deeper into her soaking wet snatch.
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  “Oh, you feel so damn good,” he moaned against her neck.

  “Come with me,” she pleaded as sensations assaulted her. Everything felt so heightened and she could feel herself falling into another orgasm.

  He picked up his speed and she could feel his cock thickening inside her. His breath was harsh in her ear as he called her name. She could hear the agony of his pleasure in his voice as he reached for the pinnacle of completion. Marie closed her eyes and let it overtake her. She cried out as her release rocketed through her body. Brody followed and a harsh guttural sound was ripped from his throat. She felt his seed fill her and complete the union once more. Once before, their coupling made them parents and now it was as if it sealed their connection as a couple.

  “That was incredible,” he breathed and snuggled up to her kissing her shoulders gently.

  “It was. I need to get cleaned up, it’s kind of uncomfortable with wet soaking girl parts.” She laughed and then winced. “Ouch.” He was instantly alarmed. “Did I hurt you? Shit, do we need to head to the hospital?”

  “No, just Braxton Hicks contractions. Grayson probably wants ice cream or a donut,” she said.

  “Okay, you lie back and I’ll get you cleaned up and then I’ll run downstairs for both.” Brody was up and moving before she could even answer.

  She didn’t complain as he cleaned her with a warm cloth and helped her back into her undies. Then they lay in bed and shared a bowl of ice cream and a donut before settling down for sleep.

  “Marry me.” He turned and wrapped his arm around her, lacing his fingers with hers.

  “We don’t have to get married. We’re good the way we are,” she murmured.

  “Baby, I understand that you have insecurities because of your ex—”

  “If you understand, then you won’t rush me,” she said in a subdued tone.

  “How about we get the marriage license and when you’re ready we can just do it? If it expires I’ll do it over and over again until you finally take the plunge with me,” he offered. “I love you and I want to marry you.”

  “I love you too.” Marie gave a thoughtful sigh. “Okay, we can get the license, but I don’t think I’m going to be ready anytime soon.”

  “I understand, but at least I’ll have your name next to mine saying you’re going to marry me eventually,” Brody teased.

  “Is that all you need to make you happy?” she murmured.

  “No, I need you to make me happy. I’ll always need you.” Brody turned her face and kissed her softly. “I’ll just wait until you catch up with the fact that I’m not going anywhere. No, shh, don’t answer. Let me get my beauty sleep.”

  She laughed out loud at that and he pulled her close. Marie fell asleep with his hands caressing her stomach and baby Grayson’s gentle kicks as if in answer to his father’s touch. She knew he wasn’t going anywhere.

  She already loved him to distraction, but things changed didn’t they? Men could be one way and then the other. She wanted to believe him and should believe him, yet something kept her from taking that very important step, one that would change her life completely. Marriage to Brody would mean she would have to actually commit to being happy or commit to having her heart broken again. But she did have hope and excitement about their future together. Did she dare believe that she, Marie Watson, could have a happy ending?

  Chapter Six

  Her maternity leave officially began when she was eight months along.

  She was having more Braxton Hicks contractions and the baby was now turned head down which the midwife said was natural and normal. It was Grayson’s way of getting ready for birth and Marie was feeling heavier and more uncomfortable. Brody was still working, of course. One couldn’t take time off from the military. But something was up, because he and Rafe had loosely mentioned a change may be coming so both she and Ivy were curious and a little worried. It had become one of the topics they spoke of frequently when they were together. Ivy was moving along in her pregnancy and mostly on bed rest because of some spotting she was having. Marie was worried enough that she called Ivy every day and Rafe took Bonnie to daycare instead of leaving her home for Ivy to manage.

  Rafe’s mother and father had become Ivy’s guardian, so to speak, and were at the house almost every day. But the lack of anything to do and boredom was driving Ivy crazy, so Marie planned prenatal massages for them at a local spa. When Ivy’s doctor signed off that she could go, Marie took the big suburban to pick her up.

  “This thing is a tank,” Ivy said as she climbed into the passenger seat.

  “With this belly, I can’t sit behind the wheel of the Acura anymore, let alone get down low enough to actually slide into it,” Marie said. “And it doesn’t have warming seats.”

  Ivy laughed. “Good point. It feels great on the back. You’ve got about eight weeks left. You must be excited.”

  “It’s April now. I wish that June would hurry up and get here.” Marie maneuvered the suburban toward the exit they needed. “I feel like a beached whale.”

  “You’re telling me, I feel completely useless just lying around.” Ivy sighed. “I cannot stand that Rafe and his parents have to take on such a burden.”

  “They don’t consider you or what you’re going through a burden, Ivy,” Marie said gently.

  “Well, the doctor said if I stop spotting for at least a week, he’ll let me get back to cooking and other light tasks.” Ivy clapped her hands. “I’ll be able to get off that darn couch and play with Bonnie.”

  “That sounds good. I’ll come over and hang out with you guys.” Marie laughed. “I wish you were going to the midwife clinic with me.”

  “Me too, but because I’m high risk we couldn’t take the chance. But I did sign up for a doula to be with us in the delivery room,” Ivy said.

  “You’re still going to be there, right?”

  “You know it. Brody will be an old pro at labor and delivery by then and he can keep Rafe from freaking out.” Marie laughed.

  Ivy chuckled. “Rafe’s mom is excited to watch Bonnie and Grayson.

  But there’s more news.”

  “Oh, do tell,” Marie encouraged.

  “It’s twins. The doctor confirmed yesterday, one of each.” Ivy was grinning wide.

  “Oh, my god!” Marie squealed. “Wait, how come they didn’t see this sooner?”

  “They did, but honestly they didn’t even know if one would make it let alone two and the girl is smaller,” Ivy replied. “We kept it close to the chest because Dr. Stein thought maybe we’d lose one, but they are both thriving.”

  “How is Rafe taking the news?” Marie asked.

  “Well, let’s just say he looks panicked when we talk about the babies,” Ivy said. “This is going to be my only birth. The doctor thinks it’s a miracle enough I got pregnant with all the scarring.” Marie felt her heart ache for her friend. She wanted more children eventually, but Ivy wouldn’t have that chance. “At least our kids will be growing up together.”

  “I hope so. I’m worried that our men may spring something bad on us,” Ivy said.

  Marie chewed her bottom lip worriedly for a moment before saying, “I believe it will be something good, for all of us.”

  They pulled into the Oasis Spa and soon were getting onto memory foam covered massage tables that curved around their burgeoning stomachs. Their skin was warmed while the masseuse worked on their bodies. Marie actually fell asleep while she was being worked on. The pressure and tight muscles of her back eased and Grayson seemed content and the false contractions calmed. By the time they came out she felt refreshed and re-energized. The masseuse even rubbed her belly with warm oils and talked to her son while doing do. Marie was sure that he was in bliss, happily snug in the cocoon of her womb. They had an early lunch before she took Ivy back home and went on to her house. She pulled into the driveway and parked the suburban and noticed that Brody’s corvette was there.

  “Hmm, home for lunch, are you?” she murmured to herself.
She opened the door, stepped through and called out, “Come out, come out, where ever you are.”

  “I’m not hiding. I’m in the living room,” he said and she turned. Brody was sitting amidst pieces of green plastic and assorted nuts, screws and bolts.

  “What’s all this?” Marie asked.

  “I saw these at the commissary and had to get them.” He held up the boxes. “A baby swing for those nights when he’s cranky, and then a vibrating bouncy seat thingy.”

  “Uh-huh, and you had to rush home and put them together,” Marie said amused. The look on his face was priceless, like it was Christmas and his birthday all in one.

  “Well, I’m having an extended lunch. Rafe gave the team a few hours downtime before the training exercise tonight,” Brody said and stood up.

  “So I came home to my best girl and my best baby.” He rubbed her belly.

  “How is he doing in there?”

  “Trying to take over the world from the womb,” Marie teased. She backed up as he stepped forward, giggling as he cornered her against the counter that separated the kitchen from the living and dining area. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m about to give my favorite girl a kiss,” he murmured. He did so and it became one of those lip locks that make your breath hitch in your chest. He trailed kisses down her neck and made a sound of pleasure.

  “Hey, you smell good.”

  She shivered. “We went for massages today. It’s probably the oils you smell. They used a lot of lavender.”

  “So they rubbed it all over you?” he questioned.

  “All over,” she murmured as desire caused wetness to pool between her legs. “I was very relaxed after.”

  “Take off your clothes,” he ordered softly.

  “Right here?” she asked breathlessly.

  He nodded and started working on his uniform. “Uh-huh, right here, right now. I swear I can’t seem to get enough of you.” Marie pulled her sweater over her head and shimmied out of her tights, taking her panties with it. “I swear being pregnant has made me hornier than ever.”