Chapter 31

thirty-one

The evening sky cast a purple haze over the city as Fiona let herself into her condo. She toed off her loafers and locked the door, fighting back a yawn. For days , she'd struggled with unrelenting fatigue. Now she understood why.

Cam smiled as he headed down the hall, dressed in white athletic shorts and a gray sleeveless top. "Here she is."

"Here I am." Returning his smile, she set her keys in the bowl on the entryway table. "Is Brady asleep?"

He nodded, closing the distance between them, wrapping his arms around her waist. "At this point, I don't know why we're bothering with books. We hardly made it past the second page before he conked out."

She chuckled as she locked her wrists at the back of his neck. "He's had a busy couple of days."

"Definitely." He kissed her. "After his shower, he asked if we could lie down and read."

She raised her brow. "Wow."

"That's what I'm saying." He kissed her again. "We went back to the park before we grabbed dinner. We tried one of those scooter-share things for five or six blocks to get us back home."

She laughed. "He must have loved that."

Cam grinned as he nodded. "I went pretty slow because we weren't wearing helmets, but he still had a blast. You should plan on hearing about that for at least the next week."

She smiled, savoring that Cam held her in his arms. That he and Brady were here. That everything felt right again. "I look forward to it."

His mouth met hers for the third time. "Tell me about you. Are you okay? Do you need anything to eat?"

She shook her head. "Leo and I ordered in at the office—a grilled chicken and sweet potato dish with tons of grilled veggies."

Cam grinned, sliding his hands up her arms. "It sounds like a feast."

"It sort of was."

"You're feeling all right?"

She nodded, touched that he was so concerned. "I'm a little tired, but otherwise, I'm great. Doctor Miller called about an hour ago. I figured you were getting Brady settled into bed, so I wanted to wait until I got home to tell you."

"What did she say? Is everything okay?"

She nodded. "Basically, she repeated what the sonographer said. I don't have any fibroids."

"Fi, that's great."

She nodded again. "At this point, I'm on track for a normal, healthy pregnancy. I can partake in all my usual activities."

He hugged her. "That's awesome."

She hugged him back, relieved all over again. "I told her I'm moving, so she's going to help me find an OB in Vermont. She's suggesting another scan in a couple of weeks just to be sure nothing pops up."

"I'm all for another look at our kiddo."

She grinned. "Me too."

He sighed, resting his forehead against hers. "This is going to be good, Fi. Our family of four."

She nodded. "It really is."

"I guess we're all set to tell our parents."

She beamed, thrilled at the thought. Because she knew the doctors' news about her possible infertility had devastated her mother, even though her mom had never said so. "How about tomorrow morning? We can get up early before Brady and FaceTime."

"Definitely." Then Cam winced. "But I'm on your mom's shit list."

She laughed. "No, you're not. She texted me while I was at the office. She knows you and Brady are here. That we worked things out."

"Then let's make three people crazy happy in the morning."

She grinned. "I can't wait . And I get to tell Melody in person when we go home. I'll have to talk to her about instituting yoga on Wednesday nights for us girls."

"Feel free to wear that pink outfit."

She grinned. "I can make that happen."

He chuckled. "Did you have a chance to talk to Simone?"

"I did."

"How did that go?"

"Surprisingly well. I told her about the pregnancy and that I want to leave after Leo and I finish things up with the governor's family. It's short notice, which isn't great, but I haven't started any major projects with the chaos of the wedding."

He nodded. "So she wasn't upset?"

She shook her head. "She actually wished me the best of luck. And she's waving the non-compete clause, which shocked the hell out of me."

"That's good, Fi."

She shrugged, still not entirely sure that it was. "I don't know whether I should be insulted or just take the win."

He chuckled. "I'd say take the win. Simone not following through with legalities has nothing to do with your talents. Maybe she's not worried about you taking over the market from Maple Ridge, Vermont."

She snorted out a laugh. "Yeah, probably not."

He rested his forehead against hers. "But you could. If you wanted to. Because you're a major ass-kicker."

"Aw," she said as she grinned. "I love that you think so, but I have no desire to corner the market. I see myself taking on events part-time and enjoying our family for the foreseeable future."

"That sounds really good. But it's whatever you want—whatever makes you happy."

" You make me happy," she said as she kissed his chin. " Brady makes me happy." She kissed the left side of his mouth. "This baby makes me happy." Then she pressed her mouth to the right side of his lips.

He groaned, capturing her mouth, taking her deeper with each glide of his tongue. "Fi," he whispered, bringing his palms up to cup her breasts before he froze and dropped them.

She frowned as she eased back. "What's wrong? What are you doing?"

He shook his head. "I'm sorry. I miss being with you. I miss touching you. But that doesn't mean you want my hands on you right now."

She grabbed his hands, settling them back against her breasts. "I need to get out of these clothes. I need to take a shower."

He raised his brow. "Are you sure?"

She nodded. "I won't deny that I'm a little nervous. I don't want to do anything that will jeopardize the pregnancy, but Dr. Miller said sex is okay, and we've been having pregnancy sex for weeks. We just didn't know it."

"That's true, but we don't have to."

It was easy to see the concern in his eyes—to see that he was nervous, too. "I want to. I want you as much as you want me. Come take a shower with me."

Nodding, he picked her up, walking down the hall and through her bedroom, closing them into the en suite and turning on the light.

She moaned as he set her down, pressing her up against the door.

He went after her neck with several kisses. "It feels like it's been forever."

She pulled his shirt up and off, tracing her hands over his excellent pecs, eager to get him undressed. "It does."

He sent her top to join his on the floor, then pulled at the front clasp on her bra, staring at her breasts as he caressed her nipples to points. "They look different."

She nodded. "They're a bit fuller."

"You're so gorgeous ," he said, kissing and suckling gently.

She let her head fall back as she moaned, savoring the tingles of pleasure.

He ditched his shorts and boxers before he went after the button on her pants, taking her panties with them. Making quick work of opening the glass door and turning on the shower faucet, he pulled her in under the spray.

She gasped as the warming water hit them.

"It'll be hot in here in just a second."

She grinned as he did—as their hair became soaked under the cascade.

His smile faded as he slid his thumb along her bottom lip. "I missed this, Fi—being with you like this."

She locked her wrists around the back of his neck, staring at the way the water webbed his lashes, accentuating the gorgeous color of his eyes. "I missed you, too."

Mouths met again with more heat as his palms wandered down the sides of her waist and then her hips—as he slid his hand between her thighs and his fingers along sensitive skin already aching for him. "I missed touching you."

Her breath shuddered in and out as he found her bud—as he teased her with gentle rubs.

"So slippery," he whispered, sliding two fingers inside.

She moaned, letting her forehead rest against his chin. "That feels good."

"Good." But as he said so, he moved his fingers back to her bud, pressing circles against her. "Look at me."

Whimpering as she did, she attacked his mouth with a fevered kiss as the delicious build started in her belly. She exhaled another shaky breath, tensing as he picked up his pace with a new rhythm. "Cam. Yes."

Holding her gaze, he moved faster.

Her legs trembled now as her stomach shuddered. "Don't stop. Don't stop doing that."

He clenched his jaw.

"Cam," she fought to say as she tensed, shattering on a loud cry, throbbing against his busy fingers. "Now," she said, still coming down. "I want you right now."

Pushing her back the two steps to the corner of the cool tile, he lifted her leg, holding her thigh as he eased himself inside. " Fiona ," he groaned as he closed his eyes.

She gasped as she wrapped her arms around him, loving the way he felt nestled in her depths.

"You're okay?"

She nodded frantically. "I'm okay."

Settling one hand against the wall, he moved slowly, excruciatingly so.

"Faster," she encouraged, wanting to feel the rush again—to feel the heat he so easily brought her.

He picked up his pace. But barely.

"Cam, take me."

And then he did, pumping harder. Pumping faster.

"Yes," she said, feeling her build—hearing his as his breathing came in shuddering pants. "I'm almost there."

He stared into her eyes, moving faster yet.

Clutching herself around him, she cried out again, letting herself fall as Cam did.

"Fi," he choked out, groaning with his jerking thrusts.

Holding each other in the plume of steam, they smiled as their chests heaved.

"You're okay?" he said as he caught his breath.

She nodded. "I'm good."

He kissed her. "Right now, I'm trying to figure out why we hardly had shower sex this summer."

She laughed as he grinned. "Because once we got in bed, we didn't think about much else."

He nodded. "It's hard not to have a one-track mind when I start thinking about all the things I want to do to you."

She laughed again as he waggled his brow.

Kissing her before he released her leg, he pulled himself free of her. "We should probably wash up."

She nodded, reluctantly letting him go. "I imagine we should."

Smiling, he pumped her body wash into his hand, creating a lather. He rubbed the bubbles along her back and sides, stopping to caress her lower belly. "You're beautiful, Fiona. I love that you're carrying our baby."

Her heart melted as she stared into his eyes. "I love it, too." She pumped soap into her own hands, washing his strong chest and abs. "When we finish here, will you lie down with me for a little while?"

He nodded. "But I can't fall asleep. I want to talk to Brady before we start making any major changes."

She raised her brow. "We're having a baby. I quit my job today. I'd say it's too late for that."

He grinned. "He and I talk about the big stuff. We're a team. I want to make sure he's okay with everything before we tell him about the baby. He and I can chat while we're playing tourist tomorrow."

She nodded, adding shampoo to her hair, making quick work of lathering and washing it out before adding conditioner. "Definitely, Cam. I one hundred percent agree. There's a lot going on. Kindergarten is on the horizon, and I'm moving in with you guys… When we tell him he's going to be a big brother, I want it to be a special occasion that we make just about him."

"And that's why I love you."

"I love you, too." As she told him so, she held his gaze, frowning a little because something changed as he tried to smile. "What just happened?"

He sighed as he shrugged, washing himself now as she rinsed the conditioner away. "I need to tell Ally about us. About the baby. Mostly, I don't give a shit about what she thinks, but I also do because I need all of this to be okay for Brady."

She nodded. "Of course you do. I can stay with my mom for a while if that'll make things easier."

He shook his head. "You belong at home with me and Brady. I want you and the baby with us."

She nodded as she finished washing herself. "If that needs to change, all you have to do is tell me. Because I want this to be okay for Brady, too."

He sighed. "I really love you, Fi."

"Right back at you." She kissed him. "Now, let's grab towels and snuggle up for a while. We'll set an alarm on one of our phones so we don't have any issues."

He kissed her as he shut off the water. "Are you tired?"

She shook her head, grabbing her towel and another for Cam. "Only a little."

He dried off his stomach. "Then you probably don't need to bother with pajamas yet. Or the alarm."

She grinned as she wrapped herself in the soft cotton, opening the door to the bedroom. "I see you're still insatiable."

He shrugged, sending her towel to the floor. "What can I say? You turn me on, mama."

Cam grinned as the car he and Brady rode in made it to the top of the massive Ferris wheel. They had given the occasional ride at the regional amusement parks and Vermont State Fair a shot, but this was next-level.

" Wow !" Brady beamed from his seat on the metal bench. "We're in the sky , Dad!"

He chuckled, loving his son's excitement. They had started their day at the zoo per Brady's request. They had ridden on another scooter-share, with helmets this time, which allowed them to go much faster, but this would be the adventure he would talk about. "You've been in the sky quite a few times over the past couple of days: the plane ride, Fi's house, and now the Ferris wheel."

Brady nodded his enthusiasm. "I love it!"

Cam grinned. "I'm glad you do. Because I think we can see most of Seattle from up here."

Brady stood on his knees, pressing his face closer to the tinted glass surrounding them. "Maybe Fiona's house is in one of the buildings over there."

"It definitely is. Unfortunately, I'm not exactly sure which one. Maybe that one with the blue top."

" Wow !" Brady said again. "We have to tell Fiona we can see her house!"

"When we see her tonight, we will."

"Because she's at work, making the wedding for the governor's daughter?"

Cam nodded. "The governor's daughter is getting married tomorrow afternoon."

"The governor's daughter has lots of pretty flowers. And she has a big cake."

He smiled. "That sounds like a fancy day."

Brady nodded. "Yup."

They made it closer to the bottom when the ride stopped to let passengers on and off.

Brady sat back on his butt on the bench.

Cam cleared his throat, knowing that this was his moment. He'd been waiting for the perfect opportunity to talk to his son all day. "Since we're not up in the sky right now, I want us to chat about a couple of things."

"Okay."

Cam exhaled a quiet breath, surprised to suddenly feel nervous. Big changes were coming Brady's way—all of their way. He needed it to be okay for all of them but mostly for his son.

He and Fi had told their parents about the baby early this morning. Everyone was ecstatic . Now, it was time to start preparing his little boy for the onslaught of upcoming surprises. "It's pretty nice seeing Fiona again."

Brady nodded. "She's my best friend."

Cam nodded this time. "How would you feel if Fiona and I decided to be special friends the way we were before you were born?"

Brady's brow furrowed a little. "Like how you kissed like a mom and a dad?"

Cam nodded again. "Yeah, like that."

"Okay."

He wanted to make sure Brady truly understood. "It would be okay if you saw Fiona and me hugging and kissing sometimes?"

Brady nodded again. "Yup. Fiona gives nice hugs that make me feel happy. If Fiona gives you a hug, you can feel happy, too."

Cam blinked his surprise at Brady's level of thought, forever in love with his son's big heart. "Thanks, buddy."

"You're welcome." He looked out the windows as the car began to move again.

"Can I ask you one more thing?"

Brady met his gaze again. "Yup."

"How would you feel if Fiona came back to Vermont with us? If she lived in our house with us?"

Brady's eyes grew huge. "Fiona can live with us?"

Cam nodded. "If you and I think it's a good idea."

"Yes!" Brady launched himself into Cam's lap on the opposite bench, hugging him. "I like the way you think, Dad."

Laughing, Cam hugged him hard. "I like the way you think, too, buddy."

Brady eased back so their eyes met. "We can tell Fiona that she can be my mom now? Because moms live with boys and girls who go to big kid school."

Some of Cam's light mood dimmed with the swift reminder of the complications awaiting them back in Maple Ridge. "How about we talk about that some more when we get back to Vermont?"

Brady nodded. "Okay." Then he scrambled out of Cam's lap as their car moved closer to the top. "We're in the sky again!"

Cam pulled his phone out of his pocket, accessed his video app, then pressed record. There were a million things he and Fiona needed to figure out, but this was a beautiful moment he never wanted to forget. "Tell Grammy and Grampy hello."

Brady waved. "Hi, Grammy and Grampy. I'm at Seattle. I'm in the sky on a Ferris wheel. I'm like a bird ."

Cam chuckled, thrilled that this was a memory he would share with his son.

Life was bound to have its ups and downs over the next little while. Their new family would inevitably encounter a few bumps as they navigated unfamiliar terrain, but he wanted to treasure the time he had with Brady right now. Because everything about the present was perfect.