27. Matt

TWENTY-SEVEN

MATT

"We can stay home."

Ranger leaned against the door, arms crossed in what I called his sexy pose. He knew it turned me on, but I was so heavily pregnant, any sexy time would have to be him giving me a blow job.

I was at the swollen ankles, can't get comfortable, don't know what to eat, and I want this baby out of me stage of pregnancy.

Lying in bed, flat on my back with my favorite TV program playing, it was tempting to cancel our attendance at the weekly family lunch at my father-in-law's.

"No." I outstretched my arms, and Ranger heaved me up. "We'll probably miss a few Sundays when the baby arrives, so let's not cancel."

Rudy enjoyed having his expanding family around, and Uncle Arnie was excited because one of his grandsons was visiting. I wanted to meet Treyton, because his grandfather was a special man and we'd connected on that first meeting at the cabin.

Memories of that place and what had almost happened to me and Josh had been banished most of the time. But every so often, I'd refresh the incident in my head. I couldn't imagine going back there, and the extensive repairs being done to the grounds had delayed any family visits. But I was determined I would return when I was ready.

When that would be, I couldn't say. I'd have to summon my courage before taking a step onto that land, especially since the earth had claimed Dane's body.

But I was in baby mode and I banished Dane from my head.

The situation with Josh hadn't changed and there'd been no contact. I hoped he'd found peace during his stay in the woods.

My mate helped me into the shower, and I sat on a chair designed for the elderly while the water washed over me. Ranger soaped me up because our baby had stolen my energy. I was looking forward to getting it back and meeting our little one.

"Dad's been messaging non-stop." Ranger dried me, and we moved into the bedroom.

"About us coming?"

"No. He's excited about Treyton."

Other than Uncle Arnie's annual visits to his sons and their families, no one had seen Treyton or his brothers since they were toddlers.

"And Uncle Arnie is too, but he burned some of the food and had to start again."

"No!" That never happened. His excitement must have combined with nerves. Poor guy. I wanted to give him a hug ‘cause he always gave me the best ones, his arms wrapped tightly around me.

Ranger got a bottle of red wine from the wine cooler in the pantry and plain soda water and apple juice for me.

He tucked his arm in mine. With my enormous belly, my center of gravity had shifted, and I was prone to swaying and keeling over. Ranger wanted a bodyguard to walk two paces behind me at all times in case I fell. But I was so wiped out, I was at home most of the day, and I didn't want some guy invading my privacy.

I dozed on the drive to Rudy's and a tap on my mating hand woke me. We'd arrived and were the last here judging by the cars. I rubbed my belly, regretting my decision to come.

"Don't suppose we can sneak out the gate and go home."

"Too late."

My father-in-law opened the front door and raced out. Tony called Rudy's home the chocolate-box cottage, and it did remind me of something from a fairy tale.

"I wasn't sure you'd make it." He hugged me, or as much of me as he could. Rudy was tiny and I was too, but there was a huge bump between us. "I thought my third grandchild may be on the way."

"Not yet." The baby kicked my ribs to remind me they were still in there. "And I need to pee."

I made a dash for the bathroom, and when I emerged, everyone was gathered around Treyton. As usual, everyone in the Durand family was talking over one another. That was their thing and I was used to it. But Treyton was edging toward the kitchen where Uncle Arnie was cooking, his pale cheeks and clenched jaw signs that he was a tad overwhelmed.

Flint took charge after a nudge from Tony and told everyone to back off.

I waved to Treyton from a distance and introduced myself before sagging into an armchair. Ranger brought me a footstool and a glass of soda water with a splash of apple juice.

"Wanna check out my new car?" Hunter held up a key fob. The Durand brothers and their dad, along with the grandkids, hotfooted it outside to inspect the vehicle, and as they were leaving, Ranger mentioned I was tired.

"Please tell me he's not trying to bring down the government," Hunter quipped.

Ahhh, my brother-in-law, the joker.

I closed my eyes, enjoying the peace.

"Hauling a baby around is no joke." Tony sat beside me sipping a glass of soda.

"Mmmm. Our little one has sapped my energy the last few days. The only time I get out of bed or off the couch is to go to the bathroom."

Treyton poked his head out of the kitchen. "Maybe you're in early labor."

I was instantly awake. How did a kid in college know about labor symptoms?

"And you know this how?" Tony's skeptical tone mirrored my own thoughts.

"I'm doing a nursing degree. Didn't Grandpa tell you?"

"Oh yes, he did mention it." Tony nodded. My brother-in-law gave me a look.

"That's right. He did." Arnie talked abut his grandkids a lot, but he never mentioned specifics.

"If you're in labor, I can deliver your baby." Treyton's face lit up. "That'd be so cool."

There were so many reasons why I didn't want to give birth surrounded by the Durand family who'd be yelling when to push, how to breathe, and after the birth, everyone would argue the baby looked like them.

"I haven't had any contractions, just a dull ache in my lower body and a sore back."

Shit! Even I'd read about lower back pain signaling labor. "Ranger!"

My mate was by my side before I'd heaved myself out of the chair. "The baby?"

"Yeah. We have plenty of time. Let's go home." And right on cue, a contraction gripped my belly. "Owww. That wasn't nice. I don't like that."

"How do I make it go away?" Ranger put a hand on the bump.

Despite my discomfort, I almost laughed. My adoring mate demanded of the universe that my existence be pain-free after what happened at the cabin. Though he couldn't control fate, he'd done his best to coddle me and love me enough to block out the bad memories.

Unlike most couples, Ranger and I had to overcome a lot to be together. We'd muddled along, him holding my mating hand as we maneuvered through our new life, allowing the pain of what happened to fade. And I nurtured our growing baby while my mate looked after me.

"I'll boil water," Uncle Arnie offered.

"We're not going to make it home, babe." I had no intention of giving birth in the car or beside the road.

"Use my bedroom," Rudy offered. "Unless you want to give birth in the garden."

Nope. I wasn't going to endure labor while being bitten by ants and swatting away mosquitoes.

"Can I help?" Treyton stood on tippy toes, his body shimmering with anticipation, reminding me of an excitable puppy waiting for a new toy.

I couldn't crush his enthusiasm, but I needed Ranger, not someone I'd just met. I sensed the tension in my mate. His body was practically whirring. Being about to give birth, I shouldn't have to manage two wolf shifters, one of whom was my mate who was posturing over the younger shifter.

"I want Ranger with me, but if I need help, I'll ask your advice."

Treyton now reminded me of a trained seal as he did a clappy dance.

I grunted as another contraction took hold of my belly. I hummed, the vibrations blunting the cramping pain a little.

When it was over, Ranger led me into his dad's room, and Rudy scooted in before my mate could close the door, holding a cooler.

"Hey, not fair," Treyton grumbled from outside.

"I was with Tony during both his labors," Rudy insisted.

Gods, if I had to separate Ranger and his dad, I'd lose it.

"Are we planning a party?" I jerked my head at the cooler.

"Ice chips." Rudy grinned.

"Give me, please." I allowed the ice to melt on my tongue.

Rudy gave me an oversized T-shirt, and my mate helped me out of my paternity clothes. I rested my head on Ranger's chest, not knowing whether I wanted to walk, crouch, or lie on my back. I chose walking because I imagined the movement helping to get the baby closer to birth.

"What's happening?" Treyton yelled.

"Contractions," I shouted back.

"Do you want me to scare the shit out of him?" Ranger was already headed for the door.

"I heard that, and ewww, that would be messy," Treyton shot back.

"He reminds me of you." Ranger slapped a hand on his brow. "Always with an answer."

"Is that a compliment?" Treyton mumbled.

After much more cramping, pain, and walking, the sun set, and Rudy closed the curtains. The carpet from the bedroom door to the bathroom was flattened. The contractions were closer together and more painful, but I had no urge to push.

I was exhausted, and Rudy insisted I lie down and rest. While I didn't see how that was possible, I was able to snatch a little sleep between contractions.

"What's happening now?" Treyton shouted.

"He's still there?" Ranger was sitting beside me on the mattress feeding me ice chips.

"I'm trying to sleep," I snapped.

"Oops. Sorry." Treyton didn't sound one bit sorry.

"Ouch." A contraction took hold of my bump, my belly hardening. "That was stronger."

"Great." Treyton wasn't going away. "You'll be holding your baby soon."

I yanked off the tee and studied the mattress. Nope, not that. Squatting was what I needed.

"Help me down." Ranger supported me while I got on my haunches, and he squatted in front of me. Rudy got behind me. I rocked back and forth and moaned.

"I need to push."

"Yes!" That was Treyton. Again.

My body was on fire as I grunted and pushed, sort of expecting the baby to pop out. But nothing. Damn, I wasn't there yet.

"You can do this, Matt." Treyton was offering encouragement.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence."

More cursing, groaning, and bellowing from me. My body wasn't my own. It'd been taken over by my child who wasn't as eager to be born as I would have liked.

Gods, was I pushing out a watermelon or a basketball?

"The head," Rudy yelled.

"The head." Treyton again.

"The head." Ranger peered between my legs. He kissed my mating hand and joined it with my other. Holding both, he placed a hand under me on top of Rudy's. "You got this. We've got this."

Closing my eyes and using my last bit of strength, I pushed, and Ranger whispered, "I have the baby's head in my hand." I reached down and ran my fingers over our little one's scalp.

More pushing and the shoulders were out, and finally, our baby. Rudy bundled our little one in a blanket while Ranger carried me to the bed. I unwrapped our son… a son, and I kissed his damp brow while admiring the dark hair stuck to his scalp. I placed the baby on my belly, and Ranger climbed in beside me, pulling the covers over us.

Rudy left us, saying he'd get food.

"Good job, Dad."

I was beginning to like Treyton. "Thanks."

A huge cheer went up.

"You all waited?"

"Of course we did," everyone chorused. "We need to see who he resembles."