Chapter Eleven

Whiskey walked back into the house. He'd wanted to drop Ezra off for the overnight. Ezra had wanted to take Moss with him, so Vivi had called Winnie to make sure. She'd laughed when Winnie had only said sure they could always add more chaos. Chaos had been the perfect term for what he'd experienced in the five minutes he'd been there. Kids had been yelling, running through the rooms, and the animals had all been barking at the kids. Bear had been the calm in the storm, cuddling his youngest son in his arms.

Bear had just smiled when Phoebe jumped up from behind the couch, pelting Ezra with Nerf darts. Ezra had grinned, grabbed a Nerf gun, and returned fire, then jumped behind a recliner for cover.

Vivi wasn't in the darkened front room. He headed toward the kitchen, but the lights were off in there. He walked toward the only lit room in the hallway, the bedroom Vivi stayed in. Anticipation sang through his veins. When he'd realized Ezra was going to be gone, he hoped maybe Vivi and he could spend some time together.

The small amount of kisses they'd exchanged had only made him hunger for more. Hunger for touching and tasting every inch of her creamy skin. He'd even done research on what position would be best for them with her belly, but he didn't want a quick, one-time thing with Vivi. Each moment he spent with her made him realize he wanted her for more than a fake marriage.

He'd been hesitant to take it further because he wasn't a prize. His track record with women was nothing to brag about. His most successful relationship had lasted three months, but with Vivi, everything was different. He wanted to bring a smile to her face, take care of her and give her all the things she'd never experienced.

He took the last step to the bedroom doorway and paused at the sight greeting him. Vivi was beautiful in whatever she wore, but tonight, he was speechless. Her hair was down and he couldn't wait to run his fingers through it, but seeing her in the silky nightgown had him wanting to unwrap her. The cream-colored fabric was thin enough he could see Vivi's hardened nipples.

He stepped into the room and cleared his throat before speaking, "You're gorgeous, Vivi."

Her grin and the crook of her finger had him stepping closer. He'd imagined this moment, but now he was here, he didn't know where to start. How could he make this perfect for Vivi? She deserved something special, but he was so hard he wasn't sure he'd even last past getting inside her.

"I think one of us is a little overdressed."

Vivi's sultry voice didn't help. He ached to hold her and show her how special she was. He tugged his shirt over his head, tossing it on the dresser. He quickly unbuckled his belt and had his jeans pushed down when he realized he'd left his boots on.

"You might want to take those boots off first. I've heard your jeans are easier to slide off that way."

Vivi's giggle after she teased him had him smiling and shaking his head. She'd come a long way since he'd found her at the side of the road.

"Funny. You make me lose my senses. I've never felt like this before, Vivi."

Leaving his briefs on, he put one knee on the bed and leaned over, brushing a kiss against her mouth.

"I promise I'll cherish what you're giving me. You don't ever have to worry that I don't know how special you are."

Vivi slid over, patting the bed beside her. "I know you will. For the first time, I'm making the decision to give myself to someone. You've shown me from the first moment that you'll always take care of me. Now, show me what all the fuss is about."

Whiskey slid beside Vivi and leaned back against the headboard. He slid his arm around Vivi, claiming her mouth. Tongues and lips tasted. Vivi's tentative lips became bolder as he let her take the lead. He pulled back, leaning his forehead against hers.

"How about you crawl up on top of me? I want to taste each inch of your skin."

Vivi nodded, then slid her thigh across his, tugging her nightgown up. Her thighs were exposed, and he couldn't resist sliding a finger across her skin until he cupped her heat.

Vivi's eyes blazed at the slide of his finger over her panties. He leaned up a little until his abs brushed Vivi's belly. He could handle being a little creative if it meant he could have his woman.

"We'll have to wait on this because I've been imagining all the ways I can taste your breasts."

He slid his hand down to grasp Vivi's nightgown. He glanced at her eyes to confirm she was still okay and then slid the nightgown up and over her head. The first glimpse of her had him fighting just diving in, but Vivi deserved his best. He slid his fingers across the creamy skin of her breast, tracing a pattern until he reached her nipple. Vivi shivered, and he took his eyes away from his prize to glance into her eyes. A little dazed was exactly where he wanted her. He tugged on one turgid nipple while he brought the other to his mouth, tasting his woman's skin and licking until he got the response he'd been waiting for.

Vivi squirmed against him, then groaned. He let go and slid his hand up to her face. Vivi's eyes were hazy, but her groan sounded different. He didn't think it was with passion.

"Vivi, what's going on, baby?"

She bit down on her lip and groaned again, her thighs tightening against his.

"Umm, my back has been hurting all day, but I thought it was just normal back pains. I've been waiting to be alone with you. Ooooh."

Whiskey slid one hand around Vivi's back, then placed his other hand against her belly. Her belly was hard. Rock hard. He'd been thinking about when Vivi went into labor, but every time he did, he pushed it away because it scared the freaking crap out of him. Now, he was paying for his avoidance.

"Vivi, baby, are you in labor?"

He had to wait on her because she was breathing in and out slowly with her eyes closed. Her eyes opened, and she nodded. The weight of her stare as she looked to him for comfort and reassurance that they could do this.

He leaned up and kissed her lips. "Vivi, we've got this. Let's get you ready. I can't wait to meet our Little Tot."

Her smile in response had him starting to lift her as a gush of wetness splashed onto his crotch. He bit his lip, trying to tell himself it was just water and not all the amniotic fluid that had drenched him. He was not screwing up Little Tot's birth story by puking all over the floor, but he couldn't control his shudder.

Vivi chuckled and then full out laughed. "Oh, your face. I get it. It's gross, but it's not like I peed on you. Now, help me up so we can get cleaned up."

Whiskey helped Vivi up and into the bathroom. She shooed him out while she cleaned up a little. He stripped the bed and had the plastic cover underneath a new set of sheets in minutes. Vivi and Stella had discussed the baby's birth multiple times. Vivi was determined to have a home birth because the compound was the safest. She'd also mentioned multiple times that she'd wanted one with Ezra but wasn't given a choice.

Whiskey had vowed Vivi would get everything she wanted. He followed the list Vivi had made for when she went into labor. He texted Stella and Tasha. Both replied they were on their way. He also texted Flick because he was working tonight. Hopefully, everything would be perfect, but if not, Whiskey wanted Flick to know they might be called. Then he texted his dad, asking him to let all the family know. Vivi was his priority, and he didn't have time to deal with hundreds of text messages. Their group text in the last week, besides talking about how to deal with Vivi's problems, was his dad, brothers, uncles, and cousins fighting who would be babysitting first.

He got the music going that Vivi had requested, and then went to the kitchen for the ice chips. He paused at the end of the list. Vivi had written one last thing to do that he hadn't seen. Relax, take a drink Whiskey. I trust you. You've shown me how a real man acts. You've got this.

He gathered his items and washed his hands for the third time since her water had broken. He was sure in years to come this would be a great story, but now, realizing he and Vivi wouldn't be together for six weeks had him torn. He was ecstatic to meet their Little Tot, but a little disappointed he wouldn't be physically showing how much he loved Vivi to her.

He'd stopped on the side of the road for a wrecked car, never realizing he'd find the love of his life and a son he hadn't known he needed. Now, Little Tot was coming into their life. After Little Tot was here safely, he needed to focus on them taking care of Vivi's ex-family. He was keeping his family safe, no matter what it takes.

"Whiskey?"

"Coming."

Vivi's voice had him hurrying with his supplies toward the bedroom. A knock at the door had him pausing to open it. Tasha and Stella walked in with bags.

Stella patted his face. "You're looking a tad pale. You've got this."

He took a deep breath, breathing out slowly and reminded himself, he did have this. He led their trio toward the room, where his whole life would change again.

Vivi was standing beside the bed in a nursing bra and a robe, loosely belted, holding onto the post of the bed. He quickly placed his items down and went to her. Rubbing his hand along the back of her waist, he grasped her hand with his. Her fingers clenched, then she breathed deep and relaxed her fingers.

"Vivi, it looks like we're welcoming your little one tonight. Do you want Whiskey to help you on the bed so I can check you?"

Vivi focused on breathing, squeezing Whiskey's hand. As soon as the contraction ebbed, Vivi opened her eyes. Whiskey's soft blue-green eyes gazed into hers, providing the reassurance she'd been seeking.

"Vivi, one more push and I believe Little Tot will be here. Whiskey, do you want to get behind Vivi and help her sit up a little more?"

Whiskey carefully lifted her up and scooted behind her. While Stella checked her when they first arrived, Whiskey had jumped in the shower, then put on clean shorts and a t-shirt. His warm arms wrapped around her, one sliding over her belly.

"You can do this, baby," he whispered and kissed the top of her head.

She could do this. Their baby would come into the world loved and protected. She felt the pain and heard Stella's instruction to push. Whiskey's arms and chest helped her lean up as she grasped her thighs and bore down.

As the pressure finally released, a baby's cry filled the air.

"Mom and Dad, you have a little girl," Stella announced, wiping the baby's face, then placing the baby on Vivi's chest. Vivi's hands reached to hold her. Whiskey's arm stayed around Vivi but reached to touch their little girl.

"She's perfect," Whiskey whispered.

Vivi leaned back against Whiskey, knowing this child would not be bartered to someone in marriage. Whiskey's awe at their daughter reassured her that Whiskey and she would ensure that their daughter chose who she loved and what she did with her life.

"Dad, do you want to cut the cord?"

Whiskey let go of her hand before wiping his cheeks. His husky voice croaked yes before reaching for the scissors. After he did, he immediately grabbed the small soft towel they'd gathered ahead of time to hold the baby with. He covered her and kissed Vivi's cheek.

Vivi basked in the feeling of knowing she and her baby were safe. Stella guided her through delivering the afterbirth while Tasha did the Apgar test. Tasha also guided Whiskey through cleaning up the baby. Stella and Tasha worked like a well-oiled machine, having Whiskey, Vivi, and the baby settled back in a clean bed in no time.

"Whiskey, your phone was going off, so I checked it. Your dad would like me to repeat this verbatim so forgive the language around your new little one: Son, we're finding a way to be there in under three hours. We'll be taking some special turns to ensure we'd don't lead anyone to you. We're so excited for you, Vivi, and Ezra. If you let anyone besides Ezra and you both hold my grandbaby before I get there, you'll fucking think the laundry fiasco was a vacation. See you soon. Love, Dad."

Whiskey chuckled, then belly laughed, shaking Vivi and the baby. "Only my dad could congratulate us on the baby while threatening us at the same time."

Whiskey kissed the top of Little Tot's head. Since they'd gotten back in bed, he'd been holding them both.

"What's the laundry fiasco?" Vivi questioned.

"We were all in middle and high school. We had a schedule for laundry. First Hennessy didn't do his day. Then I think Gaines was next and refused because he would have had to do two days' worth. It continued through all of us until there were nine days of clothes for all twelve of us, which was massive. Between sports and jobs, everyone wore more than one pair of clothes a day. School started the next day. Dad and my uncles sat us all down and informed us the clothes in our rooms were the only things we'd be wearing for the first week of school. All of our good clothes were dirty. We were so mismatched. Heck, I had football practice and ended up washing clothes in the sink and hanging them up overnight so they wouldn't smell too bad. They'd locked the laundry room so no using the washers and no cleaning the clothes you had. That weekend, instead of attending first week of school parties, we did laundry. Even with two washers and dryers, it took us a week to catch up. None of us ever skipped our laundry day again."

Vivi laughed and leaned against Whiskey, fighting to stay awake. Little Tot had nursed a little while they waited for Winnie to drop off Ezra. She wanted to see her son's face when he saw his little sister.

"Mom, Dad, where's the baby? Is it a little brother or little sister?"

"Come in here, son." Whiskey motioned Ezra closer, pulling him onto the bed with them, his arm enfolding Ezra into their bed.

"It's a little sister."

Ezra reached over and ran his finger across her forehead, lightly tracing her nose. "Does she have a name?" he asked softly.

Vivi smiled at how quiet her son was. He'd become so exuberant while they were with Whiskey, to see him choosing to be quiet for their daughter was so sweet.

"We thought we'd go with the name you suggested. That way she's a type of Whiskey too," Whiskey's words had Ezra beaming.

"Can I kiss her?"

Vivi nodded. She fought tears as Ezra leaned over and kissed her forehead. "I love you, Bailey. I will always protect you like Dad protected Mom and me."

Whiskey sniffed beside her. She was an emotional mess from the hormones, but she'd never felt happier. Today, she had everything, and she'd never take it for granted.