Page 96 of Protecting Maggie
Shawn stared at her again.
“I mean, it’s early. Probably too early to really get excited, but I was feeling weird and for some reason, the thought that I might be pregnant hit me, I don’t know why, and so I peed on one of those sticks and it came back positive. I haven’t seen a doctor or anything, and IswearI thought it wasn’t the right time of the month when we had sex but…I guess I was wrong. And if you don’t want this right now, a baby, I understand. The last thing I want is for you to feel trapped into anything. I’m not doing that—trapping you, I mean. I just…Iwant this baby. So much. It feels as if it’s a new start for me, and I’m terrified, because what do I know about being a mother? But I already love it so much.”
Shawn surprised her by suddenly lifting her feet off his lap, and for a second, Maggie froze in panic. Was he pissed? Going to tell her to get the hell out? She had no idea. He walked over to the table where he’d put his phone when they’d arrived home and picked it up. He clicked on the screen then brought it up to his ear. His gaze bore into hers as he spoke.
“Hey, Caroline, it’s Preacher. Yeah, she’s fine. I need your help though. Maggie and I need a house. Preferably one with three bedrooms. Two baths would be nice. If possible, if we could be near you guys, I’d love that…Because Maggie’s pregnant, and we’re going to need more space than I have here.”
Maggie’s lips twitched when she heard Caroline’s excited screech all the way across the room.
“I just figured you’ve been here for years, you mighthave some connections…okay. Thanks. Gotta go. Talk to you soon.”
Shawn clicked off the phone, threw it on the table, then walked back to where Maggie was sitting on the couch. He got down on his knees in front of her, shuffled forward between her legs, then wrapped his arms around her waist and buried his face in her lap.
Maggie’s hands came up and cradled his head.
After a long moment, Shawn lifted his head. “A baby,” he whispered.
Maggie nodded.
“You’re a gift. A miracle. I was happy—no,thrilledhaving you by my side. But this? You giving me a child? I can’t…I have no words.”
“But…you aren’t upset?” Maggie asked tentatively.
“I’m the opposite of upset,” Shawn said, his smile growing. “I’m ecstatic! So fucking happy…er…freakinghappy.” Then he frowned. “Wait—is it okay? You were without oxygen for a while last week! Shit, we need to go to the doctor!”
“It’s eight-thirty at night. We can call tomorrow. I don’t even know who to call though,” Maggie said.
“We’ll call Jessyka. Or one of the other girls. They’ll give us the name of a good obstetrician. I love you, Maggie. So damn much.”
Relief swept through her. She’d been so worried about telling Shawn about the baby. As she’d said, it was still very early. But she didn’t want to hide anything from him. And…a part of her thought if he didn’t want a child, it would be easier to make the break from him now rather than months down the line.
“A baby,” he breathed, then leaned down and kissed her flat belly. “We’ll get married as soon as I can arrange it. What kind of wedding do you want?”
Maggie’s breath caught in her throat. “What?”
“Wedding. Do you want something big and fancy? Or maybe something more low-key, like at Aces? Or we could just go to the courthouse…maybe that would be best. The sooner I officially get you added as my dependent, the better?—”
“Shawn,” Maggie said, stopping his babbling. “Married?”
His gaze flew to hers, and he went up on his knees and scooted forward a little more. “Yeah. Married. To me. Do you not want that?” he asked with a frown.
“I do. More than you’ll ever know. But things have moved crazy fast for us. Are you sure you don’t want to wait?”
“I was sure after knowing you a week. No, I think I was sure that first night, when the guys and I crashed your ride share.”
Maggie could only stare at him.
“Marry me, Maggie. Make an honest man out of me.”
She could only nod.
“Yes?”
“Yes,” she confirmed.
Shawn smiled huge, then stood. He reached down andpicked her up off the couch, and Maggie let out a girly screech.
It wasn’t a long walk to the bed, considering it was right behind the couch. Shawn dropped her on the mattress and immediately began to undress her.
