Page 35 of Bear
“I’m pregnant,” she breathed.
“Put the fucking ring on, woman,” I growled.
“Okay,” she said and reached for the box while I took her lips in a soft kiss.
“Well, Dad?” Trey asked from the living room with Brinkley in his arms. “Am I getting a little sister for Christmas?”
“Maybe. Or it could be a little brother. It’s too early to know,” I answered.
“Way to steal our thunder, Grandpapa Bear,” Tatum huffed. “Not a word, old man. Pregnancy hormones do some wicked shit,” she grumbled and pointed to the unshed tears in her eyes.
“Mommy, what does pregnancy mean?” Brinkley asked.
“Time to open presents!” Mackenzie announced.
Over an hour later, the presents had been opened, and the living room was covered in wrapping paper with Brinkley somewhere in the middle playing with her new toys.
“Brinkley, come say bye to Trey and Tatum before they leave.”
“But we’re not finished opening presents.”
“Yes we are,” Mackenzie told her gently.
Brinkley jumped to her feet and darted behind the Christmas tree. A few seconds later, she poked her head around the side. “There’s one more! Be right back!”
She rummaged around behind the tree, jostling the ornaments as she did. “Here it is!” she announced and proudly carried a flower to Mackenzie. “It’s for you and Bear. Merry Christmas!” she said and smiled so widely it made my face hurt.
“Thank you,” Mackenzie said while she bent down to hug her daughter. “That was very sweet of you.”
“It’s from Daddy and Mystical.”
“From who?” Mackenzie asked with a hint of alarm in her tone, which had me instantly on edge.
“From Daddy and Mystical.”
“Who’s Mystical?” Mackenzie asked slowly.
“The pretty lady with the pretty flowers who lives near Daddy.”
“Miss Nicole,” I said softly.
