Page 42 of Mate Matched: Xavier & Brady
“When it’s you and me, it is easy. You’re going to go in there, pee on this stick.” I held up the box. “And in a few minutes we’ll know for certain that you are carrying my baby.”
“What about after that?”
“Well, after I kiss you breathless and tell you how happy you make me, I’m going to give you the other box I have in my pocket.”
“Huh. Okay, gimme the test!” He shot out of bed and snatched it from my outstretched hand. His footsteps were quick on the hardwood as he dashed for the bathroom. I heard him vomit. “Ugh, tip: don’t move that fast.”
“You okay?”
He let out a groan, then retched. “Fine.”
I left him to it, knowing from experience that he wouldn’t be happy if I barged into the bathroom to help him. No, my omega was independent, or at least liked most bathroom activities to be a solo thing. Couldn’t argue with that, really.
The minutes ticked down with no sign of Brady until I heard the toilet flush and the faucet run. He emerged seconds later with flushed cheeks and the test in his hands. “Done.” He held it out to me. “You have to take it because I can’t cope with staring at it.”
“We’ve only got two minutes to wait.” I took the test and set it down on the dresser. I pulled Brady into my arms and tried to kiss him, but he turned his head.
“Vomit breath!”
“Liar, I can smell the mint.”
He laughed and let me kiss him until his knees went weak. I reluctantly let go and led him to the bed. “Sit here. I’ve got something for you.”
He sat, looking nervous. His breath hitched when I went onto one knee. “Xavi…”
I drew the box out of my pocket and held it out to him. “No matter what that test says, I know two things: I want you to live with me, and I would be over the moon if you agreed to be my husband. Will you marry me, Brady? Move in here?”
“What if—?”
“Brady, the test doesn’t matter,” I said patiently. He needed a gentle touch, with how fragile he was in that moment. “Positive or negative, it doesn’t matter. This is our third time lucky. Three times we’ve tried to make a relationship. This time I know this is it. You’re it for me. You’re everything I want. I love you. Marry me. Move in with me. I bought this house for you.”
“What?”
“This house… I bought it hoping we’d turn our friends with benefits thing into being boyfriends.” I shrugged carelessly. “So we took a detour first. Everything about this house is what you like, isn’t it?”
He scanned the room thoughtfully. “Are you serious?”
“Never been more serious. Move in. Marry me, please.” We stared at each other for a moment. Then my phone’s alarm blared. I silenced it quickly.
“The test…”
“Doesn’t matter. Tell me.”
“Yes. I’ll move in. I’ll marry you.” He took the box from my hand and flipped it open. Inside sat a platinum band with a ring of emeralds inset into it, along with a set of keys for the house. Our house. “Oh, it’s so pretty!” He ignored the keys in favor ofputting on the ring, then leaned forward and kissed me. “I love you, fiancé.”
He slowly shuffled off the bed into my lap while I kept my lips fused to his. I couldn’t believe we were finally going to live together, and he was going to marry me.
“The test,” he whispered breathlessly when we broke apart. My knees were killing me from kneeling on the floor. Brady helped me up. “You check it.”
I flipped it over with a grin, already certain of what it was going to say. Sure enough, the two lines were there. “You’re pregnant!”
Brady was seven weeks pregnant at Jae’s wedding to Curtis. We’d already told the couple ahead of the ceremony because we didn’t want anyone to question why Brady wasn’t drinking. He had his duties as an excuse, but he wanted to make sure there were non-alcoholic versions of drinks available for the toasts.
The other best man, Marty, made the event, though he was very heavily pregnant and supported by his mates. He had a lot of questions to answer, but it was not the time. We had a wedding to attend.
Thanks to Brady and Jae’s mom’s planning, it all went off without a hitch. Everything was simple, yet tasteful. The grooms looked fantastic in their suits, the colors of them matched the theme of the day. Brady wore green to match Jae, with Marty wearing cream to go with Curtis’ outfit.
“Hey, come with me,” Brady urged halfway through dinner.
