Closing my eyes, I smile. “Mom likes everyone.”
“I’m not going to complain because she was always in our corner,” Donovan agrees. “Everyone could have made it difficult for us to be together but no one did.” He reaches out and intertwines our fingers together while I open my eyes and meet his gaze. “I’ll always be grateful for that.” Donovan faces Jessie. “My advice is to go along with it tonight to keep the peace, but after dinner I think you should come down to Kix and sit with the girls while we rehearse for the concert.” He shrugs. “It’s an excuse for you to escape him.”
Jessie offers a secretive smile. “I like that idea.” She practically glows now. “I like that a lot.”
“Just remember that you won’t be able to drink,” I add before she gets too carried away.
Jessie waves her hand in the air. “I know that.” She jumps up, kisses us both on the cheek and leaves without another word.
I grin at Donovan as he watches me with amusement.
“Your sister is heading for trouble whether we help her out or not, you know that right?”
Chuckling, I answer, “Jessie won’t stop until she’s happy with the outcome. I kinda feel sorry for Mom. Dinner isn’t going to be pleasant.”
“Your mom can handle anything, including filling gaps in conversation.”
“Hmm.”
Donovan rearranges us slightly so that he’s lying with me in his arms. He nuzzles his face into my neck and breathes me in. “How are you feeling?”
“Not as bad as I did.” I thread my fingers through his hair. “But I can’t stop thinking about last night. How perfect it was.”
“You’re perfect.” He rests his head against my forehead and gazes into my eyes. “I know you, Mara. Better than anyone. If you’re worrying then I worry. Please don’t hide things because you don’t want to worry me, okay? Together we can do anything…apart we’re left floundering.” He kisses me on the nose and tucks my head under his chin.
“I’m afraid that things are going to change more than I’m ready for,” I admit. “I’m afraid that once I get huge that you won’t want me anymore…and I know I’m being silly because I know that you love me. It’s just scary you know? Two babies.”
Caressing down my back, Donovan whispers, “You’re my life, Mara. I can’t go on if I don’t have you by my side, so don’t for one minute think that I won’t want you when you’re getting toward the end of the pregnancy and you’re swollen with my children.” He grabs a handful of my hair and gently tugs my head back so that I can meet his gaze. “The truth is I can’t wait to see you like that. I can’t wait to have you naked on our bed with your stomach so swollen you can’t see your toes while I love you with my mouth.” He gives me a hard-all-loving kiss that makes my toes curl. “I’m in awe of you.”
Now tears run down my face at the sweet words that were said with his heart behind every one of them. I smile through them and once I can see clearly, I tell him, “I can do anything as long as I have you.”
“That’s right, babe. Don’t go forgetting, okay? I hate seeing you worried and upset.”
I nod and then he wraps himself around me, which lulls me into sleep.
Donovan
I lean against the doorjamb and grin as I watch Robin teasing the fuck out of Leo wi
th her come-hither looks. The poor guy is going to have his tongue on the floor if she doesn’t stop soon…and then she spots me and drops the bowl of chips…everywhere.
Grinning, I saunter in and grab a chip that landed on the countertop. I shove it in my mouth and look between them. “So, you two,” I wave my hand between them, “are together?” I raise a brow and wait while my sister-in-law flushes to the color of a strawberry.
Leo clears his throat, and answers, “Damn straight.” He grins, slaps a kiss to Robin’s cheek and goes back to the bar.
“Nothing to say?” I ask Robin and get the evil eye.
“Why did you have to go and say anything?” Robin huffs in annoyance. “It’s embarrassing having family around all the time.”
Laughing, I wrap my arm around her shoulders. “You love us, so stop complaining.” I smirk as I head back to Reece and Jack at the side of the stage, but get one last shot at her from over my shoulder. “At least I didn’t ask when the wedding was.”
“Who’s getting married?” Reece asks, obviously overhearing.
“Robin.”
“What the fuck,” he roars, and jumps to his feet.
“Jesus, Donovan,” Jack curses and grabs hold of Reece’s arm to hold him back.