Justice presses her lips to mine, ghosting me with a kiss. The longer she remains quiet, the more panicked I become. This can’t be happening, whatever the hell it is. She pulls back keeping her palms cupped to my cheeks.

“I’m pregnant.”

I heard the two words but can’t quite process them. They volley back and forth in my head. I don’t move. Hell, I don’t even blink. My sore muscles that plagued me all day from the first game quiet to non-existence. The only thing before me is the woman I love and the two words that danced off her lips.

“Say something, Liam.” The pads of her fingers dig into my cheeks. “God, please say something.”

“Holy shit.” I shake my head knowing those weren’t the best two words to speak. “How? I mean, I know how, but holy shit.”

A grin finally forms on her plump lips. I can’t help myself. I lean forward and take advantage. Our lips seal. Fuck. Me.

“You’ve gotta give me more than ‘holy shit,’” she whispers against my mouth. I want to ravish the fuck out of her.

I shift our position on the bed, so my back is pressed against the headboard, my legs spread wide, and then pull Justice to straddle my lap so she’s facing me. I draw a line down the side of her face and cup her jaw. This is one of those times I never want to forget. The timing isn’t right; then again, life flips on a dime. All that matters, all that’s ever mattered, is making her happy, and now she’s carrying my baby. Our baby.

“One, I’m shocked. And two, I’m overwhelmed by so many feelings right now.”

She drops her forehead to mine. “I know. I am too. I went in for my yearly check-up and received the shock of my life.”

“I bet you did. Crazy, huh? I mean, you were on the pill.”

“I was. Those were my exact thoughts as well. It seems if you miss a few days, they’re not as effective. Had to be around the time of you arriving here. I was a shaken mess.”

“A baby,” I whisper glancing down to her stomach.

“A baby. Ours,” she repeats.

I reach down, pulling up the hem of her shirt until her creamy skin is exposed to me. I admire the simple beauty of it before splaying my palm across her abdomen and fight to come to grips with the reality of a little human growing inside her. One we created.

My eyes sting. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine my life turning out like this. I have everything right here in my lap. A beautiful full-of-life woman who stole my heart years ago, our love, and now a baby. I don’t realize I’m crying until Justice reaches up and wipes away tears with the pad of her thumb. More than anything I want to shout and demand her to marry me. Justice Bexley is worthy of the proposal of centuries. I tamp down my need to blurt the burning question.

“Are you happy?” she whispers.

“You have no idea how happy I am. Are you?”

“I’m terrified and thrilled. They wanted to do a vaginal ultrasound today to determine how far along I am, but I wanted to wait for you. I scheduled an appointment for next Tuesday on your off day. The doctor and I talked, and from going by when I had my last period, the doctor is certain my due date will be early May.”

“Perfect.” I lean forward and kiss the tip of her nose. “Grow a baby, take care of my woman, win a Super Bowl, and then meet our baby. I’m the luckiest bastard on earth.”

“My lucky bastard,” she adds with a wink.

I run my hands down her hips, pulling her into my hard erection. I’m not certain if it’s appropriate to want to take my woman right now, but my dick has a mind of its own when she’s straddling me.

“Oh, and our moms know. You already knew mine was with me. We ran into yours at the office. I needed them by my side once my appointment started going in a different direction.” She wrinkles her nose. “I just wanted to let you know.”

Good-bye, boner.

“Good. I’m glad two of the strongest women I know were there for you.” I roll her off to my side and lie next to her facing her entangling our legs. “How’d they take it?”

“I think your mom nearly passed out, and mine was stunned, but it all morphed into excitement once the shock wore off.”

It happens without conscious thought and hits me hard out of nowhere. My body grows tense with fear and anger boiling together. Her stalker. Some crazy fuck is still out there taunting her. I bite down on my bottom lip until it stings. It’s been in the back of mind since she told me. I’ve been more aware of everything. I know her family has security in place and none of us are ever without eyes on us. But it still weighs heavy in the bottom of my gut, and now that weight has multiplied by infinity.

“What’s wrong?” The last thing I want to do is make her worry more than she already has been. I’m not about to tell her what’s on my mind, because the slimy bastard threatening her will not ruin this moment.

“Just thinking about what your dad and uncle are going to do to me once they find out.”

Her lips turn up into a megawatt smile, and she laughs. I reach around and swat her ass.

“Easy for you to laugh. I’m probably going to be nutless soon, so you better enjoy them now.”

Her laughter grows hysterical, and it’s music to my ears. This is how it should be. Always.

“Nah, they shoot people, then dump them in the ocean.” My brows rise, and my dick shrinks. “I’m kidding. He’s going to be happy.”

“Rowe is going to shit her pants,” I reply.

“Your mom already warned me she would, and more than likely begin designing a line of baby clothes.”

I shake my head, damn excited to see Rowe’s reaction when she finds out. Life is good. Damn good. My shitty practice, aching muscles, and stress for the next game no longer linger.

Justice’s stomach growls, causing me to sit upright. “Shit! Gotta feed my pregnant woman.”

“No.” She points a finger in my face. “You are not going to be one of those overbearing crazy-ass men who suffocate their pregnant wi—”

Her last word dies on the tip of her tongue. I smirk at her near slip-up and then add to it.

“Watch me. I will be that husband who mother hens the hell out of you, and you won’t be able to stop me.” I stand and turn, going for the door. “Be back with food.”

“Liam!” she hollers. I’ll also be ignoring her.

I decide on whipping up her favorite comfort food. A combination I’ve always found disgusting. I sprinkle a handful of chocolate chips on the peanut butter sandwich before slapping the bread on top. I warm up leftovers for me and carry them back to the bedroom.

Justice is sitting cross-legged in the middle of the bed, reading on her Kindle. She’s deep in study, not hearing me enter the room. I peer over her shoulder to see the title of the e-book “What To Expect When You’re Expecting.”

Goddamn, our lives are about to change, and I couldn’t be happier. I’ll admit I’m scared out of my mind. I’ve always been up for adventure, and raising a family with her is going to be the best to date.

I lean down, kissing the top of her head and running my hands over her shoulders. “You’ll be a great mom. The best ever. Now let’s eat dinner.”