Baby Makes Six (11 page)

Eddie’s body had jumped to attention the minute he’d seen Shawn sleeping in her rocker. He’d bought that chair for her the day of Kit’s sonogram. Shawn had been so excited about having a girl.

So sweetly pleased about their marriage, about their future, she’d taken to wrapping her arms around her stomach in such a way that it looked like she was passing on a hug. Then and there, he’d known he wanted to get something special for her.

She’d cried when he’d carried it in that night after his shift, saying, “Are you sure?” about a hundred times.

When he’d said of course he was sure, he asked her what was going on, and that was when she’d told him she was sorry. Shawn had been disappointed on his behalf, sure that a former Army man like himself was pining for a son to pal around with.

She couldn’t have been more wrong. He’d been thrilled to know a girl was on the way. After serving as an MP for too long and then completing police training, he’d been around enough testosterone for a lifetime. He looked forward to sweet smells and Barbie dolls and Cupid’s bow lips and sweet girlish kisses.

Shawn had given him everything he’d ever dreamed of wanting.

Now they were going through another pregnancy, and the emotions between them couldn’t be more different than they were that very first time. Eddie was torn between wanting to hug her and grin idiotically, and walking away.

So he did nothing. Just stood there, staring at her. “I was on traffic duty all afternoon and was only able to check messages an hour or so ago. Sorry you had to take off work today.”

“It’s okay.” She glanced at her watch. “You’re a little early to take them out for dinner, aren’t you?”

“I am, but I thought since you had to take off early, you might want a little extra time to rest.” He pulled over an ottoman and sat next to her. “So what was wrong with Elsie?”

“Molars and an upset stomach. Mrs. Henderson was worried it was catching.”

He rolled his eyes. “Good old Mrs. Henderson.”

Shawn smiled. “Anyway, as soon as Elsie got a hug, Children’s Motrin and a cool drink, she fell asleep on the floor. I fell asleep, too.” With a stretch, she stood up. “If you’ll give me a second, I’ll go get them organized. It won’t take long.”

“Don’t wake anyone up,” he said, surprising himself. “I can wait.”

Her eyes widened. He didn’t blame her. For the past year, he’d become Mr. Clockwatcher, chiding her time and time again for being late and disorganized. He’d made it a point to arrive at her place early just to show that it could be done—never mind that most times she’d never even noticed.

Now, for the life of him, he wasn’t quite sure why it
had all mattered so much. Why had he always made a big deal if everything wasn’t picture perfect at the right time? Why had it bothered him so much that Shawn was—well, Shawn? He’d known when he married her that she couldn’t be on time to save her soul.

And she was rarely all that late—usually just five or ten minutes. He’d made it sound like he’d been waiting for hours. Why?

Had losing the baby made him feel so off-kilter that he’d been trying to control everything?

Kit ran in and gave him another hug. “Daddy, I’m thirsty.”

Just as Shawn started to stand up, Eddie stilled her with a hand. “Stay here. I’ll get Kit some juice and bring you a glass of tea. Maybe we could talk for a few minutes.”

“I guess we do have a thing or two to discuss.”

Kit had been staring at them both wide-eyed. Eddie couldn’t blame their oldest. Lately things had been mighty tense between him and Shawn. “Come here, hon,” he said, walking her into the kitchen. “So, apple juice?”

“Uh-huh.”

After handing Kit her favorite plastic cup, he poured out two glasses of tea. “I’m going to talk to Mommy for a bit, okay? How about you go pick out a movie to take to my house?”

“Can we go see Grandma and Grandpa, too?”

“Sure. But choose a movie, too,” he suggested, knowing that could take up to an hour of careful consideration. “Make sure they’re ones Mary wants to see, too.”

As he’d hoped, she left him with a sense of purpose. Then he joined Shawn once again. After accepting the glass of tea, Shawn looked down at Elsie and smiled softly. “Our baby sure can sleep through anything.”

“She always has. I would have paid money for Kit to
be even an eighth that easygoing.” Pulling up a chair, he sat. “But now we’ve got another one on the way. I doubt we’re going to get so lucky again.”

“I doubt it, too. Shoot, Four’s going to most likely be born demanding and loud.”

Eddie pretended to wince. “We won’t have peace and quiet for seventeen years.”

Shawn chuckled. “Remind me when our little terror is born that I was laughing about her future antics.” A minute passed.

She cleared her throat. “So. I’m glad you went to the doctor with me.”

“I am, too.” Recalling their embrace, he said, “Getting interrupted by Debbie was sure embarrassing.”

To his delight, Shawn blushed. “What were we thinking?”

“That seems to be us in a nutshell, don’t you think? We don’t think.”

“Or else we think about the wrong stuff at the wrong time.”

“And get carried away,” he murmured.

To his surprise, Eddie felt himself getting carried away at the moment. Now that they weren’t bickering all the time, he found he was appreciating her more. Appreciating her humor. Not worrying so much that she would never be organized.

That she’d probably never be on time.

And, of course, he’d never admit it to anyone else, but he still found her incredibly attractive. Even pregnant.

Especially pregnant. The situation softened her. Made her look almost vulnerable.

And, truth was, she was sexy as hell.

“How are you doing with the news? Has the thought of Four sunk in yet?”

“More or less.”

“I never even asked about your parents. Were they okay with it?”

Thinking back to their manic coffee-cake eating, he shrugged. “They took it about how you’d expect.”

“Mad at me?”

“Oh, they were never mad at you. They were mad at me, and I deserved it.”

“What happened that night wasn’t your fault. I wanted what happened, too.” She shook her head. “I told my parents. They were appalled. They couldn’t understand how two people who were divorced could get together like we did.”

“I stopped attempting to explain it to myself.” What was it between the two of them that turned him on so much? Just memories? Or because it was so comfortable?

Gesturing to Shawn’s stomach, he said, “How is Four doing today?”

“She’s okay. Moving a bit.”

He was tempted to touch her. But of course that wasn’t allowed. Her expression seemed so melancholy all of a sudden, he needed to offer comfort. “Everything’s going to be fine, Shawn. The baby will be. We will be. Our situation may not look like we imagined all those years ago, but it will still be a good one. I promise.”

Those brown eyes that he’d always loved softened. “I promise, too.”

There didn’t seem to be much more to say. Truth was, he wasn’t sure how he felt. Suddenly he was wishing she did want to get back together with him. Wished they were a couple and he could look forward to being with her and the new baby every step of the way.

He wouldn’t mind stepping closer and feeling her in his arms, either. “I’ll go help Kit get packed up.”

She held out a hand. He reached down and helped her out of the chair, holding that hand a little too long. “I’ll go get Mary settled. Do you want me to wake Elsie up, or can we put her in the car seat asleep?”

“She can sleep. I’m just taking the girls out for a bite to eat, then a quick visit with my parents. Then we’ll be back.”

Shawn knew he’d worked all day. She knew he had to be tired—it was hot outside and he’d spent a majority of his day out in the heat. “Hey, Eddie? Thanks.”

“No problem. You keep your feet up and eat something healthy, okay?”

“I will. I promise.”

T
HEY RETURNED
three hours later. To his surprise, Shawn let him help her get the girls inside, bathed and tucked in bed. He was standing at her door—wondering how he was going to tell her good-night when he really was in no hurry to leave—when she surprised him again. “Eddie, would you like to stay awhile? Have a beer?”

“You’re not too tired?”

“I’ve slept more today than I can remember.” She held up a hand. “I ate a lot, too. Would you…like to stay for a bit?”

He wasn’t sure what she was asking. He wasn’t sure what he wanted.

But he did know he wanted more Shawn. “A beer sounds good.”

And then, when they were standing in the kitchen, after he’d downed half a bottle of beer, after staring at her lips and thinking she’d never looked prettier, he quit fighting.

Eddie reached for her. Slowly. Gave her time to tell him no. To step aside. To do anything at all to make
sure he knew that kissing him was not what she wanted.

But instead of ducking away, she reached for his neck and pulled him to her. His arms went around her. He widened his stance. She stepped closer.

He bent his head, she raised her chin. And finally he kissed her.

Eddie had every intention of being gentle. Every intention of keeping things low-key. Just keeping a memory alive.

But Shawn hadn’t gotten that memo. Immediately she parted her lips and invited him to do the same. Her taste was like he remembered. Sweet. Fresh. Like Shawn. Familiar.

There went her hips, pressing against his, just like always. Before he thought better of it, his hand cupped her breast. The other splayed against her backside and held her close.

And still that kiss went on and on.

Desire hit him hard. Made his knees feel like mush and his hands want to roam and explore.

They needed to stop. They
really
needed to stop. But she felt so good. Her skin was still as soft as ever. Her responses as pure and honest as ever. And he liked how her body felt when it was filled with baby.

Something primal always burned inside him when he felt her curves, her new shape. He wanted to explore and kiss and see her naked.

Somehow reason flew out the window. Or maybe all reason fell into place. After all, what could happen? She was already pregnant again.

She pulled off his polo shirt. He fell in love all over again with those elastic pants and how easily they slid down her hips.

Suddenly awareness of their situation returned, and with effort Eddie pulled back, breathing hard.

She closed her eyes as she visibly tried to gain control. He tried to pretend he hadn’t just pushed her pants down in the middle of the kitchen.

Then, to his amazement, she smiled. “What do you want to do?”

He didn’t care how it sounded. Fact was, his body couldn’t be any more obvious if he tried. “Take you to bed.”

She inhaled, whether from surprise or from desire, he didn’t know. “Think we’re going to regret this?”

“I hope not.” He couldn’t resist touching her. Running his hands down her hips. Knowing that nothing but a worn T-shirt and a bit of patience were keeping them apart. “What do you want?”

In reply, she linked one hand with his and smiled. “What do you think, Ed? It’s been a while.”

“Yes, it has,” he murmured, taking her hand. Pulling her into her bedroom. Their old bedroom. But still the only place that felt familiar. And then there was little to do but make love to her. He did his best to be patient. He did his best to be gentle. But he also was happy to get reacquainted with her body. To slowly recall all the places where she was most sensitive.

“Oh, Ed,” she moaned. “I missed this.”

Kissing her a little lower, he smiled. “Me, too, honey.”

But as usual, she wasn’t shy. Shawn never had been the type to fear she was unattractive all filled with baby.

Maybe because she knew from him that she’d never looked more beautiful. Or felt better. Or been more responsive. He’d never been shy about telling her.

And then finally when he was dressed again and she
was cocooned in her thick white robe, he didn’t dare tell her he was sorry. Because he wasn’t. At all.

Holding her in his arms one last time, he kissed the top of her head. “I think I’d better go,” he murmured.

She nodded as they separated. “That’s probably a good idea. I’ll walk you out.”

“Do you need anything?”

She smiled. “No. I’m fine.”

When they got to the garage and night surrounded them, he knew he had to say something. “Tonight was nice, Shawn. Special.”

Only the faint glow from the lit front porch across the way let him see her expression. She looked…happy. “It was.”

He smoothed some hair away from her cheeks. “No regrets?”

“Not even one. I still have feelings for you, Eddie. And frankly, just this minute I’m a little tired of making sense of them.”

After one more sweet kiss, he pulled away. Relieved. Happy. “I’ll see you tomorrow or the next day.” Then, after giving her one last wave, he got in his car and pulled away.

And realized that things between him and Jayne definitely needed to end. He still had strong feelings for Shawn. Too strong to ignore.

A
S SOON AS
Eddie disappeared down the street, Shawn went right to sleep.

In the morning she woke up early, pleased to realize Elsie had slept through the night and was likely doing much better. She could go to work.

That was good. But in the meantime, she had things to do. Toys to pick up. Dishes to wash, laundry to fold.

But all she could think about was making love to Eddie the night before. The way he’d been so exquisitely gentle but just as demanding and passionate as he’d always been. Her body hummed from his attentions.

Number Four was most likely in shock from everything they’d been doing.

But somewhere inside her, Shawn knew her body was reveling in what had just happened. After all, they’d always made love a lot during her other pregnancies. Eddie had always been so loving. He’d brought her coffee in bed. When she’d been pregnant with Elsie, he’d taken over bath time so she could put her feet up.

Oh, foot rubs! Every night after her bath, he’d rub the cramps out of her feet. She’d looked forward to that so much. And then, well, he’d used that massage oil for all kinds of things. Just recalling the scent made her body go all limp and languid.