Fighting to Forget(33)

He was up a second later and in front of her. “Are you okay, sweetheart?” He covered her hand with his, felt their child kick wildly, and grinned.

“She’s getting too big to be crammed in there.” Tasha laughed when their daughter kicked again and again.

“Not much longer and we can hold her.” He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead, then dropped to his haunches in front of her and pushed up her shirt. He stared at her big, round belly, and marveled at the thought that his child grew inside there. He was going to be a father, and God would he try to be the best dad he could.

They’d moved in together shortly after they’d decided that they couldn’t be without each other. Having her here was the best thing for Larson. He felt like he was finally whole again, like he could allow himself to be loved and love in return.

It had been a stressful year at times because he’d taken her to Melanie’s gravesite, when she’d asked. He hadn’t wanted to at first, but she said she wanted to know about the woman that had been in his life, and that he’d loved.

Larson couldn’t deny it and say he wouldn’t have wanted to do the same if the roles had been reversed. Once he’d taken her to the cemetery they’d moved on, hadn’t spoken about his past or hers, and had fallen into this loving, fantastic, and incredible relationship.

Now she was having his baby, and he couldn’t have been happier.

She had gotten pregnant shortly after they’d moved in, but he couldn’t be happier because of that, and wanted a future with Tasha that was filled with a houseful of children. Although they weren’t married yet, he was letting her lead the way. When she was ready, he was ready.

Tasha hadn’t put her life on hold, and was going after what she wanted, She was taking a few online classes, was nearing the end of the semester with them, and then she’d be able to relax with their child. If she wanted to continue with her school he’d support her, and if not, well, he’d support her in whatever she decided.

This sadness crossed her face, and he stood and grabbed her shoulders. He knew why she was upset, or what she was thinking about. “Baby, they’ll come around. How could they not when you’re their daughter and you carry their grandchild?”

“You remember how they acted when I brought you over, Larson.”

He nodded once. Yeah, he remembered how her parents had looked at him like he was shit on their shoe, how they’d ignored him when he’d spoken. They’d been rude as hell. That one night months ago when they’d gone over to tell them the good news about the baby, her parents had started spouting off to Tasha how she’d ruined her life again because of a man.

After the verbal abuse to their daughter Larson hadn’t been able to stand it. He’d taken Tasha out of there, away from people that had done nothing but cut her down instead of embracing her and the good news.

“Honestly, and I feel like a total bitch, but I don’t care if they come around or not.” She rested her head on his chest, and he held her tightly. “I don’t care if they’re in my life or not, because they had their chance.” She pulled back and looked at his face. “They haven’t contacted us, haven’t tried to be in my life since I told them I was pregnant. It doesn’t matter because they have never made me feel like I could be happy.”

“You make me happy, baby,”

She smiled after he spoke. “And that’s why I don’t care about what they think anymore. For all these years they’ve done nothing but look at me like they wish I hadn’t been their daughter. But you make me feel like I could be happy without feeling guilt.”

“You have nothing to feel guilty about.” He smoothed his hand over her cheek.

“I don’t need that negativity in my life, and if they don’t want to be in my life, or our baby’s, that’s on them.” She smiled, and it was sweet and soft, and so damn genuine he felt his heart tug with emotion.

He picked her up, cradled her in his arms, and she let out a little squeak of noise. Larson left the kitchen and into the living room where he sat down and rested her on his lap. He grabbed the remote, turned on the television, and just held her.

“I love you so damn much.”

She smoothed her hand over his chest. “And I love you. I always will.”

It was what he wanted since he’d met, what he’d always dreamed he’d never have again. He rested his hand on her belly, felt their little daughter kick, and smiled. Yeah, he was content and happy, and he’d always make sure his woman was the same way. They both deserved this. Dammit, did they both deserve this, and he wasn’t going to let anyone ruin that.