He remained inside her, his chest heaving with exertion as he came down to rest on top of her, their sweat-slickened bodies hot and damp against one another.
"Was it okay to do that?" he asked anxiously. "I don't want to hurt the baby."
Chessy laughed, the sound beautiful in his ears. "It's a bit late for that concern. But no, you didn't hurt the baby. She's just fine. And so is her mama."
He closed his eyes, absorbing the beauty of the moment. When all was at peace and the world was finally set to rights.
Knowing he was too heavy for her, he slowly withdrew, his dick still rigid and wanting more. Then he bent down and curled his arms underneath her body, lifting and cradling her against his chest. He walked into the bedroom and deposited her on the bed before returning with a washcloth to clean them both.
Then he crawled onto the bed with her and pulled her into his arms. He didn't want to ruin the moment but he had to know. He couldn't bear it if this was a false alarm or he thought this was something it wasn't.
"Chessy, does this mean you're coming home?"
She lifted her head, her eyes glossy with emotion. She cupped his jaw lovingly and stroked her fingers over the afternoon shadow.
"If you'll have me back, yes."
"If I'll have you back?" he asked hoarsely. "Baby, I'm on my knees at your feet begging you to come home. But what changed your mind? I don't understand."
"I did a lot of soul searching," she admitted. "I'm miserable. You're miserable. It seems our only chance at happiness is to try to work out our differences together. I'm willing to forget and forgive if you are."
He looked at her in astonishment. "Baby, there is nothing for me to forgive and everything for you to forgive."
"I vote we forgive each other for the pain we've caused and let's start over."
He gathered her in his arms, pulling her down on top of him. "I love you so much, Chessy. I'm so damn grateful that you're willing to give me another chance when I've fucked up so many times already."
He slid his hand between them, cupping her flat belly where their child nestled in her mother's womb. "You're having my baby," he said in awe. "Do you have any idea what that does to me?"
Her eyes became troubled. "Are you truly happy about the baby, Tate? I know you weren't ready yet."
He kissed away her worried frown. "I think we've already covered in great detail what a dumbass I've been. I can't think of anything more perfect than you pregnant with my baby. I picture you all round with our child and it melts my heart every damn time. I'll be a good father and husband, Chessy. I'll get it right this time."
She gave him a smile so bright that it rivaled the sun. Her eyes filled with love, brimming with warmth and acceptance. "I know you will. I believe you, Tate. Every marriage has a bumpy road. But we got through ours. In ten years we'll look back at this, and hopefully we'll have more than one child. I'd like a large family. I want what I never had growing up. But we'll look back and laugh at how stupid we both were and how happy we are in the present. It will all seem so silly down the road."
He immediately grew somber. "I'll never make you feel unwanted again, Chess. I know how hard your childhood was for you. And I want you to know our children will never experience that. My life will always revolve around you and our children, however many we end up having."
She squeezed him tight, laying her head against his chest. "I love you, Tate."
"And I love my girl."
TWENTY-NINE
THE next day, Tate took off of work, much to Chessy's surprise. Yes, she had faith in the fact that he'd keep his promises this time to put her first, but she hadn't expected him to take a precious day off from work. But he'd told her that's what he had partners for now and that the three of them had familiarized themselves with all the MHL clients so they could respond to any needs that arose if one of them was out of pocket.
Tate drove Chessy to Kylie's so she could once again pack all her belongings, this time to move back home. Chessy had called both Joss and Kylie earlier that morning to fill them in on the developments and the fact that she and Tate were getting back together.
Both her friends were thrilled but also cautious, wanting Chessy to make certain she was absolutely sure about her decision. Once Chessy assured them she was, they were only too happy to offer her their support.
"I have a lot to thank them for," Tate said gruffly as he hauled her suitcases out to her SUV. "They took good care of my girl and didn't let her shoulder this alone."
She smiled. "That's what friends are for."
"You'll excuse me if I say I hope to hell you never need them this way again."
"I hope not either," she said with fervor.
"Don't be lifting that suitcase," Tate said sharply, when Chessy reached to hoist one of the pieces of luggage into the back. "You're pregnant for God's sake. You don't need to be lifting anything that heavy."
Chessy laughed, but delighted in his protectiveness. She was so happy she just wanted to squeeze him and never let go.
"I want to have Joss and Dash and Kylie and Jensen over for dinner one night," she said when they'd finished loading everything into her Mercedes. "Partly as a thank you and partly so they can see we're okay."
Tate's expression grew serious. "Are we okay, Chessy?"
"Yeah," she said, smiling at him.
She reached over to lace her fingers with his and squeezed his hand reassuringly.
"It's all in the past, Tate. Let's leave it there, okay?"
"You're too forgiving," he said gruffly. "But I thank God for it every single day. Not many women would forgive what all I've done. You may be able to but I'm not sure I'll ever forgive myself."
"Stop torturing yourself," she said gently. "It does little good to keep rehashing the past. We have so much to look forward to. A baby."
Her smile became giddy as she imagined meeting their child for the first time. Having Tate right beside her in the delivery room, them both falling in love instantly with their son or daughter.
His expression softened and he too smiled. "I can't wait."
"Me either. Now, are you going to feed me or do I have to starve to death?"
He chuckled. "My girl's demanding. Want me to cook or do you want to go out? What do you feel up to?"
"Honestly I just want to go home and settle back in where I belong. We can always order takeout."
His look of intense satisfaction told her she'd said all the right things. "Damn right that's where you belong. You call in whatever you want and I'll run out and get it. And I don't want you to do a damn thing in the meantime. I'll get all your stuff out of the car and unpack it and put it away. If I catch you lifting so much as a finger, I'll spank your ass."
"That's hardly a threat," she said saucily. "I may just have to disobey on purpose."
"Then I'll have to come up with another threat. Like withholding sex for a month."
She snorted. "As if you'd last that long. Your hand isn't that good, babe."
He laughed, warmth and relief spreading over his features. "We're back," he said with satisfaction. "God, we're back!"
THIRTY
"DO you think they'll last?" Kylie asked anxiously as she sat next to Jensen on the sofa.
She was curled into the crook of his shoulder, her arm stretched across his midsection while they watched a ridiculous end-of-the-world B movie. The best kind.
He stroked her hair and then pressed a kiss to the side of her head. "What I think is that we can't control what happens in their relationship. We can only control what happens in ours."
Kylie let out a hmmph. "Since when did you get all sage and philosophical?"
He chuckled. "I'm just smart like that. I chose you, didn't I? That makes me the smartest guy on the planet."
"Well, there is that … " she said smugly.
He shifted, turning slightly so he faced her instead of sitting side-by-side with her. "Speaking of … "
She cocked her head, worry assailing her at the sudden seriousness of his tone and expression. Good God, surely he wasn't breaking up with her.
"I know this may be too soon," he said hesitantly. "We're still going to therapy and I know we have a long way to go, but I know my feelings aren't going to change for you. I love you. I always will. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you."