Chapter One

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Archer

“I’M GOING TO have a baby,” Ivy declares as she stops directly in front of me. Well, her belly stopped directly in front of me, the rest of her soon followed.

Yes, indeed, my wife is definitely going to have a baby. Soon.

I’m getting ready—staring at the mirror as I mess with my tie, making sure it’s perfect—when she approaches me. I shoot her a grin, feeling good, feeling on top of my game. Life couldn’t get any better, you know? We’re celebrating today and with good reason.

“I know, sexy mama.” I turn away from the mirror and wink at her. “Trust me, I haven’t forgotten that I’m the one who knocked you up.”

She stares at me, no reaction to my wink or my words. She usually slaps my ass and kisses me. Says something sarcastic at the very least. But I’m getting nothing. And it’s kind of disconcerting. “Archer. I’m dead serious. I’m going to have the baby.”

“I know, babe. And I can’t freaking wait.” I study her, noticing that she looks a little pale and her pupils are dilated. Hmm. “You feeling okay?”

Rolling her eyes, she rests her hand on top of her protruding stomach, rubbing it absently. Then, not so absently. As in, she’s clutching her belly like she’s in pain. “I’m in—” She sucks in a harsh breath, holding it for a few seconds. “—labor, damn it.”

“Oh, Christ!” I lurch toward her, both of my hands landing on her stomach. The baby kicks at that precise moment, and I feel the hit against my palm and start to laugh. “Seems like she’s ready to make her escape.”

We have no idea what we’re having. Ivy wanted it to be a surprise and I went along with her plan but deep down, not knowing is driving me crazy. I’m dying to meet this little booger of mine and find out if I have a son or a daughter.

My guess is it’s a girl who’ll look just like my wife.

Ivy shoots imaginary daggers at me with her eyes. “This is the worst possible time for me to go into labor. You do realize this right?”

I shrug, rubbing her belly. I can’t resist it. My wife is f**king sexy when she’s pregnant. Even when she’s big and miserable, like she is now. Knowing that her body is working hard, growing a child within her, my child . . . I can’t help it. It turns me on.

She’s told me more than once I’m a sick fuck, but whatever. I’m allowed to find Ivy sexy when she’s pregnant. She’s my wife, after all.

“Your brother will understand.” And he will. Because Gage’s about to become an uncle, and I know he’s pretty excited by it though he would never admit that to anyone.

“But it’s his wedding day,” Ivy stresses. “You’re Gage’s best man. I’m Marina’s matron of honor. This is not good, Archer. She’s going to kill us.”

“Bridezilla needs to take a chill pill.” I reluctantly release Ivy and go to the closet where her suitcase for the hospital has been packed and waiting for the last two weeks. My girl is efficient, I gotta give her that. “We need to go now, babe. Let me change out of my monkey suit and then we’ll head to the hospital.” I pull the suitcase out and set it on top of the bed. Nerves bubble up inside me, but I ignore them. I need to be the steady one. I made that promise to my wife weeks ago. I don’t want her to panic or freak out while she’s in labor, so one of us has to keep their cool.

Ivy tilts her head, contemplating me. She’s still in her silky white robe that now barely wraps around her front. She can hardly fit into her dress for the wedding, so she should be glad she doesn’t have to make an appearance. “Marina is going to be furious.”

“She’ll get over it. She’s hours away from being part of our family for good. We can disappoint her, make her mad, whatever, but there’s nothing she can do about it because we’re family. So don’t worry.” I tug the tie that I’d been patiently working on only moments ago from my neck, letting it fall onto the floor, then start unbuttoning my shirt with one hand as I grab my cell and quick-dial Gage with the other. I keep an eye on my wife as she moves about the room, her hand going to her stomach every few seconds, as if she’s in pain. Which she probably is.

Worry seeps into me, thick and sluggish. What if something goes wrong? What if there are complications and something happens to the baby? Or worse what if something happens to . . .

Yeah. Can’t go there.

“You are the last person I want to hear from at this moment,” Gage says when he answers, sounding amused. And slightly irritated—but more amused, thank God; the news I’m about to deliver might not go over so well if he’s in a bad mood. “Your ass better be on its way over here. This wedding has to start on time or Marina’s gonna flip.”

I frown, let my hand fall from my now unbuttoned shirt. “My ass is nowhere near where you’re at.”

“Why the hell not? You better get over to the winery stat.” Gage and Marina are having their wedding at our friend Matt’s winery, which he’s considering opening up to various private events, thanks to the idea from his girlfriend, Bryn. We’re the first to use the facility. “The ceremony is in a little over an hour. Shit is going down, man. This is it.” At least he doesn’t sound like he’s being led to his doom.

“Yeah, about that . . .” I pause, listening to someone chat him up for a brief moment. “Something’s come up.”

There’s an uneasy quiet over the line for a beat too long before Gage explodes. “What the hell do you mean, something’s come up? What could be more important than your best friend and brother-in-law getting married, asshole?”

“Your niece or nephew finally making its way into the world?”

Again I’m greeted with more silence, which is really starting to get on my nerves. “I don’t get it,” Gage finally says.

I start to laugh and that earns me a stern look from my wife, who’s slowly changing into regular clothes, an oversized sweater and black leggings. I immediately sober up. She’s moving like an old woman and that isn’t her usual style. “Your little sister has gone into labor. We’re leaving for the hospital now.”

“Wait a minute. Now? How long has she been in labor? You’re not at the hospital yet?” Gage asks, going all concerned big brother on me.

“No, she only just told me she was actually in labor. We’re leaving now. But you realize what this means right?” I pause, feeling guilty but knowing there’s nothing I can do about it. “We’re going to miss the wedding.”

Thankfully, Gage doesn’t even hesitate with his answer. “That’s okay. We completely understand,” he says, excitement lacing his voice. Just as I’d hoped, Gage is fine with our not making the wedding. How could he hold this against us? A baby was being born for Christ’s sake. My baby. His sister’s baby. His future niece or nephew. This is a big freaking deal, as is his marriage to Marina. And it’s all going to happen on the same day. “Just make sure to call and keep us updated.”

“We will but via text,” I say. “Don’t want to interrupt the ceremony, right?”

“Right,” Gage confirms. “Good luck, man. Tell my sister I love her.”

“I will. Promise.” I end the call and contemplate what’s about to happen.

Our lives are changing completely. It won’t just be Ivy and me anymore. We’ll have someone to take care of—someone who solely depends on us.

Scary.

“Oh, Archer,” Ivy says, pulling me from my thoughts.

Turning to face her, I see that her eyes are filling with tears and her face looks ready to crumple. I go to her, grabbing hold of her hands and giving them a squeeze. “What’s wrong, baby?”

“I feel bad.” A little sob escapes her as she shakes her head. I tug her in as close as I can, slinging my arm around her waist. “I’m going to ruin Gage’s wedding.”

“No you’re not. It’s going to be one of the most memorable weddings ever. No one will forget this day,” I say, smoothing my hand over her hair. I want her reassured, not worrying about wedding plans. Everything we know is going to change in mere hours.

“Exactly. It’s supposed to be Gage and Marina’s day and instead it’s going to turn into our day. Our child’s day. How selfish are we?”

“We’re not selfish. We can’t help it if you’re going into labor right now. It’s not like we did it on purpose.” I shed the rest of my clothes quickly, throwing on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. “Speaking of labor, we need to get going. Are you ready? Get some shoes on, babe.” I give her a gentle push out of my embrace and toward the closet door across our bedroom.

“We? Who’s the one who’s about to give birth?” Ivy mutters as she shuffles toward the closet. A little snort escapes her. “You won’t have anything to do with this labor stuff, Archer. This is all on me.”

“And I think you’re going to do an amazing job. You’re the strongest women I know,” I say.

At those words, my wife promptly bursts into tears.

Gage

“YOU’RE NOT GOING to believe this,” I say into the phone. I’m pacing the room, distracted by the news my best friend just gave me.

My sister is hours away from becoming a mom. I’m both excited and . . . nervous. She’s my little sister, and I’ve always protected her. What if something happens? It’s a helpless feeling, and I don’t envy what Archer is experiencing at this very moment. He’s expressed his worries before, but always glossed over them quickly, like they were no big deal.

They linger, though. I know it.

“What’s going on now?” Marina sounds anxious, but that’s nothing new. My fiancé has been on edge for weeks. Months even. I’m more than ready to get married and get this whole ceremony thing over with.

Moving on to the honeymoon is what I’m looking forward to. I haven’t touched my almost-wife sexually—her choice, not mine—in weeks. I’m dying here.

“Archer called. Ivy went into labor.” I keep my voice calm, but deep inside I’m a bundle of nerves. I’ll admit it to no one. Not even Marina. This is the first baby in the family and even Archer’s coldhearted parents are excited. Ivy won’t tell us whether she’s having a boy or a girl and it’s making me nuts. It’s making everyone nuts. “They’re on their way to the hospital.”

“WHAT? Are you serious? Oh, my God! This is going to ruin everything,” Marina practically screeched.

I’m offended. I can’t help it. The way Marina’s been acting these last few weeks, she’s become unrecognizable. I blame the wedding planning. It’s stressing her the hell out which, in turn, is stressing me the hell out. “Are you serious? We knew this could happen. What’s the big deal? Didn’t you put a plan B into place or whatever?”

“You really expected me to have a secret plan B? Gage, I work full time and I’ve been planning this wedding. I’m barely keeping it together as it is.” Marina blows out an exasperated breath.

“We’ll figure something out.” My wife-to-be is at the hotel Archer owns, getting ready. I’m already at the winery, in a private room Matt arranged for me to get dressed in. Our wedding is in approximately ninety minutes.

Marina is probably on her way to legitimately freaking out.

“The ceremony is almost here.” Her voice lowered to a harsh whisper. “What are we going to do? Who’s going to replace them? This is bad, Gage. Super bad. My mom is going to lose it.”

“Why?” I’m incredulous. Her mom likes to lose it over a lot of things. It’s the Italian in her. They can be sort of . . . dramatic. Marina too.

“It’s bad luck when things don’t go right on the most important day of your life.” Marina blows out an irritated breath. “No, I’m not ready for my hair to be curled yet. Hold on,” she tells someone else. Some poor, innocent soul whose job it is to take care of her today.

Good luck with that.

“We create our own luck,” I say, going for positive. “Come on, baby. It’s our wedding day. Don’t worry about the small stuff. I’ll talk to Matt. You should talk to Bryn. I bet they would step in for Archer and Ivy since they’re already a part of the wedding party.”

Marina remains quiet but I know she’s still on the line. I can hear the soft murmuring of voices in the background, all of them female. I’d guess that hotel room is full of women getting their hair done, makeup done . . . whatever. Sounds like my worst nightmare.

Glad I’m all alone in this quiet room, though I know Matt will show up any minute.

“What do you think?” I prompt when she still hasn’t said anything.

“You’re right. I can’t let this get me down. I mean, Ivy is having a baby. We should be excited. I shouldn’t act like such a selfish bitch worrying who’s going to be my maid of honor.” Marina sniffs, and I immediately feel like shit.

“Come on, babe. Stop being so hard on yourself. We’re getting married. I know you’re emotional with everything going on today but focus on the positives. You’re going to be my wife.” I lower my voice, desperate to make her laugh. “And I can’t wait to violate my wife tonight.”

She laughs softly, and I smile, relief flooding me. I can’t stand the thought of Marina upset. But I also can’t wait for this wedding to be over. So we can focus on living our lives.