Love Unexpected (Navy Love Series Book 2) (20 page)

Honestly, I have no clue what the hell he’s talking about. I’m a dude with no kids—I have no fucking idea what all the preggo lingo means, all I know is it doesn’t sound good. And a c-section means they are taking the babies by surgery, not letting them come on their own. Which can only mean to me that it’s best to end the pregnancy for Tessa and their health. Do I know how c-sections work? Nope, and sure the fuck don’t want to know either. Not unless the day comes that I have to go through one with Tegan.

The thought hits me like a ton of bricks.

I just insinuated that Tegan and I will have a child one day.

Normally, that type of thought would scare the hell out of me, but standing with Hunter watching Tegan and her sister talk, I’m not scared.

Not only am I not scared, but it’s actually something I
want.

I want to have Tegan by my side forever, and I want to see her belly swollen with my children. Not anytime soon—I want plenty of time for the two of us to enjoy our time together first—but in the future, you bet your ass.

Tegan looks over and gives me a small smile, I take it as my cue to join their conversation. Wrapping one arm around Tegan’s waist, I lean over a place a small kiss to Tessa’s head.

“Hey, T.”

“Hey, Reed, thanks for bringing Bug tonight.”

I look at Tegan and smile. “No problem, we’re here for the long haul tonight. Have you called anyone else yet?”

Her eyes go wide.

“
Shit
. I haven’t called Momma and Daddy! Hunter, did you call them yet?” She whips her head to where her husband has resumed his pacing.

“I sent them a text when we got admitted, but haven’t said anything else yet.”

“Okay, we need to call them. Bug, can you do that?”

Tegan nods and pulls out her phone, scrolling through the contact list to make the call.

“And, babe?” Tessa looks back to Hunter.

“Yeah?”

“Will you call your dad? I know it’s late, but I want him and Sawyer to be here as soon as they can. I don’t want her to miss out on meeting these two before everyone else does.” She gently rubs her basketball-like stomach.

“You got it, Sailor girl. I’ll call them now, but you know Dad will probably wake her up and they’ll come up here now, right?”

“I know.” She laughs. “But she needs to be here, and Marshall too. Family first, then all of our friends can come meet them.” She shifts her attention back to me. “Reed, will you call Marshall?”

I nod and step out in the hallway to make my designated phone call. Once the twins arrive, I’ll hang out in the waiting room while Tegan, Marshall, and the rest of the Stevenson gang meet the new additions. There was no offense taken when Tessa said family first. I get it.

Even though I understand it, it does sting slightly to know I’m once again not considered a part of a family.

Thirty minutes later in a now overly-crowded hospital room, two nurses and a doctor come in. One of the nurses hands Hunter a set of scrubs and tells him someone will be back shortly to get him. They then wheel Tess out toward the operating room.

Everyone gathers all of our stuff and wishes Hunter good luck as we make our way to the waiting room when another nurse comes to collect him.

“Good luck, man,” I say as I clap him on the shoulder.

“Take care of our girl, bro,” Marshall says as he stops and allows Sawyer to kiss her father.

“Love you, son,” their dad says as he passes by.

“Go take care of my sister.” Tegan plants a kiss to Hunter’s cheek and takes my hand to lead us to the waiting room.

Our huge group fills up most of the cramped waiting room down the hall. And time seems to stop as we wait for Hunter to come out with an update. Tegan sits nervously wringing the bottom of her shirt. Marshall is mindlessly tapping away on his phone to pass the time, while Jeremy, Hunter’s dad, and Sawyer keep discussing how the babies will look and what an excellent big sister she will be.

No one knows the sex of the babies yet; Tessa insisted it be a surprise. We all thought Sawyer knew since it was mentioned at the baby shower that she knew their names, but oddly enough, she can’t remember the names her parents told her. We’ve all asked her multiple times over the past few months, but no one has found out the sexes or names from my adorable niece.

Marshall left a message with Jo and one to J.C. letting them know what was happening, but so far neither have called him back yet. It’s now currently 3:00 AM. They’re probably both sleeping still and will rush here once they wake up.

Jo ended up leaving Tessa’s shortly after I announced that Tegan and I were together. I have no idea what’s going on with her, but something isn’t right. She seemed on the verge of tears all day and avoided everyone. Tegan noticed that she refused to acknowledge Tess’s very large stomach, and she didn’t ask any questions regarding the pregnancy like she usually does.

J.C. told me that he was going to swing by her place and check on her when he left tonight. I’m sure they ended up arguing and possibly sleeping together, like they always do. The two of them have a volatile relationship.

After what seems like hours, Hunter emerges through a set of double solid doors with a huge smile on his face.

We all stand and race to him, excited to hear the news.

“Everyone is doing great. We have a beautiful baby girl and a handsome little boy!”

Cheers and hugs are exchanged.

“How’s Tess?” Tegan asks.

“She’s good, they are setting up a room for her now, and as soon as she’s moved from recovery into it, I’ll come get all of you. The twins are in the nursery having their vitals ran right now.” He finds his daughter’s eyes. “I think they need their big sister in there while they get their first bath, you ready to see them, Princess?”

Sawyer’s eyes go wide. “
Yes,
Daddy!”

“Alright, let’s go, sweetie.” He takes her from Jeremy’s arms and looks back to all of us. “I’ll be out shortly to get all of you.”

Then they disappear behind the doors again.

We all sit and wait again, only this time, relief and happiness seem to be the general mood of the group, whereas before worry was present.

A short while later, Hunter comes back out alone and announces that Tessa and the twins are now in a room. Everyone climbs to their feet, ready to go meet them, while I’m somewhat lost. I follow the group who’ve fallen in line behind Hunter, but when we arrive at the room, I lean against the wall instead of walking in.

Tegan must have noticed I was no longer behind her, because she turns to see me leaning on the wall.

“What’s going on?” she asks as she steps back up to me.

“Tess said family first, babe. I’m not family, so I figured I’ll just hang out here until you all have had your time with them first.”

“You’re taking what she said too literal, Charlie; you are family. You’re a part of my family now, and I want you with me when I meet my niece and nephew, so can you
puh-lease
come on?”

I put my hand on the back of her neck and guide her lips to mine.

“You’re my family too now, babe,” I breathe against her mouth before pulling her bottom lip into my mouth. “You ready?” I ask when I pull away. Her eyes are still closed and her forehead pressed against mine.

“You can’t kiss me like that. You’re distracting me from the reason we’re here.” She laughs.

“Babe, I’ll always kiss you like that if you let me. Now, let’s go see these babies before your sister sends out a search party looking for you.”

Even before seeing Tegan hold and caress the twins, I know it will only reiterate what I’ve already learned about her. She’s a beautiful person inside and out.

It also opens my eyes even more to the fact that not all women are destined to be like my birth mother. I know when Tegan becomes a mother, she’ll be loving, tender, and compassionate.

Watching her in this hospital room just confirms my feelings of love for her. Now I just need to tell her.

Tegan

I have never experienced instantaneous love like I do the moment I see my niece and nephew. If becoming an aunt has this much of an impact on me, I can only imagine how I’ll be if I ever become a mother.

“What are their names?” Marshall asks, never taking his eyes off the baby boy he’s holding.

Tessa looks at Hunter and they share a nod. “Sawyer, wanna tell everyone your brother and sister’s names?”

Sawyer, who’s sitting in Hunter’s lap stroking her new baby sister’s chubby cheek, perks up at the mention of her name.

“
Yes
,” she whisper-yells as to not wake up the baby. Hunter shifts the girls around so she’s able to slide off his lap and commands the attention of the room with her exaggerated throat clearing. “My brudder’s name is Parker, and my sisser is Madison.”

Everyone gives the appropriate oohs and ahhs to satisfy her. Tessa motions for her to come over and she carefully climbs in next to her mother.

Hunter tells us the names again.

“That is Parker Sean, and this little beauty is Madison Jean. Wanna hold your new niece, Bug?”

I nod. “Of course.”

Hunter stands and passes the tiny bundle of pink blankets over to me. I’m instantly in love the moment I feel her tiny body in my arms. I carefully take a seat with Charlie beside me and take in all of her physical traits.

She has chubby cheeks and a head full of brown-sugar-colored hair. After a few moments, her eyes open for a split second. So far, they look deep green, but I know that could change with time.

I hold her close and sporadically place kisses to her forehead and the one small hand that’s managed to slip out of her blanket cocoon. I’m so wrapped up in learning every single detail of Madison, I forget Charlie is next to me. That is, until I feel movement on my side. He leans against my side and places a finger to her small cheek.

“She’s gorgeous, just like her mom and aunt.” He places a small kiss to my cheek.

Marshall chooses that moment to bring Parker over and hands him off to a now very uncomfortable looking Charlie.

He doesn’t turn away or argue against holding little Parker, and after a couple minutes, and some minor adjusting on his hold, Charlie looks as if he’s held a dozen babies before.

Seeing his big body curled around this little wad of blue blankets is panty-melting. He’s attentive, just as lost in their private little moment as I was with Madison just a few seconds ago.

He must feel my eyes on him. His head comes up and his eyes find mine immediately, and a smile breaks out across his face.

“He’s wide awake.” I lean over, careful not to disturb the sleeping Madison, to get a good look at my nephew. His bright, blue-green eyes are wide open, glancing around the room taking everything in. His hair is a bit lighter than his sister’s, more like a deep shade of blonde versus the brown of hers.

Even wrapped in their blankets, the size difference is easily noticeable.

“He’s handsome. Oh my gosh, they are perfect.”