CHAPTER 63
RYAN’S POV
“Of course, Dad!” I said almost too quickly, excitement rushing out of me before I could even hold it in,
and Dad gave me that wide smile of his, the kind that always made me feel like a little boy again, and he
patted me firmly on the back. “Great, buddy!” he said, his tone was proud and approving in a way that
almost made my chest burst.
But Mom wasn’t finished, not at all. She shifted a little awkwardly, her eyes moving between me and
Anna like she was trying to find the right words, like there was something on her mind but she wasn’t
sure if she should say it out loud. She cleared her throat once, then again, and finally forced herself to speak. “If you both can… uhm, just tone it down a little bit, especially you, Ryan.” She rubbed her hands together nervously, her face was a little red. “She’s pregnant and… just, tone it down, okay? I know you love it, but… just tone it down, uh?”
I couldn’t stop myself from chuckling a little at how awkward she was being about it, and Anna’s cheeks turned crimson instantly as she nodded quickly. “Sure thing, Mom,” she said right away, hugging her tightly. Mom softened at that, smiling through the embarrassment. “That’s great, dearie. You should
focus more on your pregnancy and your studies… other things can come later, okay? Or, if it must happen
, it shouldn’t overcloud your senses.”
Anna’s blush deepened, and she whispered, “Yes, Mom,” looking like she wanted the ground to swallow
her.
Mom, still a little flustered, cleared her throat again and then asked, “Anna, do you still want to keep staying in the dorm, or…?”
Anna glanced at me quickly, as if she wanted me to answer for her, but just as I opened my mouth to speak, Dad raised his hand and said, “Just leave them. They’ll sort everything out by themselves.” Then
he turned serious as he looked at both of us. “Ryan, Anna… as much as we’d love to stay over, we have to give you both your privacy. Your mom and I also have things to do tonight, and honestly, this house
might not contain all of us, so we’ll be leaving now.”
Mom still wasn’t done fussing though. She turned back at me just before Dad pulled her away, wagging a finger like she always did when she was worried. “Take care of yourselves. and Ryan–eat food. Real food. Not the other kind of food! You need your strength to take care of her. You have a whole lot on your plate now, more than you might even imagine…”
But before she could finish her lecture, Dad growled low in his throat, hungry and playful, and without warning he swept her right off her feet, carrying her bridal style out of the house while she yelped and laughed nervously. The driver was already waiting outside, and just like that, they were gone.
The moment the door clicked shut and locked behind them, I turned to Anna, and all the restraint I had
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been holding in came rushing out of me. I grabbed her by the waist and lifted her off the ground, swirling her around as she squealed softly, while I peppered her face with kisses, her forehead, her nose, her cheeks, telling her over and over again, “I love you, I love you so much, Anna, you have no idea how much I love you!”
She tilted her head just the way I liked it, and I swear my heartbeat sped up like it was about to break through my chest. I stopped spinning her, lowering her back down gently until her feet touched the floor, but I kept her close, cupping her face with both my hands and staring deep into her eyes, as if I wanted her to see everything inside me. “I love you, baby,” I said with a voice that shook with all the emotions running through me. “and I’m more than ready for any responsibility that comes my way just to have you. Not just you–us.” My hands slid down to her stomach, resting there gently while I went on my knees and pressed a soft kiss against her belly. “Us.”
Anna let out a shaky laugh, her hands brushing through my hair, and she chuckled softly. “Come on,” she whispered, her voice tired but warm. “Let’s go have our bath. I’m exhausted.”
“Yeah, baby,” I whispered back, standing and taking her hand tightly in mine. “Let’s go.”
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