Chapter 8
Jake hated fuss. Even being fussed over because his wife was pregnant, he hated it. He tolerated the impromptu party that his mother threw them that night to celebrate her latest grandchild, but Jake just wanted to go to his room and spend some time with Sam.
Sam saw it in his face. It was hard to miss. She caught his eyes several times and she could see the misery in his. He could see the humor in hers. Jake's mouth would twitch and Sam would grin.
"When are you due, Sam?" Cara asked.
Sam looked up from holding Quinn's son Dakota. "Beginning of June."
Jake watched her look down at Dakota from across the room and couldn't help imagining her holding their child and looking down at it with such love.
"Maybe you'll go early and have it on our birthday," Quinn told her, glancing at his twin.
"That's pretty early," Debi said.
"I'm not having my baby on your birthday, Quinn," Sam grinned.
"Never say never, Sammy," Quinn grinned at her. "If you do, you have to name it after me."
"I'm not naming my baby Hammock Stuffer," Sam told him.
Jake barked out a laugh. He colored when everyone looked at him. Then everyone else started laughing both from Jake laughing and from Sam making the joke.
"Now Sammy, you know I don't have to stuff my hammock," Quinn put an arm around her. "Just ask Debi."
Debi rolled her eyes.
"How do you put up with him?" Sam teased Debi.
"I treat her really nice, right honey?" Quinn grinned at his wife.
Debi blushed. Everyone else grinned at her.
Dakota started to fuss and Debi held out her arms for her son. "I think someone's hungry and needs to be changed."
"So why are you wanting Dakota?" Sam teased. "Just take Quinn."
Jake's mouth twitched as everyone else laughed.
"Har har," Quinn knocked his knuckles against the top of Sam's head as Debi took her son.
"You know I love you, Quinn," Sam hugged him.
"Of course you do," Quinn gave her a bear hug, almost knocking the breath out of her.
"Humble too," Sam laughed.
"It's hard to be humble when you've got women throwing themselves at you," Quinn teased back.
"It's been years since you've done the museum exhibit," Sam reminded him. "Nobody's throwing anything at you anymore. Well, maybe except Debi throwing dirty diapers."
Quinn laughed. "Love ya, Sammy."
"Love you too, big brother," Sam kissed him before leaving him to stand by Jake. "I love you more."
"I know," Jake told her. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm okay," Sam answered.
Jake raised an eyebrow.
Sam sighed.
"Okay, I'm a bit tired," Sam admitted.
"Do you need to lay down?" Jake asked.
Sam shook her head, slipping an arm around his waist.
"Brat," Jake murmured.
"I don't," Sam assured him. "I'll tell you if I do."
Jake raised his eyebrow again.
"I will, I promise," Sam swatted him.
"I'm trusting you here, Sam," Jake said.
"I'm not going to jeopardize our child," Sam told him, looking up into his handsome face. "I can't wait to have your baby."
"I can't wait to watch your belly grow with my baby," Jake unconsciously touched her still flat stomach.
"Will you still love me when I'm a blimp?" Sam was only half teasing.
"I'll love you more," Jake assured her.
Sam had to shut her eyes and look away. The love for her in his eyes was too much for her sometimes.
"I adore you, Brat," Jake said directly into her ear. "I'll love you for the rest of my life."
"Jake," Sam moaned. "Don't make the pregnant woman cry."
"I don't mean to make you cry," Jake told her. "I just want you to know that you can swell up and blimp out and I'll still love you."
Sam trembled.
"Hey, I loved you when you were flat chested and toting around a wussy pink backpack," Jake teasingly reminded her.
"I still tote around a wussy pink backpack," Sam pointed out.
"Yeah, but you're not flat chested anymore," Jake teased.
"I'm going to be looking like a cow soon," Sam put her hands out in front of her breasts.
"More for me to love," Jake's voice lowered to make sure he wasn't overheard. He saw the desire in Sam's eyes. "I'll start tonight."
It was all Sam could do not to grab him and pull him down to the room they shared.
