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“I’ve said what I came to say Found out what I needed to know” She moved past him and headed for the door

Fear flooded him that surpassed any he’d ever felt before Even when bullets had been flying over his head If he let her go out the door he ers wrapped around her forear her

Her gaze ca with hope

“I don’t want you to leave”

Her hand cao”

The band around his chest popped, letting all the love he’d held back flow He gathered her to hiainst him Deep kisses, small sweet ones, filled his world until they broke apart

“Can you stay the night?” Ryan looked down at her

“Yes My maternity leave starts tomorrow No due babies?”

“Only this one” Ryan placed his hand on her belly “And I intend to keep a close eye on hiht or out of my arms”

Phoebe smiled, one that reached her eyes “That sounds perfect toto accept life isn’t about fairy tales if you’re willing to believe they are a possibility”

“Agreed” Ryan kissed her again

She broke away “Augh” She reach

ed behind her and rubbed her lower back

“What’s wrong?”

“My back aches”

He gave her an intense look “When did it start?”

“On my way here”

He grinned “You may be in labor”

“Really?” Her hands went to her belly and a dreamy look covered her face

“We’ll see what happens in the next few hours It still ht be Braxton-Hicks contractions or, in other words, false labor pains Co we can do to keep your mind off them” He took her hand and led her toward the bath

“Can we do that if I’m in labor?”

Ryan chuckled “No, but there are plenty of other things that we can do that are al”

“Like a foot e?”

“That could be arranged But I have so with a nice warm shower”

Inside the bathroo the water on, seconds later the shower sprayed water Ryan turned back to her and began re her clothes

“I can do that”

“But I want to” He carefully worked each button out of its hole Soon she was naked He didn’t touch her but he took his ti

“You’re e me”

“Because I enjoy ad woret he pulled the curtain back and offered her his hand “Be careful We don’t need you slipping”

Phoebe took it and stepped under the stea water A few minutes later the curtain was pulled back and Ryan joined her His“Oh, I wasn’t expecting you”

“I need a bath, too Saves water to share Turn around and let e your back”

Phoebe did as he instructed Hebut not too hard

“That feels great”

Ryan continued to ease the ache for a few more minutes before his hands moved around to make wide circular ainst hiainst her butt He didn’t move but said close to her ear, “Hand me the soap”