“I’m just being honest.”
“And the baby?”
“Luckily we didn’t have to find out.”
“I need you to take extra care of yourself. I know there are things you can do that nobody should be able to do, but you have more to think about than just you. It’s me, and it’s the baby. I need you to be cautious, take extra care.”
“I am. But this is an unusual circumstance.”
Brandt sighed and pulled her back into his arms. “No more of all your little wispy things. Just let me do all the heavy lifting for now.”
“Heavy lifting?” she asked laughingly.
“You know what I mean, the more dangerous things.”
“I’ll try,” she said, still grinning.
~~~
Later, after most everyone had gone home, Analise sat on the sofa with Harley sleeping across her lap. Havoc sat beside her, with his arm draped across her shoulders. Brandt and Tempest were on the love seat. The bedroom door opened and Bam and Everly walked out.
“How is she?” Brandt asked.
“Still resting. Seems to be more peacefully than before,” Everly said.
“You should go home and get rest, Mom. We’re headed that way ourselves,” Analise said.
“I’m not going anywhere until she can sit up and talk to me,” Bam said.
“Barron does have the extra bedroom. You two should rest in there. That way you’ll be here and able to help if he needs something,” Tempest said.
“We just might do that,” Everly said. “You two should go on home and put that baby to bed.”
Brandt and Tempest quickly looked up at Everly, then both seemed to realize she was speaking to Analise.
“We are. I just needed to be sure she’s stable before I left,” Analise said.
“She’s going to be fine,” Everly said.
“Alright, well I’ll be back first thing in the morning so you can run home and do whatever you need to do. I’ll stay with her and Barron until you get back.”
“I’ll see you then,” Everly said.
Havoc got up and lifted Harley into his arms, freeing Analise so she could stand and tell her parents good night. Analise kissed Everly’s cheek. “I love you, Mom.”
Then she hugged Bam. “I love you, Daddy,” Analise said.
“I love you, too,” Bam said. He was still holding Analise in a bear hug when he lifted an arm and pointed at Havoc. “Do not let her out of your sight for now.”
“How about forever?” Havoc answered seriously.
“I like that even better,” Bam said.
“She’ll be safe, Uncle Bam. You know how I am. She’ll always be safe,” Havoc said.
“I can help y’all get home,” Bam said.
“No, that’s not necessary. Tempest and I are going home and if it’ll make you feel better, I’ll see them home before we go home,” Brandt said.
