Dray (Miller Brothers Book 1) (19 page)

“Dray and Luce,” everyone repeats, sipping on their champagne.

I jump up and hug Ritch. “I fucking love you, too, brother,” I whisper in his ear before slapping his back. “I’m happy you gave the condensed version of all our shenanigans.”

“Well, I’d be here all day if I gave the full version.”

“True, glad you were a part of it. There’s no one else I’d have shared it with.”

Both our eyes are glassy.

Fuck.

We step away from each other and he winks. No more words are needed. I know I can depend on this man for whatever mess I get into.

“Dray, are you okay?” Luce asks, smiling. She loves it when I get emotional.

“Just dust in my eyes, that’s all.”

I quickly brush away the tear and take a huge slug of champagne.

I need to get a grip.

* * *

Over the rest of the afternoon, we make our way through each and every course. I have to admire Luce’s appetite; she can almost keep up with me, but she’s eating for two, as she always likes to remind me.

We cut the cake, and it’s perfect. Laurie has exceeded herself, but then we never expected anything else. It’s a three-tiered lilac cake decorated with edible iced roses. Each layer is different—chocolate, vanilla and strawberry, and tiramisu. We slice through the first layer as flashes of cameras go off. We giggle as we feed each other, and of course Luce rubs it in my face. I make a mental note to get her back later once we’re alone.

We clean up and then we’re ready for the first dance. I’m nervous because I’ve two left feet, but Luce insists we’ll keep it simple. The chords strike up to Luce’s favourite song ‘Moon River’. It’s such a beautiful, classic song, but I never expected anything else.

“Thank you for giving me the perfect day,” she whispers while I hold her as tight against me as her bump will allow.

“My pleasure,” I reply, kissing her softly on the lips.

Her eyes fill up, and she giggles. “All you’ve done today is make me cry. How did you get to be so perfect?”

“I’ve been waiting in the wings so long I know everything about you. It’s just now I get to spoil you, to show you how much I love you.”

“Thank you for never giving up on me, even when I was too blind to see it.”

I sigh deeply at her words. “You owned my heart, baby. I couldn’t have walked away if I tried.”

“Then I’m glad I bewitched you, that you’re mine, and that we get to share the rest of our lives together.” She nuzzles into my neck.

“Oh, we will. And as much as I love you in this beautiful dress, I can’t wait to strip it off you, so you’re wearing just the blue garter underneath.”

She pulls away in surprise. “How do you know I’m wearing a garter?” she asks, blushing.

“Because I was the one who insisted Kara buy one for you.” I quirk an eyebrow, and she giggles. “Are you ready for a night of multiple orgasms?”

“Promise to feed me cake in-between to keep my energy levels up.”

“That I can do,” I add with a wink.

“Oh, and Dray? I found my old glasses.”

A huge smile spreads over my face. We’re going to making a lot of memories tonight, recreating past and present.

It’s going to be a night to remember.

“Firecracker, I have to work. I can’t come right now, but I’ll be home soon, baby, I promise.” I end the call and sigh deeply.

I’m knackered.

And Luce is permanently horny.

I can’t keep up, and I never thought I’d say that. I scowl as Ritchie laughs in the background.

Fucker.

“I swear she’s going to break me. She pounces on me the moment she sees me. My dick needs a holiday,” I whine.

“God, you two couldn’t keep your hands off each other at one point, it got embarrassing. Why the hell are you complaining now?”

“Because I’m fucking tired. Luce tosses and turns at night because she can’t get comfortable. If I go to sleep in another bed, she’ll get upset thinking I don’t want her. Ever been around a full-term hormonal pregnant woman ready to drop? I daren’t open my mouth. If I tell her I’m tired, she’ll think I don’t fancy her, so I try and please her any way I can.”

“Shit, man, that sounds rough,” Ritch adds sympathetically.

“I just need sleep.” I run my hands down my tired face and walk over to the sofa. Sinking down, I curl up, muttering for Ritchie to put up a ‘do not disturb’ sign.

I wake to a commotion outside the door. Luce bustles through, looking red-faced and out of breath. It’s like twenty-three degrees out there, as we’re now in the middle of May, and she shouldn’t be out and about in this heat.

“Dray,” she pants, dropping her handbag, stopping to prop herself against my desk as she tries to even out her breathing.

“Firecracker, what the fuck? Are you okay? The baby?”

“The baby is fine,” she wheezes.

“Then are you?”

“I’m fine. Well, I will be when I catch my breath.” She stands there as her long, deep breaths fill the room. I watch her slowly come back down before walking her over to the sofa to help ease her onto it. I lift her legs so I can massage her feet. Ritchie hands her a cold bottle of water before leaving, closing the door behind him. She takes a few long sips, looking like she really needs them.

“Baby, why are you here?” I ask again. I knead her feet and she groans with each and every movement I make.

“Because I can’t settle at home alone. I told you to come home. I need you, Dray. I’m scared.” I see fear there in her eyes, and it kills me to see her like this.

“What are you scared about, baby?” I shift her nearer so she’s sitting on my lap, her face barely inches from mine.

“She’s almost here, and what if things go wrong? What if something happens during labour? What if I’m a bad mother and don’t connect with her? What if I don’t love her like I should?” She bursts into tears, and my heart breaks for her.

“Hey, shush. These are all just insecurities, which are natural. Our life is going to change, Luce, but for the better. The moment your eyes meet with hers, you’ll know the meaning of unconditional love. Your heart is too big not to. You’re ready for this.
We’re
ready for this. I’ll be with you all the way.”

“You promise?” she asks between sniffs as I cuddle her some more.

“Baby, I’m here every step of the way.” I kiss her forehead as she nuzzles her face into my chest while I rub her back

“Ow.” She jolts in my arms.

“What’s wrong?” I ask in alarm.

My nerves are shot.

“The baby is kicking. She always does when she hears your voice. She’s going to be a daddy’s girl before she’s even out of the womb.”

“That’s my girl.” My hand smooths over her bump as she kicks again. Luce must be bruised by now.
She might be a footballer yet.
I’ll just keep that thought to myself.

I manoeuvre myself so I’m sitting on the floor with my mouth right by her bump. “Hey, my beautiful angel, this is your daddy. Are you going to come and meet us soon? We can’t wait to see you, we love you so much. There will never be another baby more loved than you, angel. You’ve stolen my heart. You and your mummy own me completely.”

“Dray.” Luce sobs, and I chuckle.

“Sorry, too much?”

“Stop being so perfect, my emotions are shot already.”

“Just telling you how it is, firecracker. My life is going to be perfect with both my girls.”

She sighs and closes her eyes, and I see a mixture of contentment on her face as she falls asleep.

* * *

“Dray,” Luce moans down the phone. “Come home.”

“Firecracker, what’s wrong?” Ritch took her home just over two hours ago. I’ve been trying to work my way through everything so I’m good when the baby comes.

“I need you,” she groans.

“Baby, I’ll be home soon.” I don’t think I have the strength to go another afternoon. I never thought I’d see the day that I’d be turning down sex, but fuck me, I’m spent.

“Get home now, Dray!” she screams.

Fucking hell.

“Firecrack—

“My waters have broken, the baby is coming.” She lets out an agonized groan.

“Fuck, baby. I’m on my way. Don’t fucking move. I’ll be ten minutes.”

“It takes longer than that, don’t you dare fucking speed. I want you alive for this birth.”

“Baby—”

“Quit yapping, Dray, and just leave.”

“I’m on my way. Stay calm, baby.”

“Stay fucking calm—” She moans again.

I need to shut the hell up and leave already. “I’m hanging up. I’ll be home soon.” I disconnect and clutch the desk, trying to take in this moment. “Ritchie!” I yell.

“What the fuck, man, is there a fire?” he growls, bounding in.

“Luce’s waters have broken.”

“Fuck.” He stops dead and we both just stare at each other.

“She’s coming, my angel is coming. Fuck, Ritch, what if—”

“Everything’s going to be fine. Just go, she’s bound to be scared. She needs you. I’ll ring later for an update. This is it, you’re finally going to be a daddy.”

I stare at him like some dumb fuck.

Daddy?

Wow.

“Dray.”

“I’m going, I’m going.” I grab my keys and Ritch gives me a quick slap on the arm before I race out the door.

“Dray, can you sign off on—”

“Not now, Amanda, Luce’s waters have broken. Ritch is acting manager now.”

“Oh, my God, Dray. Congratulations! Keep us updated.”

“Will do!” I yell, hurtling out the door, barely drawing breath.

Our angel is finally on the way.

* * *

“Breathe, Luce, just breathe.”

“I’m fucking breathing, Dray, you don’t have to tell me!”

I’ve had this for the last ten hours. You think it’s going to be over so fast and then reality hits. Luce turned down the epidural, and I think she’s regretting it now. But I’m staying silent about that. She’s fully dilated and is exhausted. She’s squeezed the life out of my hand for the last hour, but we’re only moments away from the finishing line.

“You can do this, Luce.”

“One more push and the baby’s head will be out,” Laura, the midwife, says while smiling.

“I can’t,” Luce whimpers. “I’m too tired.” She starts to sob, and it breaks me to see her so exhausted. I wish I could do this for her.

Well, maybe not.

“Oh, God, here comes another contraction, Dray. Please, I need you.”

I jump in behind her for added support as she leans back into me. I grab both her hands and will her to push. “This is it, firecracker.”

She lets out a yell and pushes down, and the sound is almost demonic.

“The head is out.” Laura beams. “One more push and she’ll be here.

“Dray,” Luce whimpers.

“One more push, baby, and then you’ll get to hold her. You can do it. I’m here, just one more push.”

She lets out an ungodly roar and I pray this is the final hurdle. Her fingers almost snap every bone in my hands, but it’s worth it to finally have our angel here.

“Here she is,” Laura announces. She brings over our little dark-haired bundle of joy as Luce descends into sobs. Tears roll down my face when she’s laid across Luce’s chest. She’s so tiny. I couldn’t ever imagine anything so small. But she’s completely perfect.

“She’s here, Dray,” Luce whispers, kissing our baby’s forehead.

I just stare in amazement.

I’m in love.

Her eyes slowly open and look into mine, and I’m done for. I feel more tears roll down my face. I grab my phone and lift it up to take a selfie of us all to document one of the best moments of my life.

The nurse soon takes her away to clean up, to do checks and record her weight. Luce sinks back into me, beyond exhausted. I kiss her hair and she sighs with complete contentment.

“Thank you for giving me the most precious gift,” I say, holding her in my arms. She turns her head to look at me.

“She’s really here, Dray. Can you believe it?”

“I can’t, baby. You did so good, my brave little firecracker.”

“Next time, I’m having that epidural.” We both laugh together.

“I don’t think my hand could survive another labour,” I groan. I’m pretty sure I have some sort of fracture.

“Try pushing a baby out of your vagina, then you’ve something to complain about.”

“You did amazing.” I kiss her cheek as the nurse returns with our angel.

“Do you want to hold?” Luce asks. I nod as I climb from behind and take her in my arms. She wrinkles her nose slightly as she stirs. Just like her mother. She’s like a mini Luce, and I couldn’t be any prouder.

“Hey, beautiful. I’m your daddy. We’ve been waiting for you and now that you’re here, we’re finally complete. My own little family. You’ve made me the happiest man alive.” I kiss her hair and she lets out a contented gurgle. I feel a tear roll down my cheek as I walk over to sit by Luce. She wipes the tear from my cheek and leans in to kiss me. It’s soft and slow as we pull away to stare in wonder at our precious baby girl.

“We still haven’t thought of a name yet.” Luce sighs.

“Well, you vetoed all of mine.”

“With good reason.” Luce snorts. “But I was just thinking before. I don’t know whether you would like to call her Grace, after your mother?”

“Really?” I stare at her in wonder.

“I know how much you miss her, but I didn’t want to ask in case it was too upsetting.”

“No—I love it, I wish she was here to meet her.”

“I know, me, too. So how about Grace Agnese Miller? I’d like her to share my Nonna’s name, too.”

“It’s perfect, their memory will live on through our little Grace.”

“I think I’m just going to rest my eyes.” Luce leans over and kisses Grace, who’s lying content in my arms. I watch her slowly fall asleep, knowing words could never express how much joy she’s given me.

I sit in the chair, watching both Luce and Grace as they sleep. They look like angels.

My Luce.

My Gracie.