Ryker POV

Maddison telling me she was pregnant was the best news she could've given to me.

I thought I was surprising her that day, but I was the one surprised when she just threw it out there. Pregnant. Maddison. My beautiful Maddison was pregnant, with a little tiny creation we made, together.

It was fucking mind blowing.

Pregnancy suited her. She was literally glowing these past six months. When we scheduled her doctor's appointment, we had learned that she was already a month along, and now she's almost through month seven.

I took care of everything during the move, because I did not want Maddison stressing more than she needed to and cause anything to go wrong. Joey, of course, was hesitant at first, but when she found out Maddison was pregnant, she didn't put up much of a fuss over it.

I pulled the kid to the side and told her if she found a college that she'd wanna go to in Bozeman, I'd pick her up every weekend. She appreciated my offer, but went ahead and chose a local college closer to where we moved, so that she could be closer to Maddison in case she needed anything with the baby coming.

The James' sisters were a selfless pair. I loved that about them.

I found myself putting the writing on hold during these months of Maddison's pregnancy. She got furious at me, scolding me not to do so. But I couldn't help myself. The more and more I saw her baby bump growing, the more and more I was becoming obsessed with being around her and the baby.

I wanted to know the sex of the baby, but Maddison wanted to be surprised. Go fucking figure.

She was lying on the couch, reading some of my personal work that I'd started on—mostly because she forced me to—as she had her legs were spread over my lap. I was lightly stroking her legs and leaning down to her large bump, pressing my other hand to it.

"I wish I could just sense if you're a girl or a boy." I tilt my head at Maddison's stomach. "I'm inclining more towards a girl."

Maddison looks at me over the paper. "A girl?"

I nod, kissing her stomach. "I don't know why. Not that'd I'd complain if it's a boy. But you, little one," I rub her stomach. "I just have a feeling."

"And if you're wrong?" Maddison smiles at me.

I shrug. "Either way, I'll be happy."

Maddison's smile widens as she returns her eyes to my rough draft. I kiss her stomach again and lean my head softly on it.

"If you are a girl, do you know how many boys I'm gonna have to fend off? Especially since you're gonna look like your sexy mom?" Maddison hits me with her foot, but I just chuckle. "You're gonna be breaking hearts left and right, little one. And if anyone even dares to break yours? I'll break their face."

I feel Maddison chuckle slightly as I wrap my arm around her waist. I sigh in content, my heart full of love for these two humans beside me.

"I love you, little one. You have no idea how much you're loved. I gotta work hard to make sure that mommy stays safe for you and her. I couldn't take it if something happened to you guys."

Maddison put the stack of papers down and looked at me. "Nothing's gonna happen, Ryker."

I smile up at her. "I know. Just saying."

She rolls her eyes as Joey comes through the door. Joey smiles at us and looks at Maddison.

"Hey. How's the little kicker today?" She smiles at her.

"Not kicking much. I think the baby likes the sound of Ryker's voice. Doesn't kick much when he's talking."

I smirk. "What can I say? I have a way with words."

Joey rolls her eyes. "Shut up and scooch. I want baby time."

I laugh as I get up and let Joey have my spot. Joey and Maddison talk for a bit, Joey pressing her hand to Maddison's stomach. I know I shouldn't, but I feel so oddly protective of the baby, I don't even want Joey touching her.

I run down the hall to grab another blanket for Maddison and stopped to check my phone. I had a text from Karmiah, asking when she could come see Maddison. I was in the middle of typing a reply when I heard my name being frantically called.

I ran down the hall and looked in front of me. Maddison was standing up at the counter, gripping the edge of it. But when I trailed my eyes downward, I froze.

Water. Coming down from between her legs and on the floor. I feel my heart rate pick up.

"Baby?"

"It's time." She looks at me.

And just like that, we rush to the hospital. I was frantic. Is it normal for the baby to come this early? I mean, it's almost eight months? Is that okay? Is the baby gonna be okay? Is Maddison? Fuck, no, I couldn't handle it if anything happened to her.

Everything moved so damn fast, I couldn't even keep up. Maddison went into labor quick, from what I understood. Dilated at eight centimeters and everyone was rushing...until it stopped. The contractions stopped, Maddison's pain stopped. Everything just stopped.

It remained still for another twelve hours until Maddison said she felt like she had to go to the bathroom, and the nurse laughed, telling her that was her cue that it was time. And when it was time for her to push? Fuck, the pain I felt seeing Maddison cry out in agony was something else. She was crying, whimpering, but she never let go of my hand.

"I need my mom," she cried against my shoulder.

And that statement broke my damn heart. The doctor looked at me and I grabbed Maddison's sweaty face and had her look at me.

"Baby, I'm so sorry she's not here. But I am, okay? And I'm not going anywhere. You can do this, Maddison. You're a fucking warrior. Keep pushing."

I kiss her forehead as she nods. And with a final few pushes, she gave birth.

To a girl.

Fuck yes, I knew it.

Maddison was beyond exhausted, so she slept through an entire day after her first initial breast feeding and holding her. And she remained nameless as I held her for a straight twenty-four hours until Maddison woke up.

"Aria," Maddison smiles. "Aria Gabriella James-Brooks."

Aria. My princess. And she was the most gorgeous baby on the entire damn planet. Her eyes were a lighter shade hazel than mine, but they were wide like Maddison's. As she grew in the first year, her hair grew out and it turned into a dirty blonde color, a combination of mine and Maddison's. And her skin was fair, like Maddison's.

She was pure perfection in a tiny human form. And I protected her and watched over her like a hawk every damn day.

"Everyone's coming today." Maddison popped up beside me, eyes landing on Aria's sleeping body. "You ready?"

I sigh, stepping out of the room and closing the door. Maddison looks at me and I smile at her.

"Not really. You know stuff with my mom is still awkward, but it's for Aria. So, whatever."

She nods, placing her hands on my chest.

"You're an amazing father, Ryker. I can never tell you enough. But everything you've been doing for her? For us?" She shakes her head. "You're doing phenomenal."

I wrap my arms around her waist. "And you're the most perfect mother, Maddison."

Her cheeks flush light pink as she hides her face from me. When did she get all shy again?

I grab her chin and guide her eyes back to mine and that's when I saw it: the desire in her eyes. I felt myself instantly harden at the sight of her hungry eyes on mine.

With raising a baby, it was pretty damn hard to fit in anything for yourself, let alone having sex. And lately, it's been straining on Maddison and I. We spend all our time focusing on Aria and taking care of her and trying to teach her what she needs to be taught that we tire ourselves out and have no time for anything else.

I think the last time we had sex was a couple months ago. And that was because Kyler was kind enough to watch Aria for a bit. One thing led to another and well...yeah.

But now, we're on a schedule. And we're getting way better at managing our time and managing Aria. And Aria's fucking sleeping, and Maddison is looking at me like she's ready to mount me right here in the hallway.

I grab the back of her legs and hoist her up around my waist, never breaking eye contact with her. I see her chest rising and falling faster as I keep my hands on her thighs and walk towards the bedroom with her. I kick the door closed and press her on the bed, her eyes wild and hungry.

I grab her arms and sit her up, running my hands up her legs and grabbing ahold of the material of both her shorts and panties, dragging them down her legs. Her skin is full of goosebumps as she watches me and I spread her knees, fitting perfectly between them.

I tug her closer towards the edge and look up at her before bowing my head and meeting her wetness. She was fucking soaked already.

"So wet, Maddison. So fucking wet."

She moans as her hands fist in my hair. I lick up and down her slit before pushing my tongue inside her, making her cry out. She spread her legs a bit further, trying to give me as much access as I needed, but that was so damn hot to me I let go of a moan as I sucked her juices that were flowing from her.

"I-I can't," she pants. "I'm gonna come."

I push a finger in her, which makes her cry out a moan as I work my finger and tongue all around her. Her cries of pure pleasure and bliss are enough to make me come undone, myself.

Too fucking long without this.

"Come, Maddison. Right fucking now."

On command, her heavenly juices squirt into my mouth and I lick and suck her dry. She's panting heavily as I stand to my feet. Her dazed and hooded eyes make me so hard it hurts, but she's the most beautiful woman on God's given earth. I wouldn't trade this for the world.

She leans forward and hastily yanks my pants down my legs, along with my boxers, and moves back on the bed. I reach for her shirt and toss it over to the corner, groaning when I saw she didn't have a bra on. My mouth attaches to one of her nipples as she throws her head back, my name coming out of her mouth. Her legs wrap around me and I can already feel how wet she is again.

Only for me.

She practically rips the shirt off my body and brings me closer to her entrance by tightening her grip around my waist. I hover over her and stare at her, kissing her lips.

"Fuck me, now, Ryker." She pleads against my lips.

She was just as needy as I was. I positioned myself at her entrance, ready to dive into her like no tomorrow, when I heard knocking at the front door. We both looked, Maddison literally growling in frustration.

"It's okay, it can't be anyone yet. The family's not supposed to come for another few hours." I shake my head.

She nods, but the knocking continues. This time I growl, looking over my shoulder. So. Fucking. Close.

"Maybe it's a delivery man for the party?" Maddison gives a weak smile.

"For fuck's sake." I groan.

Maddison rolls off the bed and quickly pulls on her clothes, minus her shirt because she stole mine, and ran for the front door. I hear muffled talking, one a deeper voice, and decided to get dressed. Fuck that. No man is seeing my wife sexually aroused because it's a fucking sight.

I walk out with no shirt and look around. I see Maddison on the back porch, directing the men on what goes where.

"Go inside, I got this."

She raises a brow. "Why?"

I look down at her. "Because, baby. When you have that sexy look in your eyes, it's irresistible. And I don't wanna have to kill some jackass for looking at you the wrong way."

Maddison's eyes widened before blush spread across her cheeks. She hurried inside and shut the door behind her. I chuckled at her innocence she still somehow maintained to have and watched these bozos set up.

Sadly, family started to come early while they were setting up the huge princess castle for Aria, so Maddison and I wouldn't be able to finish what we started.

For now.

Aria's first birthday mattered more anyway, right now. Maddison grabbed her when she woke up and walked her around to everyone, letting everyone get to hold her and kiss her. I kept a careful eye on everyone who dared hold her.

Maddison kept giving me sneaky glances, which kept making my little friend stand at attention, so I had to stand behind a counter. I watched everyone swarm in and love on Aria, especially my mom. My mom would've loved to have a daughter, but she never did. Even though things were tense between us, I wouldn't kill her joy of being a grandparent to her.

Plus Maddison always tells me how proud she is of me when I do, so there's that.

When the cake is in front of Aria, she literally grabs a handful and shoves it in her face. Classic baby move, but still cute regardless. I grab her and kiss her cake-filled cheek. Then I grab Maddison's face and kiss her lips.

"You're such a child!" She pushes me off her, glaring at me.

I wink at her and she grabs a napkin, wiping her face. Kyler laughs beside me as he stares at the party.

"This ain't so bad, is it?"

"What?" I ask him.

"Wife, kids, all that?"

I shake my head. "Nah, man. This is the best thing I could've asked for."

He nods, but doesn't say anything else. I turn to him with a raised brow.

"Why?"

He blushed. Kyler actually blushed.

"I, uh, met a girl. And it felt different, you know? Real, I guess." He shrugs. "Been keeping it between us for a few weeks. But every time I see what you and Maddison have, it just makes me wonder what it'd be like if I had it."

I smile. "Go for it, brother. You deserve to be happy."

"Thanks, man." He wraps an arm around my shoulder.

And these fuckers weren't leaving without helping with cleanup. Because I wasn't about to do it all myself. And I wasn't about to have Maddison help after she finished putting Aria to bed.

So once everyone helped clean up and left, I finally took a much needed breath and shut off the lights. I placed the left over cake in the fridge and walked towards the hall, but saw Maddison coming out of Aria's room.

"She's finally asleep." She smiles.

"Good," I nod. "Everyone's gone."

"Already?"

I chuckle. "They figured the faster they cleaned, the faster they got to leave."

"You didn't." She frowns.

"I did," I step towards her. "Because I haven't been able to stop thinking about finishing what we started earlier."

She takes a step back. "I don't know if I'm in the mood anymore."

Another step. "You'd be a liar."

"And how's that?"

I capture her and wrap my arm around her waist. "Because I can see the way you've looked at me all night—it's the same way you're looking at me right now. You can't stop thinking about it, either."

I kiss her close to her ear, making her shiver.

"You don't know that." She protests.

I smirk. "Fine. One touch, and if you don't want anymore, then we won't."

I look up at her and she narrows her eyes at me. "Fine."

I scan my eyes over her body, deciding where it'd be that I touch her. But then again, I already knew what to do that drives her insane.

I press my lips against the very corner of her mouth, just enough to tease her, which makes a sigh escape her mouth. I stand back and look at her.

"But since you don't wanna," I shrug.

She wraps her arms around my neck and presses her body against mine.

"Don't even think about it." She warns.

I can't help but laugh. She owns me, body and soul.

"I love you, baby."

She smiles dreamily at me. "I love you more, Ryker."

And, of course, we definitely picked up where we left off earlier...and then some.