Winning Layla (#2)

Chapter 12

I shake my head at him. "Now, we don't. You said enough at the hospital a month ago."

He winces. "I was wrong to say those things, Layla," he murmurs.

"You were, but you also proved a point. You proved that I was wrong to trust you with my heart and soul. Nothing you say will change that."

"I came here to tell you how sorry I am. For everything. I know nothing will change what I did or take it back, but I want to be there for you. And our children," he says, running a hand along his jaw.

I feel myself start to soften and mentally smack myself. Get it together, Layla Edwards!

I sigh heavily. "They're my children. Remember, you didn't want them."

"You think I haven't thought about them, Layla? You think I don't regret leaving you or our pups? I regret it. Every day for the past month I have regretted it. I know I don't deserve your forgiveness or another chance. I just want some of your time and to show you that I still want you and our pups. No matter what," he pauses, "And that I love you with all my heart and I'm not willing to give you up and be regretful for the rest of my life."

I can't stop the tears before they escape from my eyes, tumbling down my cheeks. I nod. "Okay."

He advances towards me and grips the back of my neck, his thumbs on the line of my jaw. His lips crash onto mine in a passionate, yet desperate, kiss that bruises my lips and makes my head spin. He runs his tongue along my bottom lip and I open up for him, letting his tongue delve into my mouth. And he does just that. He explores me, tastes me, and strokes my tongue with his, making me moan softly. I clutch his arms as he backs me up until my back is against the check out counter and he lifts me, setting me on top of it.

"I've wanted to f**k you on this counter for awhile now, baby," he whispers against my lips, making me shiver.

"Nash," I whimper.

"What do you want, baby? Tell me," he says in my ear. "You want me to f**k you on this counter? Or do you want me to take you in the back and lay you down?"

"Lock the door," I manage. He steps away from me and walks to the entrance, turning the lock and bringing down the shade.

Seconds later, he's back where he was, kissing along my neck and over my mark, making me writhe. He skates his hands up my bare thighs, taking my dress along with him until it is at my waist. He dips his fingers into the band of my panties before tugging them down passed my thighs and calves until they are on the floor by his feet.

I claw at his belt and the buckle of his jeans frantically as he brings me to the edge of the counter. I push his jeans down and realize that he is, in fact, going commando. He wraps my legs around his back and brings a hand between us, wrapping it around his c**k before guiding himself into me slowly. I arch and lay back exposing my breasts to his heated gaze, moaning as he slowly starts to glide in and out of me. He leans down to leave wet kisses on my chest and the mounds of my breasts.

"I missed you so much, baby," he says, his voice muffled and thick with desire. He picks up speed until he is slightly slamming into me.

"I've missed you too, Nash," I tell him. Nash sits up and takes me with him, clutching my ass and slamming into me harder. Eventually, the phone crashes to the floor, but Nash and I are too caught up in each other to notice. I feel myself tighten around him and he groans loudly.

"Jesus, I've forgotten how much I love f*****g you," he growls.

"Nash, please. More."

I'm starting to sound desperate, but I don't care. I want him too much to give a damn. He drifts his hand between us again and seeks out my clit, making those perfect circles. I cry out and let go, giving in to the ecstasy of his thrusting hips.

When I come down, Nash has slowed his movements until he has almost stopped completely. He glides all the way in and stops, planting himself there. I nestle my head into his neck and let out a rush of breath, choking a laugh. Nash's head whips up and he kisses my lips before placing a gentle hand on my tummy.

"They're really kicking up a storm in there, aren't they?" He asks, thoughtfully.

I nod against his throat and respond. "They're dancing. Have been all day."

He chuckles. "My girl is exhausted, isn't she? Have you found out what we're having?"

I nod again. "Two girls and a boy," I tell him, finally raising my head. That's when I notice the tears glistening in his gray eyes. I place a hand on his cheek and ask, "What's wrong, sweetie?"

He clears his throat. "What else have I missed, Layla?"

I shake my head. "Not much. Reece and Rush painted the nursery and I have decided on names for each of them already."

"I should have been there to help you with all those things, but I'm here now and I'm going to fix everything. I promise you that, baby. Okay?"

"Okay, Nash."

* * *

One Week Later...

I've been staring at this box on my kitchen table for the past hour now, yet I can't bring myself to open it. I know it's from Nash, but something is telling me not to open it this time. This is the seventh or eighth box this week, each containing something new. Nash said he's doing this to make up for everything he has missed for the past month. He's been proving everything he said and has stayed true to his promise.

For the past week, he has taken me to my doctor's appointments, helped with things around the house, and gone on late grocery trips whenever I have a craving. He has also helped me get everything set up for when the babies arrive in about three weeks.

I sigh and lift the lapels on the top of the box before reaching in and pulling out the item from its hiding place within the bubble wrap. I'm surprised to see that it is a collage of pictures. All of Nash and I. Us smiling, laughing, making funny faces at each other, pictures from our trip with November and Reece to Myrtle Beach three years ago.

Happy Anniversary, the banner on it reads, making tears burst from my eyes.

He remembered.

I laugh despite the tears and turn around just as Nash comes into the house. He takes one look at the tears under my eyes and rushes towards me. "Baby, what's the matter?" He asks, wiping at my cheeks and eyes.

I shake my head before telling him, "It's just hormones, hon. I'm fine."

"Why were you crying, Layla?" He demands.

"I got the box," I say in explanation.

Nash looks down at the box, then back to me. "You don't...you don't like it. Do you?" He asks, worried of my reaction.

I grip his cheek and bring his lips down to mine. "I love it. It was just unexpected, sugar. I'm actually kind of surprised that you remembered our anniversary."

He chuckles. "Of course. Why wouldn't I remember the day I met you?"

I start to giggle, but a pain in my abdomen and lower back stop me. I gasp, clutching Nash's arm and digging my nails into his skin, which instantly gains his attention.

"Layla, baby, I think your water just broke," he murmurs, his tone completely serious.

I look down to see a puddle of water on the tiled floor of the kitchen. I wince as another contraction hits and Nash mutters a curse.

Fifteen minutes later, after Nash does ninety the entire way, I am checked into the pack hospital. After being placed in a wheelchair, I am wheeled to a delivery room and asked to change into a hospital gown.

When I'm done changing, I find Nash on the phone with his parents, Willow and Asher, along with my parents, and November and Reece. After finishing the calls, he comes to sit beside my hospital bed and holds my hand, placing a kiss on the palm.

"What did your parents say?" I ask after another contraction passes.

He looks at me and smirks like a mischievous boy. "Mom said they'll be here after stopping at the house to pick up something I forgot to grab. Just lay back and try to relax, baby."

I lay my head back against the pillows, only for it to shoot back up when I hear people coming into my room. I look over to see Rush and Sage at the doorway, both carrying balloons and bouquets of flowers.

I hear Nash growl when he smells Rush before saying, "What the hell are you doing here?"

I glare at him. "Nash, don't. I want them here. Not only do I forgive you, but I forgive him too. I just want my family together. Now is not the time. Okay?"

He sighs heavily. "Okay." He nods.

Rush walks over to my bed and kisses my cheek. "Hey, little sis. How you feelin'?" He asks, smiling.

"Like my insides are being shredded, but I'm more concerned about Nash," I reply, looking at my mate, whose face his pale.

Rush looks towards him, too, and agrees. "You okay, man? You look like you're going to be sick."

Nash tries to smile, but I see that something is wrong. "She's right. It's like your insides are being shredded," he groans. I sit there for a minute before understanding dawns.

The mate bond.

He can feel everything.

"Well, sweetheart, the good thing is the contractions are coming quicker, so the pain won't last very much longer," I reassure him as Rush stifles his laughter. Another painful contraction hits me. This one worse than all the others. I press the call button on the bed.

A few seconds later, my nurse, Kendra, breezes through the room. She checks my vitals, which are looking good (her words), before checking how far I've dilated. She looks up at me and smiles before saying, "It's time. I'll alert your doctor."

About ten minutes later, Dr. Ramirez, who has been my doctor since I was a child, comes in and greets all of us before ushering Sage and Rush out of the room. While Dr. Ramirez changes into hospital scrubs, I look over to see Nash sitting there, still quiet. I grasp his hand in mine. He looks back at me.

"You okay, babe?" I ask him.

He nods. "I will be once the babies are here."

He kisses my forehead and my lips as Dr. Ramirez walks back in with two other people, whom I assume will assist her during the delivery. After placing my legs on the stirrups, I put my hair in a bun to keep it out of my eyes.

Once everything is ready and I am holding myself back from pushing, Dr. Ramirez asks me, "Are you ready?"

I nod, more determined than ever.

* * *

Two Hours Later...

I watch from my hospital bed as Nash holds a crying Rhiannon in his big arms. The looks of awe and adoration upon his face make my heart leap. I drift my eyes away from him to Lennon and Sophia who are both asleep in their individual cots. Nash decided it was best to go with the names the girls and I had come up with.

After the babies and I were cleaned up, Nash informed our families of the babies' arrival. We were swarmed with relatives wanting to hold and meet each of them. I was also able to finally meet Nash's mom, Willow. She welcomed me with open arms before clutching me to her and demanding to know when Nash and I's wedding would be, making me giggle hysterically.

I was surprised when she started crying as I informed her of Sophia's middle name, and how I had come up with the name without Nash.

When everyone leaves, I take the time to admire each of the babies. Like how Sophia and Lennon have their father's dirty blonde hair and gray eyes while Rhiannon has coal black hair and emerald eyes like her Aunt November.

I feel Nash sit on the bed and look up to see a smile on his face. "What?"

He shakes his head, still smiling wide. "What?" I repeat.

"I didn't think you could get more beautiful, but you've proved me wrong," he says. His lips are brushing mine.

"I just gave birth to three pups and you think I'm beautiful?" I ask, surprised. I'm sure my eyebrows are caught up in my messy hair right now.

"You're always beautiful, Sweet Pea. Even more now. Post childbirth or not. You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."

Awe.

"Thank you," I reply quietly. His lips are only a meer inch from mine. I lean in the rest of the way and connect my lips with his.