Knocked up by the Mountain Man (Silver Ridge Mountain Men)

26. Beau

26

BEAU

T he air still hums with the aftermath of our love making, the room filled with the lingering scent of passion and sweat. Clara rests in my arms, her breathing steady and even against my chest. I feel a profound sense of peace, a completeness I’ve yearned for over the years. Everything about this moment feels right, like coming home after a long, exhausting journey.

Clara shifts slightly, looking up at me with those beautiful eyes that have always held my heart. Her fingers trace gentle patterns on my skin, and I can see a hint of hesitation in her gaze.

“Beau,” she starts, her voice soft and almost tentative. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

My heart skips a beat, curiosity and anxiety thread through me. “What is it?”

She takes a deep breath, her eyes searching mine for a moment before she speaks again. “I’m pregnant.”

For a heartbeat, the world stops. The words hang in the air, sinking in slowly.

Pregnant.

Clara’s pregnant .

My mind races, processing the information, and then it hits me fully. Clara is having our baby. Another baby! I just found out that I have Thomas, and now it seems like we’re about to go through the whole process again. Only this time, we’ll do it together.

A rush of emotion floods through me. Joy, excitement, and an overwhelming sense of happiness. I can feel my face breaking into a wide grin, unable to contain the elation bubbling up inside me.

“Clara,” I breathe, pulling her even closer. “That’s incredible. You’re having our baby? We’re having another child? We’re going to be a family?”

She nods, a small, relieved smile tugging at her lips. “Yes, Beau. We’re going to have a baby.”

I can hardly believe it. After all the years of regret and missed opportunities, I finally have the chance to be there, to support her, to be the father I’ve always wanted to be. I lean down, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. “I’m so happy, Clara. I can’t even begin to tell you. But you do know that you’re going to have to stay here now. I need you and Thomas in Silver Ridge.”

Her eyes sparkle with unshed tears, but there’s a smile there too, a mixture of relief and joy. “I was so worried about telling you,” she admits. “I didn’t know how you’d react.”

“I’m over the moon,” I assure her, my voice filled with sincerity. “This is the best news I could have ever imagined getting. I want to be there for you, and our baby, every step of the way.”

The weight of the past seems to lift, the future suddenly looking brighter and filled of possibilities. I think of all the moments I missed with Thomas, all the regrets I’ve carried, and I silently vow to make up for them. This time, I’ll be there. I won’t miss a single moment.

Clara’s smile widens, and she cups my face in her hands, pulling me in for a kiss. It’s gentle and full of promise, a seal on our shared happiness. “I love you, Beau.”

“I love you too, Clara,” I whisper against her lips. “Always have, always will.”

As I hold her close, the enormity of the moment settles in. This is our fresh start, our chance to build a life together.

I feel an urgent desire to make this moment even more special. My heart races with an intense blend of love, excitement, and determination. I can’t bear the thought of another day without Clara, without her being officially part of my life in every possible way.

I pull back slightly, just enough to see her face. “Clara,” I begin, my voice trembling slightly, “there’s something I want to say.”

She looks at me curiously, a touch of worry in her eyes. “What is it, Beau?”

I take a deep breath, my mind racing as I try to find the right words. But then I realize, I don’t need the perfect words, I need to simply speak from the heart. Tell her what I feel, what I’ve always felt, and what I want for our future.

“Clara,” I say, my voice steady now, filled with certainty. “I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember. I can’t imagine my life without you. I don’t want to spend another day apart. I want to build a life with you.” Her eyes widen slightly, as if she’s beginning to understand where I’m going. I reach for her hands, holding them tightly in mine. “I don’t have a ring yet,” I continue, my heart pounding, “but I promise I’ll get you one. A big one. The biggest ring you’ve ever seen, because Clara, I need you to be my wife. Will you marry me?”

For a moment, she’s too overwhelmed to speak. But then, with a radiant smile breaking through her tears, she nods vigorously. “Yes, Beau,” she whispers, her voice choked with emotion. “Yes, I’ll marry you. I’d love nothing more than to be your wife.”

I pull her into my arms, our kiss sealing the promise of our future together. As we hold each other, the reality of our new beginning sinks in. We’re not just two people in love; we’re a family now. A family that will grow with the addition of our child.

“I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you,” I whisper against her hair, feeling her warmth against me. “To be there for every moment, every challenge, every joy. Everything…”

She looks up at me, her eyes sparkling with love and excitement. “And I can’t wait to start this journey with you, Beau. To build our home, our family, together. I’m so glad you chose me.”

We lie there, wrapped in each other’s arms, the future stretching out before us like an unwritten story. One that we’ll write together, page by page, with love, laughter, and unbreakable bonds. This is our beginning, and I know, deep in my heart, that it will be the most beautiful chapter of our lives.