Mace (Untamed Sons MC: Birmingham Chapter #1)

30. Maylie

THIRTY

MAYLIE

Ivy’s daughter is possibly the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. She has this tiny little button nose and the bluest eyes imaginable. Despite being six weeks old, she still seems like a doll.

My sister is completely smitten, peering down at her as if amazed she made something so perfect. I don’t blame her for that. I’m sure I’ll be the same when my baby is born.

Mace and I decided to keep it secret for a while, just so that Ivy got to have her moment in the spotlight, but that won’t be possible for much longer. I’ve managed to hide my morning sickness from both her and Toby, thanks to having a separate bathroom, though I suspect my brother knows something is going on. Unlike Ivy, he hasn’t had anything to preoccupy his mind. He hasn’t said anything though, allowing us to keep this secret.

I rest a hand on my stomach subconsciously, unsure if the swell there is bloat or if it’s the start of my baby making its presence known. I’m twelve weeks today, the natural time when couples usually reveal their good news, but I’m happy to keep this private a little longer. I like that Mace and I share this huge secret between us.

“She’s so perfect,” Ivy says in a dreamy voice. “I don’t even care that I’ve only had three hours sleep.”

I smile, astounded by how motherhood has changed my sister. There is a newfound maturity in her, a desire to only do what she needs to for her baby.

We never told her that Mace killed Link, and I have no intention of her ever finding that out. All she knows is that he hasn’t been around, and she’s been so focused on Seren that she hasn’t noticed or even asked.

“She is very cute,” I agree.

Ivy lifts her gaze to me. The days when Toby is at school and it’s just me and her, we’ve really become close, and I love it.

“When are you going to tell me the truth?”

My stomach plummets into the ground. She knows about Link? “About what?” I act dumb, hoping she doesn’t know the truth.

She rolls her eyes, rocking the baby in her arms. “You think I haven’t heard you throwing up? I know you’re pregnant, Maylie. The thing I don’t know is why you’re hiding it.”

My heart stutters even as my chest swells. “Because you deserve to have this moment,” I say.

“You’re never going to change, are you? You don’t have to burn yourself to keep others warm. And this isn’t a competition.”

“I guess it’s not. I just wanted you to have this.”

“So, you are pregnant?”

I nod, unable to stop the beaming smile from spreading across my face. “It was pretty rough in the first few weeks, but I’m starting to feel better now.”

Ivy gets this look on her face that she always does when she’s thinking about her pregnancy. “It gets better for a little bit and then it gets worse again, but then at the end, you get this perfection.” She peers down at her baby before lifting her gaze back to mine. “I’m really happy for you. You deserve all this, Maylie. Your whole life, you’ve always put other people first. It’s time for you to live your life now.”

I move over to sit next to her, pulling her against me. “I have no idea how we’re going to deal with two babies in the apartment.”

“I’m not your responsibility anymore, Maylie. I’ll find a place for me and Seren.”

I rear back as if she’s punched me in the face. “No, you won’t. This is your home. And hers. How can you get a job and take care of a new baby? Besides, they’re going to be cousins. They should grow up together. And I’m not letting you move out, at least not until you’re ready to.”

Ivy stares down at her daughter, who grabs for her finger. “What if I’m never ready?”

“Then you’ll stay here forever,” I say as if it’s obvious.

The sound of the key in the lock and the door opening sends a wave of anticipation through me. I hold my breath, my skin heating as Mace steps into the room. As always, he floors me with how handsome he is. Today, he looks especially good. His hair’s longer than it was when I first met him, and his jaw is covered in a thin layer of hair that makes him look so hot.

My body alights instantly in his presence, and I don’t know if it’s my hormones, but I want to mount him like a horse.

He comes to me, and I stand as his hand wraps around my neck and he gives me a blistering kiss. My toes curl and my stomach flutters as he claims me with that possessiveness I love about him. When he pulls back, his gaze darts between us. “Everything okay?”

“Yup, just having a sister moment,” I say as his hand slides down to my hip.

“Can we keep PDA to a minimum?” Riot asks from behind us. I didn’t even realise he was with Mace. “There are young people you’re scarring for life.”

Mace growls something under his breath, but all my attention is locked on my sister, who averts her gaze to her daughter, completely ignoring Riot. That’s new.

“You okay?” Mace asks me, ignoring his brother. What he’s really asking is if our baby and I are okay.

“Ivy knows,” I say, my fingers curling into his shirt.

Mace’s expression gives nothing away for a moment, then his gaze slides to my sister.

“Congratulations to you both, but you should’ve said something sooner,” Ivy chastises. “I’m not some petulant child who needs to be the centre of attention.”

Riot drops onto the sofa opposite, spreading his legs out in front of him as if he owns the place. “What are we congratulating each other on?”

“You’re going to be an uncle.”

Riot blinks, and it’s almost comical to see him completely lost for words for a second before his gaze snaps to Mace. “You’re having a baby?”

Mace smiles, and it makes my belly dip. “Yeah. I’m gonna be a father. ”

He pulls me against his side, his hand resting on my stomach, and then I’m discarded as Riot pulls Mace out of my grasp and into a violent hug. He whoops and yells, fist punching the air.

“Fuck. This is the best news ever. I mean, for you. Me getting someone pregnant would be a nightmare.”

“I’m sure you have a string of unclaimed kids roaming around Birmingham,” Mace says, still grinning.

“Fuck, don’t even joke about that.”

I find myself smiling too. I never thought my life could be this complete, but Mace has changed me in ways I didn’t know were possible. I’m not even sure he understands what he has done. What I do know is that for the first time in my life, I have a future, and that future starts now.