Deadly Inheritance (completed)

Chapter 24

"I love you too, sweetheart. More than anything." My hand slides down to her stomach and rests over where our child is. "I love both of you. You're both my world, sweetheart."

Charlie rests her hands over mine and kisses my cheek. We're going to be just fine. This is an adjustment but that's life. Life's a constant adjustment to new things, new people, places. We learn and adjust. My world is changing again and adding another one to our home. I'm ready to open my heart for them and make room, because it's an extension of Charlie and I that'll be coming. I'm going to be a dad. Wow.

Charlie

I wasn't sure how Ryan was going to take this news. I mean, I know he says he loves me but to have a baby together in the beginning of a relationship isn't easy as it is, much-less adding in starting up a new business and the trouble with my father. It's a lot of pressure for both of us to handle. Ryan has every right to be concerned about the baby given my father's history. Fortunately, I know what I went through this time and I know the baby wasn't put at risk. Only me.

But I guess if I was, so was the baby. He is right to worry. I just hope they don't find anything wrong with it. I'm sure if my father finds out I'm pregnant he will try to get his hands on the baby as well. That I won't allow. I will give my rights to the child up to Ryan if that happens just to keep the baby safe. I won't under any circumstances let my father touch this child.

"Charlie what is it? You're crying sweetheart." Ryan brushes the tears away from my eyes.

I didn't even realize I was crying. "I'm going to sign the baby over to you. I have to."

Ryan frowns at me shaking his head. "We're raising our baby together, Charlie. It's not an option, sweetheart. I'm not doing this without you. I'm not a mother, and a baby needs it's mother. That's you."

"I agree. I don't plan on going anywhere, but I'm still signing legal rights to the baby to you. Then my father can't get his hands on it. I'm not taking any chances with this. We need Baxter to draw up the papers immediately. If my father even suspects I'm pregnant, he'll try for custody."

Ryan thought for a long moment then nodded in agreement. He didn't want me in danger either. I saw it on his face. "I'm not going to let him have either of you. But I agree with you that we can't allow him access to our children. I'll call Baxter to draw up the documents and bring them over. We'll make sure that it covers not just this child, but any that we have together. Then we only have to do it once."

I agree with him. I'm not leaving him, but I know our children are in good hands. If my father does end up taking me away, he can never take them. That I can make sure of. All my rights to my children will go to Ryan. It's the best thing I can to do for them. I know that. Ryan sends Baxter a text explaining what we need. While we wait, I decide it's time for me to get back into the kitchen. I've not been doing my share around here lately and I better start.

I pull out the makings for some dough and slab of meat and get to work. Ryan comes into the kitchen in a few minutes after talking to Baxter and leans against the door jam watching me move about the kitchen. He doesn't say a word but has a slight grin on his face as he watches me. Finally, I stop and look at him.

"What?" I ask seeing the grin get bigger.

"I missed this. Seeing you cook. It's good to see you in here again. Just don't over do it. I want our baby safe and healthy. And you have to eat." Ryan came over to wrap his arms around me. Kissing me softly he smiled down at me. "Please?"

"I will. I promise. Now let me finish this up for dinner. Go help outside for a bit. Tell Pops the good news." I tell him and he grins. I can tell he's bursting to tell his dad. It's good that this little one will have a family that loves him or her right here on the ranch. I'm happy about that.