Expecting it All (Punishment Pit #7) - Livia Grant Page 0,19

you today. It's time to go, Bri. I need to get to the office before eleven. I have a conference call I can't miss."

"No fair! Tiff gets to stay."

Lukus countered, "No, she doesn't. I have to get back to Titan. We're short-staffed again, not to mention that I need to start interviewing for another Master Dom to do the shows."

Rachel didn't miss the disgusted look on Master Lukus's face. He had hired—and fired—two Master Doms in the last six months. Neither had worked out for more than a few weeks. The first had been way too wimpy, unable to properly punish even the naughtiest of submissives on stage. She hadn't seen much of the second guy, since she hadn't gone to the club much as her pregnancy had progressed, but she knew he had been way too strict—to the point of being accused of abuse. Lukus and Derek had fired him a week ago, after another Dom had threatened to sue them.

Their friends walked them down to the front drive to see them off. She and Derek were intelligent people, but it still took them almost ten minutes to get the baby secured into his car seat for his first ride in a car.

With each block they drove away from the hospital, Rachel began to feel more stressed. She felt as though they had left their lifeline behind, and were venturing out on their own in this scary thing called parenthood. She snuck a peek sideways at her normally confident husband. His stiff posture and tight grip on the steering wheel told her he felt the same way.

What a pair we make. I hope we don't screw this up.

A mix of emotions hit her when they pulled into their driveway. They couldn't get close to the back door because of the three SUV's already parked in the drive ahead of them. Her mom and sisters were here.

She should have expected this. They had phoned, texted, and even visited Rachel since Michael had been born. Relief at having experienced help with the baby warred with frustration that they would presume to come over without asking her first. A glance at Derek showed he felt the same.

"Stay put. I'll come around for you, baby," he said.

"Thanks, Daddy... er... Derek." They had agreed she would call him by his name during the day, but they would reserve alone time each evening to reconnect as Daddy Dom and baby. It would take her time to get used to the new routine.

Over a half-dozen people rushed out of the house before they could even get Michael out of his car seat. Nieces, nephews, sisters and parents crowded around for a peek. Uncle Derek took charge.

"What a welcome! Michael appreciates it, but you all are going to catch a cold without a coat on out here. Into the house, everyone! You'll all get to see him when we get inside."

Their four-year-old niece, Laina, wouldn't be deterred. "I want to hold him first, Uncle Derek!"

"No one is gonna hold him until we're inside, warmed up, and you've washed your hands."

The scene that was playing out was so familiar, yet oddly different. Rachel had thirteen nieces and nephews. She'd been there to welcome most of them home from the hospital—as an aunt. It felt so much more permanent as the mother. How did her sisters do it with so many kids?

She didn't have time to analyze it as they were pushed into the kitchen, where her dad hugged her and Michael loosely. He looked down at his newest grandson. "Let me get a good look at this young man of yours, Rachel. He's number fourteen."

Her father had a habit of numbering his grandchildren.

The next hour flew by in a whir. She'd been so panicked about being home alone with the baby and Derek, she was relieved to have her mom and sisters there to help get things settled. Still, each time she glanced at her husband, he seemed to be standing further outside of the fray—further away from his wife and son. She wanted him to come and hold her in his arms. Or, better yet, pick her up and carry her to bed to put her down for a much-needed nap. Instead, he pulled out the not even halfway full garbage bag from the bin, and headed out the back door to take out the trash.

He still hadn't come in twenty minutes later, after she'd breastfed Michael and her mom suggested she go upstairs to her bedroom