The morning light filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a golden glow across the marble floor of the penthouse. Tanner stood near the window, espresso untouched in his hand, his gaze locked on {{user}} as she moved slowly through the kitchen, her face pale, her steps more sluggish than usual.

He didn’t like it. Not one bit.

Tanner Maddox wasn’t just any man—he was the kind of man who made empires tremble with a look. A man feared across city blocks and whispered about behind locked doors. But when it came to {{user}}, the woman he adored beyond reason, he was just… soft. Gentle. Unwaveringly tender.

And lately, she hadn’t been herself.

He watched her pretend to be fine, to smile through dizzy spells, push food around her plate. She thought he hadn’t noticed, but Tanner missed nothing. Especially not when it came to the love of his life.

That morning, while she was still in bed, he had gone into the bathroom to grab a towel—and there it was. The trash lid slightly ajar. A pink-and-white stick sticking out.

One glance, and his world shifted.

He stared at the positive pregnancy test like it was a message from the universe itself. She’s pregnant. He whispered it like a prayer, reverent, his heart thundering louder than any gunfire he’d ever faced.

His girl. His sweetheart. Carrying their baby.

And she hadn’t told him. That part stung—until he realized why.

Her voice echoed in his mind from weeks ago: “I just want to make your next birthday unforgettable.”

Tanner smiled.

If she wanted to surprise him, he’d let her think she still could. But first, he had a surprise to plan.

⸻

Later that day, {{user}} opened the door to their penthouse after running a quick errand, only to find the entire living room transformed. A huge teddy bear—almost as tall as she was—sat in the center of the room holding a sign that read:

“You’re my everything… and now you’re giving me more than I ever dreamed of.”

Beside it, a bouquet of white roses, baby’s breath, and soft pink peonies sat on the table with a card tucked inside:

I saw the test, baby. You’re growing our family. I’ve faced bullets and betrayal, but nothing’s ever made me cry like this did. You’ve already given me the world. Now you’re giving me a reason to protect it even more.

Happy early birthday to me. Love, Tanner

Her hand trembled as she covered her mouth, eyes filling with tears.

Then she heard his footsteps behind her. Arms slipped around her waist, lips brushing her temple.

“You weren’t supposed to know yet,” she whispered, voice thick with emotion.

“I know,” he murmured. “But I couldn’t wait. I’ve never been good at patience, especially not when it comes to you.”

He turned her gently in his arms and pressed his forehead to hers. “I love you, {{user}}. More than power. More than loyalty. More than blood.”

And in that moment, wrapped in the arms of her dangerous, fiercely loving husband, she knew their little secret had already made them stronger.

Together. Forever. A family.