Page 212 of Allegiance

“Non-alcoholic,” Stella added since Dakota could screw up tying his own shoes.

Dakota stared at her.

“His sweet Stella, I think I know that part. It’s the rest that confuses me.”

Boone sat on the couch.

“We know. Getting you married is becoming a mission in itself. Major, plan something. Please. We’re all getting old and need to get him settled before we retire.”

Dakota hooked his finger on the back of the eyepatch, held on behind his head, and flicked it up. It shot off like a slingshot, hitting Stella.

She laughed.

“I think you lost this,” she admitted, tossing it back to him.

Dakota didn’t need his ass busted.

“It’s been a rough day for me. How about you guys help me out with this one?” he asked.

Maura felt bad for him.

“She didn’t eat dinner. Cookies are nice, but food is better. Take a bunch of food and a bottle of sparkling grape juice with you and have an apartment picnic. That screams romantic.”

He stared at her.

“And that will work?” he asked.

Lordy, but this one was difficult.

The Major’s man explained.

“You’re feeding her and the baby. Take a shower, put on street clothes, and go,” Jagger said. “Pregnant women like a few things. Food, backrubs, and men who don’t act like assholes.”

He could do that.

“And marry her,” Rogue said. “She’s waiting for you to make a move.”

He hesitated.

“I can’t ask her to marry me until I…”

They all stared at him as if daring the man to go back on his word to just do what they said.

Finally, he got it.

“Okay, I’ll shower and pack a picnic.”

Stella stood up.

“I’m pregnant. I’ll pack it since I know what I would eat. Go shower, Dak. You need a little help, and the men are good at direction, but lack in producing a result.”

Zayn wasn’t having it.

“My sweet Stella, that sounded like an insult, and you know that I deliver. You are pregnant with our third baby.”

She stared at him.

“And clearly done with my bullshit.”