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“Thank you.” Patrick took the painting. “It’s nice to see it again. Although I still like your copy just as well.” He carefully set it on a chair and turned to Emma, taking her hands in his. “And the best reunion I’ve had today is with you.”
Emma blushed. “Are you sure? Aurora is pretty special.”
“You’re more special.” Patrick tugged on Emma’s hands to pull her closer. Her bump brushed against him again and he smiled; it was a constant reminder of the future they could finally start building together. “Emma, I know this might sound strange, but I want you to know. I love you. I think I’ve loved you for a long time now, but I didn’t want to admit it, even to myself.”
“Wow.” Her brown eyes were wide. “Patrick?—”
“You don’t have to say it back,” he added quickly. “I know we’ve only just gotten back together and we didn’t have an eternity to get to know each other before. I just wanted you to know how I feel about you. Each moment we spend together becomes a new highlight in my life. Each kiss becomes the most special.”
“That’s cheesy,” Emma teased. At the same time, though, she pressed closer to Patrick and tilted her face towards his. “But you know what? I feel the same way. I love you, too.”
Even though Patrick had completely meant it when he’d assured her that she didn’t need to return the sentiment, her words sent a warm flood of joy straight through him. When he’d driven to the community college this morning, the biggest hope he’d had was that he’d get a chance to see Emma again and sort out what had happened and how she felt. That had happened, but so had so much more. They’d shared I love yous. They were having a baby together. She was just as ready as he was to try their relationship again.
“I love you,” Emma repeated. “And I promise, no more secrecy from here on out.”
Patrick chuckled. “Agreed. And I love you, too.”
Simultaneously, they leaned closer until their lips met in another earth-shattering kiss. As Patrick gathered Emma toward him, he felt a deep sense of rightness, of homecoming. And most of all, of love.
EPILOGUE
ONE YEAR LATER: EMMA
“So?” Patrick’s voice was quiet; they didn’t want to be overheard. “Was your mission successful?”
“I think so.” Emma’s voice was equally soft. “I was in and out quickly and quietly. I don’t think she even noticed when I disappeared.”
“Well done.” Patrick held up his hand, and Emma quietly tapped her palm against it. “Now, let’s get out of here before we get caught.”
Hand in hand, they sneaked down the hallway. At the end of the hallway, Emma carefully opened the door to the rest of the house, then shut it behind them as they crept into the living room. There, they both straightened up and exchanged grins.
“Operation Get Rose to Sleep was a success yet again,” Patrick joked.
“It’s definitely the hardest mission of my life, my spy career included,” Emma said. It was true; their daughter loved to be cuddled and often refused to fall asleep unless she was in their arms. Over time, Emma and Patrick had developed a routine to get Rose into her crib and off to sleep so that she could get a full night of rest and they could spend the evening together.
“I just can’t believe how big she’s getting,” Patrick continued.
“Me neither.” Emma shook her head. “I can’t believe she’s almost nine months old.”
“She’s probably going to be tearing around the house in a week or two.”
Emma chuckled. “I’m not sure you understand child development as well as you do investments.”
“That’s why we’re a good team.” Patrick gave Emma a quick kiss on the cheek, and she grinned. “You know almost everything and I listen to you.”
Emma nudged him gently on the shoulder. “Now you’re just buttering me up.”
“Sue me.” They smiled at each other for a long moment, then Patrick stretched. “Right, how about I heat up our dinner and you go get settled by the fire?”
It was a little warm for the fire today, but they’d enjoyed it so much over the winter that Patrick had suggested they have one more fire on the terrace to celebrate the lovely spring day. While Emma had been putting Rose to sleep, Patrick had been outside getting the fire started.
“I’d love to.” Emma made her way out to the terrace and set up the baby monitor on the table so that she could keep an eye on Rose. So far, the little girl was sleeping like an angel, but Emma knew she could wake in no time flat.
As she sat outside, breathing the fresh air and the delicious smoky smell from the fire, Emma couldn’t help thinking back on how much had changed in a little over a year. When she and Patrick had declared their feelings for each other in her tiny apartment, they’d had no idea how hard parenthood would be — or how wonderful. Patrick had been by Emma’s side every step of the last months of her pregnancy, from prenatal visits to buying baby things to the birth itself. Shortly after they’d been reunited, he’d asked Emma to move in with him in his condo. Emma, though a little worried it was too soon, was so head over heels in love with Patrick that she’d said yes right away.
It had been the best possible decision. Emma had moved in on a sunny late spring day and had laughed at Patrick when he’d insisted on carrying all of her boxes.
“You’re not going to lift a finger for the rest of your pregnancy,” he’d told her. “You’re already carrying precious cargo.”
