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She enters the kitchen and freezes, her eyes wide as she takes in what must be a damning image of us together.
But…she doesn’t freak out at the sight of a half-naked man with her half-dressed, sex-flushed daughter.
She looks almost…relieved.
She drops her shopping bags and purse on the far counter, folds her arms and fixes a dead-serious gaze on Monroe. “Do I need to call the authorities about an escaped convict?” she asks sternly.
Monroe tenses behind me, then braces both hands on either side of me on the counter, caging me in. His chin brushes the top of my head, warmth enfolds me and my anxiety eases.
“No, you don’t need to do that, ma’am. I’ve served my time. Free to live my life.”
There’s unspoken intent in there.
The life he plans to live fully involves me, and I want to squeal again, this time with pure joy.
Mom nods. “I’m glad to hear it. So will her father. You promise to take care of my daughter?”
“Yes, ma’am,” he answers solemnly. “You have my word.”
Her eyes soften when they shift to me, then over the half-finished food sitting on the counter. “And I’m glad to see he’s taking care of you. You need your strength.” Her eyes drop to my belly.
My hand flies to my mouth to smother my gasp. “You know?”
Behind me, Monroe turns to stone. “Know what?”
“I’m your mother, Kitty. Of course I know. I’ll leave you two alone, then.” With a smile at both of us, she turns and leaves the kitchen, unrepentant for the bombshell she’s just left me with.
“Answer me, baby girl,” Monroe growls in my ear.
I’m shaking like a leaf when I pick up his right hand and place it over my belly. I tilt my head to meet his ferocious gaze. “Surprise.”
For the longest time, he doesn’t move. Then a full-bodied shudder moves through him.
In the next instant he spins me around, picks me up and sits me on the counter. His eyes are frantic whirlpools of shock, happiness and wonder, rushing over my face as he tries to dig out the truth.
“Kitty?” he croaks.
“Yes, I’m carrying your baby, Monroe. Our baby.”
His jaw drops. The hand he lifts to hover over my belly trembles uncontrollably. “Christ. Truly?” His voice is hoarse with reverence. And hope.
Seeing that makes my eyes fill with happiness. Any uncertainty I harbored about telling him evaporates. He’s as happy as I am about becoming a parent. But… “Are you happy?” I check anyway.
It pays to be sure.
“Are you fucking kidding me right now?” He finally lays his hand over my stomach and we both suck in our breaths.
I’m not showing and it’s way too early to feel any movement but knowing our baby is in there is a moving moment for him.
Experiencing it with him fills me with equal awe.
His forehead drops against mine. “I didn’t think it would be possible to be even happier than when I walked into your bedroom an hour ago. Now I know there’s a whole new level.” He swallows audibly. “And there are more levels, aren’t there, baby?”
I nod eagerly. “Yes, so many more.”
“God, I love you, Kitty. So fucking much. Thank you for this. Thank you for the life we’re going to have,” he mutters hoarsely.
I’m full on sobbing when he picks me up and spins me around the kitchen. Then our lips seal in a kiss of ecstasy that lasts and lasts until we hear the door closing again.
