Page 103 of The Forbidden Bodyguard

“How?” Mom asks, sipping her coffee. “There are lots of documentaries on it.”

Oh dear. Has she been waiting for Dad to come back?

“Wouldn’t you be happier knowing Dad was waiting for you up in heaven for when your time comes?”

She waves me off, puts her coffee down, and picks up some plates. “You don’t know how God works, Declan.”

Stella gives me a smile.

She’s glowing. Her white cashmere sweater and blue jeans make her look so typically all American I want to scoop her up and make love to her all over again.

She barely let me do it at all because we were in my mother's house.

I can’t wait to move to Connecticut.

After we leave here, we are going to look at a couple of homes. They are far bigger than anything I thought I’d ever own. Seven-figure properties with swimming pools and six bedrooms. A garage large enough to house five cars and a fully fenced, vast yard.

My future wife is rich.

It feels strange, I’ll be honest.

But Stella treats her money as if it's ours. Even when I remind her that it's not. To her, it's just a tool to create our future together, and I love her all the more for it.

“Sorry about Mom,” I whisper in her ear. “I was hoping—”

She places a hand on my chest. “Don’t. If I lost you, I’d be the same.”

Her words hit me right in the middle of my heart.

Christ, she’s right. I would have died for Stella, and if someone tried to take my child from us, I’d be a fucking mess.

Perhaps I’ve been hard on Mom.

“I wish Dad were here and could meet you.” I cup her neck. “He’d love you. Just like my friends do.”

“You are the only one that matters, Declan. They are all amazing, and whether we have a boy or girl, I’m so glad we will be a part of this family.”

Stella dips her eyes to her belly.

It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

She’s growing our kid.

“Stay right there.” I kiss her mouth and take off while she’s giggling.

I find Mom in the kitchen packing the dishwasher.

“Leave those. I’ll do it.” I take her arm and see she has tears in her eyes. “Mom.”

“I miss him, Declan.”

I pull her into my arms and give her a big hug. “I’m sorry I snapped. Today and other days. I didn’t know what true love was.”

She lifts her face. “You do now. I can see it.”

I nod.

“Are you going to marry her?”