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She loved me knowing I killed for her. That wasn’t something I’d ever lose sight of.

We got up and dressed before Paloma and Brady were due to return.

“She just texted that they’re ten minutes away,” Louisa reported as we headed into the kitchen together.

I yawned and nodded.

“She’s giving us a heads up now, huh?” She smiled slyly.

“Probably.” I snagged her close for a kiss, letting it last as long as we wanted until Brady and Paloma would be here. While they seemed to be getting along with the agenda that Louisa and I were together, I didn’t think it would be a good idea to be overly affectionate.

Pace it.

That’s the key.

I didn’t want to rush anyone about the formation of this family I would protect with all my life.

“Maybe we can wait to tell them,” Louisa suggested. “It’s still so new in my mind. I haven’t given it enough time to rehearse and think of how I’ll tell him.”

I nodded. “I’ll defer to you.”

She smiled, seeming pleased to keep our baby a secret for now.

“You’re home!” Brady ran in, charging at me, and I caught him in my arms and twirled him in the air. Feeling his little arms clutching me in a hug was one of the best moments of my life. He’d hugged me before, but it was different now.

I had his mother’s love.

We’d started our family with a baby in her belly.

And soon, I hoped that Brady would see me as a true member of his family.

I smiled as he burrowed his face against my shoulder.

Because nothing will break us apart.

I plotted how to take the steps to ensure it, but Brady kept up a rapid-fire pace of telling us all about everything he saw at the bookstore. It was innocent chatter to fill the quiet while Louisa and Paloma made dinner. It was a simple topic I could follow along with despite the tiredness that still clung to me.

No awkward moments came up over the meal, and afterward, when I was dozing off at the table while they tried to rope me into a boardgame, Paloma tsked at me. “Oh, you need a solid night of sleep.”

“Mama, why don’t you tuck him in?” Brady asked.

Louisa and I smiled at each other.

“Paloma can read to me tonight.” He beamed at her.

It seemed like it was settled. I wasn’t ready to argue with him. Nor was Louisa. She looked exhausted as well. We headed to our room and for the first night that we would be a real couple, we snuggled under the covers and slept soundly.

In the morning, I woke up to an empty bed. I groaned, peeved that she might’ve gone back to her old room.

That wasn’t the case, though. After I showered and got dressed, I sought her out. She wasn’t avoiding me or distancing herself from me.

She was working. I found her in the office, busy tapping away on the keyboard. When she heard me approach, she paused and spun her chair to face me.

“Sleep well?” she asked with a sweet smile.

“I did. I wanted to wake up with you.”

She shook her head. “I was too awake.” She shrugged. “And you needed your sleep.”