“I’m going to offer Maya her own division—complete autonomy. I’m thinking of a female-run part of the organization, and I’m excited to see what she can do with it.” His chest popped out, proud and sure of his plan. “You could work with her. Anyway, with all those changes, comes no conflict of interest, no more secrets about us. We can be together and explore what we have in the open for anyone to see.”
I pressed a hand to my chest, overwhelmed. “That’s, um…”
“Good, right?” His brow furrowed, as if he got an inkling of my hesitation. “I’ll still design. Select projects only.” He sat on the edge of the seat, closer, hands on my shoulders, the heat between us shifting. “But mostly I want to build a life. A family.”
The wordfamilylodged in my throat.
“I want that with you, Penny.” His voice was steady, hopeful. “If you’ll forgive me and have me, give us a chance.”
I should’ve answered right then. It was everything I wanted with him, but emotions surged too fast. Instead, I reached for his hand and pressed it low to my stomach.
“Penny?”
I swallowed hard. “We’ve already started building a family.”
For a heartbeat he didn’t move, didn’t breathe. Then realization dawned. His eyes flicked to his hand there, and back to my face.
“You’re—?”
I nodded, tears spilling. “Yeah. I just found out today.”
He laughed, half-broken, half-ecstatic, and pulled me into his arms, my feet off the floor. “You’re serious?”
“I am.” I laughed through the tears. “Surprise.”
He set me down and cupped my face, eyes wet. “Best surprise of my life.”
For a long moment, we just held each other, surrounded by barking and laughter and the smell of dog fur and peanut butter dog biscuits, which oddly smelled so good to me right now.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered into his shoulder. “For everything.”
“So am I, for not seeing that love sometimes looks like protection even if you don’t want it.”
He pulled apart and placed his hand back on my tummy. “I can’t believe we have a little bean growing there, our very own. I promise I’ll be the best father. In fact, you can work if you want to chase your career dreams; I’ll stay at home and do daddy daycare.”
I giggled, complete happiness surging through my veins. “We have all the time in the world to talk about it. I love you, Archer Bellamy.”
“I love you too, Penny Fair. More than anything I’ve ever built.”
Goldie jumped on the playroom window and barked, as if to celebrate with us.
“Come on. Let’s go play.” He led me triumphantly into the room, holding my hand up between us like he’d won the best prize of all. Brier clapped and cheered for us, hugs all around. The dogs jumped and barked and celebrated two once-broken people, now made whole again, with a little one on the way.
KISSES AND FOREVER WISHES
Penny & Archer
Penny
Valentine’s Day in Las Vegas
Penny Fair: Mother to-be, Best Girlfriend Ever—According to Archer
Career: architect
Bank Account: Archer says love makes compound interest grow.
Heart: Overflowing—beating for one man and the little Bean we made.
