“Not until I make sure everyone knows—”
“Get out.”
Devon’s voice was so quiet they shouldn't have been able to hear it, but the rush of wind died down the moment he spoke.
“Now. Leave my property and don't bother coming back. Hailey has two sets of grandparents in her life who love her and care for her. You’re not even worth the mud on the bottom of Hailey’s shoe.”
They left, though it took more prodding, and Chloe and Devon enjoyed the remainder of the day with their family. Chloe couldn't express how satisfying it was to see the way he sloughed off insults he once suffered over.
“I can’t believe they came,” Devon said at the end of the night.
Chloe unzipped her dress. “Some people have no tact.”
“Or no life.”
“Well, that too.”
“Here, let me help you.”
Devon slid the dress from her shoulders, watching it pool at her feet. Lifting her arms, she tucked them around his head and drew him down for a searing kiss. Heat raced through her veins at the feel of him in her arms.
“We belong to each other now.”
“Forever.”
“Forever.”
She stripped his shirt from his body, running her hands over the planes of muscle. His stomach clenched when she touched him the way he loved, and she sucked in a breath when he found her wet between the legs.
He cupped a hand over her slight bump, then ran his hands back to her breasts. It was a simple gesture assuring her he thought of their baby tucked safe within her as much as she did. She lost track of all thought when he pinched her nipples, when he pushed his pants down and moved them toward the bed.
And when he eased her down and filled her body, her heart overflowed too. When he called her name and she said his in return, her soul recognized its blessings.
~~~
JASON LEO MCMILLANcame into the world with an enormous set of lungs. Already adored, he made his presence known as often as possible. Though she worried over doing everything right, Chloe knew she was pretty good at the mother thing because Hailey always told her.
One night before dinner, Chloe tried her best to get Jay to sleep so they could eat together. Hailey came into the nursery to check on them and found Chloe leaning over the crib singing softly.
“What’s that song?”
Chloe glanced up. “It’s a lullaby Grams sang to me and then to my brother.”
“The one we named Jay after?”
“Yes, Leo.”
“It sounds familiar.”
Relenting, Chloe picked the baby up and sat with him in the rocker. “Here, come sit with us.”
Hailey sat on Chloe’s leg while she set Jay on her shoulder. “I sang it to you in the hospital. I was the first person to see you after the police brought you in and the nurses and doctors checked you over.”
“You were there first?”
Nodding, Chloe said, “I knew Uncle John had called Daddy, but he needed time to get there. I couldn't stand the thought of you being alone, so I went in your room and sat by your side.”
Hailey settled against Chloe’s side, tucking her body close. “And then you sang to me?”
