That gets a laugh out of me. “See? That’s the kind of stuff I’ll need to talk you down from.”
He stands, pulling me up with him, then he wraps his arms around me. He’s careful and gentle, like I might break.
“I don’t know how to express what I’m feeling right now,” he says, his voice low. “So much of this is new. Uncertain. But I want you to know that I’m here for you—you and the baby. No matter what happens.”
My chest tightens with emotion. By the time he’s done speaking, I feel calmer.
Then he kisses me. Soft, reverent, and full of promise. I fall into it, the stress and the danger melting away.
He rests his hand on my stomach again.
“Our family,” he says.
“Our family.”
His phone buzzes on his desk, breaking the spell. The real world hasn’t forgotten about us.
“It can wait,” he says without hesitation.
Part of me doesn’t want to let the moment go.But I tell him to take the call instead.
“The world isn’t going to wait on us.”
“You’re right about that.”
“We’ll talk more tonight.” I place my hand over his on my belly. “We’re not going anywhere.”
He smiles. He kisses me once more, then heads for the desk. I watch him pick up the phone and answer.
“Moretti.”
I give him one last smile before leaving the office. He places his hand on his heart. I get the message.
I leave and make my way back to my room on a cloud, falling on the bed and smiling. So much of what’s happening should scare the hell out of me.
But it doesn’t.
Because I’m ready to fight.
CHAPTER 33
GABRIEL
December 15.
I stare at the date written on the doctor’s report, still trying to adjust to the reality of it.
December 15.
That’s the day our child is due to enter the world.
Dr. Martinez came to the house two days ago. She has impeccable credentials, and Amanda vouched for her personally. She examined Thea with the kind of care and thoroughness I demanded and expected. She took blood, ran tests, and answered every question I fired at her with professional patience.
And, perhaps most importantly, she didn’t ask me any unnecessary questions. If she knew who I was, she didn’t let on.
Thea is seven weeks along. Healthy.
Seven weeks. A smile had come to my face unbidden when I’d heard that. Seven weeks means that Thea likely conceived thevery first time we were together. It’s almost as if this child was meant to be.
