Every member of Tac-Ops—which as of two months ago, included Colt—punched their fists up high with collective shouts of male celebration.
“Hell yeah!”
“Woo hoo!”
“I knew it!”
“Better start trainin’ him young!”
Meanwhile, the other women in attendance clapped and cheered at the exciting news.
Tears blurred Alex’s vision as she watched her sister and brother-in-law’s loving embrace. She thought about all they’d been through, and the wild ride that had been their lives since.
Mostly, Alex was consumed by how thankful she was for her sister’s happiness . . . as well as her own.
“Nicely done, Al.” Coulter sidled up beside her.
“Thanks.” She turned and gave him a soft kiss. “I have to say, it was rather fun being the only one who knew the baby’s gender.”
“Oh, I know.” He pulled her close with a roll of his gorgeous eyes. “You only reminded me half-a-dozen times a day since you found out.”
Alex laughed, wrapping her arms loosely around his neck. “Like you wouldn’t have done the same thing if the situation were reversed?”
“Who, me? I’d never.”
“Whatever.”
They both chuckled as they shared another slow kiss.
“Okay, you two. Break it up.” Bones slapped a hand to Colt’s shoulder. “I already have one tiny Morgan to spoil. Let’s maybe hold off on adding another, yeah?”
Colt waited until he was out of earshot before whispering, “How long should we wait before we tell them?”
Alex’s chest grew warm and her belly fluttered with nervous excitement. “Let’s give it a few more weeks, just to be sure. Plus, I don’t want it to seem like I’m trying to steal Avery’s thunder.”
The last thing she’d ever want to do is take away from her sister’s special day.
“You saw how they reacted when we told them we were getting married.” Colt smirked. “I can only imagine what they’ll say when they find out you’re pregnant, too.”
A wave of nervous excitement fell over Alex as she thought of the secret the two of them shared. She had discovered she was pregnant a few weeks ago, after her period was late. The news was shocking, to say the least. But, as her doctor had explained during her first appointment, no birth control was one hundred percent.
Though unexpected, Alex, Colt, and every other person here knew it didn’t matter howtheythought their lives should go. What was the saying?
We make plans, and God laughs.
Alex grinned at the silent sentiment because truer words had never existed. Life was unexpected and fullof surprises, but through it all, Colt would always be there.
Supporting her. Encouraging her. Loving her completely as he stood by her side. And as Alex looked deep into her fiancé’s incredible blue stare, she couldn’t wait to spend the rest of her life doing the same for him.
***
Rafe Owens walked through the empty Tac-Ops reception area, stopping just inside the office’s main door to set the alarm. After entering the code he knew by heart, the tiny light turned red, and the telltale beep announced the system’s activation.
With the office secure for the night, he stepped into the hallway, shutting and locking the door behind him with a sigh. It had been a long two months, and now that things were finally settling down, he was looking forward to some at home.
There was a mile-long list of things needing his attention at his sprawling southern plantation. There was also a book he’d been planning to read. Perhaps he’d finally sit down and give it a try.
But as the elevator dinged and he waited for the metal doors to slide open, Rafe kept his expectations for relaxation low. The truth was, peace didn’t often find its way to men like him. It was a sacrifice he’d willingly given the day he’d signed up to be a government spy.
