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“I know you wouldn’t. I’m making the choice. I’m all in, baby. Now the ball is in your court. You decide how things go for us. I’m not going to say things will be easy. My parents’ marriage is proof enough, but as long as we agree to meet each other halfway, we can survive anything thrown our way.”

I held his gaze, seeing the truth in his words. What he’d been trying to tell me since he muscled his way back into our house. All these years we’d let other people dictate our actions. It was time to live honestly. The way we should have from the beginning.

I had to trust this, trust him. I either forgave the past and moved forward, or I had to give him up.

“I’m in, Sami. Are you?”

After a few more seconds, I nodded. “I’m in too.”

Relief played across his face, and he pulled me toward him. I buried my face in his chest, feeling the first wave of sadness evaporate from my shoulders.

“What about your father?”

“What about him? He has no say in what I do.”

I pulled back. “He’s going to go ballistic. Your mom told me he’s hoping you’ll change your mind about a judicial nomination by the president.”

“That’s my father’s plan for my life, not mine. It’s time your career took priority over mine.”

I pointed toward the vans and media outlets on the edge of the estate. “Are you ready for that on a regular basis? Once we go down this path, it will be a long time before we become private citizens again.”

“I’ve never been a private citizen. Did you forget my father is a career politician? And you have groupies because of our dear friend Clint. Your privacy went out the window months ago, with no return in sight. Though his need to protect you has started to win me over.”

“I’m sure he will be happy to hear about your change in esteem.”

“I’ll deny it if you ever tell him, but I think he is going to be one of your biggest assets.”

“I’ll keep it between us.”

“I have a request.”

“Go ahead.” I lifted a brow and then folded my arms.

He caged me against the balcony. “If I stop judicial duties, I have one condition.”

Of course he did.

“And what would that be?” I asked, smiling up at him.

He was so handsome.

“A baby.” He traced my bottom lip with his thumb. “If I’m quitting my job, I’d like to be upgraded to stay-at-home dad.”

My lips trembled. I’d wanted a baby for so long, and until this moment, it never felt like the right time.

“Are you sure you want a baby now? Elections and pregnancy might not be a good combination.”

His face broke out into a huge smile. “I don’t think you have a choice in the matter.”

“Of course I have a choice. I’m the one who has to carry our child.” I leaned against the railing and frowned.

“What’s today’s date?”

“Well, it’s past midnight, so July fifth. What does that have to do with any…” I trailed off as I realized where he was going with his question.

The last time I had had a period was almost two months ago. How could I not notice until now? I’d had a period on the first or second of the month like clockwork since I was a teenager. Then when I went on the pill, I could predict it to the hour.

The exhaustion and crying weren’t just because of the case or the separation.