Page 100 of Black Jack (Advantage Play 5)

Peeking up at me, she smiles. And it’s the most genuine slice of happiness I’ve ever seen.

“Congratulations, Mr. Connelly. You’re gonna be a dad.”

My heart pounds against my ribcage like a jackhammer.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

I feel like I’ve been thrown into an alternate reality as I attempt to register her words, but they all feel jumbled and out of place. How the hell am I going to be a dad?

I never wanted kids, but the idea of a child growing in Bianca’s stomach nearly brings me to my knees.

I want that. I want that more than anything else in the world.

“You serious?” I ask in a hollow voice.

“Mmhmm. And I want our baby to have aunts and uncles and tradition and family and pasta––”

My laugh loosens the noose around my chest. “Carbs? You?”

Her button nose scrunches. “Within reason, of course. But only if I can have an entire bottle of wine once this baby is born.”

Another laugh escapes me. “Deal.”

“Yeah?” she breathes, her gaze bouncing around my face while committing my reaction to memory. “You’re not mad or anything? I didn’t plan––”

“I couldn’t be happier, Bianca.” I cup her cheek, then kiss her slowly. Softly. And with the reverence she deserves. When I pull away, I take in her beauty like a fine wine. One sip at a time.

“You’re going to be a great mom,” I breathe.

She licks her lips, trying to hold back her tears as she gives me a nod.

But now isn’t the time for crying, it’s a time to celebrate, and I know the perfect way to do it. “Now, we gotta go shopping for teddy bears.”

“That sounds absolutely perfect,” she admits with a watery grin. “But first, we gotta go tell your family downstairs that we’re staying. Well, not literally, since I just said I’m gonna need a little house or something, but––”

“I love you, Bianca Connelly.”

“I love you too, Jacky Boy.”

And it’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard.

The End