Page 16 of Brokered Betrayals

“All the shows follow affluent women,” Kelsey said, “but the themes were different between the groups.”

“There are Mormons participating in this?” Sawyer asked.

“In the Salt Lake City show. Some have left the church, and others follow the faith on their own terms,” Kelsey said. “My favorite franchise is Atlanta, of course, since that’s my hometown.”

Aggie walked into the room, wearing a sour expression on her face. She checked the readout on the baby monitor before addressing Kelsey. “Still no contractions, huh?” Aggie’s voice was much kinder than it had been in the hallway.

“Nope. She’s going to be a stubborn one,” Kelsey said.

Aggie nodded sympathetically before she turned and addressed the room. “I think it would be best if we cleared the room and let Kelsey get some rest while she still can.”

“I have to go too?” Andrew asked.

“Yes, everyone,” Aggie replied.

“But he’s my husband,” Kelsey said.

“And we’re the baby’s fathers,” Sawyer protested.

Aggie smiled at this. “I’m not throwing you out of the hospital. I’m just asking you to congregate somewhere else.”

“If you’ll show us to our suite, Andrew can come hang out with us,” Royce said.

“Where you’ll eat snacks and party without me,” Kelsey said with a cute pout.

“We’re not going to have a rager, love,” Andrew said. “We’ll probably just watch ESPN.”

“Fine. But I need you to set up story time first.”

Andrew pulled a device from their bag and set it on a table. He pressed a button, and Royce’s voice came through the speaker as he readThe Rainbow Fish.He and Sawyer had recorded themselves reading a selection of books, some they’d even narrated together, so Kelsey could play them for Darla. They’d wanted her to get familiar with their voices while she was still in the womb.

Kelsey pushed a button on her bed to lower the head a little. She closed her eyes and sighed. “I might continue to play this every night at bedtime.”

“Knocks us right out,” Andrew told them. “If police work gets old, I think you guys have options.”

“Ms. Rachel, we are not,” Sawyer told him.

“You don’t have to be,” Kelsey said. “Maybe other kids with two dads or two moms would like to see themselves represented in a kids’ show.” She made a shooing motion at them. “You heard Aggie. I need my rest.”

Andrew kissed his wife, lingering to whisper in her ear. They locked eyes when they pulled back, engaging in a silent conversation that put a smile on both their faces. Andrew winked at her and said, “Let’s go, fellas.”

“Can you imagine us creating a YouTube channel?” Royce said as they followed Aggie out of the room. “Then again, your carpet-cleaning buddy has probably made a mint.”

“Is it James?” Aggie asked as she led them to the other side of the labor and delivery ward.

Royce groaned. “Not you too, Aggie.”

She stopped outside a room and nodded at him. “Puts me right to sleep after a long twelve-hour shift.”

“I knew you had good taste,” Sawyer said.

Her countenance softened even more, but she held a finger to her lips. “Young families are sleeping, so please keep the noise toa minimum. I’ll ask the same consideration of others when you two are adjusting to life with a newborn.”

“We’ll behave,” Royce promised.

Aggie assessed him through narrowed eyes as if she’d correctly pegged him as the troublemaker.

Sawyer draped an arm around Royce’s shoulders. “I’ll make sure of it.”