Page 9 of Halloween in Sleepy Hollow (Heroes of Sleepy Hollow #7)

“Okay,” Mike Troy announces as he walks into the waiting room. “Looks like we’re done for the night. Mr. Monroe isn’t going anywhere. We’ll be holding him until the arraignment. And I just spoke with the judge. He won’t be posting bail.”

“Is it safe?” Cash asks. His gaze flickers to Winnie, who’s still asleep on his lap. “Do we need to worry about… ”

It’s clear he doesn’t want to say it, not with the kids here.

Mike catches on immediately and gives Cash a quick nod. “As far as we can tell, he was acting on his own. It couldn’t hurt to exercise some extra caution until we’ve had more time to investigate, but?—”

“Oh, we will,” Oliver interrupts. “ Trust me.”

Most of the people in the room chuckle, knowing how protective Oliver can be.

“Okay,” Ben says. He stands and takes Elias from Thea, then reaches out his hand to help her up. Laila moves back to Thea’s side and clutches her hand again. “We’re heading home, then. It’s long past time for bed.”

As Cash rises from his seat with Winnie still in his arms, Ari says, “I was thinking, since things got messed up for the kids. If you want to come over tomorrow night for a belated Halloween celebration, we can do movies and candy and popcorn.” She pauses.

“And some special drinks for the adults,” she adds, with an emphasis on special. “I sure know I could use one.”

“Count us in,” Grant says.

Ian nods. “We’ll be there.”

By the time everyone in the room responds, at least twelve people have agreed to go, Oliver and myself included. And despite the craziness of this Halloween, I’m very much looking forward to a second celebration. Though hopefully, a much less eventful one.

Once we all say our goodbyes, along with tearful hugs and ardent thanks, Oliver loops his arm around my waist and tucks me against him as we head out to the parking lot. “We don’t have to go,” he says quietly. “If you’re not feeling up to it, I can tell Cash we’re staying home. ”

“No, I want to go. It’ll be fun.” I cast a small smile in his direction. “Plus, you know Cash and Ari’s place is safe. So you won’t have to worry.”

Oliver clicks the keyfob to unlock the car, then says, “I’m not worried about the safety of Cash’s place. I’m worried about you.”

“I’m fine. Really. My wrists are a little sore, but that’s all.”

He goes quiet as he opens the passenger door for me and closes it securely behind me.

Then he gets into the driver’s seat and turns on the ignition.

“You’ve been tired the last few days, Shea.

And with everything that happened tonight…

” He shifts the car into drive and backs out of the parking spot.

“Stress can take a toll on your body. I don’t want you pushing yourself too much. ”

I reach over to put my hand on his thigh. The heat of his leg sears into my chilled fingers. “I won’t. But spending a couple of hours with our friends tomorrow night won’t hurt me.”

Oliver slows at the exit of the parking lot before making a right turn onto the road. “If you’re sure.”

“I’m sure.” Leaning over, I kiss his cheek again. “And I’ll take it easy tomorrow. I have an article to finish, but it’s mostly done already. So I can get plenty of relaxation time in.”

His hand covers mine. “That reminds me. I talked to Jasper. He’s going to cover my shift tomorrow. So I can stay home with you, instead.”

Warmth blossoms in my chest. “You’re staying home?”

He turns to smile at me. “If that’s okay with you?”

I grin back at him, feeling the lightest I’ve been all night. “It’s more than okay. We can have a lazy morning, eat breakfast in bed, maybe break open that new massage oil I ordered…”

“New massage oil? What flavor?”

“Salted caramel. I thought it seemed fitting for the season.”

Oliver’s hand moves to my thigh. “Oh, I think it’s very fitting. And I can’t wait to try it.”

We drive in silence for the next couple of minutes, both of us lost in our thoughts. The roads are quiet and most of the jack o’lanterns and Halloween lights have long since been extinguished. It’s peaceful; a welcome contradiction to the chaos of earlier.

As I stare out the window at the darkened houses passing by, I think about my plans for the night and how different they turned out to be.

When the evening started, I thought I’d visit with my friends in the park for a bit. Then Oliver and I would meet Jess and Kane for some wings. We’d head home by eight, so there would be plenty of time to watch a scary movie together and test out the new massage oil I ordered.

Then I would tell Oliver the news I discovered this morning.

The news I feared I might never get to share with him only a few hours earlier.

While we were trapped in the vault, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

How I wished I hadn’t waited.

How I wished I could have seen Oliver’s face when I told him.

But now isn’t a good time. Not when it’s past eleven and we’re both exhausted after an incredibly stressful night. I should wait until tomorrow, when things are more settled.

Should.

“Home at last,” Oliver says as he turns into our driveway.

He stops the car in front of the closed gate—because of course we have a gated driveway—and punches in the code.

As soon as the gate opens, he pulls through it, watching carefully in the rear view mirror to make sure it shuts securely behind us.

From there it’s a quick drive to the front of our house. I hit the button for the garage door, and it lifts smoothly to allow us inside.

Once we’re parked, Oliver shuts off the car and closes the garage door behind us. The garage is well lit from the automatic overhead lights, so when I look at him, I can see clearly the smudges of blue beneath his eyes.

“You ready, love?” he asks. “How about once we get inside, you take a shower and I’ll make you some of that tea you like? And I can give you a little massage—” He smirks. “Not a sexy massage. Not tonight. Just one to help you relax.”

“That all sounds really good.” As Oliver reaches for the door handle, I blurt out, “But. There’s something I want to tell you first.”

He draws his hand back. “What? Is something wrong?”

“No.” I touch his leg again. “Nothing’s wrong. It’s just… I was going to tell you tonight. And then… I was afraid I might not get to tell you. It’s why I was so scared tonight.”

“Shea.” His voice is achingly gentle. “I’m so sorry you were scared.”

“I was scared I wouldn’t—” I take a deep breath and let it out in a gust. “I took a test this morning, Oll. I’m pregnant. I was going to tell you tonight when we got home. But then in the vault, when I wasn’t sure… I was so sorry I waited. And I was so scared?—”

“Shea.” Oliver grasps both my hands tightly. Wonder lights his eyes. “You’re pregnant?”

“Yes. I took three tests, actually. And they all were positive. So I assume that means I’m pregnant. If I’m counting right, I’m about eight weeks along. I didn’t want to test too soon and get my hopes?—”

“Shea. Love.” Oliver reaches across the console to hug me. His heart is pounding so hard I can feel it. “You’re pregnant .”

I tilt my head back to look at him. “I know you were nervous, but I really think it’ll be okay. If anything triggers me, I’ll see the counselor more often. I’ll talk to you about it. I’ll talk to Niall and Jade. I won’t let?—”

“We’re pregnant.” Emotion thickens his voice. “We’re having a baby .”

Tears spring to my eyes. But unlike the tears from earlier, these are happy ones. “We are.”

Oliver releases me and practically leaps from the car. Then he jogs to my side and pulls the door open. “You’re having our baby,” he says. “We’re having a baby.”

Laughing, I reply, “Yes. That’s what the tests said. And I think that’s why I’ve been dragging?—”

Oliver reaches into the car and sweeps me into his arms. “Oll!” I yelp. “What are you doing?”

He takes a few steps away from the car and pushes the door shut with his foot. “I’m carrying you,” he replies. A wide grin stretches across his face. “You’ve had a very long night. And I don’t want you tiring yourself out anymore.”

As he strides towards the door to the house, I say, “I think I could walk, at least.”

“Nope.” His features are stubbornly set. “Not tonight. I’m going to help you shower, and I’ll make you tea and rub your back and feet and—” He stops. “Shit. Can I give you a massage? Will it hurt the baby?”

“I think it’s okay for now.” Looping my arms around his neck, I nuzzle his cheek. “But what I really want is to cuddle with my husband. Soon to be dad.”

Emotion darkens his gaze. “I want to cuddle with you, too, Shea. My wife. Soon to be mom.”

Adjusting me in one arm, he maneuvers the back door open and steps inside. “Parents,” he says. “We’re going to be parents .”

“We are. And you’re going to be the best dad ever.”

Oliver stares at me for a moment. Then he swallows hard. “I’m going to try. And you, Shea, are going to be the best mom.”

Joy expands inside me, chasing away all the bad parts of the night.

Now it’s just me and Oliver and the precious baby growing inside me.

“I love you, Oll.” I press my lips to his. “So much.”

“Shea.” Moisture shines in his eyes. “I love you, too.”