Page 62 of Mister Daddy

I sit up in the bed, keeping a sheet over my naked body. Carter’s right, this is unconventional. But it’s also so, so perfect, and it’s us.

“Carter, you’re not desperate,” I laugh.

He looks at me darkly. “When it comes to you, Abby, I think I am.”

His admission causes love to swell in my breast and I lean forwards to kiss him tenderly.

“Of course I’ll marry you, Mr. Jones. Of course, of course, of course.”

The big man relaxes then.

“Thank God,” he murmurs, slipping a beautiful diamond ring on my finger. It’s a perfect fit, and the six carat sparkler makes my eyes go wide, it’s so huge. “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” I murmur back. “And there’s actually something I’ve been wanting to tell you, come to think of it.”

This time, it’s his turn to be surprised.

“Yes?” he says warily.

I laugh a little, taking his hands in mine.

“There’s nothing to be frightened of. It’s just that you, me, and Timmy are the perfect little family. I love you, and I love our son. But I’m pregnant, Carter, so are you ready? Because we’re going to have another baby.”

Carter pulls me hard against his chest. “Fuck, this is the best night of my life,” he says roughly. “Another baby? Really?”

I nod happily, with tears in my eyes. “I found out just last week.” He pulls back for a moment, all the dots connecting.

“That’s why you didn’t do any dives when we were in the Bahamas, isn’t it?”

I nod, shyly.

“Yes, I didn’t want to risk it. But I didn’t want to give the secret away either, so I said that mumbo-jumbo about wanting a tan ….”

But Carter’s elated, and he pulls me close before I can finish.

“It doesn’t matter sweetheart,” he says roughly. “You’re perfect, absolutely perfect, and our family is perfect too. God, I love you so much.”

He kisses me hard, and we fall onto the bed once again, wrapped in one another’s arms. After all, our relationship didn’t start the regular way. I went on a naughty cruise, figuring that what happened on the boat would stay on the boat. But instead, what happened on the boat changed my life forever, and I’m all the better for it. Because you know what? The most miraculous things can happen at sea, and I have both a fiancé, a baby, and another baby on the way to show for my efforts. So I take a deep breath, and gaze into Mr. Jones’ eyes, appreciating the man in my arms. Because together, we’ll figure things out with our hearts and hands as one, locked together in love always.

The End