Page 112 of Negotiating Tactics

I squeezed his hand back. “You don’t have to prove anything, because I feel the same way. I’m so happy to have found you and am honored to share my life with you,” I said.

The judge smiled and then laughed when Noah kissed me.

“Well, I think that just about does it,” the judge said.

“Thank you, Your Honor,” Birdie said.

“Keep me in mind for the next one,” she said, looking at Tristan and Beau, who, despite being over six feet tall, tried to make themselves small.

“Congratulations,” Birdie said, hugging me tight.

I hugged her back and then we filed out of the judge’s chambers and out of the courthouse.

After that simple, perfect ceremony, my friends—my family—went to lunch, one that thankfully did not include shrimp.

After we were done, Noah grabbed my hand and led me to his car. “Do you mind if we take a detour before the appointment?” he asked after we had settled in the car.

“Of course,” I responded, leaning over to kiss my husband.

He smiled and then set off. I recognized the neighborhood and smiled when I realized where we were going.

He stopped in front of my building, and I smiled as I stared at it.

“She’s shaping up nicely,” Noah said.

He’d insisted on taking charge of the renovations, and I’d decided to let him.

“I know it’s going to be great. Thank you,” I said.

Noah just kissed my hand and then rolled the window up. “One more stop today, then you go home and rest,” he said.

“Still so bossy,” I responded.

He just laughed and drove us to the doctor’s office. A nurse took my vital signs and then left, and Noah held my hand the entire time we waited. This was my first ultrasound, and Noah had insisted on being there, just like he had for the appointment before when I’d confirmed the pregnancy, and just like I knew he would for all of the appointments after.

“Sorry for the wait,” the doctor said when she entered the room.

“No problem,” I said.

Noah said nothing, just watched as she punched a few buttons on the screen and then looked at Noah and me.

He squeezed my hand as the doctor looked at us and said, “Are you ready to see your baby?”

Twenty-Nine

Noah

“Another long day?” I said to Alex when she walked into her apartment.

She patted her gently rounded stomach and then sighed.

“You know I’m not going to answer that. It’s hard enough to keep you from worrying as it is,” she said.

I chuckled but didn’t deny her words.

“That’s my job,” I responded.

I let her sit, then rubbed her ankles as she put her feet up on the coffee table.

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