Page 48 of Soaring and Saucy

They were married. It was filed with the state. She was now his legal wife. Tomorrow, he was going to add her to his dependent paperwork and his insurance, as well as putting her as a beneficiary with the government.

A breeze hit him at that moment and he got a whiff of himself, grimacing. Yeah, he smelled and was glad Stephanie wasn’t here to see him like this. She might be relieved about the marriage license, but any celebration might have been hindered because he was filthy.

Getting out his phone, he texted Stephanie.

Marriage license is taken care of and filed with the state. You are stuck with me, princess – and I’m glad. I just left the legal office and headed back to the ship.

Text me when you are free and we can talk about the apartment, okay?

Oh wow! Seriously? That easily? Consider me impressed – I will be late calling. I’m actually leaving work right now and heading to dinner with Natalie and Lila.

Peanut wants a steak and a baked potato badly. ??

Peanut gets what HE wants.

Yup, SHE gets whatever SHE wants.

Ha! Feed my baby, enjoy your evening, and text me later, Princess.

I promise I will – and thank you.

It’s my pleasure.

Lance sighed happily and began walking toward the carrier, feeling lighter than air. Now, he was getting a shower.

15

STEPHANIE

Sitting at the table of the restaurant, Stephanie listened to Natalie and Lila talk about how wonderful their weekend in Nashville was. She sat there politely, sipping on her unsweet tea, and was avidly looking for their waiter to take their orders because she was starving.

Glancing at her watch, she hesitated because it was getting close to eight in the evening. The last thing she wanted to do was bring up a costly dinner, so she insisted on meeting the women here – after Stephanie hugged the toilet at her usual time.

“So are you coming with us to Chicago?”

“Or bailing on us again. You missed out on so much fun last weekend.”

“Actually,” Stephanie began, feeling a wave of nervousness churn in her stomach right before she felt that faint tell-tale flutter below. Peanut was saying hello, and she smiled silently, laying a hand on her stomach. “I’ve got a few changes coming up.”

“Like what?”

“Well, with the baby coming and so much to plan or do, I’ve decided to slow down everything. What I mean by that is I want to put my child and myself first – and going to Chicago doesn’t benefit or help the baby, you know?”

“No, I don’t know,” Lila chuckled. “You could shop for baby clothes.”

“Don’t be evasive,” Natalie began, looking at the other woman. “What’s going on that you feel like you need to slow down?”

“Well,” Stephanie began again, taking a deep breath and looking at them both. “I’m considering moving, so I might need to pack.”

“What?!” both women exclaimed in shock.

“This weekend was actually strangely beautiful in so many weird ways. Lance flew in, and we just spent so much time talking, being with each other, and…” she paused, sorting her thoughts and feelings, before looking at her friends. “I think I want to grab that sort of happiness and hang onto it. He wants to be involved with the baby – and I want him to be, too.”

“He can pay child support.”

“Lila!”

“What? I’m sorry. I’m bitter because none of this is your fault or fair. I mean, you had a good time – it’s his fault for not wearing protection,” Lila hissed in obvious anger. “You are doing him a favor by having the baby and it shouldn’t turn your whole life around for him. What kind of sick, macho, pigheaded man…”

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