Page 76 of Surprise Baby for the Enemy

“Some of them might still want to come after you enough to try,” Raleigh warns. “You’ve painted a pretty big target on your own head.”

“Maybe. That’s why I’m going to quit.”

Raleigh blinks and splutters. “Wh-what? You were just elected nine months ago!”

“And three months ago I met you,” I say, looking her right in the eye. “And now we’re going to have a baby. That’s my priority, Raleigh. That’s all I care about.”

God, I’m ready to be inside her now. I know she can feel how hard I am between her legs. I take her handcuffed one in mine instead, and open the door for us to climb out of the car. I don’t say anything else until we’ve reached her room and the door is closed behind us, and then I’m pulling her into my arms and kissing her again, ferociously.

She tastes like honey and heaven, and all I want is to get her back in bed. When I woke up beside her this morning and neither of us was trying to leave, it didn’t seem real. I want that every day until I die. I need it.

When we’re both breathless, I pull back, just a little. “I’m turning forty, Raleigh. Before the end of this year, I’ll be abouthalfway through my life. That car you put in a ditch? That was my mid-life-crisis car.”

“Okay, you don’t need to keep bringing that up,” Raleigh says, flushing. “I’ve already apologized-”

“That’s not my point, sweetheart,” I laugh, kissing her softly. “By the way… how did you steal my car? My keys were still on the hook.”

“I hotwired it.”

“Is that right? Where’d you learn to do that?”

“Online. YouTube.”

I shake my head, smirking "I guess I should be worried about what else you're learning online." I pull her closer. "You really are full of surprises."

She grins. “Well, considering all the stupid and reckless choices I’ve made, I think it’s clear my online education has its limits. Maybe it’s time I learn from real-world experiences.”

I nod, my voice softer. "I’m not getting any younger, and what I meant when I brought up the car is... if I wait any longer, I’ll miss out on the life I could have with you.” I brush my knuckles over her stomach, and we both shiver. “No career plan is worth that.”

“But you…” Raleigh swallows. “What about… your father?” Before I can answer, she hurries on. “It’s a good plan, Derrick. Becoming sheriff, becoming senator, fighting for policy changes-”

“It’s also not something I did honestly,” I say, my tone sobering. “Your brother helped me win that election so I could be a man on the inside for him. I don’t want that to be the way I achieve those goals.”

I watch the understanding dawn in her eyes. She opens her mouth, then closes it. Of all the people here, she probably understands what I’m saying more than anyone.

“I’m not saying I can’t run again later,” I tell her. “Maybe when the kids are a little older-”

“Kids,” Raleigh repeats, a smile spreading over her face. “How many kids are we talking about here?”

“How many will you give me?” I counter, and she laughs.

“Let’s start with…” She purses her lips in thought. “Three, and go from there.”

I kiss her forehead and start walking us toward the bed. “I like the sound of that.”

Epilogue: Raleigh

The sun is just starting to touch the horizon, turning the fields in front of us a brilliant gold. I lean back into Derrick’s chest, and he puts a hand over my round stomach, holding me close. The air is cold, but we’re tucked into heavy sweaters and socks. Justice sits with his head resting in my lap, and Chance lays across my feet. And anyway, Derrick’s arms around me are warmth enough.

The first thing we did once Emma was settled at Warwick estate was return to Beth’s farm and make severalprofuseapologies. We also sat her down and told her the truth- the entire truth, about Derrick’s career, my family roots, all of it. It took a tense hour to get everything out in the open, but once she’d heard the full story, Derrick’s mother found it easier to accept. In fact, she seemed relieved to be trusted with the truth, even if it had taken a while to get there.

And when we told her we were expecting a baby, and also planning to build our own home on the land nearby… well, all was very quickly forgiven.

After that, Derrick and I stayed with her while our own home began construction just across the road. Thomas hired the architects and contractor himself, pulling every string to get theplace built in record time without taking a hit to the quality. We were all worried it wouldn’t be done in time for the baby’s arrival.

But here we are, three weeks out from the due date, lounging in the porch swing of our brand new home while the sky turns a thousand shades of pink and purple and orange.

Inside, the house-warming party/baby shower/celebration of Derrick’s fortieth birthday is winding down. Beth has recruited most of Thomas’s generals to clean dishes, collect trash, and pack all the presents neatly into a bin. Any of the guests that escaped her chores have started the long drive back to the city already. Iris and Paul left just a few minutes ago, with plans to search for a nearby hotel to break in for the night.

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