Page 69 of Military Daddies' Nanny

Carlos is right. I cross my hands over my chest, regarding my brother. “That’s true. Is Karen leaving the reason you’re here, Drew? Because Karen gave up again and there’s no one else?”

Drew’s jaw ticks like he is offended I could even suggest that, but I don’t care. Nancy's safety and the safety of our baby come first.

“No. You’re wrong. Nancy has never been a second option for me. I would never return to her if it wasn’t my deepest desire. I could never treat her that way. You know this.” His voice holds a deep conviction. “I am here because I love Nancy. Karen is gone from our lives because she knows that the kids and I have moved on. We had a conversation, and we agreed that it would not work. There is nothing left for her here.”

Carlos smiles then. "All right.”

Come on,hermano" he murmurs, squeezing Drew’s shoulder. "It's time we got you sorted out once and for all."

Chapter 26

Nancy

My heart pounds as I hear Drew's words from the other room. I've been hiding in the bedroom, not wanting him to see me like this—swollen face, sweaty, and the beginning of a baby bump showing.

For weeks, I've been torn between missing him desperately and being angry at how easily he seemed to cast me aside. The pregnancy hormones certainly haven't helped my emotional state.

Nathan pokes his head into the room. "Nancy, Drew's here. He wants to talk to you."

I inhale sharply and look out the slightly open door.

“It’s all right if you don’t wish to speak to him. We’ll do whatever you want, even if that means sending him home.”

I smile in spite myself. I overheard part of what Drew said, and I must admit that his words tugged at my heartstrings. I have also missed him a lot, although I have tried not to show it.

Still, it doesn’t stop the hurt I feel, knowing that he was willing to give me up. How can I be certain that he will not be willing to do so again?

“Nancy?”

I look up at Nathan who’s staring at me intently. His eyes hold a bit of worry. I hate having to put him in this situation. Having to choose between his brother and I. I sigh and nod taking a deep breath. "Okay, I'll be out in a minute."

A huge part of me wars against my decision to speak with Drew but I know that I will regret it if I don’t. Plus, I have to do it for Nathan and Carlos as well, and for the baby in my womb that might be his.

As I hear the murmur of voices from the living room, I smooth my hands over my loose shirt, trying in vain to hide my growing belly. It's futile, of course. At four months pregnant, there's no hiding it anymore.

Steeling myself, I step out of the bedroom. The conversation in the living room stops abruptly. Drew's eyes find mine immediately, and the intensity of his gaze makes me catch my breath.

He looks terrible—dark circles under his eyes, his usually neat hair disheveled. But even like this, he's still the most handsome man I've ever seen.

"Nancy," he breathes, taking a step toward me before stopping short. His eyes roam over me, widening as they take in my appearance. "What's wrong? Are you sick?"

I shake my head, not trusting my voice just yet. Carlos and Nathan stand off to the side, their faces unreadable.

Drew's brow furrows with concern. "You look...different. Your face is swollen. What's going on?"

I clear my throat. "I'm fine, Drew. What did you want to say to me?"

He blinks, momentarily thrown off by my deflection. Then his expression softens, and he takes another step closer. "Nancy, I...I've been such a fool. These past weeks without you have been hell. I thought I was doing the right thing, trying to give my kids a 'normal' family. But I was wrong. So wrong."

My heart clenches at his words, but I force myself to remain calm. "Go on," I say softly.

Drew runs a hand through his hair, a gesture I've come to know means he's nervous. "I miss you. God, I miss you so much it hurts. The kids miss you. Even the house feels empty without you in it." He takes a shaky breath. "I love you, Nancy. I'm in love with you. I think I have been for a long time, but I was too scared to admit it."

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, but I blink them back. "That’s why you let things end when Karen came back?”

He shakes his head. "It was a mistake. She left again, but honestly, even if she hadn't...it wouldn't have mattered. You're the one I want, Nancy. You're the one who makes our family complete."

“You wouldn’t have come back if you thought it was working,” I say. I don’t mean to sound bitter, but I can’t help it.

---