Page 79 of Christmas with the Baby Daddy

I licked my lips. “Zach, I’m so sorry. I wanted to tell you, but?—”

He kissed my brow. “I’m sorry too.”

“What?”

“I’m sorry I’ve missed this much of George’s life. But it’s not my fault or our fault.”

“It’smyfault,” I insisted. “I should’ve told you.”

“No. I understand.” He gave me a replay of his conversation with Amanda. “I get it. And I see how you would’ve hesitated to tell me.” Framing my face, he stared at me. “And I forgive you. I hope you’ll forgive me too.”

I smiled through the tears, hugging him again. “There’s nothing to forgive.”

“Just my short-sightedness in not seeing what really matters. A career doesn’t make me the man I should be. My family does.”

I sniffled, snuggling into his familiar hard, hot body. “I was so nervous you’d be mad. Or resent being expected to come home or stay here.”

“I can see how you’d think that. But I’m not. I’m not mad. Not at you for keeping the truth from me. I see why you would’ve and did so to protect yourself and George. And I’m not mad at myself for being away. I went out and did what I felt I should do, and now that I know Idohave another purpose, a more important and lasting purpose, I’m fortunate to be able to welcome it.”

“Then does this mean…?” I sat up.

He smiled. “I’m not going anywhere, sweetheart.”

“You want to be a family?” I asked.

“Yeah. I love you. And George. I want to be a family right here. We alreadyarea family of three.”

I bit my lip, not letting the impact of his sweet words fully hit me until he understoodexactlywhat he was walking into this time. “I love you, too. But…” I took his hand and placed it low on my stomach. “What about a family of four?”

Realization dawned on his face. He blinked quickly, at a loss for words. “You… don’t have the stomach bug?”

I shook my head. “Just a precious surprise that we’ll get to meet in nine months, give or take.”

Slowly but surely, a gorgeous smile lifted his lips. “I can’t wait, sweetheart. I can’t wait for the rest of my life to start.” Laughing lightly, still showing the signs of surprise on his handsome face, he pulled me in for a kiss.

32

ZACH

Christmas afternoon…

When I flew home a little over a month ago, I figured I’d be driven back to the airport shortly after the holiday travel died down. I didn’t know where I’d go or what I’d do, but I no longer had the urge to leave.

Not after finding the love of my life, who’d been in my life all along.

Not after learning I had a future to look forward to in a family.

This Christmas would be the first of many here in Grandma Jenny’s house, but this year was a memorable one.

“Talk about some big presents,” Amanda said as she sat next to me on the couch while Blake and Grandma Jenny talked in the kitchen.

“Yeah!” George replied from a few feet in front of us, staring out the window, his nose pressed against the pane, fogging it up as he watched the barn further back. He’d gotten so many gifts, but he seemed to think the “big present” my sister was referring to was the retired pony that our grandma had gotten for him. He wasn’t sporty, but he was very fond of animals. When she noticed how he liked to draw horses so often, she went out on a whim and got him a pony. She got a horse for herself, too, already thinking back in the spring about how she wanted to spend her retirement. Riding again, like she did when she was a young girl. And being here for her grandkids and great-grandkids.

That was the first big present that we’d opened this morning. Blake had looked at the envelope with a puzzled expression, but as soon as she undid the seal and pulled out some documents, she cried happy tears.

“You have no idea how long I’ve been bursting at the seams to tell you,” Grandma Jenny exclaimed.

“You’re giving me West Catering?” Blake asked.

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