Page 54 of Covert Affair

“Ah. Well, it’s a whirlwind,” I reply.

“And what was it like for you, when she was going through what she went through? How did you handle it all?”

Damnit, I wasnotready for this. At all.

“It was tough. I mean, we’d met once before at the Grammy’s. I was there doing a job, ya know. And because of the business I’m in, we kept in touch off and on. When she called me, that was pretty much the last thing I expected, you know? To hear that she’d be hurt and needed my help.”

“And then you two got together after that?”

“We did. We spent some time together in the beginning and we were really just friends. I was just there doing my job and trying to be supportive of what she was going through. Making sure she stayed safe. That kind of thing. And now…here we are.”

“Here we are, is right. And as Stacey mentioned before we dragged you out here, you two have something you’d like to share with everyone, right?”

I look at Stacey to make sure that she still wants to do this.

“We do. In fact,” Stacey looks right at me and grins from ear to ear as blue balloons and confetti begin to fall from the ceiling.

“Wait. Does this mean what I think it means?” the host asks excitedly.

“We’re having a baby boy in April,” Stacey shakes her head.

As much as I want to die of embarrassment right now, I’m too excited. Instead, I stand up, swoop my girl up into my arms and spin her around. While the ugliest crocodile tears I’ve ever seen roll down my face.

“Well, there you have it folks. It looks like things are really working out for Stacey Mae and Cody. We look forward to more from the happy couple in the future. We’ll be back after the break.”

Someone yells “cut”, Jane rushes over and hugs both of us. The crew all say congratulations and we’re rushed backstage to Stacey’s dressing room where I finally feel like I can take a deep breath.

“So that didn’t go exactly as planned,” Stacey says when the door closes behind us. “It was just supposed to be the confetti and balloons. No questions.”

“You handled it really well though,” Jane adds with a nod.

“You did,” Stacey assures me.

“You like surprising the hell out of me though, don’t you?” I can’t help but smile.

“It was Jane’s idea,” Stacey immediately deflects.

“Was not,” Jane says with a laugh.

“Okay it wasn’t Jane’s idea. And actually only the producer knew beforehand about the gender.”

“You had no idea?” I ask her.

“Nope. I wanted us to find out together.”

“I guess that makes up for making me cry on national tv.”

Stacy laughs. “You should probably check your phone that keeps buzzing.”

Sure enough my phone is about to vibrate off the end of the makeup table with half a dozen missed calls and texts from everyone back home.

“Actually, I think I’m going to turn this thing off,” I smirk and power it off.

I’ll deal with all the teasing later because I know damn right well, my big brother is not going to let me live this moment down.

“Are we done here?” I ask Jane.

“We are. I’m heading to the airport and meeting Chase and Bentley in Aruba for two weeks. I’ll call you when I get back home. If you need something before then…”

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