Page 53 of Bewitched

He lifted her foot and started massaging it. Her shoulders dropped immediately and her face softened. He’d learned all her tells over the last month, and he probably knew her body better than she knew it herself. It had been his mission to learn everything about her that he could, and he silently congratulated himself on the excellent job he’d done.

The world might see a tenacious, fearless woman, but he saw a big soft cookie. Truth be told, she was both, but he figured few people got to see her soft, gooey center. The same could be said about him. Most people would say he was a hard-ass with a singular focus and no sense of humor. Which was true, but he was also a man who would brush his woman’s hair, rub her feet, and turn the world upside down if he thought she wanted it. He just needed to find out what she wanted.

“Would you consider living in San Diego for a while if I came home every night?”

Leaning forward, she laid her hand on his knee. “Oh, Blake, are you sure?”

He covered her hand and shook his head. “Surprisingly, my world didn’t collapse when I heard the news. I’m ready for the second act of my life. I want to be able to throw a ball to my son, so trying something new seems like the best choice.”

Shaking her head, she squeezed his hand. “I don’t know, Blake. I think you’re taking this a little too well. I’m worried you’re not dealing with the reality of this major shift in your life.”

“Honey, men don’t last on the Teams much past eight years. I’ve had over twelve. That makes me damn lucky.”

“But…”

“But nothing. Before 9/11, SEALs might have had a half-dozen direct action missions a year. Can you guess how many my platoon engages in on a monthly basis?”

“A lot.”

“A lot is right. And our rotations are lasting between six and ten months. My doctor said something that clicked and helped me put this whole thing in perspective. The war has changed but the human body hasn’t. It can take only so much abuse before it starts falling apart. I’ve been put back together more times than I can count. Hell, you know that just by the scars on my body.”

“I think you’re perfect.” Playing with her braid, she gave him a smile. “So, it’s okay?”

Nodding, he lifted her left hand and rubbed his thumb over her ring finger. “Yeah, I’m ready for what comes next. I’ve got a lot to look forward to.”

Rubbing her stomach, she laughed. “So, Junior and I are your next chapter. We’re supposed to be as exciting as being a SEAL? I don’t think that’s possible.”

“Honey, you and our son are going to prove to be a lot more exciting.”

Leaning forward, she pulled him closer. “You sure?”

“Absolutely.” Framing her face, he realized that the spell she’d cast on him months ago was only getting stronger. She really had bewitched him, and it wasn’t something that he expected to ever end. “Give me a kiss.” When their lips met, he knew…definitely bewitched.

A knock on the door interrupted their smooching. Reluctantly, he released her mouth and smoothed down her hair. “Guess we’ll have to pick this up later.” The door swung open and a tech rolled in a machine. “Can we help you?” Blake called out.

“You don’t look pregnant to me, so I’m going to say no,” the woman called back. “I’m interested in that pretty lady sitting next to you.”

“Is it time for my sonogram?”

“Sure is.” She rolled the cart next to the bed. “My name is Daisy and I’ll be showing you some pictures of that sweet baby you’re growing.” After she set everything up, she studied them both. “My goodness, this child won the genetic lottery with you two. Doesn’t matter who he takes after. Either way, he’s going to be a good-looking child.” She turned the machine on and let it warm up. “Not that looks mean a thing if you don’t have the brains to back it up. I can tell you all kinds of stories about people who look good on the outside but are as ugly as sin on the inside. And let’s face it, that’s all that really counts. How much kindness and compassion a person has is a true mark of their worth.”

Paige leaned forward and clasped Daisy’s hand. “I couldn’t agree more.”

The ultrasound machine beeped. “All systems go,” Daisy said. She pulled the gel out and held it up. “It’s going to be cold, so get ready.”

Paige nodded and leaned back as Blake took her hand. “You ready to see our son?” she asked.

Blake squeezed her hand in response. “It’s been a month, and I want to see how much he’s changed.”

“What brings you into the hospital?” Daisy asked as she spread the gel around.

“I had an amnio and some of my blood and the baby’s blood got mixed up during the procedure. We’ve had a rough couple of days.”

“That doesn’t happen very often,” Daisy responded as she put the paddle on Paige’s stomach. “I know you’ve been on a fetal monitor and everything looks good, but I think seeing for yourself always makes a person feel better.”

“Absolutely,” Paige responded.

The images started to come up on the screen, and Blake studied it closely. He’d never heard a sweeter sound than the baby’s heartbeat. He’d read the reports that indicated there were no irregularities, but hearing it made him feel a lot better. “It sounds good,” Blake said.

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