Page 13 of Married to a SEAL

“No. I’ve been thinking for a while that I wanted us to live together. We’ve been dating a year, and going back and forth between houses is hard. Even on the kids. But there’s no sense in moving in together and not making it official.”

“Hoorah,” Evan said.

“It’s kinda hard to believe we’ll be having a baby just a few months behind you two,” Patrick said with a wry smile. “And here I thought my diaper changing days were over.”

“Hell, you can practice on our kid any time you want,” Evan said. “I’m not too sure how I feel about diaper duty.”

Patrick chuffed out a laugh. “Believe me—some things you never forget. Thanks for the offer though.”

“At the rate we’re going, in another year we’ll have an entire junior SEAL team running around.”

Patrick smirked and glanced over at his son calling him. “Dad, I’m hungry! I want something to eat.”

“I’m hungry, too!” Abby chimed in.

“Let’s go have a snack then,” Patrick said. Rebecca usually packed enough to feed an army when they came down to the beach, but with her sick this morning, he’d said he’d just buy some food here like he used to do with Logan. Might as well make use of the endless stretch of boardwalk that ran along the beach. “Who wants to get ice cream?”

“Me, me!” both kids shouted, jumping up and abandoning their shovels and pails.

Patrick cast a quick glance toward Evan. “See what you’re in for?”

Evan laughed. “Aw, hell, that’s all going to be Ali. I’m clueless about kids.”

***

Rebecca watched Abby and Logan jumping up and down by the water, their face beaming. Patrick said something, and they grew even more excited. The four of them began walking up the beach toward where she and Alison were sitting, Patrick carrying the kids’ sand toys.

Rebecca smiled.

Nothing like seeing a six-foot-three Navy SEAL in navy blue swimming trunks, his broad, muscular chest and rippling muscles on display for everyone to admire, carrying a little girl’s hot pink plastic bucket.

It was sweet watching him holding Abby and Logan’s things. And somewhat ironic to know a man as powerful as him—a muscular, assertive Navy SEAL—could enjoy everyday things with his kids.

Their kids.

Funny, she’d never really thought of it that way before. Patrick was Logan’s dad, and she was Abby’s mom. But now, with a baby of their own on the way?

It was like they were a little family unit.

No wonder Patrick was eager to move them in together.

In a matter of a single day, her entire life had been turned upside down.

“I seriously can’t believe you’re pregnant,” Alison said beside her, absentmindedly rubbing her own stomach.

“I was just thinking the same thing. I wouldn’t have believed it either until I threw up in my own kitchen this morning,” Rebecca said.

“When Evan told me Patrick texted him asking about a pregnancy test, I thought he was joking.”

“It kind of feels like a dream at the moment—a good dream. Where are you guys headed?” she asked as Patrick, Evan, and the kids walked up.

“Mommy, we’re getting ice cream!” Abby said. “Do you want any?”

“No, I better not have any since I wasn’t feeling well this morning.”

“Oh, okay,” Abby said with a shrug. “Is it okay if I have some? Patrick said he’d take us.”

“Sure, sweetie. Let me get you some money.”

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