Page 11 of SEAL's Secret

Full custody?

Abandon the fights? The shared holidays? The trade-offs every week as they shuffled their daughter from one home to the other?

Suddenly feeling woozy and nauseous, her hand landed on her abdomen. She’d been feeling off for a couple of days now. No doubt just stress, but this was just the icing on the cake. Glancing at the clock, she knew her sister was still at the office given the time difference between D.C. and Hawaii. She shot off a text anyway, telling her they needed to talk.

As the older sister, Layton should be the one in control. It hardly felt that way lately, though. Her entire world had crumbled apart, and just as she’d found her balance, things were shifting again.

Bile quickly rose in the back of her throat, and she ran to the kitchen trash can.

Chapter 7

Two days later, Layton was tossing clothes into the open pink suitcase on her bed. Swimsuit? Check. Shorts? Check. Sandals? Double check. Her daughter’s things were already in a cute little kid suitcase beside it, and Caroline was bouncing around the bedroom with excitement, thrilled to go on her very first airplane ride soon. “Mommy, is Aunt Emersyn really at the beach? Please, please, please say yes! I miss her!”

Layton’s gaze landed on her daughter, taking in her wispy blonde hair and wide eyes. “She is, sweetie. Aunt Emersyn moved to Hawaii, remember? She’s going to be so surprised that we’re coming for a visit and so happy to see us both.”

“Yay! Yay, yay, yay!” Caroline yelled excitedly, jumping around and racing back out the bedroom door.

Layton blew out a sigh, taking in the mess spread around her bed. It looked like a tornado had blown through, but she was feeling frazzled after booking the last-minute trip. She’d shifted around her showings for the weekend, not even caring if she ended up losing a commission because of her abrupt change of plans. There would still be plenty of houses to sell when she returned, and after that? She’d get her real estate license in Hawaii. Pack up her home. Move.

Emersyn had already confided in her that she’d be staying in Oahu permanently, either as a DEA analyst or in some other capacity. Emersyn and Aaron were madly in love, and while things had moved quickly over the past month, Layton was happy for them. Aaron and his teammates had saved her sister’s life not once but twice. First, they’d rescued her from nearly drowning in the ocean, and then they’d saved her from a crazedDEA contractor who’d kidnapped Em right from the courtyard of her office building.

Layton shuddered.

She always had her own safety in mind when showing homes, but a government building with gates and armed guards should’ve been safe. She was so thankful that Aaron and his teammates had found Em in time. Her sister deserved to have a good man in her life, and Layton knew she couldn’t do better than Aaron. Em had been pleading with Layton to come visit, and Layton was about to shock the heck out of her by showing up unannounced.

Her phone buzzed, and she smiled as she saw the text. Only Emersyn’s boyfriend knew about their surprise visit, and he was helping to orchestrate the entire thing.

Aaron:Plans are all set for Saturday. Picnic and drinks on the beach with the entire team. Emersyn will be shocked and thrilled when you show up.

Layton:Awesome. Thanks for keeping it secret. She’s been begging for me to come.

Aaron:I know.Are you sure I can’t pick you up from the airport? I promise to keep Emersyn out of the loop.

Layton:Thanks, but we’ll grab a cab.

Aaron:Hudson would be interested to know you’re coming back to town. Hint, hint.

Aaron:Guy definitely has the hots for you.

She flushed, remembering their night together and hoping Hudson hadn’t told all of his friends about it. Crap. She didn’t think Hudson was the type of man to kiss and tell, but his teammates were like his brothers. Would he really be able to keep their night together a secret? The last thing she wantedwas for the rest of the guys to think she was slutty. Men had it easy. No one cared what they did or who they slept with. If a woman wanted to enjoy a night of sex, her entire reputation was suddenly on the line. And Hudson was the only man she’d been with since discovering her husband’s infidelity.

Hands shaking only slightly, she texted Aaron back.

Layton:Don’t tell him either. I’d rather it be a surprise.

Aaron:Yes, ma’am. ;)

Layton quickly finished packing her things, decidedly not bringing the sundress she’d worn on the beach with Hudson. She had other pretty dresses suited for the tropics and didn’t need memories of that night—not when she had no idea how Hudson would react to her news. Walking into the bathroom, Layton nervously stared at the little box on the counter. While she’d been in denial for a few days, her cycle was like clockwork. She recognized the signs. Layton would simply pee on a stick and know for sure.

Nerves fluttered in her stomach, and she stared at her pale face in the mirror. How different this was then trying for a child with her ex. It had happened quickly, but she’d only slept with Hudson one time. And they’d used a condom.

She closed the bathroom door and quickly pulled out the test from the box, her hands beginning to shake and tears filling her eyes. This would tell her for certain, but Layton absolutely knew.

The second pink line appeared almost immediately, and her stomach dropped. In that instant, her entire life had changed.

Pregnant.

Chapter 8

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