Page 67 of The Angel and the Agent

“Stupid military time,” she groused, unrolling an antacid tab and popping it in her mouth.

“I want to know because I care about you and your wellbeing, regardless of the status of our relationship,” he said.

“That’s another card for your rejected Hallmark collection,” she said, leaning forward and gasping slightly as another pain hit.

“Amelia, you are not okay,” he insisted.

She frowned at him, but she was in too much pain to contradict.

When they landed in DC, they were the first ones off the plane. Amelia didn’t think much of it until they were met at the end of the tunnel by Maggie, Ridge, and two medics wheeling a gurney.

“You ordered an ambulance?” Amelia said, turning to stare up at Ethan in dismay. “I told you I’m fi…..” She doubled over and grasped his arm, biting back a scream as a wave of pain so intense washed over her, she feared she might pass out.

“You seem totally fine, but get checked out for my sake, please,” Ethan said sarcastically as he put his arm around her and half carried her to the waiting medics. “She was really gooduntil this pain started a few hours ago,” he added, addressing Maggie and Ridge.

“I’m good,” Amelia tried to assure them with a thumb’s up. Then she groaned and clutched at her stomach, ruining the effect.

“Come on, we’ll get you checked out. You’ll be right as rain in no time,” one of the medics said.

“Is there any chance you might be pregnant?” the other EMT asked as his partner began buckling her onto the gurney.

“Yes, but only by a couple of days,” Amelia said and, as one, Maggie and Ridge swiveled to look at Ethan.

“I got nothing,” Ethan said, shrugging helplessly.

Chapter 24

“Ethan,” Maggie exclaimed.

“It’s not as bad as it sounds,” Ethan said, directing the remark to Ridge.

“If you think I’m the one you should be afraid of, you’ve clearly never seen Maggie angry,” Ridge said.

“How could you…you went to get her and…she’s vulnerable, and you took advantage…” Maggie sputtered.

“Sweetheart, you’ve gone to that place only dogs can hear,” Ridge said, stroking his fingers soothingly down her arm. “Let’s hear what he has to say.”

“Long story short, we got married,” Ethan blurted.

They stared at him, unblinking. “I think we’re going to need the long story,” Ridge said.

So Ethan explained how everything came about. When he was finished, Maggie seemed more subdued.

“Do you like me again?” Ethan asked her, tapping her foot with his.

“I’m processing, and I’m a little sad, honestly. We didn’t get to have cake,” Maggie said.

“I’ll buy you a cake,” Ridge offered.

“It’s not the same if it’s not wedding cake,” Maggie said.

“We still have wedding cake in the freezer. We’ll have some when we get home.”

She bit her lip. “You might want to recheck the data on that.”

“Maggie, you ate our wedding cake without me?” he asked.

“I was having a bad night. It was right before I had to re-up my qualifications, and I was nervous.”

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