Page 57 of Justice for Aleta

“You told me once that you’d gladly consider me as a mother for your child. Or children. Whatever. Do you still feel that way?”

Okay. Enough’s enough, he told himself. “Yes. I do.”

“So could we? I mean, have a baby? I know we haven’t really talked about it, but?”

“Yes. We can have a baby. Or two. Or five. Although I’d prefer that they’re not all at the same time.” Jack smiled what he thought was the biggest smile he’d ever worn. “Having kids with you is very important to me. I’ve always wanted them, but I’d about decided I’d never have any. I’m glad I was wrong.”

“So I need to go through two cycles without taking them before we try. That puts us after the wedding. Is that okay?” He’d never seen her so timid, and he found it charming.

“That’s perfectly fine. I’ll buy some condoms and we’ll be extra careful until then.”

Aleta was almost bouncing in her seat. “Yes! Oh, baby, thank you! I’m so excited!”

“No, thank you. Without you…”Without you. He’d almost been without her. There’d been a time when he’d thought she was going to be taken away from him. Being wrong in that instance was the best kind of wrong to be. “You’re my whole life,” he whispered, his eyes misting over. “Without you, life wouldn’t be worth living.”

She clasped his hand with one hand and covered it with the other. “You’re my whole life. I had no way of knowing that the worst day of my life would lead me to someone who loves me as much as you do. Life takes some funny turns, doesn’t it, Trooper Fletcher?”

“Yes, it does,” he said as he laid his free hand on top of their clasped ones. “I never cease to be amazed.”

Epilogue

They’d beenin the new house for two years the night Jack stood in the nursery doorway and watched Aleta nursing their tiny son. Their wedding had been simple but beautiful, and they’d talked that very night, wondering how long it would be before they could bring home a child of their own.

It had taken thirteen months before she conceived. She’d told him she was pregnant and he hadn’t believed her, but the doctor confirmed it?the day she’d made the announcement was about two days after little John Henry’s embryo planted its flag in her uterus. Her body had told her what no test could.

The pregnancy had been everything they’d wanted. She was healthy and happy, and Jack had loved reading to her growing belly every evening, talking to it, and telling it how much he loved it. The first time he felt it kick, he’d been overjoyed. Everything had gone just as it should, and they’d spent those blissful months decorating the nursery, talking about names, and going to baby showers thrown for them by relatives and friends. By the time he made his appearance, Jordan’s room was ready and fully equipped.

Jack had been right there, gripping her hand and encouraging her, when his son came into the world. He loved Aleta, but he could honestly say he’d never felt such a connection to and so much adoration for another human being as he experienced with Johnny. Those ten fingers and ten toes were a sight to behold, and he couldn’t get enough of his baby son. They were a family, full of love and hope and promise.

She heard him move slightly as he stood there and she turned, smiling. “He fell asleep nursing.” He lifted the baby from her arms so she could fasten the clasp on the cup of her nursing bra, and he held the infant close and smiled down into his face. JerdanDavid Fletcher. His son, the son he thought he’d never have. “Can you put him in the crib? I need to talk to you for a minute.” Jack placed the sleeping baby on his back in the crib and followed Aleta out of the room.

He thought she’d go into the kitchen, but she didn’t. She headed straight to the bedroom, climbed up in the middle of their bed, and turned to face him. “Sit down.”

A million things ran through Jack’s mind.Something’s wrong with her. Something’s wrong with the baby. She’s leaving me?okay, that’s ridiculous.Taking a seat on the edge of the bed, he turned to face her too. “What’s up?”

“Well, um… You know how they tell you that while you’re nursing you can’t get pregnant?”

Jack’s eyes went wide. “Yeah?”

“Seems that’s not always true.”

“But, but, but Johnny’s just five months old! Are you telling me?” Aleta nodded. “We’re going to have?” She nodded again. “Well, I’ll be damned.”

A nervous giggle escaped her lips. “You’re actually taking this a lot better than I thought you would.”

Jack gazed at the woman who shared his life. He was so lucky and so blessed to have her, and now they’d have yet another life to share all that love with. Then he laughed. “I guess I can stash the condoms in the hall closet. I don’t have to worry about you getting pregnant if you’re already pregnant, huh?”

Her lips landed on his and she gave him a deep, hot kiss. “I love you, Jack Fletcher.”

“I love you, AletaFletcher. But that means I’m going to be changing alotof diapers. You owe me, girl. And I think I know a way you can pay me.” Jack wiggled his eyebrows.

“Sure!” She giggled and squirmed as he dropped her to the mattress and braced himself over her. “Oh, I meant to ask… I’ve already blasted through my book budget for the month. Is it okay that I bought a couple more of those romance books? Do you mind?”

“Mind? Buy all you want, as long as they’re not firefighters,” he quipped and kissed her.

“I’m sticking with law enforcement. There’s just something about a man in uniform,” she announced, “especially if he’s mine.”

*

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