Page 56 of The Secrets We Built Together

We stood there, my hand on his chest, his arm around my waist, Amelia between us, until she squealed and broke the spell. Xander stepped back, clearing his throat again.

"Right," he said. "I think we're ready."

He took three steps toward the door and then turned back with a look of confusion when he realised I wasn’t following.

“Are you okay?” I asked softly. “You seem a bit… I’m trying to think of a polite way to say it.”

He sighed, looking like he almost deflated as he did. “I guess I just spent a couple of hours this morning getting in my head. Worrying that if we weren’t convincing enough at the DCFS meeting that it would be my fault that Amelia… I don’t want to get this wrong.”

This sweet, perfect man.

“Will this make you feel better.”

He nodded looking embarrassed as he did.

“Then let’s do this thing.”

I grabbed the diaper bag from the side that had quickly become my purse as well reached out to graze my fingers overAmelia’s hand. If this was what Xander needed to feel more comfortable with what was to come then it was the least I could do. Besides, he wasn’t entirely wrong that we needed to put on a convincing performance when we saw Susan next. Everything rode on that next meeting and even though I’d been trying to ignore it, the pressure was high.

#

The Willowbrook Farmer's Market sprawled across the town square, white tents sprouting like mushrooms after rain. The spring air smelled of fresh bread and flowers, with undercurrents of coffee from Daniel's mobile Books and Beans stand. Children chased each other between stalls while locals caught up on the week's gossip.

"Deep breath," Xander murmured, his hand finding the small of my back. "Just be natural."

"Says the guy who practiced holding my hand this morning," I whispered back, but I leaned into his touch instinctively.

We made it exactly three steps into the market before Carol Prescott spotted us. The Wednesday Lunch Club matriarch's eyes lit up like Christmas morning as she bustled over, her floral dress flapping around her ankles.

"Well, look who it is!" she exclaimed. "The happy little family! And this must be Amelia—oh, she's precious. May I?"

Before either of us could respond, Carol had plucked Amelia from Xander's arms. Surprisingly, Amelia didn't protest, just stared up at Carol with curious eyes.

"She has your eyes, Blake," Carol declared, though that was biologically impossible. "But I see Xander in her smile."

Xander and I exchanged a quick glance. I wasn't sure if I should correct her about Amelia's parentage, but Xander subtly shook his head.

"We think she's perfect," he said, sliding his arm around my waist again. The movement felt more natural this time, less practiced.

"And when's the big day?" Carol asked, bouncing Amelia gently.

"We haven't set a date yet," I replied. "With Amelia and all... we're just taking things one day at a time."

Carol nodded knowingly. "No rush, no rush. Marriage is forever, after all. And you two have already skipped straight to the family part!"

I felt Xander stiffen beside me, though his smile remained fixed. "We're just doing what works for us," he said smoothly.

"Well, it's working beautifully," Carol declared, finally returning Amelia to Xander's arms. "I'll let you enjoy the market. Oh, and Blake—don't forget lunch on Wednesday!"

As Carol bustled away, I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.

"That wasn't so bad," Xander said, adjusting Amelia on his hip.

"Which part?" I asked, watching Carol disappear into the crowd.

His eyes met mine, something unreadable in their depths. Before he could answer, Ethan approached, his Sheriff’s uniform crisp despite the casual setting.

"Morning, folks," he greeted, tipping his hat. His eyes lingered on me a moment too long, and I felt Xander's arm tighten around my waist.

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