Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 53052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
I squeeze back. “Thank God.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
Jack
Today is Taylor’s doctor appointment. I’m an excited prospective dad who’s going to hear the baby’s heartbeat and hopefully see an ultrasound, too. As I wait for her to finish getting ready, I stare out the window and look at the clear blue sky.
Things are finally settling down. After the meeting, we learned that Taylor isn’t in any kind of legal trouble, but the senator is. Although the authorities need to investigate further, nothing Taylor did falls under the heading of illegal. My hunch was correct. Cross knew exactly what to have Taylor say and do so he could manipulate her into believing she’d stepped over the line and could be arrested for campaign fraud.
She mentioned her cousin to the federal officials, explaining how close he is to the senator. They picked David up for questioning. We aren’t getting any information directly but as a favor, Carter called to let us know David rolled on the senator, backing up Taylor’s story and giving the feds even more dirt on the man. We went out to dinner to celebrate the good news.
As a result, Cross is being arrested today. Unfortunately, the agent in charge feels that as a senator, he deserves the respect of turning himself in as opposed to some kind of public arrest and perp walk. As long as he can’t hurt Taylor, I don’t care how they handle taking him into custody. I don’t doubt he’ll have a high-powered attorney and the case will drag on. If it goes to trial, Taylor will have to testify. Not things I want her worrying about now.
“I’m ready!” She walks out of the bedroom and joins me in the main area of the suite.
I look her over in her pink ruffled dress and wedge heels. She’s stunning, and as always, I’m hard just looking at her. I skim over her with my gaze and hold out my hand. “Come on, beautiful. Let’s go find out more about our baby.”
A little while later, we’re in an exam room with the doctor, who is running the probe over Taylor’s stomach. A whoosh-whoosh sounds and I still at the echo of my child’s heartbeat. Emotion I didn’t know I had wells up and lodges in my throat.
“Hear that?” Dr. Williams, a woman in her mid-forties, asks.
I nod because words escape me.
“One hundred sixty beats per minute. A perfectly normal heartbeat,” she says with a smile.
Taylor squeezes my hand in hers. “It’s amazing.” I’m in awe.
“Did you check the portal? The bloodwork from your last appointment was uploaded and has the answer.”
She raises her shoulders, her tension obvious. “I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t think to check. I’ve been out of town, and my life has been a little crazy.”
“No worries. Do you want to know now?”
Taylor glances at me and I nod. “We want to know,” she says.
Dr. Williams treats us to a warm smile. “Okay, then. Let’s see your little boy.”
“Oh my gosh!” Taylor exclaims. “A boy!”
I suck in a deep breath. “I’m having a son.”
A tear leaks down Taylor’s cheek, and I brush it away with my fingertip. “James?” I ask her, and she bobs her head.
“Now we can look at him.” The doctor glides the new wand over Taylor’s belly.
Once she’s satisfied with her view, she turns the screen toward us and begins to point out parts of our baby. She takes measurements and I hear a lot of clicks as she works. When she’s finished, she prints out the scans of our little one and hands them to Taylor.
Once the doctor leaves the room and Taylor dresses, she turns to me, wraps her arms around my neck, and pulls me against her. “That was incredible. I’m so glad I got to share it with you.”
She smiles, beaming. “Me, too. I know this wasn’t planned, but I’m really excited now.”
I brush a strand of hair off her cheek. “Same here.” This baby bonds us in a way I’d never anticipated and instead of running scared, everything in me wants to rush toward the changes in my life.
A knock sounds on the door and we break apart.
“Come in,” Taylor calls out.
The door opens and a nurse I’d seen when we walked in earlier steps inside. “Umm, we could use the room if you’re finished?”
Taylor blushes a healthy shade of red. “We’re set. Thank you.”
I take her hand and we walk out.
Together.
Once we’re back in my rental car, she turns to me. “Are you ready to tell my parents?” she asks. “I think I’ve waited long enough.”
I nod. “I’d love to meet your family. Just give me directions.” I put the car in drive and we’re off.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Taylor
We’re sitting in my parents’ family room. It’s an elegant room with a large cream-colored brocade sofa, matching Queen Anne chairs, and a delicate cocktail table in the center. Mom and I are on the sofa, Jack beside me. Dad sits in one of the chairs.