With that, my boyfriend kisses me before pulling away and turning to my father.
“Well if that’s it, then thank you for your time, Senator Mellon. I appreciate it,” he says while extending his hand again. But before my dad can return the friendly handshake, I giggle and interrupt.
“Well, actually there’s one more thing I want to share with both of you,” I say.
Brad and my father both turn to look at me.
“What is it, honey?” my boyfriend asks.
My dad knows me better. Joseph’s eyes sharpen and focus on my tummy, and I nod in confirmation.
“I’m pregnant.”
My boyfriend looks stunned and then the biggest, most brilliant smile I’ve ever seen erupts over his handsome features. “We’re having a baby, sweetheart?”
I nod. “Yes.”
With that, Brad leans forward to kiss me with hunger before pulling back and staring into my eyes. “I want to take care of you and our baby,” he rasps. “I love you, Katy. Holy shit, this is the best gift I’ve ever gotten.”
My dad harrumphs from behind us.
“Well, you’ll have your hands full with an infant, that’s for certain,” he says in a dry tone.
I spin around and beam.
“Yes, and you’ll be a grandpappy, Dad! Doesn’t that sound wonderful?”
With that, the three of us laugh together as the circle of love grows. After all, I never thought my father would handle my relationship with his Chief of Staff with such calm and cool. But now that he has, my soul is at peace even as my heart soars with adoration. After all, Brad Landon is my one and only, and with a baby on the way, I couldn’t be more content.
Epilogue
Katy
Six months later.
The baby kicks and I put my hands on my belly, enjoying the ripples in my stomach as my child does somersaults.
“Can I feel?” Emma asks with excitement.
“Of course.” I take her hand and put it where the baby’s moving, and smile when I see her eyes light up.
“OMG, that’s so cool!” she squeals. “You’re going to be a mommy soon! Are you ready?”
I think for a moment and then smile sassily.
“Well, if having my head in the toilet every morning is an indication, then no, not really. But otherwise I am,” I confirm.
Emma giggles.
“I love this apartment too. I mean, of course I miss you at school, but I like the privacy too. Plus, your place is gorgeous,” she enthuses.
I look around with a happy sigh at the apartment Brad and I share. As soon as he found out I was pregnant, he put his old apartment onto the market and bought this lovely three-bedroom home. It’s got a terrace that gets plenty of sun, and I’ve done the interior in beige and cream so that we have a soothing, comfortable place together.
“Thanks,” I say. “I like it here too, although do you ever get lonely now that you’re by yourself in our old dorm room?”
Emma pauses for a moment, looking a bit secretive.
“Well no, not really. I mean of course I miss you,” she says quickly. “But I appreciate having more space to myself.”
I quirk an eyebrow.
“But are they moving a new girl in? You know how the school loves packing us in like sardines.”
Emma shakes her head slowly.
“No, not that I know of, although your guess is as good as mine. I really like having a single though because visitors can come and go without anyone noticing.”
I stare at her.
“Of course,” I say dubiously. “That makes sense.”
Emma quickly changes the subject.
“But I miss you terribly, Katy! Do you know if you’re coming back to school after the baby’s born?”
I nod.
“Yeah, definitely. SVA let me put my enrollment on hold because obviously, I’m huge right now and they understand. But ultimately, I do still want to get my degree. But in the meantime, I’m going to take some time off and focus on our family. After all, you can never get these early years back, and I don’t want to miss anything when it comes to my child.”
Emma nods.
“Um, and how’s your dad?” she asks a bit awkwardly.
I smile and nod.
“Joseph is good. Of course, I still think my dad’s a little traumatized after catching Brad and me together like that because it’s always a shock when you realize your daughter has a sex life, but he’s handled our relationship with amazing aplomb. In fact, Brad and I were really surprised because we thought Joseph would fly off the handle with rage, but instead, he basically accepted our relationship as soon as we came clean.”
Emma laughs and shoots me a mysterious look.
“Well, I’m sure the Senator has his reasons,” she murmurs in a dulcet tone. “He’s a very sensitive, intelligent man.”
Wait, is something going on here? I shoot my friend a hard look but before I can say anything, who but my father and Brad show up. The two men struggle in through the door while balancing a huge six foot box between them.