Forever After (Unrestrained 5)

Kate yawned. “Not for me, thanks. I’m way too tired.”

“Decaf,” I added. “You need to keep your fluids up.”

“Okay, Doctor,” she said with a smile. I went to the kitchen and put on the kettle, arranging a couple of cups and saucers and fixing the tea pot. When I was finished, I peeked into Sophie’s room again and saw that Kate had her up on her shoulder for a burp.

“Here,” I said and reached for Sophie. “Let me do that. You go and get your cup of tea.”

I took a receiving blanket over my shoulder and placed Sophie onto it, patting her back to bring up a burp so she could go to sleep.

Finally, she rewarded me and let out a serious belch, her eyes still closed.

“Like clockwork,” I said and stood by the window, rocking her for a while before I put her down.

Kate went to get her tea and returned with a cup in hand, leaning on the doorjamb while I continued to rock Sophie on my shoulder. Finally, I laid her down in her crib and tucked a blanked behind her. Then, I went to Kate and together, we stood in the doorway and watched her.

“She’s a keeper,” I said and pulled Kate closer to me.

“She is.”

We went downstairs to the living room and I put on some music while Kate sat on the sofa and drank her tea.

“I had hopes of making love to you earlier, Ms. Bennet,” I said and sat back beside her. “Are you too tired?”

“I’m never too tired for you,” she said and smiled up at me.

“I don’t believe a word you say,” I replied, knowing she was just being agreeable. “I saw you hide your yawn.”

She smiled guiltily. “I’m sorry, but I’m just exhausted tonight for some reason. Maybe the cold air. It often makes me really sleepy at night when we go out for an evening walk.”

I kissed her cheek. “I’ll have to remember that. No more evening walks when I want to make love to you.”

“I’m sorry,” she said and made a pouty face. “It’s just I feel like I need to sleep when Sophie does so I can wake up and feed her. I can lie quietly while you take your pleasure.”.

“Don’t worry about it, and don’t apologize,” I said and leaned in to kiss her. “I understand completely and you should sleep when she does. Besides, taking my pleasure always means giving it to you. Here,” I said and took her empty cup. Then, I pulled her up and into my arms. “You go and get into bed. I’ll join you in a few minutes. I need to send an email and turn out the lights.”

I went back to the office and opened my email while Kate went to our bedroom and got into bed. I wanted to give her the chance to fall asleep if she wanted, without worrying about me.

About fifteen minutes later, I returned to the bedroom and sat on the side of the bed to take off my socks. Of course, she woke and rubbed her eyes.

“Sorry I woke you,” I said softly.

“It’s okay. I wanted to talk to you before we go to sleep. Something happened tonight while you were in Macy’s.”

“What?” I asked, removing my watch and placing it on the nightstand. When I was naked, I slipped into bed beside her.

“Maureen and Liam are in town. I saw them in the crowd while you were shopping.”

“What?” I said, a shock going through me. I leaned up on my elbow and looked into Kate’s eyes.

“Yes,” she said softly. “I went over and said hello. Chris and Maureen broke up when Chris got a job in Borneo. Maureen probably didn’t want to go because of Liam’s health.”

That surprised me, for I thought that Maureen would never want to separate Liam from Chris. “Is he sick?”

Kate shook her head. “He looks great. He’s grown taller and his hair has grown in. He looks so much like you.”

“I wish,” I said, but stopped myself. I was going to say that I wished I could get to know Liam – that I could be a real father to him.

“What?” Kate asked, moving closer.