The Baby Clause 2.0 (The Contract 1.75)

I had to agree with him. It wasn’t something I ever saw happening, either. Only a couple years ago, if I had been at a meeting and witnessed what occurred today, I would have rolled my eyes, thought the man was an idiot, and would never have done business with the company.

How I had changed.

Graham was glad to hear Katy felt better and Gracie had settled. We were both shocked about the fact it was my attention to my child that swung things in my favor. We never would have guessed under that unsmiling countenance beat the heart of a devoted family man.

“Like you,” he added with a laugh.

And he was right. When it came to my family, Graham was right.

“I think Gracie can sit out the Conrad presentation next week. We don’t want to get in trouble with the labor laws or anything,” he teased. “We’ll only keep her for the real tough cases.”

“Right,” I snickered and hung up.

I drained my beer, headed to the cottage, and changed into my trunks. I set the baby monitor beside the pool, and dove in, the cool water refreshing. I swam some laps, surprised to find Katy sitting on the edge of the pool when I reach the end.

“Hey, sweetheart.” I pushed up out of the water and kissed her. “You look better.”

“I feel better.”

“Good.”

“Gracie is sleeping hard.”

I smirked. “She had a big day. It’s not every day a baby is the deciding factor in a business deal, you know.”

She chuckled, the sound echoing in the quiet of the evening.

“Did you eat?”

She shook her head. “I had some ginger ale. I’ll try something later.”

“No more Ebi, I guess,” I teased, rubbing her legs.

“Not for a while.”

“I’m sorry—the one time you want Japanese food, it makes you sick.”

She studied me for a moment, then bent low, meeting my gaze steadily. “It wasn’t the sushi.”

“It wasn’t?”

“Think about it, my darling. You weren’t ill.”

“True. I thought it was the Ebi. I only had a couple.”

She chuckled. “A couple? The way you inhaled it, I don’t think so.”

“What was it then? The flu?” I groaned. “God, I hope I don’t get it. Or even worse, Gracie.” The thought of her sick made me shudder. Lord only knew what smells she’d produce then.

“Not the flu. The baby.”

I frowned in confusion. “Gracie made you sick?”

“Not that baby.”

“Do you have a fever, Katy? You’re not making any sense. We only have one baby.”

“For now.”

It took a moment to sink in. When the words did, I stared at her, then at her stomach. “Again?” I gasped. “I bought condoms!”

“And how often have we used them?”

I was at a loss for an answer. I did get carried away fast when it came to my wife. I remember opening the box—I think.

“I did it again? Knocked you up?”

“Either you or the pool boy.”

I narrowed my eyes. “We don’t have a pool boy.”

“Then it’s on you. Gracie is going to have a baby brother or sister in about seven months.” She grinned. “Dr. Suzanne called you an overachiever.”

Holy shit.

I wrapped my hands around her calves, staring at her legs. She let me process. She always knew what I needed. My mind raced—I hadn’t expected this. Gracie was only six months old. We’d have two children under the age of two. Our busy lives would get even busier. Then I thought of the love I had for Gracie. The way it felt when I held her in my arms. The way it made me feel when it was my touch or voice that she needed. How big it made me feel. It was everything. She and Katy were the most important things in my life. I lifted my gaze to meet my wife’s watchful scrutiny. Her expression was joyful, and her eyes danced. She was thrilled.

Then I realized, so was I.

With a whoop, I pulled her into the water, snickering at her gasp. I covered her mouth with mine, holding her tight with one hand, and gripping the side of the pool with the other. I kissed her hard, long, and deep.

Pulling back, I rested my forehead on hers. “So, today was morning sickness?”

She had struggled with that when she was pregnant with Gracie.

“Yes.”

“Morning sickness is a crap name for it, by the way. They need to improve their marketing. Anytime projectile vomit is more accurate.”

She laughed in agreement.

“And the Japanese food was a craving?”

“Yes. I had suspected yesterday, and Suzanne confirmed it this morning when she called with the news.” She smiled. “I didn’t want to tell you while I was throwing up and all. Give you the wrong idea that maybe I wasn’t happy.”

“But you are?”

“Yes.”

“So am I.” I pulled her closer. “Another baby. Good thing we bought a big house.”

“Good thing I love you so much I don’t mind being knocked up again.”