Just Getting Started (Fair Lakes 2)

She smiles as tears coat her cheeks. “Pregnancy hormones,” she says, laughing and wiping them away.

I leave her to compose herself and head to pack the diaper bag. I text Harrison on my way to the kitchen.* * *Me: You’re not the only one with super sperm.* * *Harrison: Congratulations!* * *Me: Thanks. Tell Gwen thank you as well.* * *Harrison: She says you’re welcome.* * *Sliding my phone back into my pocket, I get busy making a couple of bottles, making sure we have diapers, wipes, and a couple of extra outfits, his blanket, and a receiving blanket. Who knew kids needed so much stuff? I pack a little extra knowing that my parents are going to surprise us with a night of childcare. I double and triple-check I have everything we might need, and I’m just zipping up the bag when Gabby and Milo join me.

Ten minutes later, we’re in the car and on the road. “You know, I’m glad Mom and Dad want to surprise us with a night out or afternoon out, whatever. I need some time with you.”

“To sleep,” Gabby says, yawning. “We need some time to sleep.”

“As long as your naked body is pressed against mine, I’m okay with that.”

She chuckles. “That actually sounds perfect.”

“Good. We’ll get dinner over with and let them tell us our surprise that’s not really a surprise and we can go from there. I can run home and get the Pack ’n Play if we need to. I already packed enough clothes, diapers, and bottles just in case.”

“Look at you, thinking ahead,” she jokes.

“Alone time with my fiancée… that’s a pretty damn good incentive.” Reaching over, I entwine our fingers and realize her finger is bare. I need to remedy this as soon as possible. My mind starts racing with my second proposal. I would never change the first one, not for anything, but I have to give her a ring, so yeah, my girl gets two. She’s special like that.

Pulling into my parents’ driveway, my stomach grumbles. It’s like my body knows I’m getting ready to be served my mom’s cooking.

“Hungry?” Gabby inquires, smiling.

“Just a little.”

“I’ll grab the diaper bag, you grab the baby?” she suggests.

“Done.” Grabbing the keys, I climb out of her SUV, and open the back door, quickly removing the infant carrier. That took a couple days to get used to, but now I feel as though I could do it in my sleep. I follow along behind Gabby as she makes her way onto the front porch. “Just go on in. You don’t have to knock.” My mom has made it clear this will always be my home.

“You sure?” she asks, looking over her shoulder at me.

“Yeah, I’m right behind you.”

Gabby pushes open the door and we head inside. “Mom, Dad, we’re here,” I call.

“In the kitchen,” Mom calls back.

I step around Gabby to lead the way. “Something smells—” I stop dead in my tracks. I close my eyes, then open them, and I’m still seeing the same image before me. I blink once, twice, three times to make sure my vision is clear. My mouth falls open in shock.

“It’s good to see you too, little brother,” Colton says, stepping toward me and wrapping me in a hug. He bumps into Milo’s seat and pulls back. “And you must be my nephew.” He looks down into the carrier. “He’s a cute kid. Takes after the Callahan genes.” He grins.

“Colton,” Gabby says. She’s met him a time or two when he was home on leave.

“Gabby. Good to see you.” He leans in and kisses her cheek.

“Chase,” Gabby says as soon as he pulls away.

“What’s going on? I thought you would be happy to see me.”

“I am… we are,” I stutter through my words. “Colton, we need to talk.”Chapter SeventeenGabby 17* * *Holy shitballs.

Colton’s here.

He’s home.

And obviously still thinks Milo is his… nephew.

My eyes burn as realization sets in. This conversation is going to be hard, and so very heavy for Chase. I glance his way, noting the pale coloring in his face and the devastation in his eyes. It’s like he’s reliving those results all over again as he stares at his older brother.

Milo’s father.

“What’s up?” Colton asks, glancing between his brother and me. I can see the question in his own blue eyes as he runs his hand down the back of his neck, just like Chase does.

“Umm, maybe we can have a seat in the living room?” Chase asks, setting the diaper bag down and rubbing the back of his neck nervously.

“I’ll grab Milo and meet you there,” I tell him, taking the carrier from his hand and setting it on the table. Milo is awake and watches my every move as I unlock the handle and move it out of the way.

“Mom, Dad, maybe you can join us,” Chase adds, slowly making his way out of the kitchen and toward their family living room.