Taking What's His (Shillings Agency 4)

She took the pie and stared at the TV. But she didn’t hit play. He was so patient and sweet and— “Okay, fine. You’re right, there’s something I need to tell you. I don’t want to stress you out, or make you think you owe me anything, or that we have to change anything. But…I’m…we’re…”

“I already know.” He locked gazes with her, set his treat down, and he took hers from her limp fingers. Resting his hands on hers, he smiled. She turned them over, and they held onto one another. Funny, how something so simple could make her feel so much better. “I think I knew before you did, Lyd.”

“Wait, what?”

“You’re pregnant, with our baby. And I couldn’t be happier about it.” He grinned and crawled over her body, covering her with his length. “Why do you think I brought us both decaf tea instead of our normal wine?”

“I just thought you wanted tea.” She pouted. “When did you figure it out?”

“When you started puking every day,” he said drily. “It didn’t take rocket science to put two and two together. Plus, you missed your period. It was due last week.”

She rolled her eyes. “Considering we don’t even live together, you know way too much about my menstrual cycle.”

“It’s the only time I can’t make love to you. Of course I know it.” He kissed her gently. “And what the hell did you mean when you said that I don’t ‘owe you anything?’”

Biting down on her lip, she shrugged. “I didn’t know if you’d be happy. I mean, this wasn’t exactly planned.”

“I don’t give a damn if it was planned or not.” He shook his head and let out a little laugh. “You’re having my baby, and you love me. You saved my life. Made me whole. I owe you everything, Lyd. Everything.”

“Aww, Holt. I—” She blinked back tears, but it was useless. They came pouring out anyway. “Damn these hormones.”

Laughing, he swiped them off her cheeks. “I believe you were going to say, ‘I love you.’”

“I was.” She nodded. “I totally was.”

“I love you, too.” He kissed her again, keeping it sweet and soft. When he pulled back, he stared down at her, a bright smile lighting up his face. “And we should fix that.”

Blinking, she pursed her lips. “Fix what?”

“The whole you not living with me thing.” He swallowed hard. “Lydia, will you move in with me?”

She wanted to. There was no doubt in her mind that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with this man. But… “You don’t have to ask just because I’m pregnant.”

“I’m not.” He frowned at her. “And the fact that you’d think I was is insulting. You know I love you, and I’m going to marry you one day.”

The breath caught in her throat. “W-What?”

“That wasn’t a proposal.” He kissed her again. “When I propose, there will be a dinner, and Doctor Who references, and a big romantic moment. And maybe a TARDIS, too. But have no doubt: it’ll happen. And it’ll be spectacular.”

She laughed, and then covered her mouth. “A TARDIS?”

“Hell yeah. A motherfucking TARDIS.” He mock-glared at her. “Now…are you going to answer my question, or are you going to leave me hanging forever?”

She grinned. “Of course I’ll move in with you. Are you crazy?”

“About you. I’m crazy about you.” Glancing down, he rested a hand on her belly. “And about this little guy or girl. We have our own little family now, and I couldn’t be happier. Because of you. I love you, Lyd.”

Wrapping her arms around his neck, she smiled up at him, her heart near to bursting with love. “I love you, too. So much.”

“I know.” Grinning, he rolled her on top of him. “And I’m the luckiest—”

“—Guy in all the continuum,” she finished, before kissing him. And she didn’t stop. Because this was true love. Right here. Right now.

Forever.