Chapter 7

Jake and Sam kept glancing at each other as Jake drove. Neither one said anything. Neither one felt they needed to. They had just found out that Sam was indeed pregnant, not that Sam had really needed the doctor to tell her. She had just known and she had been correct.

"I love you, Samantha Anne," Jake finally said.

Sam looked over at him to see the emotion in his face. She would bet that the realization that he was going to be a father had finally hit him.

"I adore you Jake Ely," Sam almost whispered.

Jake shook his head.

"I don't adore you?" Sam asked.

Sam saw he was almost overcome. He pulled off to the side of the road and parked the Avalanche.

"The words are so inadequate," Jake voice was like a whisper. His eyes slashed over to hers and Sam could see it. She wasn't sure what to tell him.

"I've been around when my brothers' wives were all expecting," Jake went on, pinning her eyes with his. "It's just different when it's your wife that's pregnant."

Sam gave him a smile, but Jake turned to look away.

"I feel incapable," Jake said. "I feel so protective towards the both of you. I'm not sure what to do."

"Just love us, Jake," Sam told him. "You are the most loving man I know. You'll be a great dad."

Jake shook his head. Sam knew he was just overwhelmed with it all.

"I'm not sure I'm ready," Jake admitted.

Sam made a scoffing noise. He turned back to look at her. She could see the questioning in his eyes. Sam turned away, trying to gather the words she wanted to use.

"Now you know why I had to get home to you when I realized I might be pregnant," Sam said softly. "I didn't care about the Pulitzer, I didn't care about being a journalist, I didn't care that we temporarily strained, I just cared about the life I was carrying and wanting to share it with you.

"Jake, you're going to be a terrific father. There isn't anyone I'd rather have father my child, my children.

"I know you're a bit overwhelmed right now, but I love you and know how terrific you will be. You can't help but be terrific."

"I love you," Jake told her, the softness and love he felt for her evident in his dark brown eyes.

"I know you do," Sam leaned over to kiss his full mouth. "I love you so much that even the word love doesn't cover it."

Jake hugged her to his hard chest and Sam sighed as he placed her head against it.

"I need to get busy on that house," Jake murmured.

"You can leave the hot tub until last," Sam told him.

Jake chuckled.

"You're right," Jake nodded and she heard the humor in his voice. "I already got you pregnant. I don't need a hot tub to set the mood."

Sam choked on her laughter.

"Though it could be fun, all that nakey time in it," Sam teased.

"Bed first, kid's room second, then hot tub," Jake said, the laughter in his voice.

"Definitely bed first," Sam agreed.

Jake chuckled as he kissed the top of his wife's head.