Chapter 52

"I just want to say, to my sis," Everett Barek raised his champagne glass to his sister, "that it's about time!" Everyone laughed, then he grew serious. "No, really… I'm glad you've finally found someone that makes you happy. Mike, I can't tell you how precious she is to us. You take care of her."

The group applauded and Logan stole a kiss from Carolyn before disappearing from the dining room. After some prodding from Alex, Bobby wandered off after him.

The bedroom door was cracked, and Bobby could see Logan staring out the window at the snow. He knocked and stepped inside.

Logan laughed nervously. "I had to get out of there for a while."

Bobby nodded.

"Geez, Bobby. What am I doing here?" Mike sat down on the bed and dropped his head into his hands. "Carolyn's family, they're nothing like mine."

Bobby nodded again and sat on the other side of the bed. "You love her."

"Yeah, of course I do."

Bobby shrugged. "Doesn't matter… what they think, what they say. You… and Carolyn. That matters." He clapped Mike's shoulder and stood in front of the window. "It's really coming down, now," Bobby said. "I better get Alex home."

Mike stood and followed Bobby back into the boisterous crowd in the dining room. Carolyn caught sight of them together and gave Alex a nod. Bobby waited impatiently while Alex said a round of leisurely goodbyes. Then he took her by the hand and supported her as they walked on the slush and ice outside to the waiting SUV.


Tuesday afternoon couldn't come fast enough. Alex was relying on Bobby more and more for help with even simple things, and he was worried about her continuing to work. She stayed at 1PP all day Tuesday, against his wishes. By 1:00, he was angry with her. He walked over to her desk and interrupted Andy mid-sentence.

"We've got to get going, if we're going to be on time," he said.

Andy smiled kindly, and Alex glared at him. She made an effort to continue the conversation, but Bobby cleared his throat loudly, interrupting them again. Finally, she got her purse and walked slowly with him to the elevators.

"You are the stubbornest man," Alex said.

"I'm stubborn?!" He asked, pointing to himself. "I can't even begin to respond to that."

"You're not right about everything, you know. I know my body. I know what I can do and can't do."

Bobby pointed to her feet. "Ankles. Swollen. You haven't been off your feet all day."

She rolled her eyes and turned away from him.

He grumbled through gritted teeth. "I don't know why I'm mad about it, anyway. You're just making my point for me. The doctor will take one look and put you on bedrest."

Alex's chin jutted out slightly. She glared at him. "We'll just see about that."

Bobby offered her his arm as they walked, and she reluctantly took it.


They took her blood pressure and temp and then the doctor had her lie down so she could examine her. All of that took minutes.

"Okay, looks good," the Doctor said. "How are the half days going?"

"Fine," Alex said.

"Make arrangements to stay home. I don't want this baby coming sooner than expected. I'll leave the paperwork with the receptionist. When you schedule for next week, she'll give you everything you need."

Alex could feel his look of triumph. She avoided his eyes as the doctor left the room. Bobby picked up Alex's pile of clothing and set it on the exam table next to her. "You okay?" he asked.

This was not what she expected. Gloating, 'I told you so,' just plain happiness would not have surprised her. This did. She looked up quickly, and saw he meant it. She sighed. "Yeah. I guess."

He helped her with her clothes and walked her out of the room.


"My family can be overwhelming at times," Carolyn said to him, chasing a piece of broccoli across her plate.

"It's okay. I like them."

She looked up and caught him in his lie. "You are so full of shit!" She grinned, and finally, he did, too. "No man in his right mind could have 'liked' either one of my brothers the way they talked to you yesterday. They might as well have been flanking me, carrying guns."

She leaned forward and took his hand. "But they meant well. They just don't know how to turn off that protective big brother thing."

"I get that. Kind of like I can't turn off the protective boyfriend thing."

"They really are good guys, Mike. And in time, I'm sure they'll like you." She went back to concentrating on the food on her plate. "And it helps that Mom & Julie approve."

"And you."

Smile gave him a shy smile. "You're really romantic, you know that?"

"You're really beautiful," he countered. Mike paid the bill and took her home. They'd barely peeled their coats off when he had his hands on her hips and his lips against her mouth.

She moaned happily. Her hands ran up and down against his sides and she closed her eyes as she felt his tongue against hers.

Mike let go, backed up, and started unbuttoning his shirt. He couldn't stand to be away from her, so he leaned in every few seconds and kissed her again. He felt Carolyn's hands helping him along. He tossed the button down shirt on the floor and she slipped her hands inside his t-shirt. He raised his arms and she slipped it over his head, dropping kisses against his chest.

Consumed by desire, he lifted the hem of her shirt free from the skirt she was wearing and his fingers brushed gently against her soft skin. He pushed her bra up and his warm hands cradled her breasts.

"Wait, wait a minute," she whispered. Mike let go and stood back. She turned around and held her hair up. "Take off my necklace?" she asked him. As he did, he smelled her hair. She dropped her blouse to the floor and he undid the bra hooks in front of him. Bending down, he kissed the smooth line from her shoulder to her neck, his hands slipping under her arms and back onto her soft breasts.

Carolyn raised her right hand and let it rest against the back of his neck. Slowly, she turned toward him, kissing his face until lips met against lips again. Her hand dropped and she turned to face him.

Mike put both hands on her cheeks and kissed her deeply. As her hands stretched around and caressed his back, he found the zipper on the back of her skirt and pulled it down. The skirt fell easily to the floor.

She broke away from him and loosened his belt. Mike undid his pants and stepped out of them. He lifted Carolyn, and she straddled him as he carried her to the bedroom.