Chapter Twelve
A few weeks later…..
Ranger had gifted me with the cutest Belgian Malinois puppy. He had big paws, one ear that always flopped over, an inquisitive face, and boundless energy. He was like a shadow and went with me everywhere. I'd named him Mac.
Mac and I went down for our morning run. Reyes was waiting for us. He leaned down and greeted Mac. Mac wagged his tail shamelessly, his whole body vibrating with excitement. I was pretty sure Mac would ditch me for Reyes, except for the fact that I had bacon in my pocket.
"You're back" I grinned. It had been about a week since I'd seen Reyes. Work was keeping him busy.
"Did you miss me darlin'?"
"You know I did" I said as shamelessly as Mac felt.
I eyed him for a minute. "So, you and Lillian huh?"
Reyes and Lillian had been spending a lot of time together. She had ditched the Senator's aid. I was glad, that guy was milk toast and way too tame for a woman like Lillian. I thought she and Reyes made a striking couple. She was tall, blond and willowy. She was gorgeous. Contrasted with Reyes' dark hair, dark eyes, and caramel skin. They were like yin and yang, and we all know how seamlessly that fits together. They complimented each other.
Reyes looked down and toed an invisible piece of dirt on the sidewalk. "Yeah" he said. "I just don't know if I am the right type of guy for her."
"Reyes you are the perfect type of guy for her." Reyes was kind and gentle. He was a natural born protector, but he didn't smother you. Reyes also didn't treat Lillian like glass. He knew all about her history and he saw her first and foremost as a capable, kick-ass woman. Reyes never saw Lillian as a victim, but respected that she had unique boundaries and triggers.
He looked up at me. "You think so?" He asked hopefully.
"I do."
"I really like her Plum. I really, really do."
"Then tell her" I said.
"What makes you think I haven't" he asked a little defensively.
"Because boys are dumb Reyes, boys are dumb." I laughed and rolled my eyes like everyone knew that truth to be self-evident.
"Ok" he allowed. "You got me there. So, are you ever going to tell me or do we just have to keep pretending?" He asked.
"Tell you what?" I was genuinely confused.
"You know, that you're…" his voice trailed off and he made a vague gesture. "In the family way."
My eyebrows shot up and I looked at him like he was insane. "I'm not pregnant."
"Sure you are" he responded.
I narrowed my eyes at him. "What makes you think I'm pregnant?" I hissed.
"Well, you know your" he made a vague gesture in front of his chest.
"No, Reyes I don't know." I think my eyebrows had climbed an inch up my forehead and my voice had gone up an octave.
"Your breasts are bigger, and you're you know rounder" he said helplessly.
"How do you know my breasts are bigger?" That was the least terrifying part of this conversation. I glared at him and waited.
"God given talent." He gave me a wolf grin.
I rolled my eyes, and then I started doing the math. I realized I'd stop taking my pills when I was in witness protection. I'd never started back. I'm not sure why. I'd like to tell myself I forgot, but I was pretty sure that wasn't it at all. Ranger and I had been going at it like bunnies for weeks, and I was late. Very late.
Reyes was watching me intently. I locked eyes with him. He could see the wheels in my head turning.
He grinned. "We're having a baby Plum." He swept me up in a bear hug,
When he put me down, he was still grinning like an idiot.
"Oh shit" I said.
"I think I'm pregnant."