Steph's POV

"Do I look okay?" I asked nervously. We were about to leave for Cal's niece's christening, and I was a bundle of nerves. I was excited to meet his family, but I was also anxious to make a good impression. Cal had become so important to me, and I don't know what I would do if his family didn't approve.

"You look gorgeous, and my family is going to love you because you're amazing, and also because I care about you so much and you made me incredibly happy," Cal assured me.

Way to make a girl melt. I walked over to him and kissed him soundly, lipstick be damned. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close the minute our lips touched and I swear my knees buckled.

"Wow," I whispered when we pulled apart. The things this man does to me. I laughed when I opened my eyes and saw my pink lipstick on him. After a quick clean-up for him and reapplication for me we headed out for the short drive to the church.

The family was abuzz with activity when we arrived, but they all stopped their conversation and turned toward us when we walked into the church. I only had a moment to get nervous before a woman flew across the church and hugged me for all she was worth.

"Oh, you must be Stephanie! Cal has told us so much about you, and we've all just been dying to meet you! I'm Cal's mom, Carol." She pulled back and held me at arm's length and I swear she couldn't have smiled any bigger if she tried. "You're even more beautiful than my Cal described you, and that's saying something!"

I blushed and leaned into Cal. "Thank you, Mrs. Holmes. It's so nice to meet you all today," I answered, gesturing toward the crowd that was watching with rapt attention.

"None of that Mrs. Holmes business. You're family here, so first names are a must."

And just like that, my nerves were gone and I was swept up in a tide of introductions and conversations and hugs. I was talking to Cal's sister, Victoria, when her son suddenly had to go to the restroom.

"Here, can you take her for a minute, please?" she asked quickly as she transferred Sam into my arms and followed Eli down the hall. I didn't know what to do with this little baby in my arms for a minute, but then she smiled at me and her chubby little baby hand patted my arm and I was in love. She had big blue eyes that reminded me of Cal's and wispy blonde hair, and I'm pretty sure my ovaries twitched when she cooed at me.

"Aren't you just the sweetest thing ever?" I cooed back to her. I rubbed my pinky down her cheek and inhaled her sweet scent. I, Stephanie Plum, was holding a baby and actually enjoying it! She reached up and grabbed my finger, waving our joined hands around.

"You're quite the natural there, Steph," Carol said as she approached Sam and me.

"Oh, I wouldn't say that," I quickly corrected here. "Sam's just an easy baby, I think. Or maybe we just understand each other."

"Do you want children?" she asked me casually just as Cal walked up to us.

"Mom, no quizzing Steph. I don't want you scaring her off," Cal chastised his mom. "Now, I think I saw Father Young looking for you."

"Excuse me, please," she said with a blush before she hurried off in search of the priest.

Cal wrapped his arm around my shoulder and kissed the top of my head. "You okay with Sam?" he asked. "I know you're not so sure about babies."

Sam whined and I shifted her to my shoulder and began rubbing her back. "Yeah, we're good," I assured him. "She's making me reconsider my stance."

"Is that so?" Cal asked with a mischievous grin.

"Yeah, I was nervous when your sister handed her to me, but then it was like it just clicked and I feel really comfortable," I explained.

"So you're not necessarily ruling out the possibility of kids in the future?" he pressed.

I leaned over and kissed his shoulder and shook my head. "No, definitely not ruling it out. I think that with the right man – if we were a team rather than me being the stay-at-home mom responsible for cooking and cleaning and raising the kids – it might be nice."

"You know, I'm an excellent team player," Cal teased with a smile.

"Noted, Mr. Holmes," I replied with a laugh. And you know what? I could see it, and it didn't scare me at all.

I was jarred from my thoughts as we were all called to our spaces for the service to begin. I sat between Cal and his mom until time for him to do his part as godfather. I got a little misty-eyed watching him with Sam and Carol just smiled at me and patted my knee.

"He feels the same way," she whispered to me, and I couldn't help but smile like an idiot. I'd been happier in the month Cal and I had been together than in my entire relationship with Dickie.

We all stood around talking after the christening and I looked down when I felt Eli tugging at my hand.

"Aunt Steph?" he asked. I wasn't sure how to respond to that so I looked up at Cal questioningly. He bent down to Eli and tickled his belly.

"Not quite yet, little guy, but maybe someday soon if your Uncle Cal is really lucky. How about we stick with Steph for now?" Cal asked Eli. If we weren't in the middle of a church I would kiss him right now. I might just be able to wait until we made it outside before expressing my excitement over his statement.

"Okay!" Eli chirped. "Steph, can I go with you and Uncle Cal to lunch?" he asked.

"Oh, Uncle Cal and I don't have your car seat in his car. We'll take you to lunch and the playground sometime soon, though. Sound good?" I asked.

"I love the playground! Yes!" he exclaimed. He ran over to Victoria to tell her all about his impending trip to lunch and the playground with Uncle Cal and I laughed at his enthusiasm.

The family all split apart to their vehicles so we could meet for lunch at Rossini's. The moment Cal and I were in the car, I turned and pulled him to me, kissing him fiercely. I pulled back a minute later when breathing became an issue and smiled at Cal.

"What was that for? Not that I'm complaining!" he asked with a smile.

"Someday soon. I like that," I replied softly.

"Someday soon, baby," he echoed.