Chapter 20

Seth awoke the next morning to an empty bed and cold sheets. He bolted upright and frowned. Where was she?

After they'd made love he'd dug through his bag and found the single carat heart shaped engagement ring with smaller diamonds set into the band. She'd cried as he'd placed the ring on her finger. Then they'd made love again and he'd planned to take her again when they awoke, but it appeared she had other ideas.

The delicious aroma of coffee and was that bacon...caught his attention. Maybe she was down stairs with Lexi and Roman already. Seth tossed on a pair of sweatpants and forgoing a shirt headed down stairs. What he saw when he stepped into the kitchen had his heart swelling with love.

Amber stood at the stove, Alea perched on her hip as she flipped pancakes with her other hand. She looked so beautiful with her hair still mussed from too much sex and not enough sleep, a smile on her face and a baby in her arms. The only way the moment could have been more perfect was it it had been their baby instead of Alea. It was moment he knew would forever be burned into his mind, a picture he would never forget.

She turned now, spotted him and smiled. HIs heart swelled even more. "Good morning."

Unable to resist, he crossed to her now and slipped an arm around her and Alea as he leaned in for a kiss. "Good morning, beautiful," he murmured as he pulled back. "What's all this?"

Amber's smile remained in place and he couldn't help but grin in response. It was so wonderful to finally see her happy. "Lexi and Roman went to the airport to pick up her dad. I was already awake so I told her I'd watch Alea and make some breakfast for when they get back."

"Well." He pressed a quick kiss to her lips again. "You should know, I don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful sight than finding you in the kitchen, wearing only one of my shirts while all soft and dreamy looking and holding a baby."

"So-" She grinned. "You're saying you want me half naked and pregnant after we're married?"

Alea reached for him and he scooped her out of Amber's arms. "All the damn time," he replied with a devilish smile. "At least the half naked part," he qualified. "The pregnant we'll have to see about."

"Why is that?" she asked as she turned to the stove and flipped the pancakes again.

"Well." He took Alea's tiny hand in his and marveled at how her tiny fingers were barely able to wrap around his pinky. She was just so damn little, yet carried such a big personality already. "I definitely want children and I want them with you, but I know that will need to wait for awhile."

She looked over her shoulder at him. "Only for a few years. Maybe sooner if management releases me."

At her statement Seth paused and he felt the scowl cross his face. "What if you mean if management releases you? What makes you think they're unhappy with you?"

She began scooping up the pancakes and placing them on a plate. "Well, they haven't used me in the ring since before the Shield's breakup and I'm getting less and less camera time." She picked up the plate and sat it in the microwave, then returned to the griddle where she poured out the scrambled egg mixture. "They completely left me out of the traditional Diva's christmas match."

Seth frowned as Alea grabbed a handful of his hair. "I never gave it much thought, but you're right. Ouch...dang, squirt." He reached up and pulled Alea's hand free. "No, baby," he scolded in a tone that was firm yet not too rough. Alea stared at him, blinked then reached for The Shield dog tags he wore around his neck. He considered the ramification of allowing her to play with the tags, then decided it was fine and turned his attention back to Amber. "I think maybe we need to talk to the rest of the team about this and see what we might be able to do to help."

Amber gave him a soft smile. "I appreciate it."

He closed the distance between them, slid his free arm around her waist and pulled her against his other side. "Anything for you, baby." He brushed a soft kiss across her lips. "So did Lexi see the ring?"

Amber grinned. "She was so happy for me that she squealed like a teenage girl."

"Good." He brushed another kiss across her lips, then nibbled on her bottom lip, beseeching her for more. She opened to him and Seth took the kiss deeper. Unbidden need began to build deep inside. The wasn't any way he'd ever have enough of her.

The back door opened, followed by a bustle of noise. "Damn, bro," Roman said as he observed Seth and Amber. "Not in front of my daughter."

Seth pulled back and grinned down at Amber then turned to look at his friend. "First of all, she's not old enough to understand and second, you and Lexi are constantly sucking face in front of her."

"We do not," Lexi argued even as Bret set his bag down and grinned as he reached for Alea.

"Come to Grandpa, sweetpea." He scooped her into his arms then turned to look back at Lexi. "You know, Seth is right. Practically every time I see you two, you're playing tonsil hockey."

Lexi's eyes widened. "Dad!"

"Oh get over yourself," he mumbled as he turned his attention to Alea. "There's nothing wrong with showing love and affection in front of her. It's good for her see how much her parents love each other. It's something you didn't get enough of when you were little." Without waiting for Lexi to reply he switched his focus to Amber. "How are you feeling, honey?"

She nodded. "A lot better. Thank you, Mr. Hart."

He pulled Amber into a half hug. "I'm glad to hear that." He pulled back and appeared to assess her. "You're way too thin and you look a little pale yet. Nothing some rest and good food won't fix. What about thearpy?"

Amber nodded to Lexi. "Lexi is going to call her therapist when she opens in a few hours and see if she'll take me."

"And you're going to go, right?"

Amber nodded. "Yes, sir. I am."

Bret nodded. "Good. Now, later after I'm settled in you and I need to have a talk."

Seth watched Amber's eyes go wide with shock and apprehension. "Yes, sir."

"Oh don't look so damn worried," Bret replied. "It's all good."

"Actually," Seth added. "I we all need to have a little talk. Amber has an issue with work I think we could help her with."

Once they were seated for breakfast, Bret looked across the table at Amber. "So what's going on?"

Seth quickly explained the problem with work. "I'm just afraid that Amber might have a legitimate fear in that they might release her after her contract is up," he finished.

"So what can we do to fix this," Roman asked.

Lexi tapped her fork on the table. "I could go to management and demand a storyline with Amber." She glanced from on to the other around the table. "I'm not tied to any particular storyline right now and I've never really addressed her turning on Seth and Roman."

Bret nodded. "It's an angle that makes sense for creative to follow."

"But I can't beat you in the ring," Amber argued. "I don't have the skills or talent and I certainly don't have the sizzle."

"Who says?" Lexi shot back.

"Management," Amber replied. "They don't think I have what it takes to be the star you are."

Bret set his napkin down. "Well, I think management is wrong. And what you don't know we can fix."

Lexi nodded. "I could intentionally take a loss and help put you over. It really wouldn't hurt me much."

"I don't know about that," Bret argued. "If Amber's ring skills aren't up to par, then a loss to her might look suspicious to the fans."

"So what do you suggest?" Amber asked. She'd gladly take any advice the wily veteran was willing to share.

"When do you guys go back?" Bret asked

"January 5th," Seth replied.

"Roman, does your dad still have part ownership in that local wrestling league?"

Roman nodded. "As far as I know, he does."

"Can you call him after breakfast and have him come over?" Bret asked.

"Sure." Roman narrowed his gaze. "What are you thinking?"

Bret grinned now as he shared a knowing look with Lexi. "I'm thinking that we have a little over a week to turn Amber into a star."