Page 45 of Missing Marcus

“Gee, Patch, you sound like my husband. It’s a good thing I brought extra.” Bryanna handed him her load and he grinned like a child at Christmas.

“I’ll take these to the kitchen,” he offered while Bryanna settled beside her friend. As they started chatting, the doorbell rang again. Bryanna started to rise when Patch came around the corner with his mouth stuffed with one of the pies and waved her down and answered the door.

Taco came in with a metal pan in his hands. “Hi, Gabrielle. Tess sent tacos for you and Knight. Since I needed to speak with Patch, I volunteered to bring them up while they’re still hot.”

The smell made Gabby’s stomach growl loudly, making them laugh.

“It appears I arrived in time,” he quipped as he placed the pan on the counter and pulled plates from the cupboard. “Bryanna, may I make you a plate? You know how Tess cooks. She made plenty.”

“Thanks, I’ll take two,” Bryanna responded as she winked at Gabby.

He brought each of them a plate with a napkin and returned to the kitchen. A minute later, he reappeared with two glasses of milk.

“What about me?” Patch whined.

“Tess sent a batch to the facility and the guys will arrive shortly. Can I speak to you on the deck, please? Sorry ladies, I’m working a confidential case.”

Bryanna shooed them away. “Gabby and I need time to catch up and eat. Go do your thing.”

The men walked down the hall.

Gabby picked up her plate from the coffee table and inhaled the scent of the tacos. She thought she died and went to heaven. “Oh my gosh. These smell incredible,” she gushed.

“Oh, wait until you taste them,” Bryanna told her as she bit into one, closed her eyes and moaned.

Gabby’s moans joined hers as she licked the delicious juices running down the side of her hand. “I apologize if this is TMI, but I think I experienced an orgasm in my mouth.”

“If Saint hadn’t taken care of me last night, I’d say I joined you. Tess makes awesome food. Wait until you taste her empanadas and her churros,” Bryanna crooned.

“Nothing tastes better than tacos. It’s the baby’s favorite food. I think about them all the time. I can be bribed by tacos,” Gabby admitted.

Bryanna laughed. “I haven’t craved them. I asked Saint to smash potato chips into creamy peanut butter and hot fudge. I resembled a wild animal as I licked the bowl clean and he stared at me like I grew two heads.”

“Men. I swear this kid yanks on the umbilical cord with its demands. I got out of bed and drove to an all-night burger joint for a burger and fries with a large strawberry shake. I sat in the parking lot and ate it because I couldn’t wait until I got home. Then I returned for a warm chocolate chip cookie.” Gabby giggled.

Bryanna smiled. “If we don’t have it, Saint drives to the team facility. Tess keeps a ton of stuff there. He admitted he woke her up in the middle of the night because I wanted cornbread and black bean soup. Luckily, she made it the day before and saved leftovers. Now I watch what I say. I don’t want him waking people up. They’ll start associating him with Leo.”

“Oh yeah. I heard about him. Does he really make his baby do PT with rattles shaped like dumbbells? Someone mentioned he’s teaching her to become a SEAL. I must’ve been half-conscious and misheard the conversation.” Gabby finished her second taco and gazed mournfully at her plate.

“Nope. You’re correct. He reads military books to her. Leo brings Grace to the facility to allow Catherine time to sleep in. She’s pregnant again.” Bryanna wiped her hands and sighed. “You still hungry? I didn’t eat breakfast. My stomach sometimes doesn’t settle till noon.”

“Yes. Bring the pan. I believe there’s a trivet in the drawer by the stove.” Gabby licked her lips, already anticipating more of the fantastic food.

“Good idea,” Bryanna exclaimed as she pulled out the drawer and searched. When she located the item, she carried everything into the living room and placed it on the coffee table.

Bryanna turned to Gabby as she settled her plate on her stomach. “I didn’t realize how hungry I am. Tell me, do you know what you’re having? Nugget already informed you I’m having a boy. Kassie gave us a sneak peek. They’re throwing me a shower this weekend. Do you want to come?”

Gabby slowly lowered her taco. Bryanna finally shared something with her. Now she invited her to the shower. If she hadn’t ended up in Serenity, she doubted Bryanna ever planned to extend an invite.

“I know what you’re thinking. Don’t go there. Kassie and Catherine planned the showers. We held off on them because Samantha was admitted to the hospital, our men spun up to save Avie and her son, and Kassie discovered her pregnancy with twins. She asked me today about having it this weekend.”

“I’d love to come,” she murmured.

“Great. I’ll let the ladies know. You didn’t answer me. Do you know what you’re having?” Bryanna grabbed another taco. Gabby stuffed her mouth full and snagged another.

When she finished chewing, she faced her friend. “I don’t know what I’m having. I always dreamed of Marcus sitting beside me, holding my hand when we found out together. Since we’re going through a divorce, I anticipated discovering the gender. It felt like my only joy.”

“Oh, honey.” Bryanna sniffled and took out another taco. “My brother can be such an ass.” She sobbed.

---