Page 45 of Mafia Boss' Surprise Baby

“Please tell me you’re not naming it that,” he says wryly. Then he grins at me. I didn’t see that coming, the smile on my brother’s face.

“We haven’t picked out a name yet,” I say. “We don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl yet.”

“Well at least you’re not stuck on naming it Donahue either way,” he says. “I can’t believe it. My little sister’s having a baby.”

I look over at Mickey and smile, trying not to get teary-eyed. “I guess I have to learn not to underestimate the men in my life,” I say in what I hope is a lighthearted tone.

“Yeah, we’re not half bad, are we, Rory?” Mickey says fondly, never taking his eyes off me. “She thought you were gonna hit the roof over this.”

“I’m sorry you felt that way Katie. I’ve been a really shitty big brother, haven’t I? I promise to do better from now on.”

I hug my brother, so relieved he’s on board with my new little family. I could go ahead and be happy building this life even with his disapproval, but I’m happy I don’t have to.

“Rory’s a cute name. It can work for a boy or a girl. I mean, I think it’s a manly Irish name, but that kid on Gilmore Girls was named Rory,” he says.

“Oh my God, I forgot you used to watch that with Mom when I was little!” I laugh. “How did I not remember my big tough brother fussing over how she belonged with Jess and not Lincoln.”

“Logan. That piece of shit’s name was Logan,” Rory grumbles and we all laugh. I relax against Mick’s shoulder and we talk and laugh like things will work out for all of us.

After Rory goes home, I’m pretty tired. I go to the kitchen for a glass of water and run into Mickey coming down the stairs. “I think I’m gonna shower and go to sleep early,” I tell him.

“Can you make it another fifteen minutes?” he asks.

“Sure, why?”

“Come up to the roof with me,” he says. There’s excitement in his eyes that I used to think were so cold. The smolder there is unmistakable, and even as tired as I am, I feel eager to go to our special place. I take his hand and let him lead me up the steps to the rooftop deck.

25

MICKEY

When I lead her out onto the deck, I keep my eyes on Katie’s face. I know what’s set up behind me. I planned it in meticulous detail. What I’m here for is her reaction. I watch her expression transform. She widens her eyes and I see the reflection of golden sparkles there. Her lips part in surprise as she steps clear of the stairs and stands on the deck taking it all in. With the help of an obliging florist and a couple of men from the decorator’s staff, I’ve installed a wooden pergola to give shade up here but mainly to act as a frame for the gleaming Edison bulbs strung around and across it.

Tall ivory pillar candles are grouped on the rattan coffee table near the sofa and on the bar cart. The bottles and ice bucket are displaced to a cabinet below because the cart holds candles, a bouquet of lilies and little glass jars of chocolate mousse. The candle flames flicker in the soft breeze off the water below. Another bunch of stargazer lilies, showy and bright pink streaked with white dazzle in a low vase on the table and sweeten the air. Sparkling cider chills in a silver bucket with crystal champagne flutes nearby.

“It’s so beautiful!” Katie says, her uncommonly pretty face radiant with wonder. “I love it!”

“That’s what I was going for,” I say. I settle her on the sofa and tuck the soft pink cashmere blanket around her shoulders in case she’s chilly.

“You’re spoiling me,” she says with a giggle.

“The hell I am,” I say amiably, “You deserve the world, Katie. This is just some lights and flowers. Don’t sell yourself short.”

I reach behind a throw pillow beside her and take out the velvet box and present it to her. She glances at me like she did before and opens it to find the necklace I gave her ages ago, the one she returned to me.

“It’s yours. And so am I,” I say. “If you’ll have us.”

“Where am I gonna wear a diamond necklace, Mick? The CPA test or yoga class?” she teases, but her fingertips play over the graduated diamonds and I can tell she likes it.

“You can always wear it by itself,” I say archly. “I may have to take it off eventually because your collarbone is too delicious to hide—” She blushes prettily and I take advantage of the flush on her cheeks, press a soft kiss to her jaw beside her ear to feel her shiver.

“You know, if you want to get me in bed, you don’t have to go all this trouble,” she says, and it’s meant to be a joke but her voice is warm and husky. Her fingers grip my forearm and I feel the possession of that touch slice straight through me and make me go harder than the diamonds in that box. My breath catches and she smiles softly at my reaction to her touch. She has that power over me, and I know she likes it.

“I don’t just want you in my bed, Katie. May I?” I ask, feeling suddenly formal, shy knowing what’s to come. She nods and I slip the necklace from its case, breathe in the familiar sweet scent of her hair as she leans in for me to fasten the clasp. As I start to back away, she leans in and brushes her lips to mine, clinging and tender, her arms draping around my neck, leisurely and lush. I claim her mouth, deepen the kiss and press hercloser, my hands greedy on her back. We kiss until I can force myself to break away, reluctant to let her go even for something as important as this.

I scoot off the edge of the sofa and kneel beside her. “Mary Kathryn Donahue, I love you more than I thought I could love anything or anyone. All I want is to be with you and make you happy for the rest of our lives. Will you marry me?” I asked. I reach in my pocket and take out the burgundy leather cube-shaped box with its scuffed edges and a slightly tarnished brass fastener. I offer it to her.

Katie’s hand goes to her throat and she touches the clasp on the old box reverently. She flips it open with care and the two halves of the lid fall open on their tiny hinges to reveal an old and lovely ring.

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