Page 45 of Marriage (Red, White &) Blues

I simply smiled as my husband whisked me out of there. Once we were in the car, I let out a long breath. “You are so lucky I love you, Blake.”

“I’m sorry, babe. I?—”

“Oh, no, I don’t want your apology,” I said, cutting him off. His face fell. “I expect super-hot, ‘my family are idiots’ alpha in the sheets sex when we get home. And I’m warning you now, itwillinclude the hot tub.”

“If I’m the alpha, then you be a good girl and do what I tell you. You don’t tell me.” he teased.

“We aren’t home yet. Alpha time starts when the clothes come off.”

He smirked, showing me his dimple. “Duly noted.”

“Honestly, it wasn’t that bad tonight. I still expect ‘my family are idiots’ sex, but the rest was okay.”

“You never cease to amaze me.”

“Well, your sister is highly entertaining. Did I tell you she calls childrenurchins? And that the only children she can remotely tolerate are Lauden and Corrine? And that we should only call her for babysitting duty if we actually want her to sit on our baby?”

“So I guess this means we’re on the same page about having children, we’ve never really talked about it—at least not since we’ve been married.”

“I’ve always wanted at least a couple. I was an only child but I don’t want that for my family.”

“Glory, you’ll give me beautiful babies that my sister will beg to watch. She talks tough, but she’s a total softy, especially when it comes to Lauden and Corrine. Don’t let her fool you. She’s aunt of the year when she thinks no one is paying attention—and she doesn’t even like Brock or Emily. Imagine how spoiled our kids will be.”

“We may need to take an extended vacation in Europe when we decide to have them. I’m worried your family will have me assassinated before the baby could be born.”

“What?”

“You know, right now, they still have hope they can talk you into a divorce. I have a kid and we’re connected for life.”

“One thing to know about Jupiter, she talks out her ass. I can assure you murder is so beneath the Parkers. They’ll likely try to turn our children against you by creating replicas of Robert and Adair.”

Great. I didn’t know what would be worse.

Chapter Eleven

So not having a job turned out to be a good thing once Candice dropped off the travel itinerary. Mrs. Parker hadn’t been lying. This first leg of the tour involved Blake and me attending fundraising dinners around the country and support rallies in the important caucus states. If we didn’t think his parents were serious about coming after the people we care about, I’d have told them to shove the travel plans up their collective asses.

There was one part of our busy schedule, however, that I absolutely looked forward to. We had a stop in Michigan for a fundraising dinner.

I called Pen as soon as I found out. “You’ve been neglecting us again,” she scolded when she answered the phone.

“I didn’t mean to. It’s been crazy, what the campaign.”

“I know, that’s something, isn’t it? Ant and I were laughing so hard when we sawyoustanding with that family at his press conference—sorry, Glor—but it’s true. You’re sweet and so kind. And they had you wearing gray! My colorful Gloria in gray? It was nothing short of a travesty of justice. Gerald is fuming, too.” Gerald was Ant’s dad. “He wants so badly for Ant to be running.”

“There’s still time,” I teased. “Ant’s not old enough to run yet.”

“Bite your tongue, woman!” she snapped into the line and we both giggled. “He’s tried to get Ant on board with County Commissioner. And when that state senate seat unexpectedly opened up, his eyes glazed over. Once again, my husband had to remind him that he wouldn’t like the results if Ant did run.”

“And that’s why he’s fuming?”

She snickered. “Yes. He’s totally jealous that Robert Parker gothisson to runandon the right side.”

“Well, I was hoping you, Ant, and Si would be free. We’ll be arriving in Detroit on Thursday for a couple of luncheons and a big fundraising dinner on Saturday night. But I was thinking, maybe we could get together on Friday so you all could meet Blake in person? You know he’s looking forward to meeting all of you.”

“You’re coming to town on Thursday? Are you serious? Even if it doesn’t work, we’ll make it work. Hold on.”

The next thing I knew, we were on a conference call. “Gloria?” Ant said. “Good to hear your voice.”

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