Page 32 of Ghost

“I’m still waiting for Carly to tell us how she found out,” Bailey said and eyed Carly.

“Geez, I pay attention. It’s part of being a cop that’s all. Before the guys left for San Diego, you and Lance were standing on the porch. He kissed the breath out of you, then he ran his hand gently over your stomach and that damn smirk was on his face.” Carly grabbed the pitcher from the island and filled her glass.

“I get why she wanted to wait,” I said, and three sets of eyes pierced me. “It’s a lot to take in and wrap your head around the fact you have a little person growing inside you. Brax and I didn’t use condoms when we ran to each other, so the possibility was there, but you’re still not prepared. I missed my period and thought I was just being paranoid and asking for problems. Until the morning sickness struck. Hard to rationalize it away when your face is over the toilet bowl or you’re staring into a trash can.”

“Been there, twice,” Sami said and rubbed her baby bump. “Only been like a week since it stopped for me. Crazy how you hit that second trimester and bam, it’s gone.”

“Ugh, I’ve got almost two months more of it,” I moaned, and Sami smiled.

“It will go by quick. And, Bailey, I didn’t know you and Devil were trying,” Sami said, and Bailey chuckled.

“Because we weren’t. I missed three straight days of my birth control with everything going on. Getting back with Lance, moving in with him, and then Neely coming to live with us. I was a little worried about continuing to take them since I missed more than one day, so I spoke with Mac.” Bailey chuckled, then continued. “Mac said chances were slim, but we’d do a quick blood test to make sure. That way since I already missed a few, I could start back after my cycle and get back on track. It meant Lance would have to wear condoms for a month, no big deal there. So we did the blood test and here I am—in a new job, raising a three year old, and pregnant.”

“Now that Carly ruined your surprise, are you going to tell your mom and Lance’s dad?” Sami asked, and Carly rolled her eyes.

“I guess we should because I don’t want to catch hell if my mom finds out before I get a chance. And to be honest, it has killed Lance not to tell anyone and everyone. He’s quite proud of knocking me up. Something about the precision of a military man and hitting the target with such a small window.”

“God, I can’t imagine how I’m going to do it with one. Scares the hell out of me. And both of you are going to have two children to deal with,” I said, amazed how Sami and Bailey were so calm.

“I’ll admit at first when Lance brought Neely home, I figured I would be the one having to do everything for her. And don’t get me wrong, I would have. I love Neely. I know she probably saw things a small child should never see, and then add in a brother, a new home, even though it was best for her, it was a change from what she knew. A big change. But Lance dove right in, which I think helped make her transition better because she only had a couple nightmares and he would stay with her until she fell back to sleep. Her shyness had more to do with being told to be quiet and stay out of the way. He’s been good for her and he’s pulled her out of the shyness. He loves her, which I think shocked him that it came so quickly. She knows it, feels it, and returns it. After everything he told me about when he found her, it’s probably her first experience with anyone caring for her. They’ve bonded as only siblings can. And they are amusing to watch together.”

“Damn, hormones,” I said and wiped at the tears that escaped the corners of my eyes.

“I know, I cry at commercials, it’s annoying,” Sami sniffed.

“He’s going to make a great dad, Bailey,” Carly said, and laid a hand on top of Bailey’s.

“I think so, too,” Bailey agreed.

“Well, I’m kinda thinking the guys need to start wrapping it up twice,” Carly said and chuckled when Sami slapped her arm. “I wasn’t talking about your men. Kinda late for that anyway, don’t you think? I’m talking Dom, Max, and Emery.”

“Dom’s hot for some ice princess from what I could make out of the guys teasing when we were traveling here,” I said, and Sami grinned.

“I don’t know about hot as he wants to jump her. It’s more like she gets under his skin and his temper gets hot,” Sami said, and then explained how Dom had met River.

“Yeah, and what is the saying about when ya bitch too much?” I said, and Carly pointed at me.

“Exactly! All you have to do is mention her and he goes from calm to explosive in one minute flat. And don’t get me started on Emery and Mac. He goes at her and she dodges better than a boxer. That man has it bad. How Mac is holding her own is beyond me because the man fills out a pair of jeans,” Carly said and fanned herself.

“Does Russ know you have a crush on Emery?” Sami asked.

“It’s not a crush, it is admiration for a man who wears his clothes well. I have the same admiration for my man and the others, too.” Sami shook her head at Carly’s explanation.

“So...I can tell Kane you think he looks good in his clothes?” Sami asked, and Bailey and I laughed when Carly lip curled, and she made a disgusted face.

“I know you think you’re being cute but, one, the man needs no ego boost. And two, he’s my brother, we share the same genes. It would be like saying I was ugly. Though polar opposite in looks, mine are better.”

“Not just genes you share,” Sami said under her breath as she moved to stand between Bailey and me.

“Was that supposed to be an insult,” Carly said and rolled her eyes.

“Can you be insulted?” Bailey asked, and Carly looked at her, then chuckled.

“No, not really,” Carly said, and we laughed at her honesty.

“When I talked with Max, he didn’t strike me as the type to hold off on what he wants when it comes to women. Or did I read him wrong?” I asked, hoping for a little more insight into Brax’s best friend.

“Nope, you nailed him. Max won’t wait. But I bet it takes him a bit when he comes across the right woman to realize she’s it for him,” Bailey said.

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