Page 109 of Christmas at Valentine Inn

Mom and Dad looked our way, grinning grins that saidI know what you did last night.I just prayed Mom said nothing about all the condoms she’d given us.

Drake and Charlotte came strolling through the door, wearing the same goofy smiles Patrick and I wore. Apparently, it had been a good night for all the newlyweds.

As soon as they shut the door, the kiddos began to stir.

Jameson jumped up and ran to his parents.

Our kids sat up and rubbed their eyes. Patrick and I made our way to them. It was funny how much I had missed them, even though we had only been away from them for one night.

“Merry Christmas.” I hugged them both.

“Merry Christmas,” they said sleepily.

We all sat on the floor together, the kids leaning against us. I couldn’t think of a better gift. A family of my very own.

More people arrived, crowding into the small space. Patrick’s and Drake’s parents, and of course George. I noticed a sparkling engagement ring on Drake’s mother’s hand. It would appear Nora and Calvin were getting remarried. Good for them. I was sure Daisy would take credit for that relationship, too.

Mom came out of the kitchen and twirled like Doris Day. “Breakfast is served.”

The kids jumped up and headed for the breakfast nook. Rory was most anxious to open gifts. I was certain there was a PlayStation under the tree.

Before Patrick and I joined the kids, I retrieved a small red bag from under the tree.

George was standing back watching and admiring his handiwork when I offered him the bag. “Daisy sends her love.” I kissed his cheek.

With a twinkle in his mischievous brown eyes, he reached in and pulled out the ornament. Overcome with emotion, he held it to his chest. “Oh, Daisy girl.” He looked over every person in the cottage and whispered, “It looks like our love is here to stay.”

“DID YOU GET IT?” Iwhispered, praying my mother didn’t overhear.

Patrick skirted into our room, clasping a paper bag, and shut the door as quietly as he could behind him. It was ridiculous that we had to sneak around like this. But not as crazy as being on our honeymoon in Prince Edward Island ... with our entire family. Well, second honeymoon, but still. I supposed it was my fault they had all come along, but I hated to leave the kids again. And my parents thought since we were bringing Bridgette and Rory, they should come too. You know, to give us alone time when we wanted it. Then Charlotte and Drake thought it would be a brilliant babymoon for them, so they had come too, with Jameson. Which meant we’d had zero alone time.

“I got it.” Patrick pulled out a pregnancy test, proud of himself.

I felt more nauseated than I had already been feeling, but at least I perked up. I had never been so tired in my life. At first, I thought it might be jet lag, or even all the late nights of consensually coupling—which it could be. But my period was late, and my period was never late.

“Maybe it’s the start of perimenopause.” I tried to temper the hope residing in Patrick’s eyes.

“Perhaps, but there is only one way to know.” He walked over and kissed my head.

“You know, if this happens, you’re going to be almost seventy when this kid graduates from high school. We’ll probably be grandparents.”

“You’ll be the hottest grandma around. Maybe we’ll start calling youSexy Mimi,” he teased.

“Don’t you dare.”

He chuckled and handed me the test. “Darling, with you by my side, I will always be young at heart.”

I bit my lip and took the box, not sure my heart could take another negative result. It had been years since I had taken a pregnancy test. Dr. Patterson had given us some hope, and Patrick did have strong swimmers, of which he was very proud. But she’d also cautioned us.

“Come on.” He reached for my hand. He was always reaching for me, wanting me, loving me. It had been the best eight months of my life with him and Bridgette and Rory. They had even started calling meMom. I absolutely adored it. Could there be more joy in store for us?

I took a brave breath in and placed my hand in his. He led me to the bathroom in our hotel room. “I’ll wait here.” He kissed me.

“Okay.” I tiptoed in like I was sneaking up on this thing. With shaky hands, I opened the box and read the instructions. These tests had gotten fancy in the last several years. I did my thing on the stick, set it on the counter, and opened the door for Patrick to come in.

“I don’t think I can look.” I wrapped my arms around him and rested my head against his chest, breathing in the scent that meant I was at home no matter where I was.

He held me tight. “If it’s negative, we’ll call the adoption attorney.”

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