A rumble of laughter filled the room, Mary’s and Hank’s included.
“Well, this is some news!” Hank said.
“It is indeed,” Mary added, her eyes welling up with tears.
The rest of the evening smoothed out after that. Emma’s parents seemed genuinely thrilled with the news. Mary refused to let Emma serve them dessert, and she and Gracie served it instead in the living room, where Zack kept a close eye on Emma. Zack and Gracie flanked Emma on either side while they indulged in chocolate cake and talked about the baby.
Naturally, Gracie had the most questions, starting with, “Where will the baby sleep?”
“In a crib,” Zack answered, hoping to bypass the next question.
“At whose house?”
“Umm… we’re not sure yet.”
Mary and Hank exchanged a curious glance but didn’t say a word.
“Will I get to play with the baby?”
“Of course, but when babies are first born, they don’t really play,” Emma answered.
“Well, can I hold it?”
“Yes,” Zack said.
“And feed it?”
“Absolutely,” Emma said, already accustomed to the barrage of questions. Gracie was her father’s daughter after all!
“What will we call it?”
Zack’s face lit up with the Kostas trademark grin. “If it’s a boy, we were thinking Zeus.”
Mary bobbled her spoonful of cake, and Hank broke out in a coughing fit.
“He’s kidding,” Emma said, rolling her eyes at Zack.
“What if it’s a girl? I want it to be a girl,” Gracie said emphatically.
“We haven’t decided on any names yet, but we still have plenty of time,” Emma replied, rumpling Gracie’s dark curls.
“Gracie, why don’t you help me take these dishes to the kitchen?” Mary suggested.
Grateful for the reprieve, Emma leaned her head against Zack’s shoulder.
“Are you feeling better now?” he asked, cupping her face in his hands.
“I feel wonderful,” she replied and gave him a brief kiss, aware of her father’s eyes upon them.
“So, Dad, what do you think of our news?”
Hank cleared his throat noisily and answered, “I think that I’m going to be a grandpa.”
Chapter 44
It was Christmas Eve, and Emma geared up for a whirlwind of activity, starting with work. A New Chapter would be open until five o’clock, and she and Kelly expected to be busy right up until closing time. After her fainting spell the night before, Zack had tried to convince Emma to take the day off, but she didn’t want to abandon Kelly. Besides, it would help keep her mind occupied before she met up with him later. Now that her parents knew about the baby, she and Zack had decided to tell his parents too. They figured that if they waited, Gracie would surely spill the beans on Christmas Day, so this was the better alternative.
If Emma had been nervous about her parents’ reaction, she felt doubly nervous about telling Zack’s parents. She recalled the conversation she had had with Alex on Thanksgiving, when Alex had expressed her concerns over her granddaughter. Even though Gracie had reacted positively to the baby news (as long as it was a girl!), would Alex feel the same? Emma worried that Alex and Joe might have difficulty accepting the idea of Zack and Emma having a child out of wedlock. Emma would find out soon enough, but in the meantime, she would immerse herself in the comfort of the bookstore.
The store bustled with activity until the noon hour, when shoppers took their lunch break. Emma was forced to do the same when Zack showed up bearing sandwiches.
“How’s my girl doing today?” he asked, setting the bag of food on the counter.
“Which one?” Kelly flirted and gave him a wink.
“Save it for your own man,” Emma reprimanded while she dug through the bag.
On cue, Damian walked into the store clutching a tray with four drink cups.
Kelly instantly lit up at the sight of him. “Oh, I didn’t know you were coming too,” she purred.
Damian’s lips curled up in a seductive smile, and he handed her a drink.
“So, since we’re all here, what’s the latest on Gracie’s Christmas surprise?” Zack asked before biting into his ham and cheese sandwich.
“I took the cat to the vet yesterday, and she checked out fine,” Kelly replied. “According to the vet, he sees cases like this quite often. Someone probably decided that they didn’t want a pet anymore and just let her go. Since no one has claimed her, she’s all yours!”
“Oh, goody!” Zack said.
Emma swatted him on the arm. “Just think about how excited Gracie will be on Christmas morning.”
“Something about this reminds me of the heart-shaped waffle maker,” Zack said, raising his eyebrows accusingly.
Kelly and Damian looked confused, so Zack, completely enjoying himself, continued the story. “Emma convinced me that I had to buy a heart-shaped waffle maker for Gracie when, in fact, Emma got a bigger kick out of it than her. I’m sensing a pattern here.”
“You’re probably on to something. Emma always wanted a pet, but her parents wouldn’t allow it, and then Mark was allergic,” Kelly offered.
“Hey, whose side are you on?” Emma asked, glaring at her friend.
“Sorry,” Kelly said with an amused smirk.
“So, what’s the plan? Are you and Damian bringing the cat over on Christmas morning?” Zack asked before taking another hefty bite of his sub.
“Yup,” Damian said with his mouth full.
“Eight o’clock sharp. Don’t be late,” Zack ordered, looking pointedly at his brother.
“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure he’s up,” Kelly said.
Emma felt herself flush as she looked between Kelly and Damian, and then she quickly turned her attention to Zack, who had a similar glint in his eye.
Oh boy! I have a feeling that this is going to be an eventful night—in more ways than one! Gracie is staying with Alicia, and Damian is staying with Kelly, so that means…
A few minutes later, some customers drifted into the store. Emma and Kelly quickly finished their sandwiches and shooed Zack and Damian out.
“See you tonight,” Zack whispered in Emma’s ear.
She still had goosebumps when the door closed behind him. She knew her hunch was right when, a short time later, she received a text from Zack that read: Bring your overnight bag when you come over later. Xoxo
Emma arrived at Zack’s house only a few minutes before Alex and Joe pulled up. That gave her just enough time to stash her overnight bag in Zack’s bedroom and check herself in the mirror. Of all times to look like Medusa! Emma had recently purchased the bestseller What to Expect When You’re Expecting, and she had read that hormonal changes could have an effect on her hair. Just great!
“Hello, darling,” Alex said, and she immediately gave Emma a kiss on each cheek, European style.
Emma couldn’t help but reflect on how different Alex was from her own mom. She had such a strong and vibrant personality, fluttering in with her colorful clothes and dangly earrings and smelling as if she had taken a bath in her perfume. Emma couldn’t help but be drawn to Alex, just as she had been to Alex’s son.
Joe followed in her wake, wielding a bottle of wine and his million-dollar smile. Compared to his wife, he exuded a casual elegance, dressed in pleated khakis and a black crew-neck sweater, still handsome and virile in his mid-sixties.
Zack led them all into the living room, where he had set out some appetizers. His parents had just come from dinner with friends, so they weren’t going to have a formal sit-down meal. That suited Emma just fine, since her stomach was already clenched with nerves.
“I’ll grab some wineglasses and be right back,” Zack said, and he left Emma alone with his parents.
“How’s business at the bookstore?” Joe asked once they were seated.
Ah, thank God, one of my favorite topics! “Great. We’ve been really busy d
ue to the holidays, and I hope we’ll have a lot of repeat customers after the season’s over.”
“I’ve heard a lot of good things about your store, but I have to admit that I don’t read much these days,” Alex said.
“Zack mentioned that you belong to a lot of clubs, so I’m sure that keeps you busy.”
“It does, but I love to be busy! Bring it on, I always say!”
Does that apply to grandkids too?
Zack came in bearing a tray with three wineglasses and a bottle of water for Emma. Alex gave her a curious glance but became distracted when Joe poured the wine. Emma looked longingly at the cheese tray but opted for a sip of water instead. The last thing she needed was to vomit while Zack’s parents were over.
“So, what is the reason for this little tete-a-tete?” Joe asked after taking a sip of wine.
Alex’s hand reached out and swatted his arm so fast that Emma barely saw it. “Joe, don’t be rude. Maybe they just called us over for a cup of Christmas cheer.”
“Dad’s right. We have some exciting news to share…”
“I think I already know,” Alex said, smiling directly at Emma.
Hot flashes—another symptom of pregnancy. “You do?” Emma asked with a quiver in her voice.
“Mom, can I please continue?”
“Yes, of course, dear. Go ahead.”
“Emma and I are going to have a baby.”
“I knew it! I was right!” Alex exclaimed, clapping her hands like a seal.
“Wow,” Joe said and smiled broadly.
Emma felt her whole body relax when she witnessed their enthusiasm, and Zack reached over and squeezed her hand.
“When are you due? Does Gracie know? Who else have you told?”
Alex launched her questions in true Kostas style, which caused Emma’s head to spin. She grabbed on to her seat cushion for added support while Zack took over.
“Mom. One question at a time, please.” His voice was firm, but he gave his mother a warm smile.
Joe slung his arm over Alex’s shoulder as if to anchor her to the couch. “Let them tell us,” he said softly.
“We don’t know the due date, because Emma hasn’t been to the doctor yet. We had planned on telling everyone after the appointment, but I slipped the other night at dinner. So now, all of our immediate family members know, and Kelly.”
Alex appeared to have calmed down some, and she asked, “How did Gracie take the news?”
Emma chimed in before Zack could answer. “She took it very well, although she was pretty emphatic that she doesn’t want a baby brother.”
Everyone chuckled.
“That’s our Gracie,” Alex said.
“So, Mom, if you don’t mind, we’d rather not make a big announcement at dinner tomorrow. You can tell our extended family after Emma’s appointment next week, ok?”
Emma watched various emotions flicker across Alex’s face, the primary one being disappointment.
“You heard him, Alex. No spilling the beans tomorrow!” Joe added for good measure.
Realizing that she was outnumbered, Alex caved. “Ok, fine. I’ll keep my mouth shut, but as soon as you find out that Emma and the baby are ok, call me!”
“You’ll be at the top of our list,” Emma said reassuringly. Now that her stress had abated, Emma decided it would be ok to indulge in some cheese and crackers. She hadn’t had anything to eat since lunch, and she was famished. She had just taken the first bite when…
“I have one more question. When are you two getting married?” Alex asked.
The cheese and cracker morsel flew out of Emma’s mouth with such velocity and accuracy that it landed with a splat on the front of Alex’s colorful blouse! Zack immediately jumped up to get a napkin, and horrified, Emma quickly swallowed what remained in her mouth.
“I’m so sorry, Alex. Oh my God. I hope I didn’t ruin your blouse.”
Alex wiped feverishly at the stain while the rest of them hovered around her.
“Well, this has been an exciting evening,” Joe said deadpan.
Zack looked back and forth between Emma and his mother, obviously needing a moment to formulate his response.
Embarrassed over what had just transpired, Emma decided to step in and save him. “We only just found out about the baby, Mrs. Kostas”—it seemed like the right time to use her formal title—“so we haven’t made any definite plans yet.”
“Hmm…”
Zack interrupted before his mother could say anything more. “We’ll be sure to keep you apprised of any new developments.”
After his parents left, Zack thumped himself on the forehead. “Apprised of any new developments? Did I really say that? Please tell me that I didn’t say that?”
Emma giggled. “Well, how about me, with the cheese incident? I didn’t know cheese could fly that far.”
Zack rolled back on the bed, buckled up with laughter, which caused Emma to go into hysterics too.
“And then Joe says, ‘This has been an exciting evening.’” Zack imitated his dad’s voice to perfection, setting off another round of raucous laughter.
Once their laughter subsided, Emma propped herself up on her elbow and gazed down at him. “Do you really think they’re ok with it?”
“Yes, I do. Just wait until Zeus is born, and then you’ll see. Everyone is going to love him.”
“Again with the name? What if it’s a girl?”
“Already on it. There’s Athena or Artemis or…”
“Zack?”
“Hmm?”
“Shut up and kiss me.”
Zack pulled her over on top of him, took her face in his hands, and did as she had asked. His lips moved slowly, deliberately, kissing across her mouth from corner to corner in a tantalizing pattern. Emma threaded her fingers through his wavy hair and massaged his scalp until he sighed.
All of the stress of the past several days melted away, and it was just the two of them in the quiet of his darkened bedroom. Zack’s hands had moved down to cup her bottom, and she began to grind against him, enveloped in the fabulous friction that they generated.
“Too hot,” Zack muttered between kisses.
“We are, aren’t we?” Emma replied, tracing his lips with her tongue.
“No, I mean me. I’m too hot. Need… to… get… naked.”
The thing she was doing with her tongue had obviously revved him up, and Emma smiled against his lips. She sat up on his pelvis while Zack reached behind him and yanked off his thermal Henley.
“Better,” he panted.
“I agree,” Emma replied. Her hands were already on his bare chest, and her fingers skimmed over his collar bone, his pecs, and down the midline of his body.
“Aren’t you hot too?” His husky voice reverberated through her.
Emma loved seeing him this way, all hot and bothered because of her. “I’m hot for you,” she teased, and she lifted her arms as an invitation for him to remove her sweater.
Zack’s warm hands skimmed up her sides, which made her squirm against him. He made quick work of removing her sweater and bra, but then he stalled.
“Are they still sore?”
“Not right now.”
“Are you sure?”
“Zack! Please touch me.” Why must he talk at such crucial moments?
He put his hands on her breasts and squeezed gently, using his thumbs to circle her nipples until they were taut peaks.
The truth was that her breasts were still sensitive, but he didn’t need to know that. She wondered if he could tell that they were a little fuller in his hands. Her answer came seconds later.
“They feel… bigger,” Zack said in an exhale of breath.
“One of the benefits of pregnancy,” Emma managed, even though his tugs and flicks and oh my… licks made it hard to concentrate.
Some women experience increased sexual desire during pregnancy were the words that came to mind as Emma’s head fell back and Zack’s arms encircled her waist.
Za
ck buried his head in her neck, nibbling and sucking where her skin was so sensitive that she felt the sensations all the way down to her toes. She had a vise grip on his shoulders, and they rocked together, the momentum building with each stroke.
“Need to be… inside… you… now,” Zack whispered in her ear, sending a delicious shiver down her spine.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, there was no time for a seductive striptease. They broke apart just long enough to tear off their jeans and underwear and toss them off the side of the bed. They immediately resumed their previous position, an obvious favorite, but this time, it was bare skin on bare skin.
Emma was so ready for him that he glided in easily, and they breathed a collective, “Aah.”
Amidst their groans and gasps and jockeying to achieve the best possible contact, Emma reflected on how wonderful their union was. Zack was the man she truly loved with her entire being, without doubts, without fear, without inhibitions. This was the man she wanted to be with forever, to raise a child with, or children if they were lucky. To give herself to completely, to… oh God, hold that thought…
Once they had collapsed flat on their backs, sweaty and satisfied, Emma was able to finish her thought.
To marry.
Chapter 45
On the day after Christmas, Gracie and Zack sat at the kitchen table eating heart-shaped waffles while their new house member purred underneath the table. Gracie hadn’t wanted to part with the cat since she had received it bright and early on Christmas morning. The five of them, Zack, Emma, Damian, Kelly, and Gracie, had sat around the Christmas tree testing out different names for the gray and white fur ball until Kelly had suggested Duchess, the name of her favorite cat in the Disney film Aristocats.
The adults had given Kelly a good ribbing for having watched Disney films on her own, sans children, while Gracie had clapped delightedly.
“I saw that movie at Nana’s house,” she had exclaimed, and so, Duchess it was!
The rest of the day had gone wonderfully as well. Alex had honored her promise not to tell anyone about the pregnancy, although Zack had noticed his Aunt Helen eyeballing him and Emma intently throughout the day. In any case, both sets of parents seemed to get on fine, and Alex had been thrilled to set two extra places at the table.
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