“Stay the night with me,” he said and a thrill of excitement ran through her.
She kissed all the parts of him she could reach as he moved to his bedroom and placed her in the middle of his bed. “I missed this.”
“Me, too.” Dipping his head, he placed a kiss on the swell of her belly. “Hello, in there. This is your dad and I’d like to marry your mother, if it’s all right with you.”
A fresh round of tears welled. “Stop making me cry. I am not a pretty crier.”
Smiling, he shushed her and turned his head, placing his ear against her baby bump. “Oh, you‘d like that, would you? Mommy, the baby says to say yes.”
“Bossy baby.”
“Just like its mother,” he said, then frowned. “A pony? I’m not so sure…okay, you win.” She ran her fingers in Finn’s hair as he continued talking to their baby, her eyes growing heavy. The last thing she remembered Finn saying to her bump was, “You do have the best mommy ever. She’s a real corker.”
***
April was in the middle of packing when the Governor walked through her door. Of course he would show up on the last day, when she was almost done and sorting through her odds and ends.
“Stubborn as ever I see.” His dress shoes were shiny, his suit immaculate and his hair perfect. He reminded her of a snake-oil salesman.
Carefully wrapping up her great-great grandmother’s candy dish, she placed it in a box. “You know how those Billingsworth’s are.”
“I bet you’re wondering why I’m here.”
“You’d lose that bet.” She smiled, then picked up a pair of candlesticks. “Now who did these belong to?”
“Your great-grandfather on my side. They’re priceless and should be in the Capitol’s history museum, not displayed in some Chippendale knockoff.”
“Here.” She held them out to him and let them drop from her hands before he could take the brass fixtures. “Whoops, my bad.”
Her father’s jaw worked. “Childish, April.”
Placing a hand on her belly, she turned and smirked at the look on his face. Yeah, that’s right, everyone with eyes in their head can see that I’m knocked up. “Pregnancy hormones tend to make me temperamental.”
“Let’s not do this, sugar. I’ve come here to apologize.”
Her mouth dropped open. She couldn’t help it. Her dad never apologized, except to his constituents and it was always the I’m sorry if you were offended B.S.. “You’ve got to be joking.”
“I’m serious. I was wrong about the baby… my future grandchild.” April rolled her eyes. So now it was his grandchild. “And that young man of yours, well, I was wrong about him, too.”
Something about Chad’s speech didn’t pass her smell test. He was lying or knew something that would be to his benefit. “Then you’ll be thrilled to know we’re getting married. After the baby is born, because I am not walking down the aisle like this.” Not that she minded how she looked right now. Finn sure as heck liked how she looked. The man couldn’t keep his hands off of her.
Heat rose to her cheeks. That was not something she should be thinking about right now. Finn walked in and she had to look away. His sudden appearance wasn’t helping at all.
“You okay, babe?” Finn asked, coming to stand beside her. He placed his arm along her shoulder, very casually, but she could feel the tension that radiated off of him.
“Just the man I wanted to see,” Chad said, one of those all white, big teeth grins that he saved for campaigning appearing.
Her stomach roiled. “Why would you want to see Finn?”
Chad gave her a look. “The question is: Why wouldn’t I want to see my soon to be son-in-law Finn Kennedy? President and CEO of Kennedy Investigations. You, young man, are hard to pin down for an appointment.”
“I’m booked, sir. Won’t be having any openings for a long, long time.”
She glanced at Finn. “Don’t turn his money down because of me. Business is business.” But in her heart she didn’t mean it. Choose me, she screamed inside her head, Choose me and our baby, then tell my dad to take his money and shove it.
“I’m not here for his business,” Chad said, shocking April and from the looks of it, Finn as well.
“Then why are you here?” she asked.
“Want you two to come on the campaign trail. I’ve decided to start putting feelers out for a possible run for President.”
“Of America?” she croaked, but no one was listening to her.
“Now that you’ve made the right decision by getting back together with Finn, like your daddy told you to do from the start—“ Chad winked at Finn and tsked at April.—“our families, the Kennedys and the Billingsworths, can come together, join forces and continue to make this country great.”
“So unpack those boxes, fill up the fridge and make a table for three. I plan on dining here tonight, with Margo, of course. Can’t discuss strategy without her.”
“No, no, no,” April chanted, her whole world crashing in on her.
“Please leave,” Finn said.
Chad tilted his head to one side. “I thought you were on board. Our last phone call—”
“Was a mistake. One I won’t be repeating.”
“You knew about this?” Trust him, April told herself. Trust him and give him a chance to explain. She knew how her dad operated.
Finn sliced his gaze to her. “Can we talk about this later, in private?”
Before she could agree, her dad spoke up. “Oh come on, sugar, you’re still not mad at me because your ex wouldn’t take you back and didn’t want anything to do with the baby. It’s been…what, a month now?”
Great. Now he was attacking them both, trying to pit them against each other. It wouldn’t work, not with her or Finn. She crossed her arms over her chest. Finn’s arm fell away, but a quick glance told her that he had done the same.
Her confidence in their relationship soared. They were in this together. Not even her slimeball of a dad could ruin it.
“Please leave,” she said, echoing Finn’s words. “Don’t come back ever again. I don’t want your money, this house, the minivan…nothing. It’s yours, take it.”
“Easy to say when the man you’re marrying’s loaded. “ Chad shook his head. “Have to hand it to you, sugar. You always did know how to land on your feet, just like your momma.”
She ignored the dig about her mother and looked at Finn. “You know he’s lying, right?”
Finn’s jaw clenched. “I’ll be happy to discuss this with you later, in private.” He directed his attention to her dad. “You heard your daughter. She doesn’t want you here and neither do I.”
“So much like your mother.” Chad laughed and she bit the inside of her cheek. She was nothing like her mother or him. “Guess I’ll be going now. Don’t bothering contacting me, either of you.” He glanced at his watch. “Tick-tock, children. House cleaners will be here in a couple of hours.”
She watched her dad walk away, from her house, her life, and his grandchild. A sense of relief came over her. She felt lighter, freer and happier than she had in years. Laughter bubbled up, she couldn’t help it.
“He’s gone, Finn.” She uncrossed her arms and wrapped them around Finn. “And I’m free!” Only he wasn’t hugging her back or laughing. In fact he looked grim and stoic, his arms firmly crossed and in her way.
“We need to talk.”
Oh God. He hadn’t believe her. She gulped. “Okay.”
***
“Do you love me?” Finn asked, a frown firmly fixed on his face.
“You know I do.”
“Then why in the hell would you want to argue with me in front of that dirty bastard? We’re a team. There’s no need to pretend to be solidified in front of him. We are solidified.”
“What?”
Finally, finally, he uncrossed his arms, sat on the edge of the dining table and drew her between his legs. “I don’t give a flying fuck what Billingsworth has to say, about anything and especial
ly about you.”
“You don’t?”
“Hell, no. I voted for the other guy.”
April didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “I voted for the other guy too, but just to spite my dad. He does have some really good policies and I think, when he was younger, he truly thought he could change the world, make it better. But politics changed him.”
He stroked her cheek. “You’re a good daughter to think so, but power tends to bring out the qualities that are already hidden inside of us, be they good or bad.”
“Quite the philosopher, Mr. Kennedy.”
“You mean quite the reader of superhero comic books,” he corrected, then ran a hand through his hair. “That phone call he mentioned…I haven’t spoken to Billingsworth since the day he found us together. I swear I haven’t.”
“I believe you,” she said. She really did. “So…you and me, we’re still together and in love until our teeth fall out?”
“Longer than that, babe, longer than that.”
She kissed him, then leaned back. “You know, I love it when you call me ‘babe’.”
“That I do, babe.” He dipped his head, claiming her mouth in a kiss that made her forget all about packing and moving and politics and everything else that wasn’t Finn.
But she couldn’t forget how happy she was in this moment. “I love you.”
“Ditto,” he said with a smirk.
“You’re a Patrick Swayze fan?”
“Real men watch chick flicks, April.”
“Good thing I got me a real man, then.”
Smirk giving way to a real smile, he hopped down from the table and took her hand. “Let’s go home.”
They walked out the front door and into the sunshine.
It occurred to her that she had never bothered to ask Finn about his financial status. She knew he did well for himself, but her dad had made that comment for a reason. “Are you really loaded?”
“Richer than God himself,” Finn answered cheerfully.
“Is this like the time you told me your—”
“It is that big.”
“Finn.”
He lifted a brow. “April.”
“Is this how it’s always going to be between us?”
He laced his fingers through her and grinned. “I sure as hell hope so.”
Epilogue
Eight months later
Finn adjusted his cuff links, then looked over at his brother. “Ready.”
“You’ll do, I guess.” William smiled, bouncing his nephew in his arms. “The ring bearer’s ready, too.”
“Where’s Neil?” Finn asked, looking for William’s partner.
“He’s with Alice. She had a wee bit of a problem sharing flower girl duties.”
“Girls are drama,” Finn said as they walked out of the makeshift dressing room and into his back yard. “You sure he didn’t mind walking her down the aisle.”
“Neil was touched and honored.”
“Good.” Finn glanced around, making sure that everything was perfect for his bride.
Chairs lined each side, with a white runner down the middle. A trio of musicians played a banjo, violin and cello. Flowers were everywhere, as were kids and the new friends he and April had made in their neighborhood.
“Don’t faint on me, Finn. I’ll kick your arse,” William growled.
Finn rolled his eyes, striding to the pastor. “Don’t get your knickers in bunch. I was admiring the décor.”
“You’re such a pussy,” William whispered as Hunter joined them.
Hunter clapped Finn on the back. “Great job on the décor, man.”
“Jesus and Mary, there’s two of you now?” William placed Aidan in a pram festooned with ribbons and flowers. The baby fussed, then settled back into a deep sleep.
Hunter grinned. “Real men like weddings, William.”
Two flowers girls, one wedding attendant and a maid of honor later, the Wedding March started. April appeared with Neil at her side. She was beautiful, taking his breath away.
She seemed to float toward him, taking a hand that shook like crazy. He said the right words at the right time, barely able to concentrate on anything that wasn’t her.
After the kiss, they strolled down the aisle hand in hand, only to come face to face with April’s father. He stood in the shadows, watching.
“I didn’t come here to impose on you. Just wanted to say congratulations.”
“Thank you,” Finn said, turning as his brother, Neil, and his niece joined them with Aidan.
Neil handed the baby over to April without a word.
“We’ll see to the food,” William said and Finn nodded.
“Is that him?” Chad asked, then grimaced. “Stupid question. Who else’s baby would my daughter be holding? Anyway, I’m happy for you both and wish the three of you the best.” He stated to walk away.
“Wait,” April said, glancing up at Finn with a pleading look in her eyes. “Would you like to meet your grandson?”
“We’re a team,” Finn whispered. If she wanted to include her dad, he would go along with it. Real men didn’t say no to their brides on their wedding day.
“You sure?”
April nodded, her veil swinging with the motion. “Yes. We named him Aidan, in honor of Finn’s grandfather.” Carefully, she placed Aidan in Chad arms. Finn had the urge to snatch his son away, but he clenched his fists instead.
“He’s gorgeous, just like his mother.” Chad bounced the baby a few times, at first awkward, then experience took over and the man began to sway, side to side. “I remember when you were this age and got colic. Your mother and I had to take turns walking the floor with you. We were such a good team, like you and Finn.”
“Where’s your entourage?” April asked.
“Left them in Raleigh.”
“So no photo-op with the bride?”
Chad shook his head. “No.” He handed the baby back to April. “You look beautiful, sugar. I wish the two of you nothing but the best.”
April kissed the top of Aidan’s head. “Are you heading back now?”
“Yes.” For a moment hope shone in Chad’s eyes, but then April turned and walked away, without saying good-bye. He glanced at Finn. “Guess I deserved that.”
Finn wasn’t about to argue with his father-in-law. “You did. Wish I could tell you not to be a stranger, but lying isn’t my strong suit.”
“Good to know.” Then Chad simply walked away.
Finn spun around. He found April by one of her oldest friends, Love Leigh Clayborne. Love held Aidan, a pretty smile on her face. Weird name. Nice girl. The two had recently reconnected, and April had been stunned to find that one of her single friends had no problem doing stuff with her and the baby.
“May I have this dance, Mrs. Kennedy?”
“Of course, Mr. Kennedy. Love, will you watch Aidan for a couple of minutes?”
“I sure will.” Love’s smile grew and she buried her nose in the little tuft of hair that stuck up from his son’s head. “God, he smells so good. I can’t wait to have one.”
Taking his hand, April laughed. “I recommend going about it a different way than I did.”
“Well, now that Jason broke off our engagement, I might have to do exactly what you did.”
April’s forehead wrinkled in concern. “Oh, no. We’ll talk later, okay?”
Love nodded, her attention firmly fixed on the baby. A tall, blond-haired bloke joined her and her face lit up even more.
“That’s not her ex, is it?” Finn asked, spinning her around as the trio of musicians played.
“Chase? No, he’s one of my exes…from a long, loooong, time ago.”
“Good thing I’m a confident man.”
“You’re the only man I want.” April eyed the couple and laughed. “Would you look at them? They’re friends, or at least she thinks they are. That poor man’s in love with her and she doesn’t have a clue.”
“Don’t care much about them right now.”
He kissed the top of her head.
April smiled at him, one full of wicked promises that he sure as hell hoped she’d keep. “Thinking about the honeymoon?”
“Of course.” They would be travelling to Ireland, to introduce Aidan to Finn’s parents and the rest of the Kennedy clan.
“I have something of a confession to make.”
“Do you now?” If she was pregnant again, he would faint. Unmanly, maybe, but babies were exhausting.
“That day I drove from Raleigh to Charlotte, after everything my dad had planned had gone wrong...I thought I was driving home, but I was mistaken.”
“You were?”
A confident smile replaced the wicked one. Both were sexy as hell. “Yeah, I wasn’t driving home, to a place. I was driving to you. You’re my home.”
His throat felt a little tight. “I love you, April Kennedy.”
“It’s okay.” Hunter leaned in, his wife tugging on his arm and mouthing ‘I’m sorry’. “Real men cry at weddings, Finn.”
April rolled her eyes. “Real men kiss their brides, Finn.”
So, Finn did just that.
Holland Springs Series
Seduction of the Billionaire
Drive Me Crazy
Driving To You
Twice Tempted
Third Time’s A Charm
His Christmas Wish
Just Desserts
Stay (Snowbound Anthology Nov. 12th)
Boys of the South ( New Adult Series)
Live For You
Only For You (September 2013)
All For You (Nov. 1st)
Acknowledgements
Special thanks to my family, Andris Bear and Melody May. Without y’all’s help and support, I couldn’t have written this.
Thank you!
And a big thank you to my readers—new and those who have been with me from the beginning.
New York Times Bestselling Author, Marquita Valentine, writes sexy heroes that make you swoon and sassy heroines that make you laugh. She’s the author of the bestselling contemporary romance series, Holland Springs, and the new adult romance series, Boys of the South.
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