SWNOVELS Chapter Terms and Conditions: Epilogue
One Year Later
“Is he busy?” I stop in front of Declan’s assistant’s desk.
“Go on in.” He shakes his head with a smile before returning his attention to his computer screen.
I walk up to Declan’s office door and knock a fist against the wood like I’ve done hundreds of times before. His deep rumble of a voice makes it past the door, and I open it before he has a chance to protest.
“I told you I don’t want to be disturb—” His voice drops off as our eyes connect. The frown on his face quickly morphs into his signature small smile that makes me weak in the knees.
My legs wobble, and I nearly roll my ankle before righting myself.
He stands and helps me into my chair before I do something unfortunate like land face-first against the carpet. The way he acts ever since I announced I was pregnant makes me feel like he won’t rest until I’m permanently protected in bubble wrap.
“I told you to stop wearing those death traps weeks ago.” Ever since Declan read one horror story about a pregnant woman and heels, he hasn’t let the subject go. I’m afraid I will come home one day to an empty closet and a fireplace burning with all my prized possessions.
“I want to enjoy my shoes while I can still see them.” I pat my small baby bump.
“They’re dangerous.”
“I’ve been walking around in heels since I was a toddler and discovered my mother’s closet. Don’t insult me like that.”
He presses his lips against the top of my head. “How’s my favorite girl?”
I almost correct him but hold back.
Don’t ruin the surprise.
“I woke up without running to the toilet, so I count today as a success worth celebrating.” I place the takeout bag from our favorite Italian restaurant on Declan’s desk.
He laughs as he takes a seat in his chair across from me. “What did the doctor say about your morning sickness?”
“He assured me the constant nausea is temporary and that it should clear up soon if I’m lucky. He said if, not when. If!”
“What’s the point of calling it morning sickness if it lasts all day?”
“Because false advertising works wonders on naïve women like me.”
Declan chuckles. My heart beats harder against my chest as he grabs the paper bag.
He halts right before opening it, and I nearly groan.
Calm down before he gets suspicious.
Planning a surprise around Declan’s back is hard work. He has made it a point to come to every doctor’s appointment, so I had to work my magic with his assistant to book his schedule solid. Poor Jeff had to deal with his anger all morning.
I’ll make sure he gets a nice bonus for his sacrifice.
“Did anything else come up?”
I shake my head. “Nope. Everything is all good, although I gained ten pounds already.”
His grin widens. My eyes narrow, which only makes him laugh.
“Good to know I’ve been feeding you well.”
“Feeding me? More like spoiling me.” Declan comes home by dinnertime every night just to cook me a balanced meal. At first, I thought it was a one-time thing, but he has made it a point to be home by 7 p.m. every day.
“Get used to it.”
“For how long?” Once he becomes CEO, I doubt he will have time for small traditions like that.
“Indefinitely.”
I blink. “Even when you’re CEO?”
“Especially when I am. You keep me sane.”
“That’s a terrifying notion, seeing as I cried during a grocery store commercial just last week.”
He shrugs. “To be fair, it was a really good advertisement.”
My head drops back as I laugh. When I come back up for air, Declan’s gaze is zoned in on me like a spotlight.
“What?”
His bright eyes match the smile on his face. “I miss having you around here.”
My chest tightens, and I’m hit with an overwhelming wave of affection. “Jeff is good at his job.”
“Jeff isn’t you.”
I stand and walk around his desk. He rolls his chair back and tugs me onto his lap. His hands wrap around me, with one landing on my bump.
The content look on his face does something crazy to my heart rate. He leans forward to kiss me, but my growling stomach makes him pause.
His brows tug together. “Did you eat yet?”
I wince. “No.”
He extracts me from his lap before helping me back in my seat. Instead of returning to his chair, he grabs the takeout bag and rips it open.
“This isn’t healthy.”
I roll my eyes. “Excuse me for being in the mood to celebrate.”
“Celebrate wha—” His voice trails off as he pulls out a mini succulent from the bag. The black I’m a succa for my little girl stands out against the white pot.
“I thought you could keep it on your nightstand next to the other one.”
He turns toward me with wide eyes. “We’re having a girl?”
I nod with a smile. “I found out today.”
Declan hauls me into his arms and kisses me hard. His arms lock around my body, holding me up while he ravages my mouth. My chest feels close to combusting with the love he showers me in. He doesn’t stop kissing me until my growling stomach reminds us of the third little person in the room who is hungry.
He pulls away. I open my mouth to protest, but stop myself as Declan gets down on his knees in front of me.
He kisses my stomach, and I nearly melt from the sweetness of it all. My eyes fill with tears. One leaks out and makes a trail down my face.
“I know I’m going to have my hands full with you, baby Kane, but you’ll be worth every gray hair on my head. I can guarantee it.”