“Okay, Chance, don’t let her get it this time.” Joe threw the Frisbee in the grassy common area of their building, and Chance and Holly ran toward it.

Since the dog, formally named Second Chance, for obvious reasons, was still limping, Holly slowed down and let him retrieve it. His big brown, and now alert eyes danced as he stared up at Holly with the saucer in his mouth.

“I can see you’re much better at this, buddy.” She grinned at Joe after she spoke to the dog and his heart turned over in his chest. “I’ll have to up my game.”

Joe grinned too. “How long before we have to get back to the campaign office?”

“We said we’d be gone for two hours.”

“Ah.” He raised his brows. “Think your mom’s gonna win?”

“The Republican primary was a landslide. Maybe the special election will be, too.”

They threw the Frisbee a few more times and Joe thought about being so happy. It had been an interesting few months. Holly had given him another chance, and he hadn’t blown it. They spent most of their free hours together, and he worked with her on the campaign for her mom. Joe was content, and Holly seemed to be, though commitment had not been discussed even once all summer.

Holly caught the last Frisbee and ran toward Joe. He had enough time to plant his feet before she jumped into his arms. He whirled around, hugging her. She whispered in his ear, “We have time left. Want to spend it out here or...” she angled her head toward the condo “...in my bed?”

“Silly girl.”

Joe carried Holly inside, Chance behind him. The dog settled into his space in the living room, and Joe strode down the hall to Holly’s bedroom, still carrying her. She was grateful for so many things, not the least of which was their tacit agreement on sex. Staying away from each other physically had proved impossible so when they wanted to, they made love. Sometimes it was fun and a little bit daring, often deep and intense. She adored it all. She’d go back to school soon and miss being with him on his days off.

Unceremoniously, he dumped her on the bed. She laughed, kicked off her shoes and began to undress as he did. He finished first then knelt on the mattress to help her off with the rest her clothes.

This time, the lovemaking was poignant and intense. Afterward, they lay breathless on the bed naked and sated.

“You like the dog, right?” he asked out of the blue.

That was the last—and least romantic—thing she’d expected. “Yeah, of course.”

His expression turned serious. “People say having a dog is good preparation for having a baby.”

Ah, she got it. She sat up and braced her arms over his chest. Staring into deep brown eyes she was sure she couldn’t live without, she said, “Are you asking me to be the mother of your child, Joe?”

He kissed her nose, searched her face. “I am.”

“Hmm. I haven’t heard the magic words to go with that.”

“I love you.”

“Nah, you told me that before.”

Those eyes danced when he got the message. She was ready to commit. “Marry me, Holly.”

She kissed him on the mouth and whispered. “Yes.”

“Whew!” Vanessa said as she and Chase returned to the campaign office in downtown Rockford ahead of everyone else. “Now it’s all over but the shouting.”

“Well, we did a lot of shouting.” Chase sat in one of the more comfortable chairs and stretched out his legs. “You’re going to win, sweetheart.”

“I hope so.” Vanessa looked happy and excited about the path she’d chosen. “Boy, we took a lot of risks.”

“That we did. But you’ll be glad when you’re the state senator that everything’s out there.”

Vanessa had refused to conceal her relationship with him. As soon as he recovered from the gunshot wound, they came clean with the kids. Before the campaign even started, she told Lou Barone about Chase and that she wasn’t sneaking around. Lou was shocked, but eventually went along with her. The constituents found out little by little as he campaigned for her, and as they were seen around town. They also gave a frank interview to the Rockford Sentinel and the scandal was so sweet, that it seemed to mellow the voters instead of the reverse. The opposite was true for her Democratic opponent.

“Crane used our relationship against you.”

“You know what, I think that might actually have helped me. Everybody loves a good romance.” She held up her hand which sported a lovely platinum gold band. “Especially after we got married.”

“Yeah.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Still, Crane brought it up all the time. He called it conflict of interest and unethical.”

“A lot of people don’t like mud-slinging, especially when you compare it to our honesty, which was refreshing for voters.”

“You know, that seemed to be true.”

“And your platform helped obscure his negative attacks, honey. The fiscal conservatism you lived out as mayor is attractive to voters who are hurting. The fact that you went after businesses and the one percent who were getting so much of a boon in the last tax bill helped you a lot.”

Reaching over, she clasped his hand. “Even if I don’t win, Chase, I’ll never regret making us public.” After a few minutes, Vanessa glanced at the clock. “I wonder if any returns are in yet.”

“It’s a bit early, so come sit on my lap before the crowds arrive. I’m fixin’ to give you a big smooch!”

“Ah, that Southern slang is so sexy.”

Chase drew Vanessa close and thanked God again that things had worked out for them. His mouth closed over hers lightly until she pressed her body into his.

The door flew open. Kassie rushed inside and stopped short. “Oh, geez, they’re at it again.”

“Kissy-facing.” This from Colette.

Vanessa slid off his lap and stood. Kassie ran to her and hugged her tight. “You’re gonna win, Vanessa, I know it.”

“I hope so, honey.”

The girls had taken to her and to their marriage. She and Kassie had bonded when Kass was rescued, and the connection had only gotten deeper. Colette was still more attached to Melinda, and that was okay for now. Luckily, Melinda and Vanessa got along well.

“Hey, Mom.” Holly entered the room, holding hands with Joe.

Early on, Chase had had a long talk with Lieutenant Santori about his intentions and Joe assured Chase that he was madly in love with Holly and he planned to be Chase’s son—in-law as soon as Holly would have him. Since many firefighters’ sons and daughters had joined the department—including those of officers—Chase wasn’t worried about blowback.

Holly hugged her mother, then Chase, then grinned. “I have a good feeling about this.”

“Hold the thought.” Vanessa said. “Are Grandma and Grandpa coming over?”

She checked the clock. “Soon.”

A bit later, Chase turned on the TV. Returns were coming in. The election was close for most of the evening. By midnight, they were all gathered around the screen when WROC declared Vanessa the winner.

The kids jumped up and screeched. Edward was the first to hug her, then Ella. She made her way to Chase, and threw herself at him. When she leaned back, she said, “So, how does it feel to be married to a state senator?”

Looking around, remembering the difficult times this entire family had had, Chase whispered in her ear, “After all we’ve been through, darlin’, it feels mighty fine.”