Cash watched through the window as Natalia lifted Darcey from her cot. His daughter was bawling, her little face screwed up as she railed at whatever outrage had irked her. Natalia cradled the baby over her shoulder, her mouth moving as she talked to Shelley. He tried to lip read but couldn’t make out what she was saying.

How had he got so lucky? He was so in love, so obsessed, he could barely remember life before his daughter came along five weeks ago.

As though sensing his adoring gaze through the window, Natalia turned. She smiled and waved him inside. As soon as he walked through the door, she held Darcey out in front. “Someone wants her daddy, I think. Maybe you’ll have better luck calming her.”

He took Darcey from Natalia and settled her in the crook of his left arm. “It’s because she knows she’s leaving hospital today, and it’s probably scary going somewhere new,” he said, rocking her. “After all, this is all she knows.”

Within a minute, he’d appeased her. She curled her hand tightly around his outstretched finger and gurgled.

Natalia shook her head. “How do you do it?”

Cash grinned. “Luck of the Irish, baby,” he said, kissing Darcey’s forehead before laying her gently back in her cot. He tucked her in, and she made a contented snuffling noise and promptly fell asleep.

“Clearly,” Natalia said as she folded Darcey’s blanket. She added it to the suitcase full of things their daughter had collected since her birth and extended stay in hospital. “Jeez, babies need a lot of stuff.”

“I can’t wait to get out of here.” Cash moved behind Natalia and curved his arms around her waist. “It’s been a long five weeks.”

She leaned into him. “Are the press outside?”

“Yes, but don’t worry—Isaac’s waiting for us. He’ll have the car ready to go. Just ignore them.”

Natalia made a soft sigh. “You’d think, given the length of time you’ve been out of the public eye, they wouldn’t be interested.”

“We’ll soon be home. A quick run of the gauntlet, and we’re free,” Cash said, turning her in his arms. He pressed a soft kiss to her lips.

“Knowing my luck, I’ll trip over the hem of my skirt and go splat on the pavement. Think what an amazing photo opportunity that will be.”

Cash grinned. “I won’t let you fall, baby.”

“Is Rachael at home?”

“Yep. And Emmalee, and Rupe. And Pete.”

“Is anyone else coming?”

He stroked his beard thoughtfully. “William said if Kinga’s feeling up to it, they may pop over.”

“No Brad or Jamie?”

“Oh yeah, them too.”

Natalia chuckled. “So we’re having a massive welcome home party?”

“You weren’t supposed to guess.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Tell me you’re joking.”

He painted on the most innocent face he could muster. “Sweetness, would I?”

A soft sigh escaped her lips. “Okay, I’ll play ball on one condition.”

“Name it.”

“They get one hour to fawn over the baby, and then that’s it. I want them gone.” She rested her forehead on his shoulder. “I want it to be us. You and me and Darcey, relaxing in our own home, sharing a glass of wine and a bit of peace.”

“Okay. One hour. Might need to make that wine nonalcoholic, though, baby.”

Natalia twisted out of his arms and returned to Darcey’s suitcase. She reopened it, pulling out several bottles of expressed milk. She held them aloft while wearing a triumphant look. “I’ve thought of everything.”

Cash laughed. “I’m so glad being a mother hasn’t dampened your spirit.”

Natalia grinned. “I haven’t had a drink in over eight months. Eight very long months. Tonight, I want nothing more than to sit on the sofa with my seriously hot fiancé beside me and a very cold glass of Chablis nestling right here.” She held her hand up in a semicircle and tapped her palm. “With any luck, Darcey will be exhausted from being passed around and fall fast asleep.”

“Hot fiancé?” Cash said with a raised eyebrow. He caught her hips and tugged her closer, whispering in her ear, “That makes me think of all sorts of possibilities.”

Natalia pulled back a little and met his gaze. Laughter lines crinkled the edges of her stunning blue eyes, drawing him in as they always had. “Well, seeing as we have around a week to go, let’s see how creative you can be, ace.”

“Oh, baby,” he said in a teasing tone. “That sounds awfully like a challenge.”

Natalia picked up one of the bags and thrust it at him. “You always did love a challenge.”

As they got set to leave, Shelley appeared and gave them both a hug.

“You’ve been amazing,” Natalia said. “We couldn’t have got through this without you.”

“It’s been my absolute pleasure, sweetie. Don’t take this the wrong way, but I’m delighted you’re going home.”

Cash kissed her cheek. “So are we. Thanks for everything.”

Shelley ducked her head to hide the flush that swept across her face. “Good luck, you guys. Not that you’ll need it.”

Cash picked up the bags while Natalia cradled Darcey. As he ushered her out of the NICU, she glanced up at him, her eyes sparkling with laughter. “Still got it, ace,” she said, jerking her head back.

Cash rolled his eyes. “She’s older than my mother.”

A few of the staff had gathered in the reception area to say goodbye, but a throng of photographers who were camped on the pavement outside the hospital caught Cash’s attention. The sliding doors at the entrance were tinted, making it difficult for the photographers to see inside, but Cash counted at least twenty. Isaac had the back door to the car open, his large frame dwarfing the people around him. As Cash’s eyes met Natalia’s, panic flitted across her face.

“It’s okay,” he said. “Here, give Darcey to me.”

He nestled the baby into his arms and pulled up her blanket so her face couldn’t be seen. The hospital security guard kindly picked up their bags and ventured outside. The minute the automatic doors opened, multiple flashes went off, almost blinding him.

He cursed, tucked Natalia’s hand inside his, and made a beeline for the car. As soon as Isaac spotted them, he muscled a few overly keen paps out of the way, leaving the pathway clear. The noise was intense with photographers and reporters shouting demands and instructions.

He urged Natalia into the car and climbed in beside her. Isaac slammed the door. Cash strapped Darcey into the car seat.

“Go, Isaac,” he said as the camera flashes continued to intrude into the car.

They moved away from the hospital, leaving the paparazzi behind, and Cash took a breath. As he blew it out, he released the enormous tension that had been riding him hard for the last five weeks.

“You okay, babe?” he said, tucking a lock of hair behind Natalia’s ear.

“I am now. I’ve been dreading that.”

“I’d love to know where they get their information from.”

Natalia wrapped her fingers around his. “Don’t sweat it, ace.”

Cash almost growled, the noise rumbling low in his chest. “It was bad enough before, but now…” He pressed his finger to his daughter’s hand, and Darcey automatically grabbed on. A flush of intense love swept through him, taking his breath away.

“I know,” Natalia said softly, correctly reading the rapt expression on his face. “Makes you look at things in a whole new way.”

As the car turned into the narrow driveway that led up to the Victorian detached property he and Natalia now called home, their family and friends were camped outside. Cash began to regret agreeing to the welcoming committee, especially when a soft sigh escaped Natalia’s lips.

“I’m sorry, baby. I shouldn’t have caved to pressure. I can still tell them the party’s off.”

She gave him a quick smile. “I want to say yes, but remember… one hour. Then they’re gone.”

He unclipped his seatbelt and shuffled towards her then cradled her jaw with his hand, relishing the soft skin beneath his fingers. Her breathing kicked up a notch as he leaned in. “Love you so much.” His mouth closed over hers in an all-too-brief kiss.

“Hold that thought, ace,” she muttered against his lips before he reluctantly pulled away.

As Cash got out of the car, Rachael reached them. She hugged him tightly as though she hadn’t seen him in weeks. “I’m so glad you’re both home.”

“Us too,” he said, extricating himself from his mother’s arms so he could unhook Darcey’s car seat. He lifted his daughter out of the car and held a hand out for Natalia. “Mum, do us a favour. After an hour, call a halt to things, okay? Natalia’s tired, and I don’t want everyone outstaying their welcome.”

“Leave it with me.” She linked her arm through Natalia’s and seized the car seat from Cash. “Get the cases, darling,” she said, drawing a giggle from Natalia. Rachael was one of a few people able to get away with ordering Cash about.

For the next hour, everyone fought over who would get to cuddle Darcey next. Natalia sat back, allowing them all to have a piece of her precious child, but Cash could see her hands itching, wanting to snatch Darcey away from them.

“Soon be over,” he said, nuzzling her ear.

“I’m trying so hard.” She rested her head on his shoulder.

“You’re doing great, baby. We’re the first out of all of us to have one, apart from Mum. It’s a novelty, that’s all.”

True to her promise, after an hour Rachael began to corral the group into leaving. Their friends extended the hour with goodbyes and promises that they’d be there if either Cash or Natalia needed them, and then he was finally able to close the door. He sagged against it and closed his eyes, relishing the silence.

When he walked back into the living room, Natalia was settling Darcey into her Moses basket. He waited for her to finish, and then he snaked his arms around her waist, his chin resting on her shoulder. “Alone at last,” he murmured, his teeth nipping her earlobe.

Natalia covered his hands with her own and tilted her head to the side, giving him access to her neck. “Ace?” she said as he kissed from jaw to shoulder.

“Yeah?”

“You know what I really want?”

“Me.” He smiled against her neck.

“Before that.”

“Name it.”

“A bath.”

Cash straightened. “You got it, sweetness. Stay here, and I’ll go and run it.”

* * *

Tally tucked the covers around Darcey, her heart bursting with love. Ever since she’d gone into labour, she’d suffered so much stress and worry, but all that was behind them. They were home with their perfectly healthy daughter. Darcey’s arrival seemed to have grounded Cash. He was centred and calm, as though having Darcey had finally chased away his demons. Sometimes, when Cash didn’t think she was watching, she caught him gazing at their daughter with a mixture of wonderment, adoration, and love.

She leaned over the Moses basket and kissed her sweet baby, breathing in that special smell only babies had. She was desperate to hold her, to feel her safe and warm in her arms, but Darcey had been passed around too much already and was fast asleep, arms angled next to her head. Her plump cheeks were flushed and her mouth parted. She looked so much like Cash it was uncanny. There was certainly no denying she was his child. If Darcey hadn’t had Tally’s eyes, Tally wouldn’t have believed she and her daughter were related.

She stretched out her back. A bath, bed, and falling asleep in Cash’s arms sounded like her version of heaven. She placed the baby monitor on the table next to the Moses basket and grabbed the other one to take upstairs with her. She’d almost reached the bathroom when a knock at the door halted her progress.

“Great,” she groaned. “Who’s forgotten something?”

She trudged back downstairs, eyelids heavy with exhaustion. She unbolted the door and opened it a crack. Her eyes widened.

“Meredith,” she said, immediately recognising the woman she’d had a brief conversation with outside the NICU the day after Darcey was born. “What are you doing here?”

Meredith was wringing her hands, her face full of angst. “Can I come in, Tally? I’m afraid I haven’t been completely honest with you.”

Tally frowned. “It’s not a great time. I’ve only just got home from the hospital.”

“I know. I followed you. I’ve been waiting for everyone to leave.”

“You followed us?” Hairs stood up on the back of her neck. A stranger had managed to follow them home, to find out where they lived. She’d hoped they wouldn’t have to live surrounded by walls and gates and cameras, but it looked like she’d been wrong. “Why?”

“Let’s do this inside.”

Meredith began to move forward, but Tally put her arm out, blocking her entrance. “Actually, I think I’d rather do it right here. What’s going on?”

Meredith looked her straight in the eye. “It has taken me a long time to pluck up the courage to do this. Tally, I’m your mother.”