“I have a surprise for you.” Garrett grins as he navigates us back to the house.

We’d spent three nights in the new hotel and it was amazing being pampered. What was even better was the fact that Garrett worked from the hotel room when he could and then he got to relax in the evening. No meals to prepare because I had to rest, no dishes to wash. It was the relaxation that I think we had both needed, but now I’m curious as to what surprise he has in store for me.

“Are you just going to tease me with that?” I turn and rest the side of my head against the seat, hoping my puppy dog eyes will convince him to tell me more. “That isn’t even a clue.”

He chuckles, looking relaxed in worn jeans and T-shirt, one of his strong hands rests on my knee, and the other the steering wheel. “It’s something that I hope you are going to love,” he says, maybe a bit unsure of himself. “At least I hope you’re going to love it.”

“Hmm. Now I’m even more curious than I was before.” I settle back into my seat and contemplate what it could possible be. “You’re mentioning it now because it’s at the house, right?”

“Maybe.”

“Yes! So, if it’s at the house then it has to be something that wasn’t there before we left otherwise I’d have been around if a delivery had arrived.” I’m watching him closely while his eyes swim with mirth.

“You’ll see soon enough.” He smirks, pulling up outside of the house. “Let me come around and help you.”

Softly smiling, I watch him move around to my side of the car. He opens the door and slips an arm beneath my legs. “Please let me walk.”

He meets my gaze and sees that I’m serious so instead, he lifts me down and intertwines our fingers together. After placing a sweet kiss to my knuckles we stroll inside.

As we enter a light odor hits me. Nothing too strong just something to make my nose twitch. I can’t quite put my finger on it. I glance at Garret who smiles, leading me upstairs.

“I’d hoped the smell would have gone by now,” he comments, directing me into the bedroom, directly beside ours.

My brain struggles to take in what I’m seeing, from the freshly painted cream walls, to the brightly colored animal mural on one wall. A beautiful wooden crib, rocking chair, and baby changing station have all been set up. The shopping bags with baby clothing and accessories have been set to one side of the door, and it’s just amazing.

Garrett leads me to the rocking chair and helping me sit, leans forward and kisses my cheek. His lips hover over my lips as he asks, “Good surprise?”

My eyes fill with tears as I reach up and caress his cheek. “Oh, most definitely, but how?” I wave my arms around and he straightens, his eyes surveying the room.

“They arrived as soon as we left for the hotel, and they’ve worked around the clock to get the room finished for when we returned home.” He looks sheepish. “You aren’t annoyed that I had it all done without telling you?”

“Not one bit.” I smile and take his hand. “You’d already asked me how I envisioned the room, and this, is beyond what I imagined. It’s amazing.”

“That fills me with so much joy.” He tugs me out of the chair and cupping my face between the large palms of his hands, he says, “I love you, Sirena, and nothing makes me happier than pleasing you.”

He is such a good man that I just want to hold onto him and never let go. I’ve never been the clingy, needy type before. He makes my heart beat with love and excitement every time he walks into a room. I capture his hand in mine and kiss the palm. “Thank you, Garrett.” I smile. “Not just for the room, but for the way you take care of me and our baby, the way you always try and put me first, and just for being you. I never thought that I’d feel lucky getting stuck in an elevator.” I giggle.

He chuckles. “Best day of my life that will only be second or third to when you become my wife, or give birth to our child. Whichever order that happens in.”

Leaning into him as he leads me from the room, I ask, “Can we have our wedding here, and soon? My divorce should be final on Wednesday.”

“Are you sure you don’t want a church wedding?”

“I’m sure. I love your house,” I assure him.

“Home.” He smiles. “It’s our home, Sirena,” he says, softly.

“I love our home . . . and would love to be married out in the back, under the gazebo. It will be perfect, apart from me being huge.”

He quickly kisses me. “I love your baby belly. You’re one sexy woman.”

“Well, I can’t wait until we make love for the first time after our baby has arrived. I want you so close that there isn’t even air between us.”

“Mmm,” Garrett moans. “That gives me all sorts of ideas.” His arms slip around me from behind and he presses close. “Can you feel what just the idea of you being naked and in my arms does to me?” He rubs his arousal against my bottom.

“I love being naked with you,” I mumble incoherently.

“You’re beautiful and I can’t get enough.” He kisses my shoulder and then my stomach growls. “I think that I better feed you both.”

“I’d rather you were seeing to a different kind of hunger,” I mumble as we move downstairs.

“You’ll be sick if you don’t have a small snack.” He frowns, knowing me well.

“You’re really good at looking after me.”

“It’s simple . . . I love you.” He kisses me on the forehead just as someone knocks on the front door.

“I’m not expecting anyone,” he says, his frown deepening as he opens the door.

My eyes widen in surprise at seeing Tina and Charles Bennett at the door. My feet move me slowly toward them in confusion. “What are you both doing here?”

Tina looks between the two of us, and nervously asks, “May we come in?”

Garrett looks at me for guidance, which I appreciate, even though at the same time I’m hoping he’ll say no. They make me nervous now they know that I’m pregnant. It hasn’t been said, but I have a feeling that they’ve discovered Harry fathered the child I’m carrying. I’d rather send them away, but I’ll worry unless I hear them out.

Stepping away, I indicate for them to join us in the living room. “Please take a seat.”

“Thank you,” Tina says.

Charles clears his throat. “Thank you for seeing us.” He winces. “I thought you might have told us to leave.”

I smile sadly, and add, “You haven’t given us cause to do that.”

As Garrett sits beside me, I reach for his hand, intertwining our fingers. “Going back to Sirena’s question, what are you both doing here?” Garrett asks.

“Harry hasn’t once mentioned that you’re pregnant,” Charles says. “And, I know you want us to believe that Garrett is the father of your child, I just don’t think he is. You were with Harry then Sirena, and although I wish I didn’t know what Harry was like, we do know that you wouldn’t have been unfaithful to him.” He pauses while my mouth goes dry. “I’m asking you to be honest with us, and please tell us the truth.”

I glance at Garrett and find his gaze on me, and with just that look, I realize that I’m not going to tell them anything until I’ve talked to him.

I squeeze his hand and turn my attention back to Harry’s parents. “Doctor’s orders are for me to be resting so that my blood pressure doesn’t get dangerously high, but can we please have this conversation another time? I’d like time to talk to Garrett first.”

Tina looks to her husband for direction while Charles stares at me. “I think,” he pauses, “that you’ve just answered the question.”

“I probably have, but before we talk any further I’m going to talk to Garrett. He’s going to be my husband as soon as it can be arranged. So him and our child come first.”

Charles opens his mouth to say something, but Tina places her hand on his arm, and says, “I know you put up with a lot from Harry, and as his mother, I’d like to apologize for his behavior toward you.” She nervously glances at her husband. “All we’re asking is that you let us, in someway, be part of your child’s life.”

I reach up and rub at my forehead while catching Garrett’s concerned gaze.

“Why don’t you let Sirena get some rest and we’ll be in touch.” Garrett stands and waits for Tina and Charles to do the same. “I’ll show you out.”

Tina looks as though she wants to say something else, but Charles ushers her out with him.

I don’t pay too much attention to what is going on at the front door, I just want them gone so that I can think. I hadn’t expected to see them at Nirvana, or especially at my home.

My temples throb now that I’ve been given the added worry about what they actually want. Do they just want to have visits with our child or are they going to want more in the future.

Resting my head against the arm of the chair, I sit back with my feet up, and close my eyes. I smile softly when my legs are lifted up slightly and cushions are shoved beneath.

“I’ll always take care of you,” Garrett says.

I slowly open my eyes and find him sitting on the floor at the side of me. “That wasn’t expected, huh?”

Reaching out, I caress his jaw and rub my fingers along his beautiful lips before meeting his gaze. “I’m ashamed to admit that I haven’t once given thought to Harry’s parents.” I smile sadly and let Garrett take my hand. “I only met them once and Harry didn’t really get along with his dad, so he kept me away from them.”

“You do realize that you don’t have to do anything to please them?”

“I know, but now that they’ve shown interest in our child, I really don’t know what to do. I feel bad for them, but at the same time, I don’t want to have anything to do with Harry ever again. That’s all over with.” I sigh. “And as soon as our child is here we’re going to make everything legal so that no one can ever take him or her away from you. You’re the father no matter what.”

“We’ll do all that.” He smiles and kisses the back of my hand, holding it close to his cheek. “If you want to let them visit with the baby, then I’m okay with that. I just want you to know that incase I’m the reason why you’re holding back.”

“Before we bumped into them everything was so straightforward, and now I feel unsettled. I know what the right thing to do is, I just don’t want Harry to come along and cause more trouble once the baby is here. I mean do you know the legal ramifications if Harry changes his mind?”

“I’m not sure he can change his mind, but if the adoption is made legal then I don’t think there is anything he can do because he’s the one who willingly gave up his rights.”

“Ugh!” I moan and sitting up, hold my hands out to Garrett for him to help me up. “I’m hungry and don’t want to think about it for the rest of the day.”

“Okay, honey. Sandwiches coming up.” He grins and I pad softly after him into the kitchen.