“Thanks.” Patrick took the portray. “It’s good to see it once more. Though I nonetheless like your copy simply as properly.” He fastidiously set it on a chair and turned to Emma, taking her arms in his. “And one of the best reunion I’ve had in the present day is with you.”

Emma blushed. “Are you positive? Aurora is fairly particular.”

“You’re extra particular.” Patrick tugged on Emma’s arms to tug her nearer. Her bump brushed towards him once more and he smiled; it was a continuing reminder of the long run they might lastly begin constructing collectively. “Emma, I do know this may sound unusual, however I need you to know. I really like you. I feel I’ve liked you for a very long time now, however I didn’t need to admit it, even to myself.”

“Wow.” Her brown eyes have been vast. “Patrick?—”

“You don’t need to say it again,” he added shortly. “I do know we’ve solely simply gotten again collectively and we didn’t have an eternity to get to know one another earlier than. I simply wished you to understand how I really feel about you. Every second we spend collectively turns into a brand new spotlight in my life. Every kiss turns into essentially the most particular.”

“That’s tacky,” Emma teased. On the similar time, although, she pressed nearer to Patrick and tilted her face in direction of his. “However you realize what? I really feel the identical manner. I really like you, too.”

Though Patrick had fully meant it when he’d assured her that she didn’t must return the sentiment, her phrases despatched a heat flood of pleasure straight via him. When he’d pushed to the neighborhood faculty this morning, the largest hope he’d had was that he’d get an opportunity to see Emma once more and kind out what had occurred and the way she felt. That had occurred, however so had a lot extra. They’d shared I really like yous. They have been having a child collectively. She was simply as prepared as he was to attempt their relationship once more.

“I really like you,” Emma repeated. “And I promise, no extra secrecy from right here on out.”

Patrick chuckled. “Agreed. And I really like you, too.”

Concurrently, they leaned nearer till their lips met in one other earth-shattering kiss. As Patrick gathered Emma towards him, he felt a deep sense of rightness, of homecoming. And most of all, of affection.

EPILOGUE

ONE YEAR LATER: EMMA

“So?” Patrick’s voice was quiet; they didn’t need to be overheard. “Was your mission profitable?”

“I feel so.” Emma’s voice was equally tender. “I used to be out and in shortly and quietly. I don’t suppose she even seen once I disappeared.”

“Nicely finished.” Patrick held up his hand, and Emma quietly tapped her palm towards it. “Now, let’s get out of right here earlier than we get caught.”

Hand in hand, they sneaked down the hallway. On the finish of the hallway, Emma fastidiously opened the door to the remainder of the home, then shut it behind them as they crept into the lounge. There, they each straightened up and exchanged grins.

“Operation Get Rose to Sleep was successful but once more,” Patrick joked.

“It’s positively the toughest mission of my life, my spy profession included,” Emma mentioned. It was true; their daughter liked to be cuddled and infrequently refused to go to sleep until she was of their arms. Over time, Emma and Patrick had developed a routine to get Rose into her crib and off to sleep in order that she might get a full evening of relaxation and so they might spend the night collectively.

“I simply can’t imagine how massive she’s getting,” Patrick continued.

“Me neither.” Emma shook her head. “I can’t imagine she’s nearly 9 months outdated.”

“She’s most likely going to be tearing round the home in every week or two.”

Emma chuckled. “I’m undecided you perceive baby growth in addition to you do investments.”

“That’s why we’re a superb crew.” Patrick gave Emma a fast kiss on the cheek, and she or he grinned. “You recognize nearly every little thing and I take heed to you.”

Emma nudged him gently on the shoulder. “Now you’re simply buttering me up.”

“Sue me.” They smiled at one another for a protracted second, then Patrick stretched. “Proper, how about I warmth up our dinner and also you go get settled by the fireplace?”

It was a bit heat for the fireplace in the present day, however they’d loved it a lot over the winter that Patrick had steered they’ve yet one more hearth on the terrace to rejoice the beautiful spring day. Whereas Emma had been placing Rose to sleep, Patrick had been outdoors getting the fireplace began.

“I’d like to.” Emma made her manner out to the terrace and arrange the newborn monitor on the desk in order that she might regulate Rose. Thus far, the little lady was sleeping like an angel, however Emma knew she might wake very quickly flat.

As she sat outdoors, respiration the recent air and the scrumptious smoky scent from the fireplace, Emma couldn’t assist considering again on how a lot had modified in a bit over a 12 months. When she and Patrick had declared their emotions for one another in her tiny residence, they’d had no thought how arduous parenthood can be — or how great. Patrick had been by Emma’s aspect each step of the final months of her being pregnant, from prenatal visits to purchasing child issues to the start itself. Shortly after they’d been reunited, he’d requested Emma to maneuver in with him in his rental. Emma, although a bit frightened it was too quickly, was so head over heels in love with Patrick that she’d mentioned sure immediately.

It had been the very best resolution. Emma had moved in on a sunny late spring day and had laughed at Patrick when he’d insisted on carrying all of her bins.

“You’re not going to raise a finger for the remainder of your being pregnant,” he’d informed her. “You’re already carrying valuable cargo.”

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