Неизвестный - 2. Beyond The Breakwater

“Don’t forget how much I love you, baby,” Caroline whispered as they approached the small plane.

“I won’t. You neither, okay?”

“I’ll miss you so much.”

Bri bit her lip, then forced a grin. “The time will go fast. You’ll be so busy. Work hard…and have fun. Okay?”

At the base of the steps leading up to the cabin, they faced one another.

“Ill be home for Christmas,” Caroline stated.

Bri held her gaze, then traced a finger down her cheek. “I’ll be right here waiting.”

“Are you sure she’s okay back there?” Reese asked anxiously as Tory slid into the passenger seat of the Jeep.

They both turned and surveyed the tiny bundle in the car seat belted into the rear. The pale yellow blanket moved faintly as their daughter kicked and stretched her miniature limbs.

“She’s fine.”

“Maybe you should sit with her,” Reese muttered. “In case she needs…anything.”

“I just fed her.” Tory rested her palm on her lover’s thigh. “She’s fine, sweetheart. It’s safer back there, and she’s going to go to sleep as soon as you start driving.”

“Okay.” Reese pulled out onto 6 and wished for the hundredth time that she’d brought the patrol car so she could put the lights on and make the traffic ahead pull over. She didn’t like having moving vehicles anywhere near them, not with Reggie in the car. What if some idiot ran into them? “This is awful.”

Tory laughed. “Honey, she’s not made of glass. She’s one strong little girl. Look how quickly she made her minimum safe weight. Almost three weeks early.”

“You think she’s gonna do everything early?” Reese dared a quick glance at Tory. “Cause I’m still playing catch up. Am I ever gonna be prepared?”

“Probably not. That’s part of the fun.” Tory linked her fingers through Reese’s.

“Yeah, right.” But Reese was smiling.

“I was thinking that Women’s Week might be a nice time,” Tory mused. “Regina will be settled in by then.”

“For what?”

Tory brought their joined hands to her lips and kissed Reese’s fingers. “For the wedding you promised me.”

“Oh.” Reese slowed for a light, then met Tory’s eyes. Her voice was husky when she added, “That.”

“Mmm hmm.” Tory’s face was soft with love and contentment. From behind them came a small hiccough, and then what sounded very much like a tiny laugh.

“And they say honeymoons don’t last forever,” Reese whispered.