Alice stood next to John and nodded. "It's not a question. It's a fact, Mom."
Tears formed on her mother's face, but then she reached out and hugged John too. John seemed baffled as he reached one hand around to hug her.
Ellie pulled away, but then raised her hand and finger. "Fine. John, if you hurt my daughter…."
John lowered his head. "I won't."
Her mother continued with her finger in the air. "Then keep her safe."
Alice pressed her lips together. She'd not scold him more. "Mom."
Ellie stepped to the side and pointed to the door. "Fine. Let's go inside." She then pushed her way between them and took both their arms and looped herself with them. "John, where is your family?"
John held the door for them. "Vicki wanted to stay at home in case we needed logistics. Peter is coming now."
Alice tilted her head and tried to see John. "Without Jennifer?"
He nodded. "Yeah. Did you want her?"
She'd find a way to thank Jennifer later, but right now Alice had everyone she needed. "No."
More cars parked on the dirt lot by the farmhouse and John let her mother's arm go. He waited and held the door open for his brother and Officer Soliz. A moment later, Peter came through the door with papers in his hands. Soliz walked over to Smith. John rubbed Alice's arm, but then followed Soliz. His years of FBI training instilled the law in him.
Peter went to her parents and handed them a few sheets of paper. Curious as to what made her dad smile, Alice joined them and heard, "This contract is fair."
A noise escaped her throat. "Contract?"
Peter nodded, though he stared at John who spoke with Colt and Special Agent Smith chained to a chair. "We've done business together for a decade, and now that you're marrying my brother, I figured we should ensure both of our sides stay happy."
Alice rubbed her neck. "But you said…."
Peter nodded and turned toward her, away from her parents. "I thought you hurt my brother at the funeral. Don't hold that against me."
Her mother walked away in a huff. Alice stood next to her father and shook her head. "I'm still confused."
John's hand on her back sent a warm spark through her. He studied the papers. "What's happening?"
None of this mattered. Now that she was to marry John, her life was perfect. She crossed her fingers and hoped he agreed. "Peter just renewed the contract for the farm."
Her father folded the papers. "This looks excellent, but we'll have to talk it over with Colt."
John's eyes held a sparkle though she saw both surprise and confusion. She used her thumbs to massage her wrist as he said, "That's amazing. Everything worked out."
Her stomach hardened for a moment as she reached for John's arm. "John, you offered…."
With those dimples back on his cheeks, he gave her a smile. "I still need your help with the rest of my life and where I should spend my money. You're not getting off the hook."
A huge sigh escaped her mouth. Everyone else blurred in the background as she threw her arms around John. "Deal."
He hugged her and kept her close. "I love you."
As she stepped out of his embrace, she took her dad's hand. Her mother came back toward them as Alice had John shake her father's hand. "Welcome to our family, Mr. Morgan. I hope you grow to like family."
Peter added, "There is always a job at Morgan Enterprises for my brother."
John nodded his acknowledgment and shook her father's hand. "Alice gets her eye color from you."
Her father placed his hand on her mother's back and kept her close. "Yes, she does."
John turned toward her and squeezed Alice's hand. "Thanks to you, I see what the point of a family is."
With time, her mother would accept John. The rest of the world would sort itself out.
Chapter Thirty Four
A few weeks later….
Alice stared at the stick in the bathroom one more time. Adrenaline pumped through her veins. The image of a family with John played in her head. She fanned herself, turned on the bedroom light, and jumped on the bed.
John turned toward her, but his eyes were still closed. "What time is it?"
With one glance outside, the morning sun shone. It was probably just after five AM. His arms wrapped around her waist, but he otherwise didn't stir from the bed.
This couldn't wait. A giggle escaped her lips as she shook him. "John, there is something I have to tell you."
As her hands trembled, he sat up, took her hand, and rubbed his head. "What?"
A lightness grew in her chest. A huge grin grew as she said, "I'm pregnant."
His mouth fell open and he froze with his hand still on his head. "What?"
The bed bounced as she threw her arms around him. "I said I'm pregnant."
His arms wrapped around her waist and he hugged her. "I can't believe it."
A breathless joy settled in her as his entire face beamed as he stared at her. He lifted her legs off the floor and had her lie down where he was. "I'll call for a doctor's appointment as soon as the office opens. Let's not tell anyone until then."
He kissed her forehead and lifted the blankets back above her knees. "You're the boss."
As she lay next to him, he cradled her in his arms. Now was not the time to relax as her heart beat too strongly. She kissed his neck and chin. "I have another idea."
A yawn escaped his lips. Then he kissed her back. "You're crazy."
She turned and settled on top of his chest. He held her hands but otherwise didn't move. "Online it says that we should make love more often now that I'm with child. It helps the baby have an easier birth."
He tipped his head back and laughed. Then his hand went under the sheets and cupped her bottom. Without another word, he kissed her lips and rolled her on her back.
The End
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Penny moves back to Miami to start her a job with a list of things to accomplish. 1. Find a place to live. 2. Avoid her gold-digging mother. 3. Reconnect with old high school friends: her best friend Sandra, the dramatic Eva, the dark Michael, her half-brother Wyatt, and her former crush Jay. Jay may have kept her firmly in the “friend zone”, but that didn’t stop her from wanting more. Her five friends have stood by her through some difficult times and she’ll need their help now to accomplish her first two goals. As soon as Jay sees Penny, he puts his plan into motion. His investors need to see him with a stable woman, one who isn’t all flash and no brains; Penny fits the bill perfectly. There’s just one hitch—he wants more. Their pretend date sets off a whirlwind of plots. From mothers who want to control their children’s lives to the loss of her exciting new job, Penny’s world turns upside down. She knows she can overcome all obstacles except one—she’s falling for Jay all over again. http://amzn.to/29OvF1O
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