Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22707 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22707 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
Emma nods, but her gaze is still searching.
“But how will this work?” she asks in a low voice. “After all, a baby is difficult to hide. I realize that powerful men have secret families sometimes, but I can’t be that. I won’t be,” she says in a firm tone. “So how will we manage this so that it doesn’t negatively impact your political careers? And honestly,” she adds with a broken tone to her voice, “our baby deserves fathers who will openly love him or her without being ashamed.”
“Your point’s well taken,” Joseph states quietly.
“Absolutely, sweetheart,” I add. I meet my friend’s eyes and he nods his assent, so I look back at Emma and share something we’ve been discussing for a bit now. “Again, Joseph and I have fallen in love with you, sweetheart, and with a baby on the way, it seems like the perfect time to set things in motion.”
Emma turns quizzical eyes to us. “How so?”
I take a deep breath.
“We’re not going to run for re-election,” is my firm statement. “We’ve served our communities faithfully for decades now, and it’s time to take some time for family, which means you and the baby. So, we’re going to leave our elected offices and join Landon Partners as senior advisers instead.”
Emma’s eyes go wide.
“Are you sure?” she whispers. “I mean, you’ve been Senators for so long now, and I know you derive a lot of happiness and fulfillment from your jobs.”
But I shake my head.
“That’s true, but the moment is right,” I say. “I’ve been in politics for more than two decades, and while being a Senator has a nice ring to it, it’s time to step down. If only to make way for the next generation.”
Joseph nods his head in agreement.
“There are some talented young men and women coming up, and we can help them succeed,” he adds. “As former elected officials, our strategic advice will be especially valued.”
Emma nods, and then raises an eyebrow and laughs. “Yes, but joining Landon Partners? Isn’t that owned by Katy’s husband, Brad Landon?”
Joseph chuckles, his eyes twinkling. “Yes, as a matter of fact, it is. Okay, so yeah he’s my son-in-law, but he was more than happy to find a place for his wife’s father.”
Emma nods slowly, but then she freezes. “But does that mean that Brad knows about the three of us? And that Katy knows too?” she gasps. “Oh my God! What is your daughter going to say?”
Joseph chuckles and pulls the curvy girl close before pressing a kiss to her temple. “Yes, my daughter knows about us,” he confirms in an amused tone. “And instead of being horrified and disgusted, she and Brad said they want us to know we have their support and love.”
“Really?” Emma asks, visibly surprised. “Katy’s not … um, scandalized?”
I take the sweet woman’s hand in my own.
“If this is the Katy Mellon that I know, then she used to get up to some hard-core shenanigans herself, so no, she’s not scandalized. She’s just happy that we’ve found each other, and that we’re happy too. Oh, and that she’s going to have a new sibling soon.”
Katy gasps as Joseph chuckles.
“But yes,” my buddy adds. “It means we’re going public with our relationship. No more hiding, and this isn’t just a summer thing anymore, although it I think we can all agree it hasn’t been for a while. We don’t want to hide you nor our child. You are ours, Emma, and we plan to claim you before the world.”
With that, our beautiful girl breaks into tears.
“Thank you,” she whispers while kissing us in turn. “I love you so much, Senators Packard and Mellon.”
“You mean the world to us, Emma,” Joseph murmurs against her lips. “You always have, and you always will.”
With that, our life as a real family begins because the curvy girl was never meant to be a short-term fling. Yes, our relationship started out that way because she’s a gorgeous young woman who fell in love with two older, powerful male politicians, and so the situation was somewhat scandalous. But Joseph and I know our values and priorities, and we’re done with the limelight. We don’t need the approbation of others at this juncture of our lives, nor do we seek anyone’s approval. Instead, what’s most important to us is the happiness of the woman we adore, and the baby inside her belly, representing our love for Emma and everything she is.
Epilogue
Emma
* * *
The last few months have been a whirlwind and it’s nice to be enjoying afternoon tea with my friend Katy now. She’s got Henry with her, and the tot is stumbling about the penthouse, picking up random things and putting them into his mouth.
“Stop Henry!” my pal scolds. “OMG, Henry please! Not the plants!”
The toddler merely smiles mischievously before putting the leaf down and biting into a cushion. Evidently the fabric’s dry because he lets out a small cough, but then stumbles back to his mom for a hug.