Beyond the Consequences (Book 5 of the Consequences Series)(50)

Her eyes closed and head moved from side to side. “Oh, no. I don’t want that. I’ll call.”

“And tomorrow…”

“Yes, Tony, tomorrow. I’ll call you after I talk to the office and you can meet me there.”

“I’ll meet both of you there.”

Her neck straightened. “I’m capable of driving.”

As she spoke, his grin returned. “I wasn’t speaking of Roach or Taylor, though you know I prefer that.” His hand returned to her midsection. “I meant you and our little one.”



The colorful water continued to ebb and flow as Tony imagined the baby growing within his wife. In time it would change her as Nichol had done. He remembered how radiant she looked—well, up until the end of Nichol’s pregnancy. Then Claire looked miserable. Since that evening when he learned of their impending arrival, Tony’s mood had fluctuated from joy to despair, everything in between, and back to joy. Hell, with as mixed up as he felt, some days he felt as though it could be he who was pregnant. There was no question: if he could, he would. Tony refused—absolutely refused—to allow anything to harm Claire, including their child. Then he’d remember that the doctors had given their clearance. They’d proclaimed Claire healthy enough to have a child. The OB/GYN had even addressed the issue of Nichol’s birth. She didn’t expect there to be anything like that this time, but if it occurred, they had a state-of-the art hospital and a C-section would be done right away.

When he wasn’t thinking about the possible consequences of their decision, Tony concentrated on the new life, the new Rawlings. For a man who’d never expected to have children or be a father, his heart felt like it could literally burst. Never had he imagined the joy of children—the joy of a family. What he and Claire shared was nothing like what he’d known as a child, and at times it was overwhelming. Truthfully, the overabundance of love Tony felt for the tiny being that at this point was only evidenced by a blue plus sign on a white stick and the doctor’s confirmation even surprised him.

Tony now understood that he’d wasted too much of his life trying to make the Rawls in him and his past proud, trying to achieve acceptance from a ghost. Then again, was that true? If he hadn’t had the obsession, if he hadn’t spent his first forty-plus years righting unexplained wrongs, then he wouldn’t have waited for the woman before him, the one floating with a suddenly mischievous smile. His cheeks rose as he wondered what she was thinking. No, he’d never again regret the years he lost. If he did, he’d regret the life he now had, and that wasn’t possible.

Removing his jacket, Tony flung it over his shoulder and moved closer to the pool’s edge. With each step, he wondered how to get Claire’s attention. With her ears submersed, she probably wouldn’t hear him. Should he splash her? The idea of removing his clothes and diving into the water was appealing, but times had changed. For one thing, there was Nichol. As much as Tony doubted that she’d awaken and make her way down to the pool, he didn’t want to take the chance. The other difference was the woman who dominated his thoughts and currently his vision. His wife deserved better than to be seen on estate security in a compromising position.

Just as Tony was about to lean down and splash, the most gorgeous emerald eyes in the entire world opened and an even bigger smile blossomed on her face.

“Good evening, Claire.”

He walked toward the pool’s steps as Claire swam his direction. Soon she was standing and their lips were reunited. Without a word they said so many things. It had been two days since he’d been home. He hated traveling without Claire and Nichol, but he understood. He understood that Claire didn’t want Nichol’s childhood spent in apartments and airplanes when she had the beauty of an Iowa summer and all the amenities of a five-star resort outside her backdoor. That didn’t mean they never traveled, but sometimes separation was necessary. Thankfully with Tim’s increased role, it wasn’t too often.

“Good evening, Tony. I’ve missed you,” she said with a grin as pool water dripped from her body and puddled near his shoes. “I think you’re overdressed for this pool party.”

He’d missed her too, every minute. “Party?” he asked, intrigued. Whatever she’d been thinking about had left her in a spirited mood. “I don’t believe I was invited.”

Pulling his shirt toward the water, she teased, “You’re the only expected guest. Didn’t you get the invitation?”

Grinning, he stopped her progress toward the water and lifted her chin. “While I like the way that sounds, first tell me how you’re feeling.”

Her bottom lip playfully protruded as she released his shirt and walked past him to get her robe. Cameras be damned, Tony wanted to touch what was in front of him in the white tankini. He couldn’t resist as his hand playfully swatted her wet behind. Though the contact was minimal, the moisture caused the sound to echo as Claire jumped and smiled in his direction.

“Hey, you can’t do that!”

“Oh, I can’t?” His devilish grin glowed in the darkness. “I thought I made the rules. I asked you a question.”

With her lips pressed defiantly together, she donned her robe. As he watched her bathing suit-clad body disappear, Tony wondered how long it would be before her breasts began to grow. As he recalled, that was one of the first things he noticed when he learned she was pregnant with Nichol. Perhaps they had. Maybe he should undo the robe and take a closer look. As those thoughts came and multiplied, Claire reached for his hand and led him toward the chairs.