Weekend Fling (13 page)

“Oh, honey, you can guarantee that your momma wasn’t going to miss this day.” Giving her a big hug as they stood off to the side of the crowd littering the Army-Navy Club reception hall, they watched the crowd of well-wishers interact. “That man of yours, what does he do again?”

“He owns a personal security company here in
Arlington
. He was a Navy SEAL for many years, but got out about two months ago. He and a friend opened up a company, and they have some pretty high-profile clients under their belt already. A lot of business leaders and political figures have found their way to his office door. It’s amazing how quickly the business has kicked off for them.”

“Hmm, well, as long as he treats you right, then I’m happy. By the way, how’s my grandson feeling today?”

“Happy! There must be something in the punch. He’s been turning cartwheels all day.” Chuckling, she gave her dad another squeeze and made her way to Austin who was in the midst of talking with some of his buddies.

When he noticed her walking over to him, he broke away and met her in the middle. “Hello, Wife.” Kissing her on the lips, he pulled her into his arms just as a favorite slow song came on. The deejay was good. He knew exactly what was needed at the right time.

“Hello, Husband.” Melting into his arms, Kara felt secure in his love for her and the strength of his commitment. He had never said the words, but he showed her how he felt in everything he did. This day had been amazing. The wedding ceremony was simple yet elegant, and her momma, tough as she is, cried throughout the entire thing. Austin and her dad had come to an agreement of sorts. As long as
Austin
never gave her reason to be upset, Austin and her daddy would be fine. Her brother was traveling overseas for business and couldn’t make it into town. Loving big brother that he was, he had called her three times since he found out she was getting married. She knew he wished them well.

Austin
’s parents had come into town as well, and his mother was absolutely adorable. As soon as she saw Kara’s stomach, she burst into tears. At first, it made Kara nervous since she didn’t know if she was crying tears of joy or if she was upset about Kara and the baby. When Mrs. Delaney walked up to her and gave her a huge hug and whispered, “Thank you, dear, thank you,” she knew things would be okay.

Well, other than
Austin
’s dad. It wasn’t that he was mean or rude to her. He just wasn’t very “pleased,” or at least it looked that way. During the entire ceremony, his mouth was set in a stern line as if he was stopping himself from saying something. He was cordial to her and said all the right things, but she knew that things weren’t necessarily to his liking. She wondered if it was because she was black, but then again, she wasn’t going to let that concern her. If he had a problem with her, then he’d have to deal with it.

Putting aside thoughts about
Austin
’s father, she enjoyed the feeling of being in his arms. No one was going to take away her joy in the moment. Lifting her face, she kissed
Austin
softly on the lips. “Thank you. This was amazing.”

“Anything for you, babe. As long as you’re happy. I want to always make you happy.”

“You always have. I believe you always will.”

* * * *

“Oh my God! You son of a bitch! Don’t you ever touch me again. Did you hear me? This hurts,
Austin
. Make it stop. You promised you would always make sure I’m happy. Well, I’m not happy right now. I want the pain to go away!”

“Baby, we can’t. You dilated too fast for them to give you an epidural. We have to go natural. Baby, please understand. Just a few more minutes and David will be born. Just a few more pushes.”

Austin
didn’t know what to do. He felt helpless, and he couldn’t make it any better for her. Both of their parents were in the waiting room, and he was sorely tempted to grab Kara’s mother and make her come in here. He was trying to stay calm, but if she cried out in pain one more time, he was going to rip that fucking doctor’s head off.

“Can’t you do something, Doctor? She can’t take much more of this.”

“This baby doesn’t quite want to come out yet, Mr. Delaney. We’re almost there. We just need Kara to give us a few more pushes. Come on, Kara, I need a few more pushes. Let’s birth this baby.”

Austin
’s heart was ripping in two. He loved this woman with everything he had, and it hurt his heart to see her going through this. If only he could do something to help her. “Baby, come on, push. You can do it. I love you, Kara. Push for me.”

* * * *

Walking into the waiting room, there were two sets of grandparents and tons of uncles and aunts, biological and otherwise. He walked up to his mother and Kara’s mother, as they were both standing together holding hands. Standing in front of them, they looked up with expressions of joy and anticipation. “David Austin Delaney, eight pounds, six ounces, is resting comfortably with his beautiful mother.”

Screams of joy and happiness hurt his ears as everyone in the room jumped up at once to give him a hug or pat him on the back. He couldn’t take the smile off his face and knew he was cheesing like a damn fool. His son was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. They couldn’t tell what color his eyes would be, but right now they looked to be a beautiful deep green. His skin was pale, but you could tell that he would take on some of his mother’s beautiful toffee color. The perfect blend of both of them.

Heather grabbed his arm. “Can we see them?” He knew they were all anxious to make sure they were okay. Kara had been having lunch with Lisa, Heather, her mom, and
Austin
’s mom when her water broke.
Austin
had been at work, and when he received the call, he left in the middle of a client meeting, asking his secretary, Shelly, to smooth things over and reschedule the meeting.

“Let’s check with the nurses, but I’m sure you can.”

Poking his head into the room,
Austin
saw Kara holding David, and his love for the both of them grew even more. “Hey, baby. Do you feel like visitors?”

Looking beautiful, but tired, Kara gave him a wide smile and nodded yes. When her mother entered the room, followed by Lisa, Heather, and his mom, Kara began to cry. “Mom, look at him. Isn’t he the most beautiful baby you’ve ever seen?”

“Well, dear, I’ve only seen one baby more beautiful. That was you.” Watching Kara surrounded by friends and family, he left the room and walked back down the hallway to the waiting room to join the rest of the men. He had his entire life with Kara. He would give her mother this time with her.

Chapter Twelve

Life with David was never boring, and over the next three months, Kara and Austin had learned a whole new meaning for sleep deprivation. Kara glanced down at her gorgeous son, who was happily drinking his bottle, and smiled. He looked so much like his father with his green eyes and dark brown hair, she didn’t mind the disruption to her schedule. Kara welcomed every minute they spent together, even at three in the morning. He was everything to her and Austin, and they would sleep even less if that’s what was needed. Everyone expected his skin to get darker, but Kara didn’t think it would. He would always be a little lighter than expected, but that was okay with her. He was her little prince, and
Austin
spoiled him rotten every second that he was home.

When the door opened, she assumed that it was
Austin
and didn’t look up. Imagine her surprise when she heard
Austin
’s dad begin to speak. “Hi, Kara.”

“Hi, Mr. Delaney. What a welcome surprise.
Austin
will be so happy to see you. Is Mrs. Delaney downstairs?”

“Yes, that woman has cornered Rosa in the kitchen to make sure she’s feeding you and
Austin
right. She’s a bulldog, that woman.”

“Don’t let her hear you say that. I won’t be liable for what she does.” Laughing at the vision of the petite Mrs. Delaney ripping into Mr. Delaney, who was almost six-three, Kara couldn’t help but laugh. Seeing that David was finished with his meal, she lifted him over her shoulder and began patting his back.

“So, Kara, I wanted to talk to you. Actually, I wanted to apologize.” He looked uncomfortable, and Kara thought she knew what this was about.

“I know you weren’t happy about me, Mr. Delaney. It’s okay. Everything happened quite suddenly, and I can understand the questions you must have had. Any father would question whether or not a woman whom their son had only met for such a short time could really be pregnant with his child. If it were David, I know I would question it.”

When he cleared his throat, Kara realized there was something else. Uh-oh, this wasn’t going to be good. “Actually, there was another concern I had. I thought you were after
Austin
’s money.”

“What money? I mean, I know he does well, but then again, I have my own career as well. I know he can take care of us well enough, but I lived a good life before
Austin
came around.”

“What money? Kara, don’t you know?” Now he was really looking uncomfortable. “I’m sorry, I thought
Austin
had told you about our family.”

Hearing David burp, Kara got up and placed him into his crib and covered him up. Straightening up, she walked out of the room and down the stairs with
Austin
’s father following behind. It seemed as if Mr. Delaney, both Austin and his father, had some explaining to do. Sitting down on the couch in the main living room, Kara turned to her father-in-law and leveled a stare at him.

“What don’t I know about your family, and what does it have to do with money?”

“
Austin
’s a millionaire, Kara. Our family is from old money, and
Austin
doesn’t need to work a day in his life. When our little David grows up, and any other grandchildren, they will have the same opportunities. That was my concern at first, and I’m sorry. I realize that you and Austin truly love each other, and I couldn’t be happier for him. I apologize for ever doubting you.”

Kara was livid.
Austin
had never told her. He was filthy rich, and he had never mentioned anything. Did he doubt her as well? Did he intentionally keep this from her? She didn’t know why he would do this, but she needed to know.