None of it made sense, coming from someone she respected.
And it was only because of those long years of working together, on top of that worn-out look that stretched his normally smooth veneer, that Sera tried to find some sort of common ground in the midst of his put-downs.
“David, if you’re concerned about my work, please tell me. Otherwise, I’m afraid I need to stress that I’m hardly flaunting anything. I may be a public defender, but I’m also free to live my life as I see fit.”
“I care about you, Sera. About your well-being.”
“I care about my well-being, too. In fact—” She hesitated briefly, almost thinking better of saying anything during this odd and inappropriate debate between the two of them. But her body was changing by the day, and she wasn’t interested in hiding the truth any longer, either. “I have some happy news.”
“Oh?”
“I’m pregnant.”
“You’re—” It was his turn to catch himself, more of those strange emotions crossing his face. “That’s wonderful news, Sera. Babies are a celebration. A wonderful affirmation of life.”
“I think so.”
She got the distinct sense he was about to ask her about her personal life, especially since he knew she wasn’t married or in a relationship, when he seemed to think better of it.
In fact...
If she wasn’t sitting right opposite him, watching for his reaction, she had no doubt she’d have missed it. But with a brief flash of awareness, she saw it.
A sort of knowing in his dark brown eyes.
And quite without knowing why, Sera fought off the wash of cold that gripped her bones with fierce fingers and refused to let go.
Although he technically wouldn’t be cleared for work until tomorrow, Gavin had refused to sit home when he’d heard that Captain Reed was going to honor Mack and Valencia with a small reception at the hospital.
Valencia had made incredible progress, her own determination to leave the hospital matched with the incredible good fortune that the gunman had missed several major organs when he’d shot her. And this evening she was going home.
It was just like Captain Reed, his focus and care for his people the endless proof of how strong a leader he was and why they all had such unswerving loyalty for the man. And because of it, Gavin had headed out to the hospital, pleased to be there for something hopeful instead of the reasons for the past few weeks’ visits.
He’d also gone to visit Jayden on his way over. He was finishing up his bereavement leave and would be back on Harbor the following week. Gavin had extended an invite to join him for the small party, but Jayden had declined, using a dinner at his mother’s house as his excuse for missing it.
Gavin gave him the space, well aware the man could have done both, but recognized why this was too big a leap right now. And why, no matter how positively Jayden felt that Valencia was heading home, it couldn’t erase the fact that his husband would never do the same.
But his parting words still stuck in Gavin’s chest.
Thanks for being there for me, man. At the hospital and in all the time since. And thanks for inviting me tonight. Keep asking. One of these days I’ll be ready.
He’d lived years with that lack of readiness. Probably too long, if he were honest with himself. And it made the reality of the changes Sera had brought to his life deeply affirming.
It was also proof that people could not only heal, but they could find their way back to something good.
Oh, how he wanted that someday for Jayden.
His text notification went off, and he pulled his phone out as he walked the last block to the hospital.
Almost there. You won’t believe the day I had.
He stopped to text her back, stalling on the sidewalk so he could greet her and walk in with her.
Can’t wait to see you. You can tell me all about it.
As he hit Send, Gavin couldn’t hold back the smile. The fact they could share things at the end of the day had very quickly become one of the best parts of his evening, and he couldn’t wait to put an arm around her and pull her close.
It was that steadily growing need to be with her, to talk to her, to touch her that drove him. Where before he had found that solace in a job well done and in pushing himself to be the best physically and mentally, all that energy had shifted.
Not that the work was less important or that he wanted to cut back on his conditioning, but it...consumed less. And instead, he was consumed with Sera. With their talk of the baby that would be here in a few short months. With the future he envisioned for the three of them.
What had begun as intense sexual desire had combined with the deepest sort of intimacy and interest in another person. And the more time he spent with her, the less he could see his life without her in it.
It had his heart catching in his throat as he saw her walking toward him from the opposite direction. And even though she was so close, he couldn’t stand still, waiting for her. He caught her up halfway down the block, pulling her close and nearly off her feet.
“Gavin!” The breeze caught strands of her dark red hair whipping around her face, carrying her laughter up on the air.
“I missed you.”
She stilled, her smile dimming as it moved to her eyes while her arms lifted to wrap around his neck. “I missed you, too.”
Their mouths met, an affirmation of all he’d anticipated while waiting for her. And as he sank into her, taking her lips with his own and spinning them on a wild ride of yearning and fulfillment, he knew it was time to tell her how he felt.
Later. When they were alone and could talk. It was time to tell her how he felt. How much he wanted her and a future with her. And how determined he was to show her every day what she meant to him.
“Well, I think I know why all my days used to drag.” Her arm was still around his neck, her smile flashing in the dying light of the day.
“Drag how?”
