Megan's Mate

Epilogue

“Mom! We're here!”

Megan glanced up from her desk just as Kevin flew in the office door. She lifted her brow at the suit jacket and tie he wore.

“My, my, don't you look handsome!”

“You said I had to dress up 'cause it's Aunt Colleen's birthday dinner. I guess it's okay.” He stretched his neck. “Dad showed me how to tie the tie by myself.”

“And you did a fine job.” She restrained herself from smoothing and straightening the knot. “How was the tour business today?”

“It was great. Calm seas and a freshening breeze. We sighted the first whale off the port bow.”

“Oh, I love that nautical talk.” She kissed his nose.

“If I didn't have to go to school, I could work with Dad and Holt every day, and not just on Saturday.”

“And if you didn't go to school, you'd never know much more than you do today. Saturdays will have to do.” She gave his hair a tug. “Mate.”

He'd expected as much. And, really, he didn't mind school. After all, he was a whole year in front of Alex. He grinned at his mother. “Everybody's here. When are the new babies coming?”

“Mmm...” With the Calhoun sisters in varying stages of pregnancy, it was an interesting question. “I'd say on and off starting next month and through the New Year.”

He ran a fingertip over the corner of her desk. “Who do you think's going to be first? C.C. or Suzanna?”

“Why?” She glanced up from the ledger, and her eyes narrowed. “Kevin, you are not betting on who has the next baby.”

“But, Mom-”

“No betting,” she repeated, and smothered a laugh. “Give me just a minute to finish up here, and I'll be along.”

“Hurry up.” Kevin was bouncing. “The party's already started.”

“All right, I'll just—” Just nothing, she thought, and closed the ledger with a snap. “Office hours are over. Let's go party.”

“All right!” Grabbing her hand, Kevin hauled her out of the room. “Alex said Dutch made this really big cake and it's going to have about a hundred candles on it.”

“Not quite a hundred,” Megan said with a laugh. When they neared the family wing, she glanced toward the ceiling. “Honey, I'd better check upstairs first.”

“Looking for someone?” Nathaniel came down the steps. There was a twinkle in his eye and a tiny pink bundle in his arms.

“I should have known you'd wake her up.”

“She was awake. Weren't you, sugar?” He bent his head to kiss his daughter's cheek. “She was asking for me.”

“Really.”

“She can't talk yet,” Kevin informed his father. “She's only six weeks old.” “She's very advanced for her age. Smart, like her mama.”

“Smart enough to know a sucker when she sees one.” They made such a picture, she thought, the big man with a boy at his side and a baby in his arms. Her picture, she thought, and smiled. “Come here, Luna.”

“She wants to go the party, too,” Kevin declared, reaching up to stroke a finger over his sister's cheek.

“Sure she does. That's what she told me.” “Oh, Dad.”

Grinning, Nathaniel ruffled Kevin's hair. “I could eat a pod of whales, mate. How about you?”

“Aye, aye.” Kevin made a dash for the parlor. “Come on, come on, everybody's waiting.”

“I've got to do this first.” Nathaniel leaned over his daughter to kiss Megan. “Jeez.” With a roll of his eyes, Kevin headed for the noise, and the real fun. “You're looking awfully pleased with yourself,” Megan murmured.

“Why shouldn't I? I've got a beautiful wife, a terrific son, an incredible daughter.” He ran his knuckles over Megan's pearl choker. “What else could I ask for? How about you?”

Megan lifted her hand to pull his mouth back to hers. “I've got the moon and the stars.”