Free Precious Lace (Lace #4) by Adriane Leigh

My vision blurred and my head swam. 
      A pink positive. 
      We were pregnant. 
      We'd made a baby. 
      My heart roared in my ears. 
      "Cate." Fresh tears sprang to my eyes as I snatched the stick up in my hand and thrust it in her face. 
      "Eva! Eww!" She shoved my hand away. 
      "Cate, we're going to have a baby." Tears flowed down my cheeks as a wild smile spread across my face. 
      "Congratulations, honey." She captured me in a tight hug. I sobbed into her shoulder and held her tight for support. I feared my legs would give out and I would land in a puddle on the tile floor. 
      I pulled away from her and looked at the test in my hand again. That beautiful pink plus sign. I didn't realize I’d wanted to see it so badly. I didn't realize I’d secretly been hoping to see it. I hadn't allowed myself to hope.
      My other hand went down to my tummy and caressed it. There was a little person in there, a little person that was equal parts Carter and me. The idea made me deliriously happy. I sobbed joyous tears and my smile was so wide it hurt my cheeks. 
      "When is Carter going to be home?" Cate asked. 
      "I don't know, should I call him?"
      "I don't think that's the kind of thing you tell a guy over the phone." Cate frowned. 
      "Right. God, I don't even know how he's going to react, Cate." Fear leapt into my stomach again. 
      "I have a feeling once he sees your reaction he'll be overjoyed." Cate wiped her own eyes. "Fuck, I can't believe I’m going to be an aunt," she giggled. 
      "No cussing in front of the baby!" I squealed and rubbed my stomach. 
      "Oh Jesus, don't even start." Cate rolled her eyes. "Do you want me to go? Maybe you should call him and tell him to come home early?" 
      "Yea, I guess I should do that. I'm afraid, Cate." I chewed on my bottom lip. 
      "I promise this is going to be okay, Eva. And your mom is going to get the grandbaby she always dreamed of!" A bright smile flashed across her face. 
      "Oh my God, my mom… she doesn't even know we're married yet."
      "Relax. You guys do everything backwards anyway." She grinned. 
      I pushed her out of the bathroom. 
     
      I'd called Carter and asked if he could come home a little early today. I explained that there wasn't a problem, just a surprise. I only hoped he'd see it as a happy surprise. 
      After I got off the phone I changed into my favorite, curve-hugging wrap dress and settled on the couch, waiting to hear the door open. I fingered the label on a water bottle and dreamed of the future Carter and I would have with our beautiful little baby. I thought about the alcove off the master suite and how it would be perfect for the nursery. I could envision swinging a toddler between us as we walked across the street and watched him or her run through the park. I sighed as I thought about being nine months pregnant, wearing maternity clothes, going to doctor appointments, and seeing our little monkey on the ultrasound. 
      My heart swelled to double its size with love for the little person I hadn't even met yet. 
      And then I heard the door open and butterflies choked my throat and my brain seized up. 
      "Hey, babe." Carter left his briefcase on the side table and walked into the living room. He looked delicious in a pale grey suit with a white shirt and thin black tie. His hair was perfectly tousled and his soft lips were curved in a warm smile as he walked toward me. He hauled me off the couch and planted a kiss on my lips. "You look gorgeous." His hands roamed around my back and down to my bottom.
      "Thanks." I heaved a sigh. Maybe we could skip this conversation and I could beg him to take me upstairs and press me up against those windows in the bedroom.  
      "Everything okay?" He dipped his head and his gorgeous blue eyes regarded me thoughtfully. 
      "Yea, everything is perfect." I chewed on my lower lip. 
      "Then why this?" He quirked an eyebrow and pulled my lip from between my