Page 103 of A New Chapter

“That’s our Gracie,” Alex said.

“So, Mom, if you don’t mind, we’d rather not make a big announcement at dinner tomorrow. You can tell our extended family after Emma’s appointment next week, ok?”

Emma watched various emotions flicker across Alex’s face, the primary one being disappointment.

“You heard him, Alex. No spilling the beans tomorrow!” Joe added for good measure.

Realizing that she was outnumbered, Alex caved. “Ok, fine. I’ll keep my mouth shut, but as soon as you find out that Emma and the baby are ok, call me!”

“You’ll be at the top of our list,” Emma said reassuringly. Now that her stress had abated, Emma decided it would be ok to indulge in some cheese and crackers. She hadn’t had anything to eat since lunch, and she was famished. She had just taken the first bite when…

“I have one more question. When are you two getting married?” Alex asked.

The cheese and cracker morsel flew out of Emma’s mouth with such velocity and accuracy that it landed with a splat on the front of Alex’s colorful blouse! Zack immediately jumped up to get a napkin, and horrified, Emma quickly swallowed what remained in her mouth.

“I’m so sorry, Alex. Oh my God. I hope I didn’t ruin your blouse.”

Alex wiped feverishly at the stain while the rest of them hovered around her.

“Well, this has been an exciting evening,” Joe said deadpan.

Zack looked back and forth between Emma and his mother, obviously needing a moment to formulate his response.

Embarrassed over what had just transpired, Emma decided to step in and save him. “We only just found out about the baby, Mrs. Kostas”—it seemed like the right time to use her formal title—“so we haven’t made any definite plans yet.”

“Hmm…”

Zack interrupted before his mother could say anything more. “We’ll be sure to keep you apprised of any new developments.”

After his parents left, Zack thumped himself on the forehead. “Apprised of any new developments? Did I really say that? Please tell me that I didn’t say that?”

Emma giggled. “Well, how about me, with the cheese incident? I didn’t know cheese could fly that far.”

Zack rolled back on the bed, buckled up with laughter, which caused Emma to go into hysterics too.

“And then Joe says, ‘This has been an exciting evening.’” Zack imitated his dad’s voice to perfection, setting off another round of raucous laughter.

Once their laughter subsided, Emma propped herself up on her elbow and gazed down at him. “Do you really think they’re ok with it?”

“Yes, I do. Just wait until Zeus is born, and then you’ll see. Everyone is going to love him.”

“Again with the name? What if it’s a girl?”

“Already on it. There’s Athena or Artemis or…”

“Zack?”

“Hmm?”

“Shut up and kiss me.”

Zack pulled her over on top of him, took her face in his hands, and did as she had asked. His lips moved slowly, deliberately, kissing across her mouth from corner to corner in a tantalizing pattern. Emma threaded her fingers through his wavy hair and massaged his scalp until he sighed.

All of the stress of the past several days melted away, and it was just the two of them in the quiet of his darkened bedroom. Zack’s hands had moved down to cup her bottom, and she began to grind against him, enveloped in the fabulous friction that they generated.

“Too hot,” Zack muttered between kisses.

“We are, aren’t we?” Emma replied, tracing his lips with her tongue.