Page 21 of Lost and Found Pieces 3

He leaned into her ear and told her what had gone on in the back. Shannon blinked, shocked at the danger that had been mere feet from them.

“The CIA is here now and they’re taking the men away, flying them to Virginia. The rest are heading to the hospital to get Angela checked out.”

“Does she want us to keep the baby?”

John shook his head. “That mama bear is not letting her cub go. Aiden said to make his apologies to Zeke and Ember, if they notice they’re gone. Otherwise, they’ll see us tomorrow for Christmas.”

Shannon shook her head, rubbing her belly. “What a crazy night. I hope Angela is okay.”

“She will be,” John assured her. “She was up and seemed to be moving around fine, though she was a little shocky.”

“Well, of course she is,” Shannon breathed. “Are you sure we shouldn’t go to the hospital?”

“I’m sure,” John said, leaning in to kiss her. “The boys behaving?”

Shannon nodded and pointed toward the far wall. A space had been sectioned off for the kids to play. Mateo was there, watching over all the littles. Wyatt was dancing, and Caleb was hanging on Mercy, looking up at the girl like she was the funnest thing. The photographer was down on her knees again, getting shots of all the kids. Shannon would have to see about buying some prints from Ember.

John smiled, and she could see the pride he had for his boys. “What are we naming this girl?” she asked, pointedly.

John leaned in, rubbing his hands over her belly. “I don’t know. Caleb and Wyatt were easy choices, but the girl names are harder. Bertha? Chastity? Elvira? I know, Karen!”

Shannon winced and sighed. “No Karen. I’m not cursing this kid right at birth.”

A ripple moved through her belly, tightening her muscles, and Shannon drew in a long breath. When she opened her eyes, John was giving her a hard look. “What the fuck was that?”

She didn’t even bother correcting him on his language. He’d been doing so good not cussing in front of the boys. “Braxton-hicks.”

“I don’t think that was what that was,” he growled. “Are you in labor? Is that why you were asking me about her name?”

Shannon sighed, and her eyes filled with tears. “I’m really trying not to be. This is Ember and Zeke’s night, and I don’t want to ruin it.”

“Well, it must be a full moon, because it’s already been a little crazy. Should we take you in to get you checked out?”

Shannon glanced around. “No. Give me a little bit longer. They’re about to cut the cake.”

John drew back, but she could tell he wasn’t happy. “It’ll be okay,” she promised him.

* * *

Zeke knew something was going on, just not what. Several of the guys had disappeared out the back, including Duncan and John Palmer. John rolled back in a few minutes ago and caught Zeke’s gaze. When he cocked his head in question, John waved a hand that everything was okay, then headed to the table where Shannon was sitting.

“If something is going on, I don’t want to know about it,” Ember murmured, swaying in his arms. “This night is too perfect.”

Zeke smiled down at her. “Really?”

She nodded, her crown glimmering in the light. He’d poked his chin on one of the points a minute ago, so he had to hold his head away from her. “What would you have done differently?”

She clasped her hands around his neck and leaned back to look at him. “That’s just it. You did everything I would have done. And in the process you saved me so much worrying and fretting over stupid things. This wasn’t something you had to do on your own, though.”

“I know,” he said quickly. “but I wanted to. Between the bar and taking care of Drew and I, you don’t have a lot of spare time. I did leave you one thing to do, though.”

She smiled slightly. “What’s that?”

“You have to pick where we’re going for our honeymoon.”

“Oh,” she breathed. “You know, I love the snow, but maybe we could go somewhere warm?”

Zeke gave a nod. “I’m down for that. I love you, Ember.”