“That night actually,” Dani admitted.
“What?” Angela said shooting her a look.
“You made a joke asking if everyone should be expecting some good news in the future and it hit me that I’d missed several days’ worth. I had a left-over test from the first time, and it came up positive.”
“We stopped in at the doctor’s office the next day and got the confirmation,” Luke added.
“Wow, so you two knew from the second you came home? And you still waited that long to tell us?” Angela asked. “Never mind…”
“It’s okay; I was worried something would happen despite Miranda’s continuous reassurances that we shouldn’t have anything to worry about. Now we’re looking forward to January.”
“Is that right Luke?” Calvin stated. “A crying, screaming baby won’t like travelling all over the country very much.”
“Which is why I’ve cut back on the amount of travelling I’ve been doing; I think we’re both going to be sticking around home much more and I couldn’t be more thrilled that our family’s growing.”
Dani leaned into him as the group continued to discuss their news and was glad when he moved them over to see his parents giving her a chance to sit and rest her feet. She gave him a kiss as he went off to speak with some others and allowed the majority of the party to fade from mind. Her hand rested on her bump as she made a comment here and there with her in-laws, trying to hide the fact that she wanted to leave. She’d rather be home with Luke curled up on the couch or in bed sleeping—or not sleeping as it was.
“Dani,” she heard Luke say and she turned her head to look at him as he neared. “I’d like you to meet Samuel the new head of our IT department.”
Her gaze strayed to the person with him, and her heart jumped into her throat. This was not happening, not now, not when they were so happy.
“Danielle?” Sam said as she stood.
Luke looked between them seeing the recognition in Sam’s eyes and worried. “You two know each other?”
“Danielle and I went to school together, guess that’s what I get for not bothering to read any of the gossip reports out there,” Sam stated.
“I’m glad you didn’t,” Dani replied slipping over beside Luke. “Ninety-nine percent of it is made up and the one percent that’s true is taken out of context.”
“I wondered where you went; you disappeared off the grid.”
“Long story, one that’s in print but out of context,” she told him as Luke’s hold tightened on her side. “But how have you been?”
“Good, great with this job actually, though why aren’t you taking it on? You could probably do it all with your hands tied behind your back.”
“I’m going to be very busy with other things,” she stated rubbing her stomach with love.
“Oh, I guess so. How’d Dean react to the news?”
“Dean’s gone,” she said hoping to stop any more questions regarding him.
“Dani, I’m sorry. I know how close you two were, more than just because of…”
“Thank you but I really can’t talk about it right now, hormones will make me burst into tears and that would certainly hit the papers,” she said cutting him off.
“Of course, it was great seeing you. Maybe we could sit down and go over the aspects of the system later? You always were the best,” Sam suggested.
“I’m sure I can see about that,” she agreed and let out her breath as he left.
“You okay?” Luke inquired running his hands down her arms.
“Yeah, just a bit overwhelmed, I guess. I didn’t expect to see him and then brining up Dean…”
“Why don’t we go home? We’ve put in enough of an appearance and you look tired.”
“That sounds like heaven,” she stated hoping that Sam wouldn’t say anything to anyone about Dean in her absence. She needed to find a way to get him out of the picture and fast.
Later as they lay in bed Luke pulled her into his arms brushing a strand of hair from her face as he asked, “What would you say about naming one of the babies after Dean? He meant the world to you.”