She opened the door, smiling as the bell chimed her arrival. Brandon turned, a grin forming as soon as he saw her.

“Boss? What are you doing here?”

She smiled back at him. “What can I say? I missed you.”

“Missed Annie, more likely,” he said. “She’s been moping around here lovesick since you left.”

She raised an eyebrow. Were they that bad at hiding it?

He laughed. “Oh, come on. We’re not blind.”

“Does Annie know you know?”

He shook his head. “Don’t think so.”

She leaned closer. “Molly knows too?”

“Everyone knows.”

She smiled. “Well, then I won’t pretend that she’s not the reason I came back.” She glanced to the back. “Is she in the office?”

“No. Lunch. Suzanne came by.” He looked at his watch. “Forty-five minutes ago, so she should be back soon.”

“Okay. Well, I’ll go see how messy my office is then.”

He stopped her with a hand on her arm. “Glad you’re back. Gonna stay a while?”

She nodded. “Yeah. I’m going to stay.”

“Good. Because I didn’t like having to get on Jessica for being late to work.”

Jordan laughed. “You better let her know I’m back then. I’d hate to have to fire her.”

She stopped at the popcorn machine and filled a sack, then grabbed a water bottle before heading into the office. It was neat and tidy, and she sat down, still smiling as she nibbled on popcorn.

Her flight hadn’t been until later, but she’d gotten to the airport early, hoping to fly standby. She lucked out and got on the next plane out. It was a direct flight to Houston and she’d only had to wait a little over an hour before taking a commuter plane to Corpus. She’d left Chicago in a rush and had only briefly spoken with a real estate agent. He’d wanted her to hang around a few more days so they could meet and discuss the condo. No, hanging around wasn’t an option. She’d have to make a trip back to settle things there and to make arrangements for moving her things down here. But that would have to wait. She simply couldn’t stay there another minute.

Really, she didn’t know how much of her stuff she wanted to keep, anyway. Her bed, for sure. She had a couple of pieces of furniture that she wanted to keep too. Her clothes? No. She would have no use for them here.

The back door burst open, and Annie stood there, staring at her, a smile on her face. Then she walked slowly into the office, pausing to close the door and lock it.

“You’re early,” she accused.

Jordan shrugged. “A little.”

“A lot.”

Jordan stood, smiling too. “I got here as fast as I could.”

Annie finally came closer, falling into her arms. They kissed, hard, then softer, slower. Jordan pulled her as close to her body as she could, feeling the baby between them. She closed her eyes as Annie buried her face against her neck.

“I missed you so much,” Annie murmured. “Please don’t leave me again.”

“I won’t. I couldn’t stand being away from you,” she admitted. “I shouldn’t have even tried.”

Annie pulled back, meeting her eyes. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” she whispered.

Annie nodded and smiled. “Can we go home?”

“I thought it was your night to close.”

“I’m fairly certain Brandon can be bribed to stay late.”

Jordan kissed her quickly. “He knows about us, by the way.”

Annie tilted her head. “Really? Good. Then I can quit trying to hide it.”

Jordan kissed her again. “Apparently, you haven’t been doing a very good job of it. Even Molly knows.”

Annie’s expression turned serious. “I’m glad they all know, Jordan. It feels so…so real, so special. I don’t want to hide it. Not from anyone. I hope that’s okay with you.”

Jordan nodded. “Yes. Whatever you’re comfortable with, I’m okay. But your mother may find out,” she warned.

Annie nodded. “And I’m okay with that too. I love you. I don’t care who knows.”

Jordan pulled her into a tight hug, feeling as…well, as happy as she could ever remember. Annie made her feel whole and complete, made her entire existence on this earth meaningful. Finally, she felt at peace…and at home.

“Let’s go home. I kinda missed Pelican’s Landing too.”



Chapter Forty-Four

“It’s a boy!”

Jordan went to her mother and hugged her. “It’s a boy,” she said again. “And he’s beautiful.”

Her mother started crying immediately, like Jordan knew she would. Even though her mother had not voiced her preference, Jordan knew she would be pleased if it was a boy. She glanced over at her father, who was beaming, and she went to hug him too.

“How is Annie?” her mother asked as she wiped at the corner of her eye. “She wasn’t in labor too long. I hope she—”

“She did great,” Jordan said. “It was the most amazing thing I’ve ever witnessed.” Then she laughed. “And now I know that I don’t ever, ever, want to give birth.”

Her mother laughed. “No, honey, I can’t see you pregnant.”

“Let me get back in there,” she said. “I’ll come get you as soon as Annie is ready for visitors.”

Her mother stopped her. “Jordan…what about Annie’s mother?”

Jordan shrugged. “I called her as soon as we got here.”

Her mother shook her head. “I just don’t understand her. That’s her grandbaby.”

“I know, Mom.”

“I feel so sorry for Annie.”

“Me too. But she has you. That means a lot to her,” Jordan said. “I’ll be right back.”

When she went back into the delivery room, Annie was still holding the baby and a nurse was supporting his head.

Annie glanced at her and smiled. “We’re learning how to breast-feed.”

Jordan stopped. “Ah…maybe I should, you know, come back later.”

Annie laughed. “Come over here. You made it through the birth, I think you can make it through this.”

Jordan smiled. “He’s so damn cute,” she said as she walked closer. “I can’t believe how much hair he has.”

“Look at him latching on already,” the nurse said. “You won’t have a problem with him nursing.”

“That’s so beautiful,” Jordan whispered. She met Annie’s gaze. “You’re both so beautiful.”

Annie reached a hand out and tugged her closer. She glanced over at the nurse. “Thank you.”

The nurse smiled and left them alone. Jordan squeezed her hand tight. “I love you, Annie.”

“I love you. And we have a family now.”

“Yes, we do.” Jordan leaned closer and kissed her. “How do you feel?”

“Tired. But happy. I imagine your parents are anxious to come in, huh?”

“Whenever you’re ready. Do they need to take him to the nursery?”

“After we breast-feed, they’ll take him for a bath and an examination. I’ll move to the maternity ward then.”

“You want me to tell Mom to wait?”

“Oh, no. She can come in and see him before they take him.” Annie smiled. “We can’t keep saying ‘him,’ you know.”

“Have you decided on a name?”

“I liked the one you picked,” Annie said.

Jordan smiled. “I picked a new favorite every week. Which one?”

“Jacob Matthew Thomas Sims.”

Jordan grinned. “Jake. I picked that name last week.”

“Yes. I love it. Do you think your mother will?”

Jordan nodded. “Yes. She’ll be thrilled.”

Annie’s gaze was locked on the baby. “Your mother said that both you and Matt were born with hair like this,” she said. She brushed her fingers gently through it. “I love that he’s so much like you.”

“Annie…I’m sorry that your mother is not here.”

Annie looked at her quickly, then turned her gaze back to Jacob. “I know. I thought that she…well, I thought that she might come by. Maybe she’ll wait until we get back to Rockport.”

“Honey, give her time. She’ll come around.”

“You keep saying that. But so far—”

“How can she not? Look at him? He’s so beautiful. She’ll fall in love with him.”

“I hope so.” Annie drew her down for a kiss. “Why don’t you go get your parents? I think I’m ready.” She pulled a sleeping Jacob from her breast. “I think he’s ready.”

* * *

Annie woke slowly, rolling her head to the side. When she opened her eyes, Jordan was there, watching her.

“Where’s Jacob?”

“Sleeping,” Jordan said quietly, motioning to the crib beside her. “He’s adorable.”

Annie smiled. “You’re adorable.” She sat up. “How long did I sleep?”

“A couple of hours.”

“He’ll be ready to eat soon.”

“Yes. Are we supposed to wake him to eat?”

“If he doesn’t wake on his own, yes,” she said, trying to remember everything she’d learned. “For the first couple of weeks, he should feed every two to three hours.”

Jordan took her hand. “How do you feel?”

“Better.” She raised an eyebrow. “Have you eaten?”

Jordan shook her head. “No. I didn’t want to leave you. Are you hungry?”

“Not really. But you should go get something. I’ll be fine.”

Jordan stood up, then leaned down and kissed her. “I love you. I’ll be right back.”

Annie smiled as she watched Jordan leave, then her gaze drifted over to a sleeping Jacob. He was wrapped up tight in his blanket, his dark hair covered with a cap. She reached out and pulled the crib closer to her bed. She would let him sleep another half hour before she woke him. She leaned back on her pillows, still smiling as she stared at him. He really was beautiful. She’d told everyone she didn’t have a preference—boy or girl—but secretly, she’d hoped it would be a boy. She also knew Loraine wished for a boy. Not that Jacob could ever take Matt’s place, but he would at least be a tiny replica of his father.

She turned to the door when she heard a light knocking on it.

“Come in,” she called. She was surprised to see her mother open the door.

Her smile faltered a little as her mother came into the room. She wasn’t sure what to say to her. Their relationship had deteriorated even further, and Annie hadn’t seen or talked to her in over a month. Christmas had come and gone without so much as a greeting. Even with all of that, she still expected—hoped—that her mother would show up for the birth.

“Are you okay?”

Annie nodded. “I’m fine.”

Her mother’s gaze slid to Jacob. “A boy?”

“Yes.”

Her mother came closer. “What did you name him?”

“Jacob Matthew,” she said.

“He looks beautiful.”

“Yes. I’ll wake him soon. He needs to eat.” She smiled. “My breasts are huge. They’re going to show me how to use a breast pump.”

Her mother finally looked at her, meeting her eyes. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here.”

Annie shrugged. “Loraine was here. And Jordan, of course.”

She noticed her mother’s expression harden at the mention of Jordan’s name. She had yet to tell her mother the extent of their relationship. She could only imagine her reaction. She feared it would drive a permanent wedge between them and she wasn’t ready for that. She hoped that the baby could bring them closer together again.

“Are you going to continue to live there? With her?”

“Yes.”

“You’re going to need help, Annie. You could come home with us,” her mother offered.

Annie tilted her head. “Mom? During my whole pregnancy, you’ve been ashamed of me. I know at the beginning, it was a shock to you. But after all this time, you’ve still remained distant. Why is that?”

“I think maybe it is you who has been distant.”

Annie shook her head. “No.” She paused. “Is all of this really because I’m living with Jordan?”

“You know how I feel about her.”

“Yes, you’ve made that perfectly clear. The problem is, you don’t even know anything about her. She’s…she’s so kind and caring. She’s…she’s solid. No matter what, she’s been there for me. Through all of this, from the first day I met her, she’s been my rock. I don’t think I could have made it through this without her.”

“You don’t have to try to sell her to me, Annie. I simply don’t approve of her lifestyle.” She pointed at Jacob. “And now you’re going to expose an innocent baby to all that. God only knows how he’s going to turn out.”

Annie bit her lower lip, trying so hard to keep her retort inside. She failed, however.

“Turn out?” she asked loudly. “Children of gay parents turn out perfectly fine, thank you. He will have a very loving home. And he will have grandparents who love him and spoil him.” She paused. “Well, at least one set, anyway.”

“You act like I don’t want to have anything to do with him.”

“Do you? You don’t want to have anything to do with me.”

“Nonsense. If that was the case, I wouldn’t have offered for you to move back with us.” She took a step closer. “Please consider it, Annie. If not for you, then for the baby. He needs a normal home. You don’t know what she might do to him.”