Before Sunrise (74 page)

“
Well, take care. Good to
see you again,” Eric said with an uncomfortable shrug of his
shoulders.

“
Wait.”

He held his breath and did as she asked.

Harper stepped closer to him. “You left and
didn’t call, didn’t come home It’s been three years Eric.”

“
And I hear you’re doing
great things. Congrats on graduating. Now medical school?
Wow.”

“
You’ve been asking about
me?” She blinked those long lashes over chocolate swirls for irises
and it was torture.

“
I always know about the
people I care about.”

“
How long are you in town
for?”

“
A few days,” Eric said,
hearing the hopeful note in his voice.

“
Then have dinner with
me.”

“
Harper I—”

“
You owe me dinner, Eric. I
still haven’t got my graduation gift.” She smiled.

Eric couldn’t help but smile, either. “You
could always convince me of anything.”

“
I hope so. I’ve missed you,
Eric.” She drew closer than he could stand. Lifting on her toes,
she brushed her soft lips over his and he felt his throat close.
She kept her face near his when she spoke. “We have a lot of
catching up to do.”

Had he heard her right? Even now, she wanted
him? He didn’t allow himself to get hopeful. She drew away. “See
you at seven. You know where I stay.”

Before he could say anything more she walked
away. And this time he had the freedom to watch the sway of her
hips. Eric wiped his hand down his face. “What could dinner
hurt?”

***

“
Momma’s sleeping, daddy.
You look tired too.” Mackenzie set down her magazine. Even now Liam
was surprised at how quickly she matured. Her naturally curly locks
were pushed back from her face with a headband. She wore glasses
and he loved how studious and serious they made her appear at
times.

“
You see your brother?” he
asked, kissing her forehead.

“
Nope. I’ll see the little
runt soon though.” She grinned.

Liam nodded, then looked over to Kennedy.
She rested peacefully, her thick dark hair spread over her pillow.
Her left hand guarded her stomach.

“
It’s exciting, huh, daddy?
Having a new baby. I’m kind of happy about it. I guess he can sleep
in my room with me and Sweetie.” Mackenzie eased her arm around his
waist. “I think we should name him Doug.”

Liam shook his head. Mackenzie was never
good at naming anything or anyone. “We’ll have to ask momma what
she thinks.” He squeezed her.

“
Hello?” came a soft whisper
from the door. Harper stuck her head inside.

“
Auntie!” Mackenzie gasped.
She rushed over to her, grinning.

Liam hadn’t known Harper was home from her
travels. The timing couldn’t be more perfect.

She set down the teddy bear and balloons in
order to hug Mackenzie, who hit her with a million questions at
once. Liam just looked on. He was proud of Harper, and told her so
often.

“
How is she?” Harper asked,
escaping Mackenzie’s arms.

“
She’s good.”

Harper shook her head. “She
told me she’d have the baby on the 23
^rd
and damn if she wasn’t right.
I didn’t think I’d get here soon enough. Kennedy plans everything
down to the last detail.”

Liam smiled. “Yeah, she’s special that
way.”

“
C’mon, Mac. Let’s go see
the little ankle biter. You can tell me all about your dance class
Kennedy says you’re all worked up about.”

“
Okay. You going to be okay,
daddy?” Mackenzie narrowed her eyes on him. “I’ll only be gone for
a minute. Watch a little TV until momma wakes up. Keep the volume
down, though.”

Liam nodded. “Will do.”

He watched the girls go.

“
Was that Harper?” Kennedy
asked groggily from the bed. Liam was surprised to find her looking
at him.

“
You awake? Sorry babe. I
know you must be exhausted.”

Kennedy smiled. “I’m fine. Where is he?”

“
In the nursery. They should
be bringing him soon.”

“
I want to hold him.”
Kennedy yawned.

Liam walked around the bed and took her
hand. “You sure you’re okay?”

“
Yes, Liam. I’m fine,” she
said softly. “The doctors said it was a good delivery.”

“
Can I tell you that you
made me so happy today? That you make me happy every
day.”

She lifted her hand from his and touched the
side of his face. “You show me every day.”

Her gaze went behind him to the flowers and
balloons. “Wow, that was quick. Who are they from?”

“
Phil and his wife. He
called and said he wanted to swing by tomorrow if you’re up to
it.”

“
Oh, that’s sweet. I told
you Darlene is pregnant, didn’t I?”

Liam nodded. “Yeah, you told me.” He
marveled over how things changed. Who would ever think that he and
Phil Freeman could be associates, friendly. Not him. Phil remarried
a year later to a woman from his hometown. The two of them were
genuinely happy. Mac still had two daddies.

“
Where’s
Mackenzie?”

“
With Harper.”

Kennedy frowned. “What is it? Why are you
looking at me like that?”

“
Time goes so fast. I still
can’t believe our life some days. I saw our boy and I thought of a
name for him. I want to name him Andrew. We can call him
Drew.”

“
You want to name him after
daddy? We picked out Corey and Noah for names. I thought you didn’t
want him to be a junior.”

“
I know. But we got a lot to
be grateful for. Besides you, the first person to believe in me was
your father. And I like the name.”

“
That is so sweet,
Liam.”

“
Sweet? I’m not
sweet.”

“
Well, the gesture is. And
yes, I like keeping the name in the family. That’s what we are now,
a family.”

Liam nodded. “It’s what we always were. I
never believed otherwise.”

When
he kissed her softly, he took another surge of love straight to his
heart. Another chapter in their lives closed, and like always, he
was ready for the next beginning.

About the Author

Sienna Mynx is your
naughty writer of Paranormal, Contemporary, and Historical
Interracial Romance for readers that love the bad boy's but desire
to be the women that tame them. A current resident of South
Georgia, Sienna Mynx has just emerged into the e-publishing arena.
Her novellas reflect her thirst for romance told from a fresh
perspective with the diversity she craves in erotic romance. Look
for more to come. Visit Sienna Mynx at
http://siennamynx.com

Sienna Mynx has other Romance tales with a
dramatic flavor for you:

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Mel and Tia Trilogy

Game of Hearts Series

Buttercup

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