“I know. I’m sorry.” Her voice was suitably contrite. “I didn’t check the messages until Monday, after Claire told me what happened. It was because I was so upset with you. That was childish of me. I’m sorry.”
“Not as sorry as you’re going to be when I get back,” he said, his voice terse with his unveiled threat. “I don’t like the idea of you living alone, what with crazies like your neighbor’s husband running around town. Like it or not, as soon as I get back you’re living with me.”
“Living with you?” She repeated the words like she was confused. “But I have a house already.” Then she paused and when she spoke again her voice was low. “Are you moving in with me?”
Rafe gave a hiss of exasperation. She was usually a sharp-witted girl but now she was being so slow. “Anya Petersen,” he said slowly, “what part of ‘will you marry me’ don’t you understand?”
She gasped. And then she shrieked into the phone, making him jump. “I’m going to kill you,” she screeched. “Just wait till you get back. Is that the way you propose?”
Rafe grimaced again. “Sorry, Anya. That’s just my way, I guess. When I get back to Germany I’ll get down on one knee and do it right.” Then he chuckled. “Heck, I’ll do it right in the middle of my classroom full of babies, if you want. For now, though, just understand that you will be marrying me when I get back.”
“It sounds like you’re under the mistaken impression that you’re in charge.” He could hear the laughter in Anya’s voice.
“I am in charge.”
“No, you’re not and when you get back I’ll prove it. I have this hold where I put my fingers just at the base of your throat and-”
“Woman, will you just shut up and tell me you’ll marry me?”
That only made her laugh out loud. “How can I shut up and speak at the same time?”
Rafe shook his head then heaved a sigh of utter frustration. “Anya, Anya, Anya.” He sighed again. “Anya, will you marry me?”
“Of course I will, Rafe.” Then her voice turned sly. “As long as you admit that I’m the one in charge.”
Rafe sighed yet again. “Yes, Anya. You’re the one in charge.”
“See, that wasn’t so hard, was it?” She chuckled into the phone. “But there’s one more thing.”
“Yes, Anya,” he said, resigned to more of her foolishness. “What is it?”
“You still owe me two spankings and I expect you to deliver.”
Now that, he could handle. “With pleasure,” he said. “I can hardly wait.”
EPILOGUE
One year later Anya was big, bulging and beaming. Whoever said pregnancy was hard work didn’t know what they were talking about. She’d never felt better or more energetic in her life. She had a wide smile on her face as she sat with friends and family in the living room of the house Rafe had bought them right there in Bremen. Rafe, ever the caring husband, had arranged a surprise baby shower so that the people they loved could share in their joy.
Now he was leaning over to whisper in her ear. “I can sneak out now, right? Baby showers are for women. Lion and Khalil and me, we want to-”
“Sit,” she whispered back through clenched teeth. “Don’t you move one inch.” And then, like she hadn’t just bullied her husband, she smiled and waved at her fellow teacher. “It’s beautiful, Claire. And yellow is always a safe color for babies.” Then, while the rest of the group oohed and aahed over baby clothes she waved Rafe’s friends over. “I heard the business you guys set up is going pretty well,” she said.
“Sure is.” Lion was grinning from ear to ear. “With the business advice we get from your good husband we’ll be rich in no time.”
Khalil laughed. “I wouldn’t make big plans just yet but we’ll do fine. We’re off to a pretty good start.”
And then, as the guests began to drift toward the buffet table Rafe gave Anya a nudge. “Are you going to tell them now?”
She nodded. “Now is as good a time as any.”
With Rafe’s help she heaved up and out of her chair. “Ladies and gentlemen,” she called out, “I have an announcement to make.”
Everyone paused and turned to look at her and she was suddenly overwhelmed with gratitude for the love these people were showing her, some of them traveling thousands of miles just to wish her well. All three of Rafe’s brothers were there – Ransom and Ryder and Ridge – and so were her mom and dad. And then there were friends from all over, including many of the teachers from her school.
“This was quite a surprise,” she said, “and I have to thank my husband for getting all of you to come to celebrate with me today.” She turned to look at Rafe. “To celebrate our family.”
Then she turned back to her audience. “And now I have a surprise for you.”
That got their attention. They were all staring at her in anticipation.
“I appreciate all the gifts you brought,” she said, her smile widening. “They will be put to good use. Double time.” She reached over and took Rafe’s hand and pulled him over to stand by her side. “Rafe and I wanted to keep this a secret until the very last but you’ve all been so sweet. I have to share the good news.” She paused, watching their eager faces, enjoying torturing them with the suspense. But then she relented.
“Rafe and I are expecting twins. A boy and a girl.”
That brought the house down. The cheers made her feel like a celebrity. But those cheers were not for her. They were for the stars of the show, her babies. And she knew they were hearing it all.
And in the middle of the applause she turned to reward her husband with a kiss. “Thank you for my babies,” she whispered.
But Khalil, who’d been standing close by, heard every word. He gave them a quirky smile and, never one to be shy, declared, “He should be the one thanking you for his perfect gifts. Babies for the billionaire.”
“True word,” Rafe said and he and his friend touched fists.
And, loving it, all Anya could do was laugh.