Baby on Board (17 page)

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set up. The night before the wedding, Ivy took her suitcase and the baby

bag she had packed for Bonnie out to the car. When she came back in,

Rafe was strapping Bonnie into the car seat. He stood and pulled Ivy into

his arms, rocking back and forth gently while they held each other.

“I don’t like this,” he murmured. “Sleeping without you is unfair.”

“It’s tradition. You can’t see the bride before the wedding. Besides,

you’ll have fun with Brody and your father,” Ivy said and then warned,

“No strippers or women of loose morals…or any women at all, for that

matter.”

“I nixed that plan before Brody could even mention it. I don’t need

anyone but you to start my fire. Plus, Mom would kill me if I gave Dad a

heart attack.” Rafe gave her a slow smile. “Are you sure I can’t interest

you in a little pre-wedding romp?”

“How about you keep that thought in your head until tomorrow night?

Your parents will have Bonnie and we’ll be all alone in D.C.” Ivy kissed

him and Rafe took it deeper until they were both panting. Bonnie let out a

loud squeal of displeasure at being strapped into her seat and not going

anywhere. Ivy pulled away reluctantly. “That’s my cue to leave. Little

Miss wants to go to Grandma’s.”

“Tomorrow you’re going to be Mrs. Steele,” Rafe said. “Are you

ready?”

“I’m already Mrs. Steele. This is just a formality. You’ve had my

heart for a long time,” Ivy pointed out. “See you tomorrow.”

“I love you, baby…both my babies,” Rafe said.

“We love you too. Goodnight,” Ivy replied as she shut the door behind

her. She secured Bonnie in the car and they set out to the lake house

where tomorrow she and Rafe would take their vows. Ivy was looking

forward to the night she would spend with Bonnie, Marie and Frieda.

Nervous anticipation filled her as well. She would soon be marrying the

man she loved.

* * * *

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Even though rain had been forecast, the day was clear and bright. The

sky was a pristine blue backdrop that held only a few wispy white clouds.

Rafe, his father and Brody showed up early in the morning looking no

worse for wear, Frieda assured Ivy. She got the boys settled and came

back to Ivy with a message. “Rafe said he loves you madly, so hurry up

and meet him at the altar.” Frieda grinned. “That child of mine was

always impatient.”

The guests had begun to arrive and upstairs Rafe’s father bounced

Bonnie on his knee and the little girl was wearing her new dress and her

little white patent leather shoes. Marie was helping Ivy get dressed when

they put the last touch, the satin corded elbow-length veil, on her head.

Frieda sniffed behind them. “Oh, dear, I said I wouldn’t cry.”

“Don’t you start, Mrs. Steele. If you do, I’m going to as well.” Marie

turned around with a beaming smile and watery eyes. “You look so

perfect, Ivy.”

“It feels like butterflies have taken up residence in my stomach.” Ivy

laughed nervously.

There was a knock on the door and Frieda went to answer. She came

back with a smile. “The hostess said everyone is seated and they are ready

to begin the music you chose. Rafe is waiting by the gazebo. It’s time.”

Through the open window, Ivy heard the beginning notes of
I Need

You Now
. Frieda went out first and Marie followed. Ivy took a deep breath

and stepped out of the room. She slowly made her way down the stairs

and outside to the garden where the gazebo was decorated in white

organza, pink lilies and red roses. Her bouquet held the same flowers with

baby’s breath scattered through it. No matter how beautiful it all was,

nothing compared to the sight of Rafe standing there in his Marine dress

blues. He looked so handsome, it took her breath away. Each step brought

her closer to the future she saw in his eyes. When she took his hand the

world melted away and it was just her and him. The pastor spoke but Ivy

did not hear most of what he said. Her thoughts were solely on Rafe.

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Rafe’s gaze never left hers, even as he spoke his vows. When the pastor

said, “I now pronounce you man and wife, you make kiss the bride,” Rafe

gave her a wicked grin and swooped in for the kiss. She barely heard the

cheers and whistles as they kissed. The reception was glorious and

everyone had a good time and they left later that evening in a limousine to

D.C. where they stayed in the honeymoon suite at the Marriott. The night

was filled with passion and love. She woke up that morning as Ms. Ivy St.

Clair and fell asleep in the arms of Rafe as Mrs. Ivy Steele. Her body was

languid and satisfied with sexual gratification, while Rafe’s hand gently

caressed her thigh. Ivy knew now completely what bliss was.

* * * *

Rafe left with his duffel over one shoulder and a picture of his two

favorite girls tucked securely in the pocket of his uniform. He would make

sure that when they finally got to the carrier that would take them out to

sea, they would be with him in the field. He wished he’d had longer at

home with them to enjoy the newness of being a permanent family. When

he saw Ivy walking down the aisle toward him on their wedding day, his

heart tripped. There was no one more beautiful than she was on that day

and every day since then—with makeup or without it, dressed in old,

baggy clothes or dressed to the nines. No one and nothing compared to the

way he felt for Ivy. He saw the looks Donna gave them as they moved

back and forth, cleaning out and emptying Ivy’s house. He was not on her

favorite list anymore and Rafe didn’t give a fat rat’s ass. He had his wife

and his daughter and that’s all he would ever need.

When he left for his mission, he promised to call when or if he could.

He tried his best to push the ache of missing them from his mind. For this

he had to be focused. If not, his life and the lives of his team could be put

in danger. Rafe was going to do his very best to bring them all home in

one piece.

It was many hours on a C-5 to get them out to the aircraft carrier in the

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Persian Gulf. From there, the mission would be charted and planned down

to the second. They would have one night to rest and prepare, ask

questions, and acquire the target location. While he lay on the thin

mattress on the top bunk, he pulled the picture of his girls out of his

pocket. He caressed their faces and closed his eyes holding the picture to

his chest. In his head he heard Bonnie’s baby babble and the squeal of her

laughter. He heard Ivy’s voice like a caress, telling him she loved him and

to come home soon.
Yes, baby, I will
, he thought and let sleep take him.

Tomorrow, the soldier in him had to be on point.

* * * *

It had been two weeks, three days and seven hours since Rafe left. Ivy

wasn’t one to brood and ache over a man but she missed Rafe like crazy.

Bonnie did too. She woke up looking for her daddy and whimpered at

night when it was time for bed. She was accustomed to Rafe holding her

and feeding her her last bottle while cartoons were on. Ivy didn’t seem to

compare because she still fussed every night and missed her routine. She

woke up at night crying and Ivy decided to take her to bed with her. She

gave her another bottle and caressed the silky black curls on her head. She

kissed her cheek and whispered, “Don’t worry, sweet pea, Daddy will be

home soon.” Ivy felt like crying herself. She missed him so much. He

hadn’t called and she understood he might not have been able to, but still

she wished she could hear his voice.

She was feeding Bonnie at the kitchen table a day or so later with still

no word from Rafe. The doorbell rang and she wiped Bonnie’s face

quickly and went to the door. It was probably the postman with a package.

Rafe told her he had ordered a few things online and that they would be

coming in the mail. It wasn’t the postman. It was a petite woman with

brown hair and a blotchy face. A man in a leather jacket with greasy black

hair stood beside her. They definitely weren’t the types that Rafe would

associate with, so Ivy was instantly on alert.

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“Yes, may I help you?” Ivy said politely.

“I’m here to pick up Bonnie. I’m her momma,” the woman sniffed.

Ivy knew the signs. She was hooked on something, that’s for sure.

“You’re Juno,” Ivy said carefully.

“Yeah. Is my kid here?” Juno asked angrily and went to push past her.

Ivy stopped her. “Yes, she is here, but you will not be taking her

anywhere. Rafe has full custody of her now since you dropped her off like

waste at his doorstep.”

“Watch your mouth, lady,” the man snarled.

“No, you watch yours. You’re on
my
doorstep,” Ivy replied angrily.

“Now you better leave before I call the police.”

“Listen, you tell that soldier we want ten thousand for the kid,” the

man shouted. “If not, we’re going to take her.”

“Over my dead body and trust me, you’ll have a fight on your hands,”

Ivy replied coldly. “You two need help. You’re strung out and Bonnie is

not going anywhere with you. Rafe has custody. I have the paperwork

right here. I suggest you leave before I call the cops and they will not be

on your side. Rafe is a decorated soldier and if we see you back here there

will be trouble.”

The man with Juno moved until he was up in her face. His breath was

soured with smoke and alcohol. “Ten thousand, lady, or you’re going to

be sorry.”

“Get out of my face before I kick your balls into your throat,” Ivy said

through gritted teeth.

He made a little move, but Ivy refused to flinch.

“Is there a problem, Ivy?” It was Donna’s voice and Ivy glanced

behind them to where Donna stood holding a gardening trowel. Ivy never

thought she’d be so happy to see her.

“Yes, they are threatening to kidnap Bonnie and trying to extort

money from me,” Ivy said calmly.

“I guess I should call the police then,” Donna said as she pulled her

Blackberry out of her pocket. “We can’t have this sort in the

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neighborhood.”

“Bobby, come on,” Juno said urgently, taking the man by the arm and

pulling him away.

“You’ll be seeing me again, bitch.” He gave Ivy an evil smile.

“If I do you’ll have a one way ticket to jail…Bobby,” Ivy retorted.

They stepped away and got into the most beat up car she’d ever seen

and headed out of the cul-de-sac, while Donna came across the lawn to

her quickly.

“That was a nasty looking dude. Maybe you should call Rafe,” Donna

suggested.

“He’s out of the country on a mission,” Ivy explained.

“You could always…um…stay with me… You and Bonnie, I mean,

until he comes home,” Donna suggested. When Ivy’s mouth dropped

open, she rolled her eyes. “Please, I’m over that. So you married Rafe?

Good for you. We’re still neighbors and I don’t want to see you or the

baby hurt. I know I can be a mean bitch but don’t question it until you’ve

walked in my shoes. I’m not saying we’re going to be BFFs but you’ll be

safe at my place.”

Ivy pushed her shock aside. “Thank you so much, but I’m sure we’ll

be safe. If not, we’ll run right over to your house.”

“Still, you better call your cop friend and make a complaint.” Donna

walked away. “I’ll leave a key under the flower pot. Use it in an

emergency.”

Ivy stepped back from the front door and closed it. She was amazed.

Wow, Donna “Double Ds” being generous and caring. Who knew that

could happen? Ivy tried to shake off the terror she felt from the

confrontation with Juno and Bobby. She took Donna’s advice and called

Reese who came to the house with a set of patrol officers. They took a

statement and Reese promised that they would patrol the neighborhood

every few hours to check for anything suspicious. She then called Frieda

and Frank to let them know what was going on. They wanted her to pack

up Bonnie and come out to the lake house to stay until Rafe came home.

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