The Boss's Love (44 page)

             
“Keep pushing, Courtney,” Sean demanded. “Another ten seconds.” 

             
She couldn’t do it. Exhausted, she sagged into her husband and cousin’s hold.  

             
“On the next one go again, Courtney. Your baby is ready to come out,” Sean assured her. 

             
She could feel the baby’s head. The sensation so foreign, her body automatically wanted to push. Courtney pushed as hard as she could. Unexpectedly and shockingly, she felt the baby slip from her womb. 

             
“It’s a boy, Courtney,” Sean gushed, choking on the words. 

             
“A boy,” Ryan repeated. 

             
Baby Murphy was swiftly handed off to the nurse, who cleaned him up then handed him to his mother.

Courtney sobbed into her husband’s chest. His girl was the toughest woman he knew and his pride radiated off him in spades.    

              “A son, Derrick.” Courtney looked up at him.

             
“That’s my girl,” he whispered, overwhelming joy consuming him. His wife gave him a son.  

             
Baby boy Murphy’s dark, unfocused eyes opened for his parents to gaze into. A ring of dark brown hair matted on his tiny, soft head. He resembled his father. Tears streamed down Courtney's cheeks when she kissed her baby softly on his forehead. 

Taking in the vision of his wife and son,
Derrick couldn’t help the thought of how dramatically his life had changed with his brother’s untimely death. He hated the fact he appreciated that
his
life turned out perfect with Courtney. He would love to have had his brother next to him at the joyous moment, basking in the birth of his son, but…
hell, he must stop this entire mind fuck.
       

             
“Would you like to hold your son?” Courtney asked, thankfully ending his depressing inner monologue.

             
Unable to form an audible response, he nodded. His wife carefully handed over her precious baby. His large arms engulfed his tiny son. He felt his chest swell. Derrick kissed his son on the forehead and ran a light finger down his cheek, amazed by the tiny creature he helped to create. His precious wife gave him a third reason to keep his family protected and safe. His son. The one who would take over the family business and inherit everything, along with his half sister. 

             
“He’s beautiful, Courtney,” Sean said. He stepped up next to Derrick and placed a hand on his shoulder. “I have to go. I’m sorry, but I'll be back to visit later.” He kissed Court's cheek. “Love you, sweetheart.” 

             
“Love you too, and thank you, Sean,” Courtney said.

             
“Oh, honey, for you, anything,” he said sincerely.     

             
Two nurses insisted Derrick leave the room to give Courtney some privacy while they took care of her and straightened the room. He was none too happy about leaving his wife’s side. A pediatric nurse whisked baby Murphy away to be measured and weighed. 

Courtney

After twenty minutes, Derrick was allowed back into the room, joined by his parents, Diane, and Courtney’s parents
, all with flowers, balloons, and gifts in hand. 

             
“A boy, Courtney,” Diane beamed and threw her arms around her sister-in-law. “I’m so happy for you both. You have no idea the gift you’ve given Derrick.” 

             
Courtney looked past Diane to Derrick, whose eyes gleamed. No one else but her would ever receive that look from him. She understood a long time ago that Derrick would only ever see her. He’d spend the rest of his days loving her, protecting her, worshiping her, and admiring her. She was his everything and he was hers.  

             
A nurse came back into the room carrying their newborn, who was quickly passed around the family.  

             
“Have you both thought of a name?” Derrick’s mother asked. 

             
“I’m leaving that up to my gorgeous wife, Mom,” Derrick answered.

             
Expectantly she turned to Courtney.

             
“Daniel,” Courtney answered confidently.

             
“Daniel,” his mother repeated. 

“Daniel Darren Murphy
,” Courtney proudly announced the name that would soon appear on her son’s birth certificate. 

             
Derrick’s mom and sister broke down into tears. Courtney honored her love for her first husband by naming her son after him. She looked to Derrick, who held unshed tears at bay. She held out her hand for him, which he lifted and kissed her wedding rings.

“If it wasn’t for Darren, I wouldn’t have my husband and now my son and finally be settled,” she admitted.  

Derrick firmly kissed her. Through his Darren's needless death, Courtney found her soul mate in Derrick. Darren would always own a piece of her heart, but Derrick owned her soul. A little smile curled his lips.

“One more, Courtney. I want three children. Will you give me another child?” he asked, almost pleading. 

“Derrick, I’ll give you anything you want and need. You’re my life. I want to make you as happy as you’ve made me,” she said. "You'll just have to wait until my memory forgets the searing pain of delivery." She winked.

His features lit up, showing
off how extremely handsome her husband was. “Well then, Mrs. Murphy, as soon as you’re cleared and ready, we're going to start working on our third child.” 

Diane handed Daniel back to Courtney, who held her baby boy and felt whole with her life. Genuinely at peace
for the first time, she had Derrick to thank for that. She owed him everything and anything he could ever ask from her. Courtney and Derrick were more than just a couple. They were part of each other. They owned each other's heart, body, and soul. They had become one. There was no stronger bond than what Courtney and Derrick held with each other. Together, they ruled their world.

The following people gave their ears and time: 

Joanna Chlasta for putting up with the constant emails back and forth for the book cover that I fell in love with. 

My Betas who offered time and gave suggestions on what they wanted to read about in The Boss’s Love. Little did they know I would harass them relentlessly. These three women have no idea how much I value their honest opinions.

Jim, who put together my website when the original plan fell through
. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

My Facebook friends and fans, who follow updates on the fan page
. I thank you for participating and am thoroughly enjoying the journey with you. 

My husband, who doesn't ask questions when I'm buried in my laptop for hours, days, weeks at a time.  He gives me the space I need (though low grumbles about dirty dishes do come from the kitchen every so often).

To my boys, who don’t roll their eyes when I become excited about a scene. They could care less, but I’ve trained them well so they don’t let me know.  

Casey Clipper lives in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, PA. Born and raised in the Steel City, she’s naturally a football, hockey, and baseball fan. A contemporary edge romance author, she likes a dark story and the alpha male.      

Casey is a member of the Romance Writers of America, the Three Rivers Romance Writers, ASMSG, IAN, and IBPA.

Follow Casey on her website at
www.CaseyClipper.com
to purchase any of her releases, find out about upcoming releases, or read small bonus material specifically for her readers. 

Find Casey's author page on Amazon at
www.Amazon.com
.

Follow Casey on Twitter
@cclipper2

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Follow Casey's page on www.Goodreads.com.    

www.IndependentAuthorsNetwork.com

www.ASMSG.weebly.com             

Coming - 2014:

             
The Prequels to
The Boss's Love
:

             
             
Darren's Story

             
              Derrick's Story

             
              Courtney's Story

                           
Twisted Fate

             
                            and more!

Currently available:

                           
Scarred (a novella)

             
             
http://www.amazon.com/Scarred-Casey-Clipper-ebook/dp/B00AXBN79M/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t