The Secret Baby

Chapter Twenty-Two

Lunchtime Sunday was a big day. I met Sam' family for the first time, and they adore my children. My mom and his mom seemed to hit it off, and both our dads found something to talk about. "My brother is absolutely in love with you." His sister, Natalie, told me as I sat down with Fred. "To be honest, I thought he'd be a bachelor forever."

"Really?" I asked, a bit shocked.

"He loves kids but never showed interest in having any of his own until he met you. The night he met you, he called me and told me he met the woman of his dreams. I laughed and figured he was just drunk, but you both stayed in touch through his deployment." She explained. "My brother used to be more of a player until he met you. You changed his whole outlook on life."

"Did he tell you how we met?"

"He's told us enough. One of his navy buddies is the sperm donor to your children. The guy failed to step up and be a dad, leaving you alone to raise not one but two of his gracious gifts while he moves on with another woman. If it was me, I'd kill him honestly." She shrugged. "Sam is a good guy, with a big heart. When he set's his mind to it, there's no changing course. You seem like you're a good woman. Will likes you, and honestly, Will doesn't like anyone."

"Sam is absolutely amazing." I agreed.

"He loves your kids. Almost as much as he loves you, even calls them his kids." She informed me.

"I know, he told me," I responded. Natalie smiled and asked to hold Fred. I handed him carefully to her. "Are you sure Fred's not Sam' biologically?"

"Positive. I only slept with one guy before I was with Sam. Sam and I just recently started having intercourse." I admitted.

Her jaw dropped open. "My brother Sam? Girl, you have to be something special to him for that to be the case."

"I like to think we have something special." I sighed as I watched Sam pick up Ashtyn and swing her around. "Ashtyn loves him. Even started calling him daddy, without being told to."

"I noticed that, and he responds to it so effortlessly. I'm happy for you both. My brother deserves to be happy."

"Thank you."

Sam came walking over to us as Ashtyn ran over to my dad to play. Sam greeted his sister and Fred with a quick kiss, then sat down on the picnic table bench next to me. He wrapped an arm around my waist and leaned in for a kiss. "What are you two ladies talking about?" He asked curiously.

"You." I smiled, leaning my head on his shoulder.

"Don't believe everything she tells you, Charlotte. She may try to scare you away on me." Sam teased.

"You can do that on your own, little brother." Natalie retorted.

He laughed, kissing the top of my head. "Did you tell her we are talking about me officially adopting the kids?" He asked me excitedly.

"No, she did not." Natalie interrupted, looking a bit shocked. "I knew you were asking about the paperwork, but not that you two have already decided."

"I wasn't sure if you wanted to tell everyone yet or not," I replied. "Plus, your sister keeps telling me about how you used to be before we met, and it sounds like this life is a bit slow for you."

"It'll never be too slow for me. I got you and two amazing kids. I'm living the dream here. The woman of my dreams by my side just makes my life easier." Sam said. "As for my sister, she's going to stop worrying about you because we both know how much I love you and have no plans to ever leave you."

"I told her you're a new man because of her. I happen to prefer this version of my brother, so you better stay with her." Natalie noted.

Sam let out a sigh. He gave me a quick kiss before disappearing into the house. This was bizarre behavior since we were all in the middle of a conversation. When he came back outside, he grabbed my hand, pulled me to my feet, and towed me over to the middle of the yard.