Unlovable

Epilogue: Ten Months Later

Ten months after the day that changed her world, Darcie lay on the couch reading a book she'd picked up in town. She was fully immersed in the life of the characters and didn't realize Roger had snuck up on her from behind.

Roger walked in the living room, wiping his hands on a dish towel, as he slunk behind her. He leaned over her, inconspicuously, and read a passage from the book.

Wishbone yawned at the edge of the couch and Roger reached over to pat his head, which had grown considerably in the past months. Darcie's attention shifted and she smiled up at him. He bent forward kissed the top of her head gently.

"Dinner's done," he whispered into her hair. Darcie took a deep whiff of the aromas that drifted from the kitchen and smiled with anticipation before she closed the book and set it on the table.

"Smells amazing. I'll be right in," she said smiling.

Darcie struggled to lift herself off of the couch. Roger laughed and stood in front of her, pulling her to her feet. Her pregnant belly was becoming somewhat of an obstacle in everyday life. Roger found her struggles adorable. The more frustrated she got with her size, the more he wanted to kiss her.

The doorbell rang, causing the two of them to frown at each other. It was supposed to be their night alone, to celebrate the beginning of their new lives as a family. It was two weeks until Darcie's due date. They were eagerly anticipating their little girl's arrival, all the while knowing that their alone time was about to come to an end.

"I'll get it," Darcie said as she walked to the door, one hand resting on the small of her back.

"Whoever it is, get rid of 'em," Roger said as he walked back into the kitchen.

Darcie was smiling fully as she pulled open the door. She was expecting Lily, or maybe Roger's friend, Bob. Her heart pounded immensely when she saw who waited for her on the other side.

Instinct had her trying to close the door in his face, but she was unable.

Harold shoved his way inside, immediately wrapping a huge hand around Darcie's neck. She choked as he squeezed and brought both of her small hands up to his massive one. Darcie kicked out, hitting the Hornblower desk in the leg and causing it to break, sending all the items on top of it crashing to the ground.

Roger heard the struggle from the kitchen and rushed into the living room. He ran toward them, prepared to kill the son of a bitch, stopping only when Harold pulled out a gun and aimed it at Darcie's expanded stomach.

"One more step and I'll shoot her," Harold said as he sneered at them.

Rogers fists clenched at his sides in anger, but he didn't dare move.

"Don't be an idiot, Kincaid. I think you're in enough trouble as it is. Let's not do something you'll regret," Roger said as he unnoticeably moved forward an inch.

Harold laughed.

"Regret?" he asked as he angrily threw Darcie to the floor.

Darcie grabbed her stomach and crawled toward Roger who quickly helped her to her feet. His eyes never left the gun in Harold's hand.

"That bitch ruined my life! I doubt I'm going to regret anything I do to her, and trust me, I have a few things in mind. Get to the kitchen. Now!" he ordered.

Roger took Darcie's hand and led her through the doorway.

"You okay?" Roger whispered to her.

"We're fine. For now," she said in response.