The Family Man

Chapter 27

I couldn't stop smiling. Even in the mirror, I couldn't force my lips to relax. Panic should have been my first reaction. Instead, a warmth I would have never expected filled me with joy. There was a deeper meaning besides the obvious. I had to cover my mouth to keep from laughing.

"That was Detective Robertson on the phone," Eric said when I returned to the kitchen. He tossed his phone onto the counter. "He was finally able to verify that Quentin had flown to Germany three months ago. Of course, that doesn't mean he hasn't returned to this country."

"He's not coming back," I said, struggling to keep my lips straight.

"If Robertson has his way, he'll drag him back to face trial. Quentin may have met his match this century," Eric said, sliding me into his arms. I really liked being in those arms. "Quentin will be back, one way or the other."

We had been slowly acclimating Maria to our relationship. With the support of her father, she was more accepting than I would have imagined. She had even asked me if I intended to marry Eric, letting me know that it would be okay with her. Way too mature for an 11-year-old. Then again, few 11-year-olds had been threatened by a lunatic. The idea of a strong man in the house had some appeal.

"It's over," I said for the millionth time. My traitorous lips curled.

"You find my concern humorous?" Eric asked.

"Today, I do," I responded cryptically. I gave up trying to control my smile. Eric leaned his head back to get a better look at my face. The confusion on his was to die for. I still couldn't fathom why I enjoyed him being off balance. There was just something about those small moments of superiority that excited me. A moral weakness to be sure, but so enjoyable.

"You have a secret," Eric surmised. "Are you going to share?"

"With a liar? I hardly think so," I said with as much smartass as I could muster. Eric smacked my ass lightly. I pushed him away laughing.

"I have never lied to you," Eric said with a smile. His eyes narrowed as he took a predatory step forward. I playfully stepped back.

"He was disturbing my reading," I said, comically mimicking some of his first words to me. He made a grab for my waist, but I dodged easily.

"Okay, once," Eric said, moving around the chair I was using for cover. "In my defense, I was trying to avoid a relationship. It was your own fault for looking so damned sexy." Another half-hearted lunge that I thwarted by jumping backward. I scooted down the hall.

"Oh, your pants are on fire, mister," I said, wiggling my butt at him as I ran into the bedroom. "My father bought it at Sears," I added, reminding him of the Barbie doll he gave Maria. Eric was moving quickly now, knowing I was trapped in the room without another exit. Maria wasn't going to be home from school for another two hours. Plenty of time to play.

"They were white lies at worst," Eric said. I backed toward the bathroom as he moved forward. I let him catch me next to the sink. "I haven't lied to you since you learned the truth."

"Liar," I repeated, then kissed him hard. He pulled me closer, and I felt a shiver run through him. Such an easy man to tease. I un-accidentally knocked the plastic stick off the sink. It rattled to the floor which made him loosen his hold. He chuckled and bent to pick it up. "Liar," I said again. This time softer and with all my love.

Eric stopped mid-laugh. He stared at the device like it was lying to him. When he rose, his eyes had glossed over, and he held out the device. It was one of the dummy proof ones. The LED clearly said 'pregnant.'

"Liar." I smiled. Why the idea thrilled me, I can't say. A baby would rewrite all my plans, greatly delaying the idea of someday having Eric all to myself. I used my foot to push the waste can toward him. Inside, two other manufacturers devices claimed I was pregnant. I didn't believe it a first.