Blaine

Never did I anticipate the woman my former wife turned into.  I don't want Cora worrying about anything, so I try to leave all this at work, but it's difficult.  I had some decisions to make because I do not want Cora to pay the price just because Ciara is angry with me.  She resigned, but after my mother left, I kept the emergency meeting.  Her father is part of the board and, today, he learned just what his daughter did to our family. 

My sister was young, she needed her family, and, instead of urging her to come home, she fed into Cassidy's insecurities and we missed out on her last days.  The board voted unanimously to let Cassidy go with my recommendation of a pay off.  It came out of my pocket, even though  now isn't a great time for that to happen, since I am building a home for our family.  My father helped me pull together the funds, and soon, Ciara will be gone.  She will not be given a choice, sell or we take it.  I was shocked her father was on board, so my guess is there's more going on with my former wife than I am aware.

Mom has not shed any light on what she knows, and that's fine.  I don't care to know anything else.  Wilma left town today and Saturday we leave for Kentucky.  I will be out of the office for two weeks, so I've been working late every single night to tie up all the loose ends.  I promoted Ciara's V.P., and we had to fill his position on top of making sure all my work is done.  My dad volunteered to fill in for me while we are on our honeymoon, and Will is going to be in my mom's care.  Cora and I made our final decisions on the house and my bid was accepted. 

So much is happening at work and home, that I sometimes forget if I'm coming or going.  I'm ready for our honeymoon, where we can escape everything and finally be alone.  I think we have earned it, since we literally haven't had a moment's rest since we met. 

By the time I got home, Will and Cora were both sleeping.  I quietly went into our room to change before going up to the gym.  I was doing some pull-ups, when I felt a pair of eyes on me.

"I thought you were sleeping?" I asked before I turned around and saw my gorgeous Cora leaning in the doorway. 

"I was, but you weren't in bed when I woke." She said as I walked over and gave her a peck on the lips.

"Sorry, I just needed to wind down a little," I said.

"Is everything okay at work?" She asked as she walked over and took a seat on the bench then crossed those gorgeous legs. 

"Yeah, I'm almost done tying things up.  George took over Ciara's position, and I'm pretty confident the new VP we found is going to do just fine." I said. 

"You bought her out, didn't you?" She asked.

I grabbed a towel to wipe off and took a seat next to her. 

"I did. It's done, and I won't have to deal with her anymore," I said.

"Are we okay, financially?  I don't want to put more stress on you with the baby and the new house." She said.

I reached over and pulled her up on my lap and she scrunched her nose at my sweat.  It was pretty adorable, but I feel bad for forgetting.

"We're fine.  My dad fronted some of the cash, so it won't take long to make it back.  Our finances might have taken a hit momentarily, but it will also raise quickly since we now have more stock." I said.

"We?  You work hard, Blaine.  None of that is mine." She said, and I squeezed her a little tighter. 

"Starting next weekend, it's ours." I gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"Have you heard more about the adoption?" She asked.  "I would love it to be done before the baby comes."

"Yeah, my lawyer called yesterday, and since we already had the home study, we can schedule it with the judge anytime after the wedding," I said.

"Good, I want us to be a real family before the baby comes.  Will needs that stability right now, and I think its the best gift we can give him." She said.

"I've sorry I haven't been around as much to help.  How is he doing in school?" I asked, and she smiled.

"Well, his grades look good, but he's a smartass." She laughed.

"I wonder where he got that?  He told me you were knocked up before the ball the other night." I said.

"School, he came home today and said a girl tried to sit next to him at lunch.  He wasn't very happy about it." She said.

"Someday he will appreciate the Lowell good looks." I gave her a cheesy smile. 

"Well, my soon to be husband is quite handsome.  Thankfully, he's not as much of a pain in the ass as he was when we met." She teased.

"I don't think you minded too much."

She shrugged.  "You got shy over the smallest things.  Just the word sex had you blushing." She teased me again.

"Ah, you said the magic word." I wiggled my brows. 

"I've created a monster." She said as I began tickling her and she laughed.

"This monster has neglected his fiancé for a few days now." She tried to wiggle out of my arms.

"Your fiancé needed the rest." She wiggled away and I got up and chased her to the other side of the room, then pulled her body against mine.

"Well, now that you're rested, I guess I can remind you what you've been missing." I said just before I kissed her.

She pulled away.  "You need a shower."

"Good idea." I picked her up, and she laughed as I took her straight into our bedroom shower and made love to her until we were both exhausted and finally got some sleep.

God, I love this life.