Double Agent

by J. P. Nicholas

  Three years later.

  "This is Nicole Hunter of the New York Hunter, wishing you all a good night."

  "And we're clear."

  Martin twirls his finger in the air, signaling that we are off the air. I hop away from the news anchor table and step down off the platform.

  "Good job, everyone. I'll see you all tomorrow evening. That is if this little guy doesn't make a surprise appearance." I pat on my obtrusive stomach. Just one more week until my due date, but I have a feeling this little guy is going to be lazy.

  Martin walks over to the side and gestures that he wants a word with me. I follow him to the side hallway, just a corner-turn away from the newsroom.

  "What is it, Martin?"

  "The governor is here to see you. He's waiting in your office. He says it's important." I smile.

  "It always is with him. Thanks, Martin."

  I walk over to my office door and open it to a great surprise.

  "Mommy!" My two little toddlers run up to me and squeeze each of my legs tight.

  "Hi, guys. I've missed you so much," I shift my gaze toward Aaron before I continue. "I thought I was going to meet you at Stefano's?"

  "I decided to bring Stefano's to you."

  "How sweet. Heather, Matthew, go sit at the table. Daddy and I will get dinner ready and join you."

  Heather and Matthew walk over toward the conference table in the corner of my office. I watch them help each other pull out their seats. Proud-mommy moment.

  Once I see that they are all situated, I turn my attention to Aaron. I lean upward and kiss him quickly.

  "Go sit down, honey. I'll get everything set and bring it to you." I arch my brow.

  "Are you sure?" He nods his head.

  "Of course, I'm sure. You need to be off your feet." In one swift movement, Aaron sweeps me off my feet and carries me toward the conference table.

  "You’re a little heavier than the last time I did this." I can't help but laugh at his stupid comment. Three years and he still has me splitting my gut.

  "Yeah, and his name is Samuel."

  Aaron grins seductively as he wags his eyebrows, reminding me of the exact moment Samuel was conceived. I chuckle. Aaron slides me into the seat and then walks back to my desk. He pulls out the chicken parmesan meal and starts cutting the chicken into tiny pieces for the twins.

  I could not be any prouder of the man I married. Gone are all the remnants of the playboy that he used to be. Now, he is the governor of New York, a trophy husband, and a proud father of two…almost three. These days, I am just over the moon with happiness.

  "So, have you heard from your squad lately, Hun?" He chuckles. He loves that I refer to his dream team as his squad.

  "Yes, actually. Timothy and Lance just adopted a baby boy."

  "Aw. How precious! We have to go meet him."

  "Ree already scheduled that in."

  "Speaking of Ree, how is she?" Aaron finally sits down and joins us at the table.

  "She's really hit it off with Stephen."

  "That's great. Still no proposal?"

  "No, not yet. After three failed attempts on his part, she promised him that she would propose to him when she was ready."

  "Of course, she did. That's so Ree."

  "Definitely."

  "How about Delores? You convince her to retire yet?" He shakes his head.

  "No way. I don't think she is ever going to retire. I mean, I'm glad to have her working for me as long as possible. But she doesn't even take vacations. She says spending time with our kids is vacation enough."

  "Aw. She is the sweetest woman on the planet." He nods.

  "She truly is. She's always been like a mother to me. She's knocked me around quite a bit too." I giggle.

  "I bet. Alright, it's time to eat. You know the rules. Everybody must say what they are thankful for. You first, Matthew."

  "Um. I'm thankful for Mommy." I place my hand over my heart and aw.

  "Mama's boy," Aaron jokes.

  "There is nothing wrong with that, Matthew. I'm thankful for you too. Heather?"

  "I'm thankful for Daddy." Aaron claps.

  "Damn straight." As soon as the words fly out of his mouth, Aaron claps his hand over his mouth. I give him the death glare. We are still getting used to this.

  "Daddy said a bad word."

  "Yes, he did. And I'm sure Daddy is very sorry about it. Aren't you, Daddy?"

  "That's right. I am very sorry about it."

  "Daddy's turn." Aaron nods his head.

  "Very well. I am thankful for all the blessings in my life. My job, my two beautiful children, the little guy on the way, and, as always, my gorgeous wife. Without all of you in this room, I would not be the man I want to be. The man my mother wanted me to be. The man she saw that I could be."

  "Mommy's turn now."

  "Alright. Mommy is thankful for…" I pause when my water breaks. Trying not to worry my kids, I continue speaking as if I wasn't going into labor.

  "Water." Aaron flashes me his classic what-the-fuck face.

  "Water?" I repeat the word through a gritted-teeth smile. I stress the word, hoping he’ll pick up on my hint.

  "Yes, water."

  "Oh, water. Water!"

  Finally! Took him long enough. Looks like I was wrong about the little guy being lazy. Turns out, he is ambitious…just like his daddy.

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