Kacie kissed his neck and nestled in his arms. "We'll miss you, too." She snickered against his shoulder. "So what kind of story are you making up about why you're late to work and looking so smug about it?"
"I don't look smug."
She giggled again. "Oh, Peter! You look so pleased with yourself right now, there's practically a neon sign across your forehead flashing 'guess what I was doing this morning'."
Rubbing his cheek against her head, he laughed. "You don't exactly look starved for affection right now yourself, Kace."
"Yeah, but I'm pregnant. I can make up any lame excuse about hormones I want and I'll be believed." She squeezed her arms more tightly around him. "I can't wait to tell Dr. Albin I felt the baby move today."
"You sure you're feeling all right, Hon?"
"I feel won-der-ful. Thank you for breakfast in bed this morning, Sweetheart."
"Which breakfast?"
Slapping his chest playfully, she pulled out of his embrace. "I told you you were being smug. You're smug and late. You deserve everything you're going to get at the precinct today."
"I don't care. I got everything I deserved at home this morning."
Kacie took a step back and shook a finger at him. "You are awful."
"That's not what you were saying a little while ago." He reached out a hand to caress her cheek with gentle fingertips. "God, I love you."
Curling her fingers around the loving hand at her face, she whispered, "You are my life. Please be careful out there today."
He frowned in surprise. "Where did that come from?"
She shrugged sheepishly. "I don't know. It just came out. I guess it's because you're not only my husband, but you're somebody's father. Well, almost a father. Close enough for you to be extra careful."
Peter flicked a glance at his wristwatch. "Damn. We better get going." He sighed, shaking his head. "This sounds crazy, but for some reason, I just don't want to let you go this morning."
"I know. Me, too." She hugged him again. "I could stay in your arms forever."
He kissed her lips and then brushed his mouth over her eyebrow. "You take care of yourself today." Bending down, he planted a kiss on her belly. "You be good for Mom."
He opened the car door for Kacie and closed it after she climbed in. When she lowered the window, he stuck his head inside the car for one last kiss. "Love you, Kace."
"Love you, too, Hon. See you tonight."
He moved aside and watched as she started the Camry's engine, backed up the car, and pulled away. He waved after her as she honked the horn and lightly tapped the brakes to wink a farewell.
Unlocking the Stealth, he idly noted a nondescript, battered gray van leave the far end of the parking garage to follow after the Camry.
As he climbed into his car, he shivered against a cold draft that blew down his neck. Shrugging it off, he drove on to work, his thoughts turning to how he was going to explain his tardiness. {Tell 'em the truth? Kacie felt the baby move for the first time and we were celebrating? Nah. Better try the 'had a flat tire and got tied up in traffic' routine.}