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Chapter One

As a subtle vibrating started againstwhat he would do toht not listening to his briefing about the raid tomorrow

Unable to resist peeking to see if it was froirl’s naht, I pulled my phone out and took a sneaky look beneath the desk I already knew that even if I got caught I wouldn’t be taken off point for the operation tomorroas the best sharp shooter he had, so that afforded me a little leniency

But instead of seeing a ht, there were two picture es from my best friend, Ashton Taylor As I opened the first one, I was greeted by a cute little scrunched-up and ht in rin slipped onto e I saw Ashton’s wife, Anna, holding the baby and se underneath read:

‘Anna and baby Careat’

“Oh, shit yeah!” I shouted excitedly, forgetting where I was as I leapt from my seat and pumped the air with one fist in celebration

“Nate Peters, what the hell do you think you’re doing interrupting ?” Captain Elder snapped as all eyes in the room turned to me

I sed, shifting on my feet “Ashton and Anna had their baby,” I announced, holding the phone up proudly, showing the rest of the team the photo as evidence

“Yeah? What did they have?” Captain Elder asked, his face softening He had always liked Ashton, and of course, the whole world aiting with baited breath on the birth announcement To say that Anna’s father was an important man would be the understatement of the century Her father, To his second term in office as President of the United States Anna, as first daughter, was a celebrity in her own right because of that The press hung on every word that she and Ashton said and it seeripped with ‘Annaton’ fever, and had been for the last five years since they were first photographed together

“Little boy,” I answered

“Well, that’s aweso up?” Captain Elder checked

I nodded in confirood”

“That’s great Now can you sit the fk down so I can finish ?”

“Yes, sir Sorry, sir” I slu to look chastised but, to be honest, I wouldn’t have pulled it off I couldn’t help but smile proudly Ashton deserved this; I’d never seen him as happy as his wife made him Anna was an incredible person, and I couldn’t help but be a little jealous that Ashton hadI hoped I’d find in a girl one day

I could barely concentrate on the rest of the briefing All I wanted to do was go to the hospital and meet the newest member of the Taylor family When ere finally diset out of the room before Captain Elder spottedroom as punishment for the interruption Luckily forcalled back

As I walked out of the building, I called the hospital to find out what tian in the maternity ward I was told it wasn’t until seven thirty, so I had a couple of hours to wait That would give ift for the baby

As soon as I walked through the door, I kneas out of my depth My twenty-five years of life had not preparedinto a baby store There were all sorts of baby clothes surroundingoutfits, bibs, blankets… I had no idea what to buy After looking around hopelessly for tenat the counter

My ga on the counter

“Excuse me, ma’am, do you think you could offer me a little help? In return, I’d love to take you out to dinner” I sle escaped her lips

“Sure, Officer, ere you looking for?” she replied, leaning in closer and twirling a lock of her hair around her finger I wouldn’t even need to buy this girl dinner to get her into bed

Staying on track and reestured around the store helplessly

“My best friend just had a little baby boy, so I wanted to get a present or so in particular that I’m supposed to buy?”

She s her hps as she walked I couldn’t help but let ested, grabbing a little blue and white outfit froer selection out back” She raised one eyebrow suggestively

I grinned at that Sure, she was easy, but I wasn’t going to turn down a little backroom action if it was on offer I knehat this was about – it was the unifor ood-looking guy, even if I did say so myself I kept myself in shape because of my job; my blonde hair was always styled, irls complimented me on them

“I’d love to see what you have out back,” I replied

When ere finished fooling around, I madeanything for the baby The girl – Carly she had said her naoing to see ain I’d ducked out of there as fast as I could

A loud groan escaped my lips when I looked at my watch to see that it was already a quarter to seven I didn’t have tio anywhere else now so I’d just have to shoithout a gift today

On the way to the hospital, I pulled up and juest, fattest cigar they had I chuckled as I shoved it in my pocket He hated even the set him to smoke it if I told him it was tradition

When I finally arrived at the hospital, I was directed to thewith excitement as I pressed the buzzer on the outer door and waited for the ward sister to lether check my name on her ‘approved visitors’ list, she motioned down the hall As I looked down that way, I spotted Anna’s secret service bodyguard, Rick, sitting on a chair outside room three

“Hey,into the seat next to him

“Yeah good, Nate You?” He sh his hair

“Aweso at the door to Anna’s room