CHAPTER NINE

"She was lovely," said Erica, walking slowly back toward the cafeteria. "I mean, she's very pretty."

"She is pretty, but she's not beautiful. Not like you. You're beautiful all the way through, Erica, and that means more to me than anything else. You're a good woman, kind, sweet, loving, and…"

"And pregnant," she blurted out.

"Wh-what?" he asked, blinking.

"I'm pregnant. I wanted to tell you. I was talking to Amanda and Mia about how to tell you, but I wasn't sure how you would react. I mean…"

Moose lifted her in his arms, slamming his mouth to hers, silencing her. Spinning her around, she tapped his shoulder, and he pulled back, smiling at her.

"Not too fast, or you'll end up with dinner on your shoulder," she smirked.

"Oh, shit," he said, setting her on her feet once again. "It must be early. I mean, we only made love for the first time seventeen days ago." Erica laughed, shaking her head.

"You counted the days?"

"Baby, I've counted the hours since the first time. I will remember it forever. I've put a calendar reminder in my phone so that on that date every year I can do something amazing for you."

"Do something amazing now," she said softly. He cocked his head, staring at her. "You once said that you admired Jennifer for her yelling, making her voice heard. I hope you'll do the same for me. Marry me. Make me Mrs. Major Sculler."

Moose stared down at the tiny woman. He was terrified that a baby the size of him would be growing in her belly, and she wouldn't be able to push it out. He knew that they had the best medical team in the world, and if anyone could make sure she was safe, it was them.

"I'll marry you. Today, tomorrow, any time you want, but I want to adopt Jennifer as well. She's my daughter from this moment forward."

"I think, in some weird way, she was always supposed to be your daughter," smiled Erica. "She's laughed more since you've been around than the entire first year of her life. That tells me what kind of father you'll be to her."

"We need to pick out rings," he said, gripping her tiny hand as they headed toward the food once again.

"Did I hear there's to be a wedding?" smiled Claudette, Jake at her side.

"How? Never mind," smiled Moose. "Yes, ma'am. Erica and I will be getting married, and Jennifer is going to be adopted by me."

"I'll get things started," smiled Claudette. "Jake already asked Sage to put together a few options of rings for you. She's in the cafeteria waiting. Gwen will be bringing some dresses by your cottage, and the rest of us will take care of your flowers and other things. Is there anything special you want in your wedding? Something traditional to your heritage?"

"Confetti," smiled Erica. "Just sprinkle confetti on us at our wedding."

"Done," nodded Claudette. "Go pick your rings. I'll let Mama know. This'll perk her right up."

"Is she not well?" asked Erica.

"Oh, no. No, she's fine. Just a bit tired after the ghost explosion," smirked Claudette. "Let's go. Get a move on. There's a weddin' to plan." As she and Jake continued down the path, Moose looked at Erica, chuckling.

"She sounded just like her mama. I mean, just like her."

"This is the strangest place I've ever been in my entire life," said Erica. "In fact, it might be the strangest place I've ever read about. Have you met the new ghosts?"

"I did. I like Archie," he smirked.

"Of course you do. He was a soldier. He's big, strong, handsome, young. He has everything in common with every man on this property. I like Charity for him, though. They seem a good match, and she adores him."

"I've heard the same for Eagle Feather and Genevieve," he nodded. "I guess this is a strange place, but it's home. Our home."

"Our home," she whispered. "My mother and I lived in an apartment in Chinatown. There's a huge population of Koreans in Oakland, but she always said that would be too easy for father to find us. I guess in the end, it didn't matter."

"I guess not, baby. But she was trying to protect you."

"I know. I mean, I know that now. But why wouldn't she tell me that she was the former president's daughter? We left while he was still in office. Surely she could have spoken to him about what my father was doing. Did she have money? Was she in contact with him?"

"All good questions, and I'm afraid we'll have to leave that to Ece to find out. I don't care for her job or her tactics in getting it done. But she's capable and can find answers to just about anything."

"Do you think she'll keep her word and not tell anyone where I am?" asked Erica.

"I think she knows that she has no choice. If she utters one wrong word, we'll destroy her and her reputation. She'd never work again."

"I want to trust her, but I'm worried. Not for me, but for all of you and for Jennifer."

"And that's why you're beautiful. You're worried about everyone except yourself," he said, kissing her. He placed his wide hand across her flat belly, the width covering from pelvic bone to pelvic bone.

"Don't worry," she smiled. "They said I'd be just fine, and if the baby got too big, they'd put me on bed rest and maybe take it early." Moose only frowned, not liking the sound of that at all.

"I was a big baby. Really big," he said.

"I sort of assumed that. It's like you said, Moose. Women's bodies are miraculous things. We can accommodate men and babies of all sizes. I'll be just fine. I mean, look at Lena. She had Eric without a problem. In fact, most of the women had enormous babies without a problem." Moose chuckled.

"We do seem to grow them big here, don't we?" Erica laughed, nodding at her soon-to-be husband.

"We'll be just fine," she said, hugging his waist. "I know that you won't leave me alone."

"Not for one damn minute," said Moose. "Not one minute."

When they found Sage with velvet trays of custom rings, they were completely overwhelmed. Moose's hands were so large something would have to be custom-made for him. Erica's hands were so small everything would need to be sized down for her.

"I like the blue topaz with diamonds," she smiled. "It reminds me of your eyes." Moose kissed her, placing the ring on her finger. It fell off, and they both laughed.

"Don't worry. I'll have it sized perfectly for her. How about a traditional band for you, Moose? We can do a platinum, titanium, or gold band."

"I think black titanium for me," he said. "I want it to last forever." Sage smiled at the couple, nodding.

"I don't think either of you have a thing to worry about."