Oh Baby(19)

When the curtain parted again, a spotlight was trained on a humongous gift-wrapped box topped with a giant red bow.

Rustles of curious whispers ran through the crowd.

As Tchaikovsky's "Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy" began playing, a panel opened at the front of the gold box, lowering to the stage like a ramp extending from an aircraft.

When Matthew, Malcolm and Milan suddenly appeared, the audience burst into applause.

The boys looked dapper in gold tuxedos while Milan resembled a fairy princess in a billowy gold dress with gold ribbons in her curly black hair. The three of them looked like golden figurines come to life.

Marcus grinned broadly, his chest swelling with pride as he watched the twins take their baby sister by the hand and escort her down the ramp. They had the entire audience going "Aww" and smiling from ear to ear.

The Nutcracker song faded as an angelic soprano voice rose from the dais. As the talented soloist sang the opening notes of "Ave Maria," Samara emerged from the giant box.

The audience let out a gasp.

Marcus lost his breath.

If Milan looked like a fairy princess, her mother was the fairy queen, luminously beautiful in a strapless gold ball gown that shimmered under the spotlight. She wore a diamond choker and a diamond tiara on her head that gave Marcus flashbacks to the magical night they met.

She commanded everyone's attention as she wafted down the ramp, the sweep of her gold gown floating around her as appreciative murmurs spread through the crowd.

At the bottom of the ramp, Matthew and Malcolm bowed gallantly to their mother. Milan curtsied and then crooked her little finger.

When Samara bent down, her daughter kissed her sweetly on the cheek.

More sighs and choruses of "Aww" floated from the crowd.

Marcus swallowed around the lump in his throat. Someone-probably Magnum-clapped him on the shoulder.

He couldn't take his eyes off the stage as Samara and their children started down the runway together. It was fitting that they'd stepped out of a gift box, because they were four of the best gifts he'd ever received in his life.

Just as they reached the end of the runway, a feral roar pierced the air.

Samara whirled, her gown billowing around her.

Marcus sat up straighter, his eyes riveted to the stage as excited whispers broke out around him.

Suddenly a massive tiger came prowling out of the box.

The audience gasped.

Marcus couldn't believe his eyes. It was déjà vu all over again.

The sleekly powerful Bengal tiger was led on a chain by a man dressed as a safari guide. As the huge animal prowled toward Samara and the children, a nervous giggle rose from the crowd.

Marcus tried to calm his breathing, telling himself to relax.

The kids weren't remotely nervous or scared. They were watching the tiger with the same fascinated glee Marcus had seen on their faces during their safari adventure.

Halfway down the runway, the man stopped with the tiger.

The audience sat enthralled, waiting to see what would happen next.

Suddenly a small tiger cub wandered out of the box.

It was followed by another. Then another.

The audience broke into delighted laughter.

As the three tiger cubs joined their mother, Samara and her three children walked up the runway to greet the family of tigers. The mother lay down on the stage, tail swishing contentedly as Samara-ever the tiger whisperer-knelt to scratch the animal behind the ear. When the tiger rubbed its massive head against Samara's shoulder, the crowd reacted with awed exclamations and enthusiastic applause.



       
         
       
        

At the other end of the stage, another safari guide suddenly stepped out of the giant box. To everyone's surprised delight, she was carrying a baby cub in her arms.

She walked right up to Samara and showed her the small cub, reminding Marcus of a nurse presenting a newborn baby to his mother.

Wait a minute...

Marcus got slowly to his feet, his pulse thundering as the pieces began falling into place.

That was when Samara turned and looked directly at him.

With a glowing smile on her face, she rubbed her stomach in slow circles as the words and baby makes six! flashed in neon lights on the backdrop of the stage.

Marcus stared at her, stunned speechless as a roar of applause and cheers erupted from the audience.

The fellas were whooping raucously, shouting congratulations and pounding Marcus on the back.

And then he was bounding up to the stage and hopping onto the runway. Samara laughed as he grabbed her face in his hands and kissed her as cameras flashed from all directions.

He kissed her until they were both breathless, until the chorus of cheers, whistles and catcalls grew loud enough to penetrate his euphoric bubble.

Lifting his mouth from Samara's, he gazed down at her and whispered wonderingly, "You're really pregnant?"

Her eyes glimmered. "You think I put on this big production just to play a joke on you?"

He laughed exultantly, then picked her up and spun her around, loving the sound of her rapturous laughter.

When he put her down, she beamed up at him, her eyes shining with tears of joy. "Congratulations, sweetheart," she whispered.

His heart swelled to bursting. He was just about to kiss her again when he felt a tug on his suit jacket. He glanced down to see three grinning faces peering up at him.

"Mommy's having a baby," Milan gleefully announced.

"He knows," Matthew retorted, rolling his eyes at her. "It's not a secret anymore."

Laughing, Marcus picked up his daughter and tweaked her little nose. "You did a great job keeping Mommy's secret."

"Only 'cause we just found out before the show." Malcolm grinned. "Did you like it, Dad?"

"I loved it," Marcus affirmed, smiling at Samara. "It was amazing."

"And fun!" Matthew raved excitedly. "Can we have a tiger?"

Marcus and Samara laughed.

"Shadow is the only pet you boys need for now," Marcus said humorously.

Matthew grinned at his twin brother as if to say, It was worth a shot.

Milan pointed shyly to Samara's head. "Can I wear your pretty crown, Mommy?"

"Of course, baby." Samara took off her tiara and carefully settled it on Milan's head. The little girl's smile shone brighter than the crown's sparkling diamonds. 

Their family and friends joined them on the stage, a swarm of hugs and kisses and boisterous congratulations. The men were grinning from ear to ear. All the women had tears in their eyes.

Sterling and Asha, arms wrapped around each other's waist, thanked Marcus and Samara for giving them another grandbaby to spoil rotten.

"And we're gonna do just that," Sterling warned, "so don't try to stop us."

Everyone laughed warmly.

As Marcus looked at the sea of smiling faces around him, it was hard not to feel overwhelmed with gratitude. He'd been blessed with more than any man could ever hope for. And just when he'd thought he couldn't possibly get any luckier, God had surprised him with another precious miracle.

As the others drifted off to mingle, Marcus gazed down at his radiantly beautiful wife. "I love you," he said in a voice filled with husky emotion. "I love you so damn much."

Her eyes were soft and glowing. "I love you too, Marcus."

He leaned down and kissed her.

There was an immediate chorus of catcalls, whistles and lewd teasing.

Marcus and Samara pulled apart laughing.

Then Marcus took her hand and winked, and together they left the stage to join the others for the unfolding after-party.

They had much to celebrate tonight … and for many years to come.





13





Long after the festivities were over and everyone had gone to bed, Marcus and Samara cuddled up by a cozy fire, quietly continuing their celebration.

The room was dark save for the flames glowing in the hearth, spreading warmth through the elegantly furnished bedchamber. They were sitting on a thick Persian rug in front of the crackling fireplace. Marcus was leaning back against an antique wing chair as Samara sat astride his outstretched legs with her arms looped around his neck. Their faces were close together as they talked and laughed and shared lingering kisses.

"So how're you feeling?" Marcus murmured.

"I feel wonderful," Samara said with a contented sigh.

"No morning sickness?"

"None whatsoever." She grinned teasingly. "I'm already liking this kid more than the others."

Marcus laughed, the sound wrapping around her like the warmest embrace. He was wearing black silk pajama bottoms, leaving his chest and abs bare. Samara wore the matching top, unbuttoned low enough to expose the curve of her breasts.

Firelight danced across Marcus's face, illuminating his dark eyes as he smiled at her. "I can't believe you kept your pregnancy a secret from me. For three whole weeks."

Samara grinned. "It was hard, but I really wanted to surprise you."

"You definitely did. You surprised the hell out of me."

"I know. The look on your face was priceless."

"I bet it was. Seeing you up on that runway with the tiger … " Marcus shook his head, marveling. "It felt like déjà vu. Like coming full circle."

Samara smiled. "Exactly."

He stroked her hair, smiling softly. "I love all the Christmas presents you gave me this morning. But a baby...I can't think of a more perfect gift."