“I would love to.” She returned his smile. “But you should know—I never put out on the first date.”

“Milaya,” he growled.

Laughing, she threw herself at him, and she was never so entirely at home as she was in that moment, standing on her tiptoes on the wide, airy porch as his arms closed around her. After a long, searing kiss, she pulled back. “Come meet my new mom.”

“I would love to meet your mom.”

Molly took him inside and introduced him to Sarah. Then she left them to talk over things, coven leader to new witch, while she went upstairs to get ready for their first date. She decided to wear a soft cotton tunic and a bright loose skirt because her stomach was finally beginning to show a slight baby bump. Scooping up a patterned shawl, she went back downstairs where she discovered the two loves of her life were getting along together famously. She and Alexei left to eat seafood at the restaurant by the pier.

Much to his frustration—and hers—she didn’t put out on the first date. She said, “I deserve to be courted.”

“So you do, my love.” He tipped an imaginary hat at her.

After another chaste but searing kiss, he left her on the doorstep. She watched him drive away and then fumbled her shaky way into the large old Victorian house that settled around her like a well-worn cloak. Wandering through the shadowed downstairs, she soaked in the peace and quiet while two tears ran down her face.

She was pregnant. She was allowed to be emotionally overwrought now and then. Besides, it was all so good, so good.

She put out on their third date. They had gone together to her first ultrasound and watched the grainy black-and-white images of the baby.

The doctor asked, “Do you want to know the sex?”

“No,” she said.

At the same moment, Alexei said, “Yes.”

The doctor laughed. “Which one is it?”

“Tell me,” Alexei said, his face creased with amusement. “Don’t tell her. I’m good at keeping secrets.”

He was, diabolically good. That would be terrible. Molly sat up, eyes rounded, and said, “NOOOOOOOO.” As Alexei and the doctor laughed harder, she caved in. “I already can’t stand it! You’re going to have to tell us.”

“Congratulations,” the doctor replied with a smile. “You have a beautiful, healthy little girl.”

But that wasn’t the date. That was baby mama and baby daddy stuff.

After the appointment, they went out for ice cream to celebrate, and that was their third date. Alexei had coffee while she indulged in chocolate chip mint ice cream.

When she was finished, he asked, “Want to see where I’m staying?”

“Of course!” she answered with enthusiasm.