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"Meaning there has to be the pomp and circu a forettinglike that But your ht in that we do need to speed up the timeline"

"Why?" When Evelyn didn’t answer, Carolina frowned Then it dawned on her "Oh, nant"

Evelyn nodded "Just a little"

Carolina wanted to screarabbed her hands "I’m so incredibly excited for you And honey, you can’t be just a little pregnant How far along are you?"

"I have no idea Probably not too far I was due to have my period before Christnancy test Hard to do in nosy small towns, too, so I had to do it surreptitiously"

"Secret’s going to come out in a hurry"

"I know"

"How did Gray take it?"

"Are you kidding? He’s over-the-ed It was sloppy romantic"

"A" Tears pricked Carolina’s eyes and she sat on the edge of the bed "You’re going toto be an aunt"

Evelyn sniffled "I know I’ to say We’re ruining everything"

"They aren’t going to be angry Are you kidding? Do you have any idea how long randmother? She’ll be thrilled"

"But your father--and his stature as vice president"

Carolina waved her hand "So you’ll be a little pregnant when you walk down the aisle I think the country can weather that ser fish to fry, like the deficit and foreign relations and the econoet your point," Evelyn said

"When are you telling Mom and Dad?"

"Today I’m nervous"

"Do you wantGray and I have to do alone I wanted to tell you first, though"

"Okay If you change your mind and you need me, letof things that need to be revealed"

Evelyn gave her a look "You’re not pregnant, too, are you?"

Carolina laughed "Uh, no But did Gray tell you he walked into Drew’s rooether?"

Evelyn’s eyes widened She planted her feet on the floor and leaned forward "Oh, ot up this uess Gray must have just opened the door to ask Drew to have coffee with hiand there I was"

Evelyn put her hands over her cheeks "Oh, God, Carolina Was he mad?"

"At first You know, the whole overprotective-brother thing that we talked about But then Drew talked to him, and I reminded hiht"

Evelyn nodded "I’ll talk to hih on your plate to deal with"

"It’s a long flight back to DC We’ll have tis besides the baby" Evelyn stood "Oh, God, I’ to fit that into ed her "This is the life you wanted, the one you dreamed about A husband and a faht We willas your father doesn’t fireto fire you He thinks of you as another daughter He loves you"

"Wish ood luck"

Carolina finished packing, then went downstairs It was quiet No doubt Evelyn and Gray were so a conversation with her parents She found Dreatching a basketball game on television She fixed herself a cup of tea, then sat down beside hi the television "Where did everyone go?"

"No idea Are you all packed?"

"Yeah Are we flying out together toht is at ten thirty"

"Mine, too"

She sured ht since we’re going to the saaames in a row Then we come back ho a strand of her hair behind her ear "Is your staff coave theenerous of you So you’ll be toughing it out alone?"

"That’s okay It’ll giveand take care of some of the myriad minor details I don’t have time to mess hen the staff is in"

"A quiet way to settle back in after Christmas"

"Yes"

"Maybe you can even take New Year’s Eve off"

She paused and looked at hi me out?"

"Maybe If I ould you say yes?"

"Maybe You know, it’s a little late in the garinned "I have connections, you know"