Expecting the Boss's Baby by Leanne Banks

his head. “No.” He gave Michael a measuring glance and his expression sobered. “There are some things a father discusses with his son on his wedding day. Since your father isn’t around, I thought I’d step in.”
    A tinge of the bitterness he’d avoided his entire life sneaked through his blood. “I’ve done fine without my father’s presence in my life.”
    Tom raised his eyebrows and nodded slowly as if he knew some secret that Michael didn’t. “Maybe,” he said. “But you’re taking a big step today, and you’re taking it with my daughter. If you mistreat her, I don’t care how many millions you have, there’ll be hell to pay.”
    “I won’t mistreat Kate. I’ll take care of her.”
    Tom shot him a wry look. “Good luck. She’s got an independent streak a mile wide. But that’s another subject. What I want to tell you is something very basic. The common belief about marriage is that it’s a fifty-fifty proposition. I’m hereto tell you that’s a myth. If you go into this with the idea that you’ll give fifty percent and Kate will give fifty percent, you’ll fall far short of one hundred. I’ve been married for a lot of years to a fine woman, but I’m telling you, Michael, when it comes to giving in a marriage, it takes one hundred and ten percent.”
    Michael often thought in terms of negotiation, so he balked at the idea of giving up that much of anything right off the bat. “I don’t doubt your experience, Mr. Adams, but if you add fifty and fifty, you get one hundred. That would seem more than enough for me.”
    Mr. Adams gave him a pitying glance. “It’s a strange rule, son, but anything under a hundred will get you in the doghouse. You give a hundred and ten and your return will double.”
    A knock sounded on the door and Justin Langdon rushed in pulling at his collar. “The preacher said it’s about time to roll.” He nodded toward Kate’s father. “Mr. Adams.”
    Tom gave Michael one last hard look. “Remember what I said.”
    “One hundred and ten percent,” Michael said, out of respect.
    Tom shook his head. “No, remember…there’ll be hell to pay,” he said and left the room.
    Justin glanced at Michael. “Daddy didn’t look happy. Does he know you knocked up his little girl?”
    “No,” Michael said, “and he’s not going to know either because that would be unconfirmed information. Right, Justin?”
    Justin sighed. “Yeah. You sure you don’t want to back out? There’s still time.”
    “I’m not backing out.”
    “Nagging wife, screaming kid,” Justin said.
    “Regular sex and saving a kid from my childhood.”
    Justin grew thoughtful. “Okay, but you did get her to sign a pre-nup, didn’t you?”
    Silence followed. Alarm crossed Justin’s face. “Man, tell me you got her to sign a pre-nup.”
    “Justin, I’m going into this with my head and instincts, and both of those have served me well.”
    Justin made a moaning sound as the minister poked his head in the door. “Would you join me for a word of prayer before the ceremony?”
    “Better make that prayer without ceasing,” Justin whispered. “You’re gonna need it. You might as well be playing the Super Bowl without a cup.”
    “I don’t know how much more of your support I can stand,” Michael muttered, and shook hands with the minister.
     
    In a room behind the foyer of the chapel, Betty Adams adjusted Kate’s veil for the sixth time. “Mom,” Kate said, fighting her own nerves, “the veil is fine.”
    Betty dabbed at her nose with her tissue. “Oh,you’re just so beautiful. I’ve been planning this day since you were born.”
    Not exactly this way, Kate thought, but smiled instead. “You’ve done a terrific job in such a short time. Thank you, Mom.”
    Betty, dressed in a filmy aqua mother-of-the-bride dress, waved the praise aside. “It was nothing, but there is something else I must tell you.”
    Kate felt the knot in her stomach tighten. She hoped her mother