from his mother's hug long enough to return to Hannah's side. "I want you to meet Hannah Martine. Hannah, these are my parents, David and Diana."
Hannah reached out to shake Diana's hand, only to be pulled into a great big bear hug. "It's so nice to meet you, Hannah. Derek told us how much danger you were in out in California. I'm so happy you're okay."
Dylan's mom released her just enough to pull back, apparently so she could inspect the woman who'd arrived with her youngest son. Hannah felt like she was under a microscope, and in that moment, she realized just how little she and Dylan really knew about each other. She panicked that she'd gotten ahead of herself in hoping for a future with the man who stepped up to wrap his arm around her waist.
She stumbled through her answer. "I'm fine, thanks to your sons. They saved me."
Pride filled Mrs. Parker's eyes. "Of course they did. They're such good boys."
"Ma. We're not boys." Derek had returned, carrying what looked like bags of Chinese carryout.
The portly woman glanced at her oldest son with love. "I keep telling you; you'll always be boys to me. Maybe you'll understand better after Rachel has the baby."
Rachel's jovial smile dimmed. The soon-to-be-mother turned somber. Hannah watched her closely as Rachel self-consciously stroked her belly, where her unborn child was growing inside her. Hannah recognized the look on her face as the one she'd seen on Holly's while she'd been pregnant with Connor. It was the look of uncertainty of her readiness to be a mother.
Derek crossed to his wife, picking her up into his arms as if she weighed nothing. She hugged him around his neck and wrapped her legs around his waist, clinging to him like a monkey. It reminded Hannah of the way she carried Connor.
When no one in the room seemed to remark on the grown couple acting more like father and daughter than husband and wife, Hannah let it go.
She spent the next hour sneaking glances their way, watching the dynamics of their marriage with growing interest.
"Excuse me. Can someone point me in the direction of the bathroom?" she asked. More than needing to pee, Hannah needed a few minutes alone to assimilate all she'd learned about Dylan and his family since they had arrived.
"Our guest bath on this floor is being remodeled. I hope you don't mind going up to the bathroom on the second floor. It's the second door on the right."
"Great. Thanks," Hannah said. Dylan rose as if to accompany her, but she laid her hand on his shoulder. "It's okay. I'm sure I'll find it. You stay here with your family."
She wasn't sure why, but he looked concerned—yet he let her go.
Hannah easily found the bathroom, but as she flicked on the light, she was surprised by the child-like décor that greeted her. She knew Rachel was pregnant, but was surprised to find the bathroom already decorated in a Disney motif.
The shower curtain was pulled back to reveal shelves full of bath toys and bubbles. As she arrived at the toilet, she had to first lift off the portable child's seat. It was the exact brand she had at home for Connor.
As she washed her hands with the Disney soap and dried them on the hand towel, Hannah glanced through the open door into the adjoining bedroom to see a full nursery. She knew it was rude, but she pushed the door open wider to get a better look, and jumped when she saw Dylan standing next to the large baby crib. He was watching her carefully.
"I was wondering if you'd notice Rachel's nursery," he said.
"You mean Rachel's baby's nursery."
He hesitated. "Well, maybe one day, but today it's all Rachel's."
Hannah didn't know how to respond. She glanced around the room, trying to understand what he meant. There was a baby crib, a changing table and a rocking horse; only they were all double the normal size. In the far corner was an adult-sized school desk, and shelves of toys and books.
It was when she got to the last corner of the room that her heart rate spiked. Hanging on the wall were an array of punishment devices, not unlike those she'd seen inside the Strictly Business warehouse.
Her fear must have shown on her face because Dylan was next to her in a heartbeat, taking her into his arm and holding her steady.
"I've got you."
She couldn't take her eyes off the piece of furniture pushed