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  Brian nodded and hurried to catch up with Luke’s family. “Is something wrong?” Matthew asked worriedly.

  Lilly smiled, the warm beautiful smile he loved. “What could possibly be wrong?” she asked, and raised her arms to encircle his neck. “A new generation of Delaneys is about to be born.”

  “It’s wonderful, isn’t it?” He wrapped his arms around her waist. “My life is wonderful since I have you in it.”

  “I’m glad you feel that way.” Her eyes sparkled with love. “Because in seven months I’m going to bring you back to this hospital.”

  Matthew stared at her. “What are you telling me?” he asked cautiously.

  She laughed, the sweet sound ringing in the air, in his heart. “In seven months, Matthew Delaney, you’re going to be a father.”

  “Oh, Lilly…sweet Lilly!” Tears of joy sprang to his eyes as he gazed at the woman who had filled his heart, filled his life with her love. “A baby! We’re going to have a baby!” He whooped with excitement, then captured her lips with his.

  “It’s a whole new generation, Matthew,” she said softly when the kiss had ended.

  He stroked a finger down her cheek, his heart so full he felt as if he might die from happiness. “And this generation is going to be blessed,” he said softly. “Because it’s a generation born of love.”

  “Matthew!” Luke called from the door of the emergency room. “Come on, we need to all be together for this.”

  Together. The Delaney heirs all together, with their spouses and children, and the promise of a happily-ever-after for all.

  “Matthew,” Lilly said as they hurried toward the hospital door. “We won’t tell anyone our news tonight. Tonight is Mark and April’s time.”

  Her sweet thoughtfulness halted his forward progress, and he pulled her into his arms once again. “I love you, Mrs. Matthew Delaney.”

  “And I love you, Mr. Delaney,” she returned, that love shining from her eyes. “And you are going to be the most awesome father in the world.”

  He laughed exuberantly. “Ah, Lilly, does it get any better than this?”

  Her smile held a sweet promise. “Darling, the best is yet to come.”

  As they entered the waiting room, where all the Delaneys were gathered, Matthew squeezed Lilly’s hand, knowing the best was here and now, with the imprint of her kiss on his lips, the knowledge of their baby in his heart and the love of his family surrounding him.

  ISBN: 978-1-4268-8380-4

  OUT OF EXILE

  Copyright © 2002 by Carla Bracale

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Silhouette Books, 300 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017 U.S.A.

  All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.

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  †Sisters

  ‡Mustang, Montana

  ††The Delaney Heirs

  *The Baker Brood