Zansi made a face in the bathroom mirror. She had let Simone put some makeup on her and talk her into keeping her hair down. It felt funny down because she wore it up in a severe bun every day for work. She felt wild and free.

She blew a stray curl off her cheek. She would be wild and free if she wasn’t going to a boring dinner party where everyone will be talking about politics and law. She slipped on the heels Simone insisted she wear which were much higher than she was used to.

Standing in front of the full-length mirror, she wondered if she wasn’t dressed a little too risqué for the dinner party. The red silk dress hugged her curves without it appearing tight. The silk felt nice on her skin. The black heels did look sexy with the dress. All in all, Simone was the master of looking sexy, so she was happy to let her dress her.

She had an hour before they left so she decided to have a quick bite of her chocolate bar in the freezer. When she passed her brother’s room, she could hear the shower.

Zansi had just popped a square of chocolate in her mouth when her phone rang. It was her secretary, Tara.

“Hi Tara, what’s up?”

“Zansi, I just got a frantic call from my Aunt Vera. She said the Department of Health and Human Services is at Mr. Steele’s house and it’s not going well.”

Panic rushed through her. Are they there to take the baby away from Flynn?

Without thinking, she grabbed her purse and rushed out the door and down the sidewalk. She climbed his granite steps and hesitated at the closed door before she burst through and joined what some would call a shit show.

All eyes turned to her. Flynn looked angry, Aunt Vera looked frightened as she held baby Alice, and an older woman with a sour face stood in front with her hands on her hips.

“Oh, I’m so sorry I’m late! Please forgive me,” she smiled and made her way to a shocked Flynn.

“Hello, darling. Traffic was awful,” she said, leaning up and kissing his surprised lips. Zansi continued until she stood by Aunt Vera. “Hello Vera, how’s our little angel?” Zansi asked scooping baby Alice up into her arms.”

Aunt Vera smiled and sighed with relief. “She’s perfect.”

Zansi looked at the sourpuss. “I’m sorry, we haven’t met. Are you from the Department of Health and Human services? We’ve been waiting for a home visit.”

Now the sourpuss looked surprised.

“And who would you be?” the woman asked.

“My name is Zansi Patel. I’m …”

“Zansi is my fiancé. She’s been helping me when I’m at work, along with Vera, the new nanny.”

Zansi’s eyes flew to Flynn’s. He looked at her, silently asking her to play along.

Flynn put his arm around Zansi's shoulders and pulled her close. “She’s also a pediatrician. Alice’s primary physician, that’s how we met.”

Sourpuss looked skeptical. “It’s only been a month and you’re engaged?”

Zansi looked to Flynn to answer.

He shrugged and kissed her temple. Zansi thought she was going to pass out. His lips on her skin sent her senses spiraling.

“Well, what can I say, it was love at first sight. But, as far as being engaged so quickly, we both just figured it would be the best for Alice. We could be a family.”

Zansi must have looked shocked because Flynn leaned down and kissed her tenderly on the lips. And just like that, the rest of the world didn’t exist.

She brought her free hand to cup his cheek as he took the kiss deeper.

A cough broke the spell.

“Yes, well, a married couple always looks better on the adoption paperwork. Do you have a card, Miss Patel?”

Zansi smiled and nodded. She handed Alice to Flynn and fished in her purse for her business card. She also grabbed a pen from the bottom of her purse and scribbled her personal cell phone on the back before she handed the card over.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name. Do you have a card as well?”

The woman looked flustered as she reached into her messenger bag and pulled out a business card and handed it to Zansi.

“Yes, well, I’m Mrs. Boltsead, I will be visiting several more time before I make my final report. Would you mind if I visited you at work, Miss Patel?”

Zansi smiled. “I wouldn’t mind at all. You might have to wait if I’m detained at the hospital. Babies don’t believe in schedules. And we will get you all the references you need for Vera. I believe her last employer was Senator Lewis and his wife. Is that right, Vera?”

Vera laughed. “Yes, yes that’s right. Lovely children.”

Mrs. Boltstead handed her card to Flynn. “May I ask why you’re so dressed up?” she asked looking Zansi up and down.

Zansi giggled. “Girls night out. We like to get fancy.”

Mrs. Boltstead pursed her lips together making her again look like a sourpuss. She walked to the door and turned. “I hope the wedding takes place before my next visit so I can include it in my report.”

And just like that, it seemed like the wind swept her out the door. Leaving all three, except Alice, stunned and very confused.

Zansi could feel the heat rise up her neck. “I’m so sorry for barging in. I didn’t think. I got the call from Tara, and I rushed right over. I think I may have made a bad situation worse.”

Flynn kissed Alice’s head and handed her to Vera. Vera reached out to Zansi and took her hand and gave it a squeeze before she padded down the hall, disappearing from sight.

Flynn walked to stand before Zansi and put his strong arms on her shoulders. “I don’t know what just happened, but what I do know is you just saved Alice from being taken into custody with the Department.”

“I don’t understand why they would take her from you?”

Flynn dropped his arms in defeat. “Doctor, can I call you Zansi? We are engaged now,” he said with a sad smile. “The Department doesn’t think what I do for work is a fit environment for a child. I own …”

Zansi’s phone rang, jolting her. She fished her phone out of her purse. “Sorry,” she said to Flynn.

“Avi …”

“Yes … I know Avi … I’ll be right there, I’m just next door.”

Zansi looked up to a scowling Flynn. “Sorry, that was my brother. I’m scheduled to be somewhere and I’m late.”

“Next door?” Flynn asked.

Zansi made a nervous face. “Yes, can I explain later? I really have to go.”

Flynn narrowed his eyes. “A date?”

Zansi bit her lip and nodded. “Yes, the brother of an attorney my brother works with.”

She started towards the door, but Flynn’s arm snaked out and held her still. As if in slow motion, his mouth came down and barely touched her lips. His eyes stayed open along with hers.

“This conversation isn’t over. Thank you for what you did,” he whispered.

The kiss was as tender as a caress. She had to swallow and shake her head to clear it before she quickly made her way to the door. She looked back and thought she saw confusion in his eyes which mirrored her own. Then she hustled out the door and down the sidewalk to her impatiently waiting brother.