Baby's First Christmas. Cathy Thacker Gillen

true, anyway.” He finished writing with quick, angry strokes of the pen. “I have no intention of suing Kate, on any level, at any time now or in the future.”

      Looking visibly relieved he’d bullied one person into doing what he wanted, Kate’s dad turned to her. “Honey?” he asked cordially. “Don’t you owe Michael the same peace of mind?”

      Kate had to admit she didn’t want Michael to think she would ever come after him for financial support. Oh, hell. “Why not?” Kate muttered grimly, taking the pen from her dad. “I don’t have any intention of slapping him with a paternity suit, either.” Never mind asking him for money!

      “If you’ll just witness the signatures…” Ted Montgomery turned first to his wife, then the Sloanes. Everyone signed on the dotted line. Finished, her dad put the papers away. “I’m glad we have that all worked out,” he said happily. “Now, about this business of the baby’s last name—”

      Kate and Michael exchanged looks. On that, they were firm. “There’s no discussion,” Kate said resolutely, accepting the hand of support Michael offered her. “The name stays,” she announced as she and Michael tightly entwined fingers. “It’s Timothy Michael Montgomery-Sloane, hyphenated. He has two parents. He is going to carry both our last names. It will avoid confusion in the future.”