Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 21278 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 106(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21278 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 106(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
He slips the ring on my finger and stands. He gathers me into his arms and lets out a contented sigh. “This feels like we need celebration sex.”
I laugh. “It does seem the perfect way to celebrate. Where are the kids?”
“With grandpa.” He scoops me into his arms and carries me into the bedroom.
I call his name as soon as I see the bed. He made it this morning before he left. But there’s a new addition that wasn’t there before.
“I was going to give you that and do this big thing,” he explains softly. “Then I heard about the baby and I kind of lost my shit. All I could think about was getting to you and telling you how much I love you and how happy I am to raise our baby together.”
He sets me on the blankets, and I crawl up to the headboard, carefully cradling the teddy bear to my chest. It’s a light colored one that’s wearing a firemen costume. It’s not quite like the one I had as a kid but it’s close enough.
“You did this for me?” I look up at him.
He joins me on the bed, stalking up next to me. “I can’t fix everything that’s gone wrong in your life. But I’ll always be the man that tries to heal your wounded places. I’ll always look out for your heart. I’ll guard it fiercely and protect you always. You and our three babies.”
I smile up at him. It’s hard for me to believe that we met just seven weeks ago inside of a strip club. I’m pretty sure we’re going to edit that part out when we tell the twins and baby how we met. Maybe that’ll be just our special secret.
“What are you smiling about?” He runs his nose along the column of my throat before pressing a soft kiss to my pulse point. Everything this man does turns me on and I’m sure with the surging pregnancy hormones, we’ll have plenty more sexy times together.
“I’m thinking that your hose looked bigger on stage.” I giggle as I find myself flipped onto my stomach. This man is my rock and my forever. Together, we’re building a beautiful family.
EPILOGUE
LINCOLN
“Still no baby,” Lyla complains as she talks to me on video call. It’s been three days since I slid my ring on Lucy’s finger. We’re getting married today in our backyard and Lyla and Leo are “helping” her get ready in the bedroom.
We told them about the baby and our engagement all in one sitting. They were thrilled. Every morning and every night before bed, they get Lucy to lift her shirt and look for the baby bump. I’ve tried to explain that it doesn’t work that fast but they’re so eager to see her body change. I can’t blame them. I’m already looking forward to watching my woman’s curves fill out even more.
“You’ll see the bump soon,” I promise her as I stand from the kitchen chair I’ve been sitting in for the last hour. I’ve passed the morning by playing cards at the table with my groomsmen. The ceremony should be starting in just a few moments. “Do you have your flowers?”
She giggles. “Yes. Throw the flowers!”
“Gently,” I remind her. I have no doubt my enthusiastic little girl will go all out on her assignment. Leo is in charge of the rings and he’s so excited about getting the “big boy job” as Lucy called it. She knows just what to say to make him feel important.
“Your turn for makeup,” I hear Scarlett’s voice. She’s helping my soon-to-be wife and kids get ready for our big day. Last night, she threatened to dismember me if I ever made Lucy cry anything other than happy tears.
“Bye daddy!” Lyla says right before the video call ends.
I chuckle, already looking forward to our honeymoon. The department could only spare me for three days, and Lucy asked that we turn our honeymoon into a family vacation at the beach. The kids are excited to be swimming with the dolphins tomorrow. I’m happy just to spend those three days with my perfect family.
“You’re tying it too tight!” Cam complains as Wynter adjusts the Windsor knot at the base of his throat.
Wynter is with the groomsmen. She’s just as much one of my brothers as Camden and Derek. I didn’t think it was right that she should be left out, traditions be damned. Her tailored suit even perfectly matches the other groomsmen.
“You’re being a baby,” she complains and finally steps back, giving a self-satisfied nod at her handiwork.
There’s a knock at the door then Derek is coming into my house. He was running late today for some mysterious reason. “Y’all ready to meet my date?”
I don’t miss the flicker of hurt on Wynter’s face before she carefully pastes on a smile. She nods enthusiastically.