Simon

Simon scrubbed his palm down the leg of his cargos. If he had his way, he’d still be in his board shorts…or better yet, naked. He wasn’t really used to people in the church beyond Margo.

Oh, they’d had people to visit before, but it still felt crowded. No matter how many additions he put on the place, he still liked it best when it was just the loft and Margo. Jazz and Gray had been too entrenched in toddler Christmas to make the trip. Then Harper and Deacon had backed out thanks to an overbooking of Harper’s catering business. Simon had been a little sad they couldn’t make it only because he thought the whole band needed some proper bonding time after the shitstorm of the last few months.

For fuck’s sake, more like the last year.

But the future looked truly bright for his band for the first time in a long time. Both on the future album that was already percolating between all of them and the families they were creating. They’d have plenty of time to bond over babies and future babies if Nick and Lila had anything to say about it.

To be honest, all of the women in Oblivion were looking for another baby added to their family roster. Simon hadn’t thought he and Margo were ever going to be on the same page. Now?

Life was pretty damn strange.

He headed down the stairs to the main living space. The kitchen held the Bickersons, otherwise known as his brother and Zoe. They were forever sniping at each other.

“Have you ever made guacamole?”

“No.”

“Then get away from the blender, pal.”

“I’m a master.”

Zoe hip checked him out of the way. “Maybe if it was a margarita. She said to use this.” She handed him a large masher thing that was slightly horrifying.

“What is that?” Ian took it and turned it upside down.

She turned it around again so the handle was in the palm of his hand. “Potato masher.”

“For avocados?”

She sighed and plucked it out of his hand. “Never mind. Just go wash the tomatoes.”

“I can help.” Ian peered over her shoulder to watch, but it was mostly so he could cop a feel.

Simon rolled his eyes and tried not to smile. He knew that trick and used it often. “How’s it going in here?”

Zoe smiled and elbowed Ian back. “We’ve only had to call Harper twice to ask questions.”

“But we had someone bring food in.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “Wait, how did you know to call her?”

Zoe pointed to the chalkboard covered in large letters:

We don’t know the answer, call Harper.

Love, Margo & Lila

Well, at least they wouldn’t burn the place down. “Carry on.”

Simon hoped shitty guacamole was the least of their problems. On his way through the living room, he caught Lila and Nick laughing about something. From the blush staining Li’s cheeks, it was probably something rude.

Shocker.

It was good to see everyone laughing again. There definitely hadn’t been much to smile about earlier this year. The nightmares had faded for the most part. His, surprisingly, hadn’t lasted long about the actual kidnapping. Jerry had gotten exactly what he deserved.

Unfortunately, so had his mother.

No, he was mostly a basketcase about Margo and the baby getting through the pregnancy now. He’d thought—hoped—the trip to the island would chill them both out.

He’d even brought their midwife, Nora, with them.

Obsess much?

Nah.

On his way to the back door, he spotted Margo’s wide sun hat on the hook. He grabbed it and closed the door behind him.

She was standing on the edge of the garden, her white and navy sundress billowing around her long legs as she looked out at the ocean. There was a path down to the beach from the back of their property.

They’d bought the next property over when one of their neighbors decided to sell. Now the church had been extended to an L-shape and they finally had direct access to the beach.

“Hey, hot mama. You forgot this.” He knew not to sneak up and surprise her. So many things had changed for them in so little time.

She turned toward him with a huge smile. Her dark hair was a little shorter now. She’d said she didn’t want to deal with all of it while nursing a baby.

Nursing.

God, how was this his life?

A year ago, the only boob talk he’d cared about was when and where he could get his mouth on his wife’s breast. Not the various creams and ointments she needed to prevent cracking.

Sweet Jesus.

She took the hat and tossed it on her beach bag with the tall water bottle sticking out. At least she was drinking her water, even if she wasn’t paying attention to her skin at the moment.

He moved behind her, linking his fingers over her belly. His little girl gave a hearty kick the moment he touched Margo.

“She is using my ribs for soccer practice.”

He rubbed the spot lightly. “Settle down in there. You don’t get to kick until after the spicy guac.” He grinned into Margo’s neck. “How are you feeling?”

She leaned back against him. “Good. Couldn’t get comfortable on the couch I used to love.”

“We debauched that couch many a night.”

Margo laughed and elbowed him. “Do not tell Li that.”

“Aww, come on. Just because they’re sitting on said couch right now? I shouldn’t mention just how skillfully you held onto the…oof.” He winced and wiggled behind her. “So that’s a no?”

“How’d you guess?”

He nipped her ear as a warm gust of air blew her dress up. He laughed as she shrieked and tried to keep it down over her rounded belly. Her hat took off across the garden.

“Simon.”

“Got it.” He chased after it to the edge of the path. He glanced down to the beach and swallowed. The white caps were looking a little fierce out there. He jogged back to her and picked up her bag. “Let’s get some food into you. Maybe Raine’s kicking up a storm because her mama’s hungry.”

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah.”

She narrowed her eyes at him, but she took his hand. “That’s your worried face.”

“That’s my face until this bambina makes a super safe arrival.” He patted her belly. “Stay in there and cook for a few more weeks, lemon drop.”

Margo laughed. “Not such a lemon drop anymore.”

Simon leaned in and brushed his mouth over hers. “Both of you are gorgeous.”

“You haven’t even seen her yet.”

“We’re two of the hottest people on the planet. Our baby is going to be gorgeous.”

“May our baby have some of my humility to combat your ego.”

He turned her around and marched her gently toward the house. “You know this little girl is going to be the most beautiful girl in the universe.”

“Universe now?”

“Yes. Skipped right over our solar system into intergalactic ethereal perfection.”

“Put a little pressure on the kid.”

He was such a dumbass. Margo’s mother was a perfectionist and obsessed with outward looks in all things. He caught Margo close and tucked his chin on her shoulder. “Her dad is less than perfect and this little girl will know how much she’s loved no matter what.”

She lifted her hand to his hair. “You always know just what to say.”

“You know that’s a lie and pregnancy hormones are making you soft on me.”

“Maybe.”

“Now let’s go see if they burned down the house.”

“They’re making glorified salsa. I’m sure Ian and Zoe are fine.”

“They were using a potato masher to make guacamole. Not salsa, my beautiful wife. Do not disrespect the avocado.”

“You only care about them because you’ve been making me eat avocado toast for weeks.”

“It’s good for you. And I eat it too.”

She rolled her eyes when he opened the door for her. “We’ll be calling the baby your little avocado at the rate I’m eating them.”

He eased her through the doorway. “Lemon drop is way cuter.”

“I’m too tired to argue.”

“Are you sure you’re okay? Should I get Nora?”

“I’m fine. Let that poor woman rest. She already checked me over three times today. All good, everyone’s doing fine, baby is cooking as she should.”

“She’s not the first woman to birth a baby, Simon.” Lila met them in the hall with a large glass of tea. When Simon opened his mouth, Lila sighed. “Herbal.”

Margo took the glass. “Thanks.”

Simon eased her into their recently expanded dining room and down into a chair. Zoe was setting out a big bowl of guac. At least they’d managed to do that.

“Well, she’s having the only Kagan baby.”

Zoe bobbled the bowl and it landed with a thunk. “Sorry.”

Ian came up behind her and rubbed her back lightly, then mopped up the little spillover. “There we go, no harm done.”

Zoe gave a bright smile. “Dinner’s ready.”