Two years later
Emerson
Call me evil, but seeing Gianna waddling toward me is the best thing ever. I said she glowed, she said I was ridiculous, but it’s true. She married Spencer a little over eight months ago, and six weeks later she found out she was pregnant, with twins.
She reaches the table where I sit in the deli that we both visit often. They have the most delicious wraps and homemade muffins in the world, I swear it. When she braces herself on the small table and lets out a huff of air, which makes the hair that had fallen in her face puff outward, I can’t control myself. Laughter spills from me, which only causes my little angel to stir in my arms.
I vowed the very second the nurse placed my daughter in my arms and I saw her sweet face that never would she ever be taken for granted. I would adore her every second of every day. I’d do everything I could to make her see that she could be anything she wanted and do great things.
Amara was born four and a half months ago and instantly became the center of my world and Nic’s. I don’t mind sharing that space in his heart with her because she is a piece of us, a creation from the love he and I share. There will never be another moment in my life that will replace the feeling I got when he held our daughter for the first time. The joy, the love, and the completion that shone in his eyes as he ran his finger along her cheek and leaned in to press a soft kiss to her forehead let me know right then that he is the greatest man. He is everything and more and the way he loves us both—it makes me feel like I have the world at my fingertips.
“I’ll trade you,” Gia says, reminding me where I am and pulling me out of my head. “You take these little devils that seem to find kicking my bladder a source of entertainment, and I’ll take Amara. She’s so peaceful and there is just one of her.”
“First of all, she is not always this peaceful.” Like this morning when Nic and I were attempting to take advantage of the few minutes we had alone, and she picked that time to have a full-blown breakdown. My body is still wound tight and craves the release I was cheated of. “Second, you only have a short time left and the minute they are here you’ll forget all about the punts to your organs.”
“Short time would be a day or two, not months.” I felt sorry for her, I honestly did. She is carrying the weight of two energetic little boys, and her feet swell more often than not. But I know from experience that in the end, the torture for her would all be worth it.
“I told Spencer that after this, he’s getting fixed.”
I snicker and try to hide it as I lean over and place my mouth to the side of Amara’s head.
“I mean it, Em,” she adds. “He said he wanted two kids when I met him. I agreed that two wouldn’t be bad. So he’s getting his two in one shot.”
“True.” I am finally able to clear the humored expression from my face.
“You would think so, but no.” She leans back and stretches her legs out before her. “Now he’s insisting we try again for a girl in a year or so. Know now—that is not going to happen. I’m okay with what we got. Either he gets fixed, or he finds another means for some action because this baby hotel is closed for business after these rowdy boys.”
I want to tell her she may change her mind, but with Gianna, one had to learn to pick their battles. This is one of those times it is better just to let it go.
My phone chimes in the diaper bag and I reach inside to retrieve it.
Nic: Where are my girls? Daddy misses you both.
“Oh my hell.” I look up to see Gia with her nose wrinkled while she stares directly at me. “You are still such a lovesick fool. One doesn’t even have to ask who texted you. All they need to do is look at your face. I don’t glow, you do.”
Ignoring her comment, I respond with a “be home soon” before tossing my phone back in my bag.
Amara and I snuck out after Nic dozed off on the couch to give him some quiet time. I should have known that he’d wake up and immediately be in search of us. I love how much he needs us. That is a feeling I didn’t have growing up and can’t get enough of now.
* * *
Nicholas
It is well after midnight when I enter our apartment. The light from the fireplace is the only glow in the room. I feel her before I even notice her sitting on the couch. There is an invisible pull I have toward her, a craving to touch her and hold her close.
“You didn’t have to wait up, beautiful.” I lay my keys on the small table just beside the door and begin to remove my jacket.
The closer I get, the more she comes into view. Her feet are tucked up beneath her, one of my oversized t-shirts covering her body. I’ve seen her in lingerie, some of the sexiest little numbers possible. I’ve also seen her in flannel pajamas, but my favorite of all was this. There is this weird sense of ownership I feel when seeing her in one of my shirts, like she needs a piece of me close, surrounding her, and that is the best fucking feeling.
“I couldn’t sleep.” As I sit down at her side she moves in closer. “I don’t like lying in our bed at night without you. It only makes me miss you more when I smell you on the sheets and pillows.”
Again with the satisfied smile.
“I guess I was hoping that maybe we could spend a little time alone before we both crashed from our days.”
“What did you have in mind?” She is already in the process of moving her body over mine before I even finish the question. She straddles my hips, shifts forward, and makes a little grinding motion with her hips. I lay back, giving her complete control. Another one of the many things I enjoy about her is when she takes from me what she needs, letting go of the reserved side she tried so hard in the beginning to maintain.
My gorgeous wife is a sight to behold when she gives into her inhibitions.
“I thought that for the next hour, maybe even two, I would concentrate on nothing other than the way you make me feel.”
And she does just that.
I have a wife I love more than I ever dreamed possible. I also have a sweet, perfect daughter who had me wrapped around her finger from the second she was born. I have everything I could want, except maybe a son, but there would always be time for that.
Emerson leans over to place her lips against mine just as the warmth of her body engulfs me and her hips begin to rock. I watch as she moves over me, her lips parted, her eyelids drooping as she takes in the feel of me buried inside her. This is home, my perfect place.
The truth is I did find my forever at a charity auction. A boy toy auction to be exact, but I had no problem admitting that. I’d gladly accept that from the moment the beauty in the silver dress raised her paddle in the air with determination and shouted out her bid, I was fucking lost.
I would forever be hers, and in turn, she would always be mine.