Autumn
After my world stopped spinning and I’d gotten my land legs back, Emmett held me so tightly that I thought I might smother. His body trembled with excitement, and I thought I just might have to pick him up off the floor.
“How long have you known?” His eyes were tinged red, and he wiped the tears before they could fall.
“About as long as you knew about that promotion, I guess. I wanted to tell you, but I just wanted to find the right time to make it special.”
“What about the promotion, Autumn? I don’t want to miss a minute of our life.” My anger over my father’s absence in my youth had affected him more than I knew.
I gave him a reassuring pat on the back. “You won’t. We’ll make sure of it. Now stop worrying.”
“You’ve made me so happy, baby. Not only giving me Pen but a baby, too.”
“I think we kind of gave the baby to each other.”
“I guess you’re right.” I chuckled as he stepped back.
“We’re having a baby,” he shouted as he held up the little shoes and spun around. The crowd began to cheer for us, a few throwing in whistles.
Pen ran from the table and grabbed hold of my legs. “Really, Mama? Do I get a brother or a sister?”
“We won’t know that for some time.” I looked over and realized that Emmett had been lifted up and was being carried on the shoulders of a few of his fellow Marines, and you’d have thought that he did all the work.
As they put him down, the crowd cleared, but he held onto one of their hands and brought the man over.
“Autumn, Penelope, you have to meet this man. This is my good friend, William Hardin. We were in Afghanistan together.”
“And this man saved my life. You’re marrying quite the hero, young lady.” He gave me a wide grin.
“Don’t I know it,” I said. “He’s saved me a few times, too. I’m Autumn, and it’s an honor to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.” Emmett took Pen and lifted her up into his arms.
“And this is Penelope.”
“You’re as pretty as a shiny new penny,” he said.
Pen whispered something in Emmett’s ear, and he laughed. “That’s him, Penelope. Why don’t you ask him?”
Pen’s cheeks turned red. “Is it true that you always have a cookie in your shirt pocket?”
William chuckled and reached into his coat to pull out a small, snack-size baggie with a single cookie in it. “Chocolate chip. My wife made them this morning. She’s spoiling me a bit these days.” He patted his middle and then handed the cookie to Penelope.
“Can I really have it?” Pen looked at me and Emmett for approval.
“You bet,” Emmett said. “He used to share with me all the time. But he might need a refill, so why don’t you go to the table and choose a special cookie for him to take home?” Emmett put Pen down, and she ran off to the treat table where we’d ordered special cookies to mark the occasion.
“She’s beautiful,” Hardin said. “And that little one is too.” He gave Emmett a wink, and they shared a laugh.
“Thank you. I’m a lucky man.”
“Yes, you are, and you really took my advice to heart.”
“You gave him advice?” I had to ask, wondering what he was talking about.
“Oh yeah,” Hardin said. “It wasn’t but a minute before the attack. We were talking about having something great back home. This one told me he’d only ever loved one woman, and he didn’t have too much hope for his future with a family or kids. Look at him now. He’s got his girl and beautiful daughter, and a baby on the way. If I don’t watch out, he’ll be neck and neck with me.” He gave Emmett a nudge.
“How’d you know that I was the one?” Emmett must have told him.
“Oh, he used to talk about you all the time. Me and Autumn this, me and Autumn that. And the fact that when he called to invite me, I had to hear all about you.”
“She’s going to let this go to her head, you know?” Emmett asked. “And then I have to live with her.”
“Lift each other up, friends,” Hardin said. “Cherish each and every moment together. I know that’s the only way my lady and I have made it all these years.” The man’s eyes filled with tears. “And I owe it all to you for helping me get back to them in one piece.”
“We’re square, man. Your sound advice saved me first.” Emmett shook his hand, and even I got a little emotional imagining what they’d been through.
I wiped away a stray tear. “I can see why Emmett admires you so much.”
“Likewise, pretty lady.” He winked and then turned as Pen ran up beside him.
“I refilled your baggie. I hope you like cookies shaped like wedding cakes.”
“I sure do. Those are beautiful. So beautiful, in fact, I’ll bring one home to my little girl.”
“You have a little girl, too?” Pen’s eyes widened.
Hardin nodded. “Yes, and she’s about your age. You’ll have to meet someday.”
“I wish they could have come.” I felt bad that they weren’t able to attend with him.
“Me too, but my wife couldn’t get off work, and the kids stay busy with sports. Two of them had games earlier today, so I’ve been getting scores sent to me one after the other.”
“Thanks for coming, man,” Emmett said. The two shook hands, and Hardin pulled Emmett in for a quick hug, with lots of back slapping and holding tight.
When they broke away, Hardin laughed. “Being away from the family is actually going to give me a break from all the chaos of home. You’ll see. You keep growing that little one. You’ll need a little time, too.” He gave another wink, and then as some of our other guests came over, he made his way back to his table.
We greeted everyone we could, and everyone was so excited for the baby announcement, asking me how far along I was. I had forgotten just how many people liked to feel your tummy when you’re pregnant, even before you began to show. By the end of the night, I was feeling a little groped and exhausted.
After another hour of that, the crowd began to clear, and since we were married in our home, we didn’t have to make a big exit. Instead, we got to send off our friends, which was very special. Some we hadn’t seen since school, or the service, in Emmett’s case, and it was so good to see them all that it had been a truly wonderful evening.
“I’m so glad we did this at home,” he said.
Pen had gone to bed, and Paul and Kaye had slipped out to the guest house at least a half an hour earlier when my father had left.
“Me too. I’m starving.” I held my stomach, and Emmett reached down and put his hand over mine.
“Let’s get you two something to eat. I can’t have my lady going around hungry.” He leaned down and kissed me softly. “There’s plenty of chicken and cake.”
“Mm, cake. Yeah, let’s take the chocolate one to bed.” My feet were screaming, and I realized I could finally kick off my shoes and relax. My comfortable clothes were not as comfortable as they’d been when I bought them weeks before.
“I will cut a piece.” He kissed my nose, but I stopped him before he could walk away.
“No, I want the whole thing.” There was an entire round of chocolate cake left, and I’d had my eye on it for hours.
“You want the entire cake?”
I nodded and laid my head on his chest. “Yes, and I want you to feed it to me, and when I’m good and full, I want to make love until I fall asleep in your arms.”
He chuckled. “You’ll end up sick and tired in the morning for our flight.” He tried to talk some sense into me, but I didn't hear it.
“Emmett. You, cake, sex, sleep. I want it.” I stepped closer, and he let out a soft growl.
“I like it when you’re demanding. It turns me on. Plus, I love to spoil you.” He kissed me softly and then lifted me up into his arms.
“You don’t have to carry me.”
He turned and walked us across the room to the stairs. “If I don’t carry you now, I won’t be able to after you put away all of that cake.” He gave me a sly grin, and I nudged his ribs.
“Hey, don’t poke me while I’m climbing the stairs. I don’t want to drop you and the baby.”
I realized that it was no longer just going to be me, but me and the baby, and from now on, it wouldn’t be the three of us, but the four.
“I’m so happy, Emmett.”
“Me too.” He took the last step and then put me on my feet. “You go to the bedroom, and I’ll go down and be right back.”
He gave me a quick peck and then turned to take the steps quickly. I went to the room and stripped off my clothes. Then I found the lingerie I’d bought and tucked into the top drawer for this very occasion. Even though I was so sleepy, I wanted to be with my husband. After the cake, of course. My stomach was rumbling from hunger, and the poor little baby in there was probably going to be born holding his ears if I didn’t eat something soon.
After I was dressed and in our bed, Emmett returned with my cake. “Here’s this. I checked on Pen, and she’s crashed out in her bed in her dress. I pulled off her shoes, but she’s fine.”
“She’s had an eventful day.” I arranged the covers, and he smiled as he placed the cake in my lap.
“We both have.” He undressed as I ate my first bite of cake.
“This is so good.” I closed my eyes as the silky chocolate flavor filled my mouth. Everything was so perfect that I wanted to cry.
Emmett slid under the covers with me, and I fed him a bite. “Damn, that’s better than the vanilla one. I can see why you wanted the whole cake now.” He took the fork and fed me my next bite. “All I want to know is, if you’re eating dessert for dinner, then what’s for dessert?” He wagged his brows at me.
“Oh, I think you know.” I winked.
The End
Author Note: I wanted to thank you for picking up a copy of the book. As a thank you I have included several of the books I have previously published. Enjoy!