TWO MONTHS LATER

We’ve just gotten back from our three-week honeymoon in Aruba. Twenty-one glorious days of Aiden in next to nothing or nothing at all as he struts around his home. Well, our home now. I wore my birthday suit to match

I’m in love, so in love it scares me at times, but I know Aiden’s someone I can count on to always tell me the truth. He’s my rock.

He’s my true love, and he will never change his mind.

“I have a surprise for you.”

“If it involves more naked time, I’m down, but I’m pretty sure Nolan will have a coronary if I take more vacation time, no matter how many Dallas-themed gifts I bribe him with,” I say.

He drives from the airport straight to Dallas and Paige’s neighborhood, turning left and right until we are on their street.

“I’m confused. Are we eating at their house for supper?”

“Nope.” A sly grin curves his mouth. “Close your eyes, LT.”

I do as he says. After what seems like forever later, we stop.

“Promise to keep them closed while I come around to get you.”

I draw what I hope is an X over my heart. “Come and get me, Renegade.”

He laughs, then I hear him get out of the Suburban.

Two seconds later, he’s opening my door, unhooking my seatbelt, and helping me out so I don’t fall, or have an excuse to open my eyes before he’s ready.

He wraps his arm around my waist. “Ready for your surprise, sweetheart?”

I nod happily. “I really hope it’s chocolate cake.”

“Shit,” he mutters. “Didn’t think of that.”

“You can get it later,” I assure him. “Can I open my eyes now?”

“Yes.”

I open them.

My mouth drops.

Happy tears spring into my eyes.

I’m standing in front of a huge white house with black shutters. There’s even a wreath on the front door with a wooden M in the center. Planters flank the sides, monogrammed with Ls.

“Hope you don’t mind that I used your first name, LT. I had no idea how this monograming shit works.”

“It’s... when did you... is this our house?”

“It can be.” The tips of his ears turn red. “If you don’t mind a new addition?”

Oh, crap. Does he know?

“I was thinking of a dog. I’m home now, and you need someone to dress up in Halloween costumes. Paige said they were getting one, too. Said something about being twinsies.”

I loop my arms around his neck. “This is the best present ever, and I would love for us to live here.”

He smiles, his arms coming around me as he dips his head to kiss me. It doesn’t last long because I’m too anxious to get inside.

“I had the place decorated by Desiree Jenkins—Paige recommended her, but whatever you don’t like, change it. My treat, LT.”

This man... “I’m sure I’ll love it.” And if I don’t, I’ll learn to.

His brow furrows. “Hang on. My phone’s buzzing. It’s probably Dallas wanting to know if you know we’re neighbors.” He takes it out.

I whip my head around so fast that I get dizzy. “We’re neighbors! This doesn’t even look like the same house as before.”

Sure enough, I spy Dallas and Paige at the end of the drive next to ours.

“I read the part in the binder about the two of you living together after Dallas and I kick the bucket.”

I never realized how horrible it sounds until I hear it coming from the man I love. “That was just a joke. I don’t want you to ever—I don’t...” My emotions get the best of me, and I start to cry. “Sorry. I’m ruining your surprise.”

“No, you’re not.” He kisses my forehead. “Stop worrying about it and start getting excited for the house.”

Paige waves and shouts, “We left a present for you.”

“For us?” Aiden murmurs, but I don’t miss Paige’s wink.

“Let’s go see.”

“You wanna ask them to come along?” There’s a slightly pinched look to his face. While he has no problem with Paige as a neighbor, I know Dallas will take some getting used to.

“Maybe later.” I slide my hand into his and he leads the way to the front door, keying in a code and opening it, before sweeping me off my feet.

“For good luck.”

“I already have the luck of the Irish on my side.”

With me in his arms, he steps inside and lowers me to the ground. “Damn right you do.”

There are blue and pink colored arrows on the hardwood floors. The first one has Follow us written on it in gold glitter.

“Did you do this, too?” I ask, partially playing dumb. I did have a surprise waiting for him, but now I’m not so sure.

“Nah. This isn’t me.”

We follow the arrows straight to a bedroom on the first floor.

Inside is the nursery of my dreams with white walls, light gold stripes, and a crystal chandelier. A large rocking chair sits in one corner, and a huge changing table/drawer system takes up an entire wall.

Sweet pictures of baby animals are framed and hung every so often.

It looks exactly like Paige, Desiree, and I planned out.

“You’re not shocked by this,” Aiden says tightly, but he looks the opposite of mad. He looks... happy. Scared... and suddenly, love replaces it all. “Talk to me, LT.”

I touch my stomach. “That’s because I was shocked three weeks ago, right before we left on our honeymoon. And today,” I admit. “I didn’t expect a nursery here. I’d planned for your place because I thought I could surprise you... only you surprised me, too.”

Aiden is speechless, but he quickly recovers. “I should be mad at you for telling Paige first, but I can’t be. You’re having my baby, Layton.” He covers my hand with his. “You’re having our baby.”

He lifts me off my feet, carefully, and sweeps me out of the nursery.

“Where are you taking me?”

“I figured I’d make love to the mother of my child, as long as my wife doesn’t mind.” He winks. “But seriously, LT, I fucking love you.”

All the happiness and joy in the world fills me. “I love you, too.”