“Oh, thanks, Momma Lou. I don’t wanna miss Ryan talking about Captain’s. You know how much I love hearing him gush.”
Louise winks at me. “I know. Just do me a favor and take Little G back to Kitty. Come on, Zacky-baby. Show me what a big boy you are.”
“Will you give me a candy like Mommy does, Gramma Lou?”
Louise looks at me, a question on her face, and I nod.
“Of course,” my mother-in-law replies. “Where do you think the mommies in this family got the brilliant idea to give their kiddos M&Ms for pee-pees in the toilet?” She winks at me and guides my baby through the bathroom door.
I escort Gracie to her mommy and daddy and brother and then stand off to the side, listening with rapt attention to the tail end of my husband’s speech, my heart swelling with pride and joy and love of a magnitude I truly didn’t know existed before this gorgeous man came into my life.
“...which is why I’m so thrilled to own Captain’s with the people I respect and love the most,” Ryan is saying, his face aglow. “So thanks again to my partners—Josh, Kat, Jonas, Sarah, and, most of all, my beautiful wife—for making this journey, and this crazy life, so much fun, and thanks to all of you for dropping by this afternoon to celebrate with cupcakes and lemonade before we ditch the kids and come back tonight to celebrate with lots and lots of booze. Hear, hear!”
Everyone laughs and clinks glasses of lemonade.
Josh assumes the microphone to say a few quick words about an upcoming fundraiser Captain’s will be hosting for a children’s charity we all support, and Ryan immediately strides across the bar to me.
“Hey there, Mrs. Morgan,” he says. He wraps me in his strong arms and pulls me close, gently smooshing the tiny human we (brilliantly) made together (because we’re super smart like that) between our warm bodies.
“Hey, Baby-Daddy,” I reply, looking down at the top of Claire’s fuzzy head between our chests. “Is C-Dog still sleeping down there?”
“Like a baby,” Ryan says. “Where’s Z-Dog?”
“With your momma in the bathroom. He woke up and told me he had to pee-pee.”
“Awesome. The power of M&Ms. You’re so damned smart, woman.”
“I can’t take credit for that little trick. Kat told me about it—although, I just found out she got the idea from the Grand Dame.”
“Of course, she did. All good parenting tricks originate with my mother. I mean, yeesh, if changingtwokids’ diapers at once is nuts, I can’t imagine how my mom simultaneously changed diapers forthree.”
I laugh. “You don’t get to complain about changing shitty diapers, babe. You’re the one who kept begging me for a second human. You don’t get to beg for ’em and then complain about having to change their diapers.”
“Oh, I’m not complaining about a damned thing and you know it. I love it all, including changing shitty diapers.” He chuckles and kisses me and his stubble slides roughly across my chin, making my nipples harden at the memory of his stubble between my thighs last night. “I’m the last guy in the world who’s got anything to complain about,” he whispers, his lips skimming mine. “In fact, just puttin’ it out there: I’m ready to change a third human’s diapers any time.”
“Dude. I just popped Claire out three months ago. Gimme a minute to catch my damned breath. We’ve got plenty of time. I’m not going anywhere.”
“No pressure. I’m just letting you know, I’m totally on board, whenever you’re ready. Let’s make a soccer team.Viva La Banda Morgana!”
I giggle and he nuzzles his nose into mine.
“I’ve heard you loud and clear, Romeo,” I whisper. “But let’s just slow it down a tad, shall we?”
“I can’t help it, baby. You’re just so damned sexy when you’re pregnant. And when you’re not pregnant. And when you’re sleeping. And awake. And talking. And not talking. And when you’re reading. Or cooking. Orbreathing. Oh my God, and don’t get me started on what a turn-on it is when you hold our babies—oh my God—I’m seriously getting hard right now, just thinking about it.”
I laugh. “You’re not normal, Captain Morgan.”
“I’m pretty sure that particular cat leaped out of its bag a long time ago.” He lets out a loaded sigh. “Holy shit.”
“What?”
“I knew we’d have a great life—I really did.I saw it. But I had no idea it’d bethisgreat. Thank you for saying yes.”
“It was the Power Point. I couldn’t resist the effing Power Point.”
He laughs. “Dogs and wives. I’m telling ya.”
“And school dances. But just to be clear, I made a huge sacrifice saying yes to you.Huge.”
