I’m pretty sure my brother, Teddy, might be in love with her, but she was holding a torch for this Jase fellow, and she was not budging on her unrequited love for him. A topic of conversation that was never open with Cameron, or any of the rest of the Wallace men, much to Cricket’s chagrin.
Outside of the Cricket/Jase situation, however, life with the Wallace clan was close to perfect. When Cameron was home and had down time between assignments, if he wanted to work with his brothers, he was welcome to, and it brought in extra income. If he didn’t, we’d take off for a few days to explore the west coast, which I hadn’t done much of, and it was beautiful. I loved my new life and couldn’t wait to spend the rest of it with Cameron and our future children.
I ran a finger over his chest. “Okay, let’s have lots of kids.”
He cupped my face and grinned. “Yeah?”
“Yes.”
Leaning down, he kissed me gently. “Fuck, yeah.”
He knelt in front of me again and kissed my belly. “Hi, baby, it’s your dad. We’re gonna have so much fun, but don’t tell your mom. She’s very serious, so we’re gonna have to keep some secrets.”
“Bugs,” I hissed, weaving my hands through his hair and squeezing. “You’re already making me the bad cop?”
He chuckled, smiling up at me. “Sorry, you’re right.”
He focused back on my belly. “Your mom is the most amazing woman you’ll ever meet. I can’t wait to tell you all about her. And, yes, she’s really serious, but she’s also super funny and the most loyal person on the planet. Plus, she can shoot a carrot off a snowman’s head at sixty yards. That’ll come in handy one day, you’ll see.”
“How, Bugs?” I laughed. “How will our child find the fact I can shoot a carrot off a snowman come in handy?”
“You’re letting logic get in the way of a good story here,” he said.
I ran my hands down the side of his face and lifted his head. “My apologies. Carry on.”
“Now I’ve lost my train of thought,” he murmured. “Where was I? Oh, yeah.” He kissed my belly. “You are going to be the most and best loved child on the planet. Along with the rest of your siblings. You’ll also be the most protected. Not only by me and your mama, but just wait until you get a load of your uncles and aunties. Jesus H. Christ on a cracker, kid, no one’s gettin’ to you.”
“Language, Bugs.”
“Right, no swearing for you. Not until you’reeighteen.” He grinned up at me. “Love you, honey.”
“Love you too, Bugs.”
Standing again, he kissed me. “You hungry?”
I nodded.
He kissed me again. “Let’s get you some sustenance.”
“Are you sure you’re happy?”
“Hell, yeah.” Cameron frowned. “Aren’t you?”
I wrapped my arms around his waist. “No, I’m ecstatic. I just want to make sure you are too.”
“Fuck, baby, if I was any happier, you might have to arrest me.”
I grinned up at him. “Same.”
“Come on, let’s get you fed.”
We headed out to the kitchen, just as the doorbell rang. Cameron checked the camera. “It’s Cricket.”
She didn’t wait to be invited in, just opened the door. “It’s me! Are you naked?”
“Will you leave if we are?” Cameron asked.
“No!” she sassed, strolling into the kitchen. “Hi, family.”
