“What do you think?” Anita interrupts my thoughts.
I turn and drink in the image before me. She looks absolutely phenomenal standing in a white dress that after skimming over her chest and abs, nips in at her waist before flaring slightly into a skirt that finishes mid-thigh. I drop my gaze to her feet and lower legs that are encased in a series of silver straps, zigzagging from her stiletto shoes.
“I think I should have left an hour ago because we are at serious risk of being late for our own launch night.”
Anita giggles then throws in a squeal for good measure as I pull her to me, crushing her against my chest.
“You look fucking phenomenal in white.”
A tiny blush creeps across her cheeks. If she isn’t the most adorable woman in the world.
“Thank you,” she all but whispers.
“You are going to make a seriously hot bride.”
Her flush deepens. “Eight weeks and counting, Stud.”
Pulling her even closer, I prepare to kiss her. “Remind me again, why aren’t you my wife yet?”
With precision timing, the sound of crying fills our home.
“Our yes, the birth of our son railroaded everything.” I lean down and kiss the end of her nose before pulling away at the split second the intercom buzzes into life. “You deal with the intercom, and I’ll deal with our boy, Charlie.”
It’s only a matter of a couple of minutes before I return to find my home filled with Liv, Mase, their baby, Phoebe, and my dad, the babysitter for the night.
Phoebe is already dressed in pyjamas and dozing off on Mase’s shoulder. He really never has been so happy, and he’s not the only one. We both have women we’re crazy about and children we cherish.
Charlie who is only three months old, becomes a little restless as he is due a feed. Anita rushes to the kitchen to prepare a bottle before returning and handing it to my dad who is chatting to my son while Phoebe sits on Mase’s lap gazing up at her father with clear adoration in her eyes.
With the baby now suckling on his bottle, my dad continues to chat to his grandchildren. “Are you going to be a good girl for Grandad and help me look after Charlie Boy?”
Phoebe gives him a gummy grin and chuckles before letting out a long, loud yawn.
“Do you hear that, Charlie? I think we might be on our own tonight.”
I smile, watching the amazing dad Mase and I were fortunate enough to grow up with, being an even more amazing grandfather.
“When this lot have all gone, why don’t I tell you all about how I grounded your mummy long enough for Daddy to get his act together?”
Immediately, my eyes seek out Anita’s who is arching a brow at my dad’s words. “I still can’t believe you did that. I don’t even know how you did that!”
Phoebe begins to babble at her grandad, maybe sensing that his attention was solely on Charlie.
He looks down at her and with some juggling of my son and his bottle, he pulls her onto his lap. “And you, young lady, why don’t I tell you all about how I had to literally watch your mummy’s every move.”
Liv rolls her eyes. “Or maybe don’t because with how overprotective Mase is with me and Phoebe, you’ll be implanting a tracking device in us both.”
Dad laughs, but Mase doesn’t. “Livy, I am not overprotective, just careful where my girls are concerned.” He checks his watch. “Right, let’s get moving then.” Turning to Dad, he begins to give him instructions.
“Mason, I managed to care for you, your brother and your sister, so this won’t be too difficult.”
A little snort comes from Phoebe who has already fallen asleep in my dad’s embrace.
“Any problems call, and we won’t be late,” Mase continues.
“Speak for yourself,” chips in Liv making me and Anita who I have wrapped in my arms, laugh. “This is my first night out in over a year and I plan on making it count by working my way through your overpriced cocktail menu.”
Anita appears to be about to throw in her support and I suspect, her companionship in this plan when I interrupt. “Good to hear, Liv, but you,” I turn Anita to face me, “Are still breast feeding, so you will be on non-alcoholic options. Now, let’s go.”
