I kissed her forehead.“Course you do.And we’re all going to do everything we can to make sure you have a safe pregnancy and a healthy baby.Okay?”
She nodded.“Yes, Mama.”
I touched her cheeks with my fingertips.“Ready to tell Cam now?”I lifted my gaze, aware that my son strode toward us, worry etched into the lines around his mouth.I narrowed my eyes a little and shook my head at him.He slowed his gait and took a long, slow breath.By the time he reached us, his emotions were under control.
“Come on over here, sugar,” he crooned.“I’m gonna hold you for a while.”
She wrapped her arms around him, clinging like a baby koala.When Jenna mumbled against his chest, Cam’s knees gave a little, but he caught himself, his hold on Jenna firm and strong.His gaze shot to mine, his expression such fierce joy and protectiveness.I pressed a hand to my belly, trying to contain my response.
So deeply like his father, my son.Cam nuzzled his nose against her hair, his arms tightening before he pressed kisses from her temple down her cheek to claim her lips.
Somehow, I justknewJenna was going to be okay.She had her family, and we’d love her no matter what.Jenna and Cam had a relationship with a specialist who dealt in high-risk reproduction, who’d helped them through her term with Cash, and I was sure Cam would have Jenna in to see Dr.Ometz next week.She’d have all the care and expertise surrounding her.
Steve slipped his arm around my waist.I settled back against his torso, tilting my head so I could look into his eyes.
“Hey there, handsome.The kids are fine.Jenna had some news—she’s pregnant.”
He grinned, showing off the faintest of dimples in his left cheek.I’d never tired of seeing that indent.Ever.It took my breath each time, and I loved that I got to have such a reaction to him.His eyes stayed fixed on my face.I liked that, too—being his focus.
He leaned in closer and kissed me.His aftershave tickled my senses just as his five o’clock shadow whispered against the skin of my cheek.Steve always smelled good.Like home.
“Hi, my beautiful wife.”
I tipped my head back in invitation, enjoying his warm bulk against my side and his soft lips caressing mine.
Marrying this man was one of my smarter moves.In fact, from the moment he’d asked me to that…fine, I’d admit it….delicious vegan restaurant where we’d talked about our future, I’d been all in with and for Steve.
In fact, picking where to live had proved much harder than us deciding to spend the rest of our lives together.In the end, we’d bought a small house in Kate and Rye’s neighborhood, which was between the ranch and Nash and Aya’s place.I’d been happy to downsize and Steve loved the kitchen, where he liked to putter.
Steve still went over to Nash and Aya’s regularly to make sure their security team was doing their job…and that they were eating well.While he hovered and showed his love through nitpicking their fridge choices, I drove to the ranch a few times a week to work with my horses.In the afternoon, I liked to bake in my kitchen and spend time with Cash.
“Want to sneak out of here early?”Steve asked, his tone suggestive.When he pressed his hips against mine, I giggled.Damn, it felt good to love.
“You know, if you got plans, I’m going to be there with you.”I turned in his arms.
He kissed me, long, slow, and sweet—just what I needed.But Steve always knew what I needed.
“And I’m with you,” he said.“Every step of the way.”
Epilogue
Steve
The kitchen was still too warm, but the smells were as heavenly as ever.Now, after ten years of married life, I was more than happy to be Jasmine’s sous chef as she ordered everyone around the enormous kitchen in the ridiculously large villa the kids had rented out to celebrate Christmas as one family.
There were more kids, more noise, more gray hairs…for Jasmine and me, but also for our kids.Well, Cam and Carter rocked some silver in their sideburns and at their temples.The ladies…I’d never know if Jasmine hadn’t told me that none of them dyed their hair.
All in all, we were a good-looking bunch, even if I had to say so myself.Which I did, often.Because damn!We were a good-looking bunch!
“I can’t believe he’s going off to college,” Kate moaned from the long counter bar.She swung her seat back and forth, back and forth, clearly antsy at the thought of Ike moving away.Not that it was far; he planned to attend UT Austin and get a degree in engineering, but it would take them all some time to get used to Ike’s new life phase.
Regan set a cocktail in front of her—I didn’t know what it was or what was in it; I didn’t touch the stuff once I turned sixty a few months ago.My life was too good to mess it up with a heart attack.
Jasmine agreed with the sentiment, which was why she’d changed to a whole food based diet.The first few months were bumpy going because there were some recipes that were hard to adapt.
But with the stubbornness that I loved even when it caused me to throw up my hands in frustration, Jasmine persevered with her decision.It took the entire first year of our marriage to rework her recipes.At the end, we’d both been happy because the efforts were healthier but just as tasty.She still baked her amazing pies, which I had developed an even greater soft spot for once they were always available—and I meant always.
The kids expected pies for all occasions, whether it was something to celebrate, grow about, harangue, or just to converse.There was never a reason not to enjoy pie, as I readily discovered.
