“I can’t wait so bad my tummy’s gotbutterfwies!”
The riot of little voices echoed from the backseat as we bounced down the narrow lane beneath the cover of the trees. Their branches stretched overhead sent blips of sunlight splashing down and hitting against the windshield as the SUV was jostled back and forth by the rugged terrain.
The windows were down, and the cool breeze whipped through and stirred my hair into disorder.
I glanced to my left. At Cash at the wheel. A tattooed arm stretched out and the other rested on the door, a single hand guiding the wheel almost casually. So dang beautiful with his big body filling up the space with all that ferocity, the sight of him forever making my belly quiver.
Only there was an easy grin on his face. Hazel eyes alight as he peeked over at me in anticipation.
“Yeah, Mom, are you excited?” he urged with that smile playing all over his ridiculously handsome face.
“Um, maybe a tiny scoosh.” I pinched my thumb and index finger together.
“A scoosh, huh?” Mischief danced through his features. “That’s it?”
I hiked an indifferent shoulder, as if this wasn’t one of the most momentous days of our lives.
“No biggie?” he pressed.
I bit down on the inside of my cheek, trying to keep myself from squealing and stamping my feet in excitement.
Cash reached out and clamped his hand over the top of my thigh.
That was all it took for me to break, and I tipped my head back with a gleeful giggle as he dug his fingers into my thigh. “Oh my gosh, Cash, stop. That tickles so bad,” I gasped and choked through the boisterous laughter.
“I won’t stop until you stop fibbin’.”
“Yeah, Mom, no fibbin’,” Colin scolded from the backseat. “Because fibbin’ is bad.”
“Okay, fine! I’m the most excited that I’ve ever been!” I shouted it, lifting my arms up and flinging them around as I shifted in my seat to look back at my kids.
My chest squeezed at the sight of their precious faces.
So much joy.
So much peace.
Belief and safety woven in their sweet spirits.
My pure and utter relief.
“That’s what I thought,” Cash said with a chuckle as he removed his hand and replaced it on the wheel, those eyes skating over my bare legs for a beat, a smirk taking over his mouth as he returned his gaze out the windshield.
No question, he was contemplating all the ways he was going to have me later.
The SUV angled down into the ravine, the engine grumbling as it carried us back up to the other side of the mountain.
My breath hitched as we entered the clearing, oxygen fleeting as I took in the awestriking beauty.
Our home.
That time, when Cash set his hand on the top of my thigh, it was gentle.
Knowing.
A stroke of adoration.
A lifetime of promises.
