“That’s right,” he hollered back, joy spilling out.
Anticipation ballooned inside me, my heart pressing so full. “I hope you left space for a nursery.”
He grinned wider at my neck, and his voice dropped so only I could hear. “Sure did. Can’t wait to put a baby in you.”
I took his hands that were already splayed around me and set them low on my abdomen.
Then I let all my love pour out. “You already did.”
Cash
Never could I have imagined my life turning out this way.
I’d been the recluse living in my cabin in the woods. As far away from humanity as possible because I didn’t believe any of that remained in me.
Now, I sat on the front porch of this place that once had been hollow but had come to ring with life.
A slew of children out playing in the clearing.
Addy, Colin, and Eva. Nolan, Maci, and little Finn in the mix. Duke and Nolan’s dog Rocky right at the center of it, barkingas they were chased. Little screeches of delight carried on the peace.
My brothers were gathered around, sipping from beers as we chatted the afternoon away.
Today, Daisy and I were hosting our family’s Sunday afternoon gathering.
“Anyone need anything?” Daisy asked as she stood from her chair, finishing off a mocktail that Raven had made her.
I snatched her from around the waist and pulled her onto my lap. Inhaling that sweet floral scent. Her cinnamon hair in my face and her spirit written on my soul.
“You,” I whispered in her ear.
My wife giggled as she curled up tighter on my lap. “Again?”
“Always.” It was a rumble of need, and I let my hand wander. Running down her side to her hip before I slipped my hand up to her protruding belly.
Fuck.
It was the best thing in the world, watching her body grow with our child.
“You get any handsier than that, and this party is going to go from family friendly to obscene. Don’t burn my poor Little Luna’s eyes.” Otto dramatically covered Luna’s eyes where she sat on his lap.
“No, Dada.” She fought his hand off, and once she was freed, she beamed her adorable smile of tiny gapped teeth up in his direction.
“What, you don’t want to play peek-a-boo?” he cooed.
She covered her own eyes, holding them there for a beat before she threw them wide and giggled, “Boo.”
Otto smacked his hand over his chest, playing it up as he cried, “Oh, you scared Daddy.”
A tumble of gleeful giggles rolled out of the little girl. The child so sweet.
I couldn’t wait. Couldn’t wait to hold my and Daisy’s son in my arms, though that’s what all her children had become.
Mine.
My heart.
My breath.
