It’s something to savor. To grow into.
To fill with love.
Later in the year, I come to realize the men had been going easy on me in the bedroom (and the workshop, and the armory) when I was pregnant.
Not long after Lissy turns six months old, they arrange for Elena to come to our home to babysit. T.J. comes along, too, which is a treat for Lissy, because when we saw them in town recently, she was delighted by T.J.’s peek-a-boo game.
I’m told the reason for the babysitting is so the four of us can take a hike to enjoy the mountain’s peak fall colors. The men must have a long route planned, because we’ve hiked several times this summer with Lissy along in a sling, wrapped against one of their chests, lucky girl!
“You have all of our numbers,” Atlas tellsElena. “There are extra diapers under the crib. If she gets fussy, the light-up octopus toy almost always makes her smile.”
“There’s milk for her in the refrigerator, along with chicken and carrot purees,” Boyd says. “Heating instructions are on the counter.”
“I see,” Elena says. There’s a hint of a smirk on her face as she scans the long list of instructions and notes the men prepared for her.
“If you need anything, call us,” Silas adds. “We can come back quickly.”
“I’m sure she’ll be fine,” I tell my overprotective, ultra-prepared men. “Elena knows how to take care of a child.”
“Speaking of T.J.,” Boyd says, “there are chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese for him, right next to Felicity’s food.”
T.J. cheers, and Elena raises her finger to her lips, reminding him not to be so loud since Lissy’s napping in the cradle.
“We’ll only be a few hours,” Atlas says. Turning to me, he asks, “Are you ready?”
I nod. “Ready.”
The four of us press gentle kisses to Lissy’s cheek, say goodbye to Elena and T.J., gear up in the mudroom, and then we’re off.
The weather is perfect. Sunny and cool with a light breeze that carries the scent of pine and earth. The gold aspens and the coppery oaks are stunning.
“Is it this beautiful here every fall?” I ask the men as we head down the forest trail.
Atlas, who’s holding my hand, gives it a squeeze. “It’s never been this beautiful.”
“Oh, do you think it’s the weather, or—” I stop when I notice the way he’s looking at me.
“Everything around here has been more beautiful ever since you arrived,” he says, his eyes warm.
Boyd, who’s on my other side, leans in and kisses my cheek as we walk. “Got that right. You outshine all the autumn colors, darling.”
Silas, who’s walking behind me, gives my hip a quick squeeze to let me know he’s listening.
“That’s nice of you all to say, though I feel like you’ve never even seen me at my best. When you met me, I was covered in bruises, and then I was bloated with baby weight. I’m still working on that, and I’m not sure my feet are ever going to go back to their original size.”
Atlas stops walking and brings me in close. “Your feet are perfect, love. Every inch of you is perfect.” His hand slides along my cheek, then he presses his lips to mine. His kiss still sends sparks through me. Every time.
When Atlas pulls back, Boyd is there, one of his strong arms wrapping around my middle. “You look gorgeous now, and you looked especially gorgeous during the last few months of pregnancy.” His eyes briefly dip to my chest, reminding me how much he’s been enjoying my enlargedbreasts.
Silas’s hand clamps on my shoulder, turning me to him as soon as Boyd releases me. “When will you be ready to be pregnant again?”
There’ve been vague mentions of us having a bigger family someday, but we’ve all been entirely focused on little Felicity ever since she was born.
“You want more kids?” I ask, looking around at all three of them.
No one answers immediately. They all look thoughtful as we stand there among the trees, birds singing and squirrels chattering around us. Silas slides his hand down to the middle of my back and caresses me there, as Boyd reaches for my hand.
“We have a lot of chairs to fill at the dining table,” Boyd says with a big grin.
