She clicked her tongue and laughed. “Hawk Morgan.”
“Yes, Jessica Morgan?”
Her eyes rolled as she sighed, her face moving towards his until their foreheads were pressed against each other’s.
“I love you.”
“Love you too, Pretty Girl,” he sighed. “Now, are we calling one of your brothers, or not?”
“Sully, it’s your turn!” Mae called from the nursery as he pulled his fresh shirt over his head. His hair was still damp from the shower, but that could wait. His dad-duties were calling.
Stone walked across the hall to where his girls were, an uncontrollable smile painted on his face. Mae sat in the rocking chair, Quinn held lovingly at her breast.
“How our teeny, tiny, sixteen-week-old daughter can make such a mess of herself while eating is still a mystery to me.” His wife laughed as she moved Quinn from the nursing pillow to her shoulder. The telltale sign of a critical diaper failure now seeping through their daughter’s outfit.
“I think we might need to put her in the sink,” he chuckled as the cutest burp filled the nursery.
“Good one, Quinny!” Mae cooed. “It’s going to have to be on you, handsome. I still need to get dressed and then I have some finishing touches to put on the gift. Oh sugar-farts! You still need to sign the card.”
Stone laughed at Mae’s attempt not to swear.
“Cap and Emma won’t care?—”
“We’re all signing it. You, me, even the baby! This is their special moment and we’re celebrating them properly.”
“Fine. But I’m still firmly in camp ‘I can’t believe they eloped after all the shit we gave Gunner and Lily.’ At least they’ve slowed down enough that we can celebrate the baby…”
“It was right for them,” Mae scoffed. They’d had this conversation more than once since Cap and Emma came back from Colorado and shared that they were married. “I mean, look at us. We got married here and it wasn’t a big event.”
In some ways, she was right. Stone and Mae had gotten married at their house, in a small ceremony that was absolutely perfect. Mae was six months pregnant at the time, her bump highlighted so beautifully in the dress she picked. The second he’d seen her turn the corner and start walking towards him—one hand holding a beautiful bouquet Lacy arranged, the other pressed over their daughter—Stone started crying. And the tears didn’t stop until they were tucked in bed hours later after all the guests had left, enjoying more of the cake thatEmma made for them. It wasn’t extravagant, but it was incredibly special to have everyone they loved there with them.
“That’s where you’re wrong, Mae. It was the biggest event of my life. Before this little one came into the world.” He scooped Quinn out of Mae’s arms, pressing a kiss to his daughter’s forehead as he walked her to the changing table. “But our friends and family were here. They got to celebrate with us.”
“Sully. We’re getting to celebrate with them now.”
“I know,” he sighed. “It’s hard when we lost that year together, and I know how precious every memory is. I’m happy for them. Actually, thrilled. But I’m still sad we didn’t get to support them in that moment.”
“You’re a good man, Stone. A great friend. The best husband and father.” She stood from the rocking chair, her hand gently gliding over his arm as she kissed his cheek.
“I love you, Michaela.”
“I love you too. Have fun cleaning up our stinky girl while I go get ready for this shindig.”
“Embrie Caldwell, don’t you go running off too far!” Nash watched Lacy call after their daughter as he worked to grab everything out of the SUV. Sebastian and Emma’s driveway was already packed full of cars, the owners milling about on the property. The only place that rivaled the wide open land of Silver Springs for him was the beautiful property he and Lacy had purchased that was between his family’s ranch and The Trident II project in Montana.
Leading that up full time was challenging, but as the final touches went into the simulator and testing began, Nash knew they’d be successful. Numerous crews from Montana’s State Troopers volunteered just the week before to go through drillsas they worked out any lingering issues with the simulator and the feedback had been nothing but praise. It felt good knowing that he could keep things under control for Cap.
“I won’t, Mama! Promise. Addie is playing with Sage and I want to go see them.”
“That’s fine,” Nash chuckled as Embrie pointed towards the swings. “Just keep an ear out in case we holler your name.”
“Should I take Cami with me?” she asked.
“Mama, I stays with you!” Cami buried her face in Lacy’s shoulder.
“Thank you, Brie, but I think your sister is feeling a little shy today.”
Embrie walked back to them, putting her hand on Cami’s arm. “If you want to come play with me, or Addie, or Sage, just let me know.”
