“Let’s go see our men,” she announces as she releases me.
I want nothing more than to see my man. That sounds so good to say.My man.
Standing, we head out of my little apartment and down the stairs. Maddy takes longer, the added weight of the babies slowing her down. Joy fills my heart, knowing that I’ll finally be able to walk in the house and embrace and kiss the man I love.
As we step in the house, we can hear the mixture of laughter from the guys and the smaller squeals of the kids. This is what I want. A house full of love, and I know that with Jeremiah and Angel, I can have it.
“Listen to them. They’re as bad as the kids,” Maddy whispers, bumping my shoulder.
“I don’t know, it's kind of sweet.” I enter the kitchen and head straight to Jeremiah, coming up on my toes, kissing him softly on his lips. I know my brother’s in the room, so I don’t want to traumatize him.
“Ugh, is that what I have to look forward to—” Ryan starts before I hear a slap and a large oomph escape him.
Breaking my contact with Jeremiah I look over seeing Ryan doubled over, holding his stomach while Maddy stands at his side grinning.
“Mama punched Daddy,” RJ proudly announces as he pretends to be a boxer at the table, jabbing at an invisible foe.
“My daddy’s smooching your aunt. We can be family if they get married.”
My eyes go wide at Angel’s words.
“That’s what I’m hoping for one day,” Jeremiah whispers in my ear for only us to hear.
A soft moan escapes me, followed by a hum of contentment.
“Amberlee, when do you start work officially?” Ryan asks, no doubt changing the subject from mine and Jeremiah’s new relationship status.
I don’t leave Jeremiah’s arms, only shifting my body so my back is to him. “Teachers report on Monday, so we can begin toset up the classroom and turn in our lesson plans, then students start on Thursday.”
I feel a mix of excitement and nervous about my new job. A small part of me is afraid it will be the same environment I just left, while another piece of me knows it’s the job of my dreams.
“Crap, that reminds me I haven’t done any school shopping for Angel,” Jeremiah exclaims.
“I can help you, if you want? We could go today.”
“I’d love that.” He kisses the side of my face as I turn my head to look at him.
“We can go too, RJ is starting school this year and he’s going to need supplies.” Maddy winks. “We can make it a true family outing. Besides, I want to pick up a few more things for the babies.”
Babies. It’s still crazy knowing my brother is about to be the father to three children.
As I watch them together, Ryan kneeling before Maddy, cradling her belly in his hands, as he talks to his children, I realize it’s what I want. I’m ready for a family of my own. It's what I’ve been missing in my life.
“Okay, let’s get out of here, we can shop and then get some lunch,” Maddy orders in true mother fashion. “Go get your shoes on, kids.” They don’t need to be told twice as they run toward RJ’s bedroom to do just what they were told.
“I’m going to do the same, plus, it’s still a little too fresh seeing the two of you all over each other.” Ryan stands from where he’s kneeling before Maddy and follows after the kids.
Maddy just shakes her head before turning around and starts loading the morning dishes into the dishwasher.
Jeremiah spins me around, taking me by the hand as he pushes off the counter and leads me outside onto the patio. The very one where he told Ryan about us. A small amount of dread surges through me that something bad is about to happen.I know Jeremiah loves me, but I just think of this spot with heartbreak.
“Amberlee, I know we haven’t said it officially, and it seems kind of like we’re teenagers, but I have something to ask.” He smiles at me and I feel my face heat under his attention.
“What is it?” My voice cracks.
“Will you be my girlfriend?”
I nod, my eyes welling up with tears. “Yes, yes a million times, yes.”
