Page 88 of The Summer Plans

“It was dumb and reckless, I know, but you’ve lost so much, I couldn’t stand the thought of you losing anything else, and since we’ve been home, going back and forth between our houses, I knew there were items you’d want me to save. Your book babies, the kids’ baby books, the photo albums.”

Her head tilts and I stare into pools of blue, her eyes holding mine like they don’t want to let go. “You’re more important to me. I need you to be safe. For me. For us.” My hand slips down to her stomach as though I could feel our child there. She’s way too early to even have a bump, but I’m already picturing our future together.

“This is where I feel safe. With you in my arms.” I press a kiss to her forehead. “I love you, Summer.”

“I love you too.”

“Are you moving in now?”

She laughs. “Don’t think I have much of a choice.”

“Good. I want to spend every day like this. Every summer. Every holiday.”

“Once the kids get back, you may change your mind about that.” She smiles, and I squeeze her tighter.

“Nope. I can’t wait to show them their new home. And take them hiking, camping, all that shit.”

“You better watch your language, or Logan will bankrupt you.”

“Don’t worry. I have a plan.”

EPILOGUE

RJ

“Icall the blue room!” Lucas says.

“I called it first!” Logan shouts.

Summer follows them down the hall, trying to break up the impending fight. “Boys, there are plenty of bedrooms.”

“I want the one next to Sophie’s!” Lana calls, emerging from the middle bedroom. “What room will the baby get?”

Summer places a hand on her bump. It may not be noticeable to most, but I know every inch of this woman’s body, and her growing belly is my newest obsession. “The baby will be in our room for the first few months, but eventually they’ll move up here.”

Her brows knit slightly, and I grab her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

“Do we have to share a room?” Lucas whines as we approach the bedroom he claimed.

“There are six bedrooms⁠—”

“Actually, there are five,” I interrupt her.

“No, six.” Her brows knit, and she tilts her head at me in challenge.

I look over at Logan and he makes a pleading motion with his hands. I nod at him, trying to contain my smile.

Logan grabs Summer’s hands and tugs her to the room at the end of the hall. “There are five bedrooms and one library.” He opens the door, and Summer’s mouth drops open.

“Oh my God.” She looks at me over her shoulder. “I can’t believe you did this.”

I shake my head. “It was Logan’s idea.”

It was difficult to keep this surprise from her, but when Logan told me his plans for the swear jar money, I knew we had to go big.

She walks into the room, unsure where to look first. The longest wall in the room is made entirely of bookshelves, complete with a sturdy ladder on wheels. I nudge her from behind, pointing out the ladder. “Now you can recreate that scene from Beauty and the Beast.”

“If they don’t break it first.” She laughs as the boys try to climb it at the same time while Lana yells at them to get down.