Page 77 of Blissful Devotion

This conversation might have been very different without Jade and her guys.

We owe them everything.

Tears stream down her face, and she can’t seem to wipe them away fast enough, despite her best efforts. I hold her close, helping her wipe her face as I choke back my own emotions and, for the first time, let myself think of the future.

Addy will be mine as much as every other child we have, and the thought fills my heart.

“Are you ready to go home and open your presents?” I ask her, needing a change of topic before I lose it.

Her tears slow, and she gives me a wobbly smile.

“Let’s go then. Mommy bought you so much stuff. Next year we might need two trees,” Nathan says as he climbs back into the plane and Addison scrambles up into her seat, already better at flying than I am.

The drive back to the house helps me feel more myself behind the wheel. I’ve never been a fan of the rich people's lifestyle; I’d rather be in control, behind the wheel, opening the door.

Kat and I are a lot alike in that way, though something about her denying me the ability to care for her irks my soul.

She deserves it.

We don’t even make it to the circle drive before I see them. Kat is practically bouncing up and down, her smile looking almost painful. Alex stands at her back with Des and Oli on either side, one looking like she hung the moon, the other looking worried, holding a blanket over her shoulders.

It’s cold, still early March, but it’s not the same bitter cold of January.

Seeing them like this, though, it’s impossible to deny that I could get used to this feeling of belonging here instead of simply visiting.

Addison is out of the car before I even stop, ignoring Nate as he calls after her, and she sprints up the stairs. Kat hits the ground, her arms out and ready as Addy makes it up the last few stairs and flies into her arms.

Nathan and I make it out of the car but not much further, as we watch their emotional reunion, their sobs audible even from here.

We make our way up the stairs to join the rest of them, and as much as I want to give them time to reunite, I can’t handle seeing Kat on the ground in the middle of March in New York for another moment, especially not six months pregnant.

“Come on, princess, let’s go in where it’s warm, and we can cuddle with Mommy while we open your presents. Okay?”

Addison doesn’t move at first, instead holding Kat tighter, her little knuckles turning white as they grip the blanket.

“I already got what I wanted for Christmas. Santa can keep his presents or give them to other kids.”

“Honey, it’s cold. I don’t want you to get sick out here.” Kat’s voice is quiet and strained but seems to be exactly what Addison needed.

She manages to pull back, looking up at Kat with red, puffy eyes and nods.

Des scoops Addison up, hugging her close before peppering her face with kisses and telling her how much he missed her as Oliver helps Kat stand. Des pulls a giggle out of Addy as Oliver fusses over the blanket on Kat’s shoulders, but she pays him no mind, instead looking around, her lips turning up in a smile that I completely understand.

“Thanks for going to get her with Nathan. I know you don’t love flying.” Her cheeks are slightly red, and I’m not sure if it’s from the cold or just her naturally flustered reaction, but I hope it's the latter.

I love her blush.

Fuck it.

I move to stand before her, her eyes tracking my movement until I get close enough that she has to tilt her head back to meet my gaze.

Now I can say for sure her cheeks are red because of me.

I lean in, pressing my lips to hers right here on the porch with the rest of them and whoever else might happen to see.

She gives a tiny squeak of surprise that makes my lips pull up slightly before she returns my kiss, nearly melting into me. She tastes like heaven as I wrap an arm around her and pull her closer, or as close as I can with the swell of her stomach between us.

I’d tried and failed to resist this woman for far too long. Unable to look away that first night when they put on a show with her at the tree, I’d been captivated all over again when Nathan brought her home, but I’d been happy to stay away; she more than had her hands full with Nate, Alex, and Des.