“Hola, Lilita, Robertita,” I say, coming over and taking Roberta out of Lily’s arms and into my own. “How was your day today?”
“Good,” Lily says, tasting a drop of sauce from her spoon before nodding in satisfaction and turning off the stove. “I managed to catch up on all my emails while Roberta was having her nap.”
I smile knowingly. Ever since she went on maternity leave to have our baby, my wife has been itching to get back to it. She likes her work, wants to be useful again. But there’s only one problem, the fact that she also doesn’t want to leave our daughter just yet. So she’s been hopping back and forth between the two, alternating between looking after our daughter and trying to get back on track with work.
I lean over to kiss her on the forehead, then walk over to our dining table to get Roberta seated in her high chair. “Did you hear back from the builders?”
“Yes, they’re coming next week,” Lily turns and I can see how pleased she is, her smile wide. Here, at least, is something she’s been able to work on. Since we moved in together and got married, the house has been her own as well as mine, and she’s been leaving her mark. The next thing is a guest house in the garden, a small structure for the kids to play in as they grow up. When we have teenagers, they’ll use it as a den, a games room. And when we have young adults on our hands, maybe they’ll end up sleeping over there, converting it into a little slice of independence.
Of course, I’m getting ahead of myself when I say ‘kids’, since we only have the one for now.
“Do you need any help?” I ask.
“No, they seem to understand everything quite well,” Lily says, distractedly spooning our dinner onto our plates.
“I meant with the food,” I chuckle.
Lily laughs, rolling her eyes at herself. “Oh. No, I’ve got it. You sit down.”
I do as I’m told, which I’ve learned is the best approach. I reach out for Roberta and let her hold onto my finger, waving her hand around excitedly and jerking me from side to side. It’s only a moment before Lily returns with our plates, setting down first her own and a bowl of mush for Roberta before going back for mine. I wonder why she didn’t bring them both at once until she brings it and lays it in front of me.
I stare down at my plate, in wonder.
“This is dinner?” I manage to ask, finding my sense of humor.
Because, instead of a plate of food like the others, Lily has laid something else in front of me. A plate bearing a single thing.
A positive pregnancy test.
“It’s the fruit of our labors, so perhaps you could say that,” Lily teases, but before she can even finish her joke, I’m surging from my chair and lifting her into the air, my arms wrapped around her waist. She screams happily and Roberta starts laughing, unable to fully understand what’s going on but knowing at least that her parents are happy.
“Another baby,” I say, kissing Lily all over her face, her cheeks, her jaw, her chin, her temples. “You’re giving me another child.”
And I know that what I thought before now was wrong, that I had everything I could ever want. I wasn’t quite there yet. There was still one more ingredient to add and now it’s coming before I even knew that it was missing.
And I must be the happiest man in Madrid – in Spain – on the planet Earth.
EXTENDED EPILOGUE
Lily
“Stop it,” I tell Roberta, reaching for her hand to stop her pulling out her hair, which I spent a long time this morning breading neatly. Our daughter is one for getting into trouble, and now that she’s five years old and mixing with other children at school, she seems to despise neatness. But if she can just hold it together for the next couple of hours, I’ll be happy.
“Goodness, is someone playing with their hair?” My dad asks, leaning forward to pick up his granddaughter and swing her into his arms. “Mommy doesn’t like that very much, does she?”
Roberta only giggles. She has a real mischievous streak, something which I blame her father for.
I turn my attention forward as we start to move again, following the waiter to our table. We find our seats, me sitting beside Roberta with her beloved namesake Grandpa on the other side, my mother next to him, then Enrique, and finally our youngest, Eduardo. Since he’s only three years old, he needs the most supervision, and Enrique is only too happy to dote on him as much as he does Roberta.
“What are you going to eat, Roberta?” Dad asks, picking up the children’s menu.
“Pizza!” Roberta shouts, opening her mouth wide to show her missing tooth, and grinning happily. She knows where we are, of course. We come to this restaurant often, not least because it was one of the scenes of our earliest dinners together. It also has a great menu with lots of things the kids like, and that makes it ideal for a family dinner as well.
“Well, I guess she’s already decided,” my mother laughs. “What about you, Lily? What do you get here?”
We talk about the menu and the food and finally settle on our orders, and give them one by one when the waiter appears as if on cue.
I look around the table as he takes down his notes, looking at my family. All of the people that I love the most, arranged in one place. These are always my favorite days. The days when I remember just how blessed I am to have been given everything I ever wanted, without ever having to even so much as search for it.
“How is work going, honey?” Dad asks me, over the top of Roberta’s head as she dives into the coloring page and crayons brought by the waiter.
“Oh, good at the moment,” I tell him. I glance at Enrique since this part of the conversation involves him just as much as it does me. “We’re trialing a new loyalty app for our regular customers. Over time, it allows them to earn points they can use for free food in the restaurant, unlimited WiFi, or even a free room.”
“That sounds like a good idea,” Mom nods. “How did you come up with that?”
“It was all Lily’s idea,” Enrique says seriously. “The best thing I ever did, bringing her onto the management team. Everyone agrees she’s the smartest one in the room.”
“Oh, stop,” I blush, shaking my head. “Just so long as they don’t think I’m only there because I’m married to the boss, I don’t need flattery.”
“It’s not flattery. Seriously,” Enrique says, getting a look in his eyes that I recognize. “We had this older customer, a gentleman who always traveled alone, always at the same time of year…”
I shake my head, knowing exactly which story he’s telling. I don’t need to listen too closely I’ve heard it a hundred times. I check that Eduardo is drawing on the coloring page and not the tablecloth, and wipe a little dirt I notice from his little hand. They grow up so fast. I’m so grateful that Enrique and I have found a way to share childcare duties with Eduardo sitting in our shared office all day with us, and Roberta already in school, allowing me to pick her up each day and get home to prepare dinner just in time for their Daddy’s return.
“Oh, that’s a wonderful story!” Mom exclaims, bringing me back to the present. “Lily, you’ve always been so perceptive of the needs of others.”
“It was nothing,” I say modestly, shaking my head.
Laughter and conversation, good food and good company, the day flows on, hours spent around the table as we move through three courses and finally onto coffee, all of us reluctant to leave and break the spell that hangs over this table. A spell of togetherness, love, family, binding us all together in the best of times.
“We’d better get the kids to bed,” Enrique says, as the conversation comes to a lull.
“You’re right,” I say, putting a hand to smooth down Roberta’s hair, she looks sleepy, which means she’s about half an hour away from being grumpy. “Mom, would you help me carry these sleepyheads? We can leave the boys to sort out the bill.”
“Excellent idea, darling,” Mom says, coming over and starting to lift Eduardo out of his chair.
I’m so happy they’re coming
back with us, to stay the week in our family home, filling the halls with more laughter and joy, until they fly back again. It won’t get in the way of our responsibilities, because this week is our week. The same week that, every spring, we take off work, to spend together like we did that first time.
I lean over and kiss my husband. “I’ll see you in the car,” I say, and turn to go. Just before we reach the doors, I look back at all of my family, my Mom, and Dad, my kids, my love. I was handed everything I ever wanted six years ago, and every day has been a blessing of the kind I never thought imaginable.
But, I wonder, couldn’t we add just one more pair of little feet…?
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A MAN WHO KNOWS WHAT HE WANTS
Book 1: Baby Lust
Book 2: Veteran
Book 3: Built
Book 4: Bambino
Book 5: Rescued
Book 6: Leader
Book 7: Professor
Book 8: Burned
Book 9: Worldly
Book 10: Pistol
Book 11: Policed
Book 12: Driven
Book 13: Lucky 13
Book 14: Lumberjacked
Book 15: Protector
Book 16: Carpenter
Book 17: Italian Stallion
Book 18: Gardener
Book 19: Budapest Billionaire’s Virgin
Book 20: Billionaire’s Babysitter
Book 21: Cocky CFO
Book 22: Fireman’s Filthy 4th
Book 23: Mechanic
Book 24: SEAL’s Secret
Book 25: Police, Pooch, and Smooch
Book 26: Fireman’s Fake Fiancée
Book 27: Billionaire’s Virgin Ballerina
Book 28: Bitcoin Billionaire’s Babysitter
Book 29: Veterans Day Daddy
Book 30: Cowboy’s Christmas Carol
Book 31: Police Officer’s Princess
Book 32: Statham
Book 33: Bodyguard
Book 34: Greek God
Book 35: Billionaire Single Dad's Babysitter
Book 36: Mountain Man
Book 37: SEAL’s Justice
Book 38: Royal Romance
Book 39: Doctor Mountain Man’s Special Delivery
Book 40: Crocodile Dan D
Book 41: Mountain Man’s Secret Baby
Book 42: Doctor Bad Boy’s Secret Baby
Book 43: Cop’s Babysitter
Book 44: Nanny for the Cop Next Door
Book 45: Small Town SEAL’s Saving Grace
Book 46: Cop’s Fake Fiancée
Book 47: Billionaire’s Nanny
Book 48: Cowboy’s Babysitter
Book 49: Steamy
Book 50: Brother’s Best Friend
Book 51: Possessive Professor
Book 52: Firefighter’s Babysitter
Book 53: Soldier’s Secret Baby
Book 54: Ward’s Independence Day
Book 55: Doctor Next Door
Book 56: Possessive Policeman
Book 57: Coached by the MMA Fighter
Book 58: Boss’s Babysitter
Book 59: Virgin in New York
Book 60: Rock Star’s Baby
Book 61: Possessive Protector
Book 62: Possessive Australian
Book 63: Best Friend’s Brother
Book 64: Possessive Cowboy
Book 65: Summer Romanced
Book 66: Possessive Prince
Book 67: Lovers’s Enemy
Book 68: Cop’s Best Friend
Book 69: Possessive Firefighter
Book 70: Football Next Door
Book 71: Doctor December
Book 72: Possessive Canadian
Book 73: Blue Collar Billionaire
Book 74: Possessive K-9 Cop
Book 75: Possessive Brazilian
Book 76: Hockey Obsession
Book 77: Possessive Boston Irish American MMA Fighter
Book 78: Halloween Next Door
Book 79: Possessive Russian
Book 80: Baseball Mine
Book 81: Cop’s Caribbean Captive
Book 82: Instalove Island
Book 83: Dad’s Best Friend
Book 84: Thanksgiving with Dad’s Boss
Book 85: Possessive Italian Neighbor
Book 86: Possessive Portuguese
Book 87: Possessive Christmas Cop
Book 88: Russian’s Obsession
Book 89: Possessive Doctor’s Christmas
Book 90: Possessive Parisian Pilot
Book 91: U.K. Boxing Day
Book 92: Jealous Russian Stalker
Book 93: Italian Mountain Man
Book 94: Aggressive Russian
Book 95: Possessive Valentine
Book 96: Possessive Hunter
Book 97: Dad’s Russian Mafia Friend
Book 98: Russian Teacher
Book 99: Australian Obsession
Book 100: Russian Next Door
Book 101: Dad’s Irish Friend
Book 102: Nanny for the Russian Mafia
Book 103: Best Friend’s Dad
Book 104: Basketball Babymaker
Book 105: Possessive Veterinarian
Book 106: Brother’s Fireman Friend
Book 107: Brother’s Canadian Cowboy Friend
Book 108: Summer Vacation with Dad’s Best Friend
Book 109: Dad’s Italian Mafia Friend
Book 110: Dad’s Irish Mafia Friend
Book 111: Dad’s Football Friend
Book 112: Possessing His Dancing Queen
Book 113: Brother’s Cop Friend
Book 114: Halloween With Dad’s Best Friend
Book 115: Claimed By Her Boss
Book 116: Possessive Rider
Book 117: Dad’s Ex-Biker Buddy
Book 118: Possessive Undercover Cop
Book 119: Falling For Her Boss
Book 120: Claiming His Fashionista
Book 121: More Than Dad’s Best Friend
Book 122: Thanksgiving With Dad’s Best Friend
Book 123: Bossy Italian
Book 124: Christmas With Dad’s Mafia Friend
Book 125: Maid For The Italian Mafia
Book 126: Nutcracker
Book 127: Cowboy Cerrone
Book 128: Chef’s Kiss
Book 129: Claimed By The Russian
Book 130: Bought By The Italian Mafia
Book 131: Hot Nerd
Book 132: Dad’s Italian Mafia Boss
Book 133: Mine
Book 134: Taken By The Thief
Book 135: Curves Ahead
Book 136: Her Mafia Valentine
Book 137: Doctor Valentine
Book 138: Maid For The Irish Mafia
Book 139: Winning Her Curves
Book 140: Dad’s Cartel Best Friend
Book 141: Dad’s Greek Mafia Friend
Book 142: Lawyer’s Obsession
Book 143: Attending Her Curves
Book 144: Maid for the Russian Mafia
Book 145: Priest
Book 146: Claimed By Dad’s Best Friend
Book 147: His Curvy Office Obsession
Book 148: Easter with Dad's Best Friend
Book 149: Veterinarian's Obsession
Book 150: Curves For Her Older Boss
Book 151: Mob Lawyer's Curves
Book 152: Maid For The Doctor Next Door
Book 153: Possessive Forest Ranger
Book 154: Nurse For The Russian Mafia
Book 155: Dad’s Fireman Friend
Book 156: Russian Mountain Man
Book 157: Possessive Italian Doctor
Book 158: Dad's EMT Best Friend
Book 159: Claimed By The Publisher
Book 160: Mr. CEO
Book 161: His Curvy Castaway Obsession
Book 162: Claiming His Reunion Obsession
; Book 163: Claimed By Dad’s College Friend
Book 164: Dad’s Detective Best Friend
Book 165: Attending The Russian Mafia
Book 166: Dad's Biker Best Friend
Book 167: My Dad's Russian Mafia Friend
Book 168: Possessive Landlord
Book 169: Gardener For The Mafia
Book 170: Possessive Fighter
Book 171: Claiming Her Sweet Curves
Bool 172: Possessive Camp Counselor
Book 173: Claimed By Dad's Italian Best Friend
Book 174: Possessive Neighbor
Book 175: 4th of July With Dad's Best Friend
Book 176: Claimed By Her Enemy
Book 177: Bodyguard’s Obsession
Book 178: Falling For The Player
Book 179: Possessive Alpha Cop
Book 180: Her CEO
Book 181: Falling For Her Dad’s Boss
Book 182: MMA Fighter’s Obsession
Book 183: Possessive Lawyer
Book 184: Claimed by the British Rockstar
Book 185: Summer Obsession
Book 186: Paris with Dad’s Best Friend
Book 187: Claimed by the Possessive Fireman
Book 188: Possessive Trucker
Book 189: Falling for Dad's Enemy
Book 190: His Undercover Maid
Book 191: Her Innocent CEO
Book 192: Bratva Boss’s Babysitter
Book 193: Sold to the Bratva Boss
Book 194: My Dad's Best Friend
Book 195: His Cabin Obsession
Book 196: Driver's Obsession
Book 197: His Unexpected Love
Book 198: London with Dad’s Best Friend
Book 199: Hot Neighbor
Book 200: Maid for the Hollywood Heartthrob
Book 201: The CEO and the Wedding Planner
Book 202: Claimed by the Italian
Book 203: Dad’s CEO Boss
Book 204: The Mob and His Messenger
Book 205: Rome with Dad’s Best Friend
Book 206: Haunted by Her Curves
Book 207: Her Vampire
Book 208: Bidding for Her Curves
Book 208: Claiming His Student
Book 210: CEO's Dog Trainer Obsession
Book 211: Pool Girl
Book 212: Possessive Writer
Book 213: Maid for the Mafia Informant
Book 214: Thankful for Him
Book 215: Madrid with Dad’s Best Friend
BRATVA BEAR SHIFTERS
Madrid With Dad's Best Friend: An Instalove Possessive Age Gap Romance Page 8