“You don’t mind if I’m not full of babies?” I ask, raising a brow myself.
He shrugs with that smile again. “Not yet you’re not.”
“Seriously though, James. Do you want me barefoot and pregnant for the rest of our lives?” I ask him, not meaning to sound like I don’t enjoy it. Just wondering if I’ll ever be the size I was in college ever again.
He frowns and signals me over with a movement of his head.
Leaning in close enough so I can hear all our babies breathing, the smell of their milk, James’ cologne, and what I suspect is someone’s diaper, he reminds me.
“Krystal, I love you and our babies, no matter what. If we have a dozen more or if we stay just as we are, nothing will change how I feel about us. I love you… pregnant or not. I love all of us,” he says, kissing my lips gently and moving away once he realizes whose diaper’s full.
“Maybe we can go next week, Monday? Your dads gonna be in town,” James suggests.
“Dad?” I ask, almost surprised but not entirely, he and James have been pretty tight since dad took over the role for Mayor.
“Sure, he can mind the kids and I can help you try dresses on, how ‘bout it?” he asks with complete seriousness.
“Why’s Dad coming to town again?” I ask.
“Just meeting some friends of friends,” James says cryptically.
“You’re not filling his head with all that running for Governor stuff again, are you James?”
“Just think about those dresses baby, I’ll deal with your old man,” he whispers, leaning in to kiss me quick before making a face.
“And it’s your turn to change Zara,” he says quickly, darting from the room.
Laying Zara down on the changing table, I ask her what she thinks, “If grandpa becomes Governor, then who’ll be Mayor of Woods End?”
“Umma!” Zara squawks, “Umma!”
James comes sliding back in, both babies still in his arms.
“What did you say, honey?”
Maybe Momma will be Mayor someday, Zara. Who knows?
EXTENDED EPILOGUE
TEN YEARS LATER
James
“Daddy! Check it out,” Zak says, beaming with pride.
“Lookin’ good son. Lookin’ real good,” I remark honestly.
“How are you girls coming along? Nearly done?” I ask.
“Almost daddy,” They chime in unison, making me smile.
Like little angels, every one of them.
Checking the time and making a face, I say, “We’d better pack up now guys. Mommy will be home from work soon and we have to get dinner started yet.”
They all groan like kids do, starting high and only getting higher up, begging to keep working for just a little while longer.
“Okay,” I compromise, “We can keep going for ten minutes, but then we really have to go.”
Bob pokes his head around the door of the cabin, little baby Yasmin in a carrier on his front, a little circle of something white on his suit lapel.
He shakes his head, bouncing in time to his own sleeping baby rhythm as he comes in.
“Safe to come in yet?” he asks me.
“Sure,” I tell him. “All finished sanding, these guys have done a great job, haven’t they Pop?” I ask, raising my voice so they can all hear.
“They sure have,” he says in a low voice which catches a little.
“Y’know, James. I just can’t believe what you’ve done to this place. Restoring every single pane, nail, and slate on the roof even. Not to mention all the furniture and toys… it all looks just like the day it was made,” he says with pride.
“I can’t take all the credit, Bob,” I remind him. “I got an army of little helpers here,” I remark, giving my own look of pride as I look over my kids and back to the youngest on his chest.
“You know what I mean, James. And Krystal has no idea so far?” he asks in disbelief.
I shake my head. “Not as far as I know. Once everything’s finished, maybe in a month or two we can all come up and surprise her. What d’ya say?” I ask excitedly.
“I think she’ll be pretty emotional, James. Just forewarning you,” he smiles gently.
“Oh, shoot! I just remembered I’ll be away next month for six weeks, business,” he says, rolling his eyes.
“Six weeks, that’s a pretty long time,” I remark, noticing how tired Bob looks lately.
“Part of the job, I’m afraid. Another year and I’ll be done. Someone else can be Governor, I’ve had two good terms,” he says, adjusting Yasmin’s harness and kissing her little head through her knitted cap.
“And don’t talk to me about work,” he scoffs. “Look at all you’re doing here, and looking after four kids full-time while that wife of yours plays Mayor all day,” he chuckles, giving me a wink.
“I love every minute, Pops, you know I do. And Krystal’s not always at work. I only shoo her out of the house when I need to come up here.”
“You still want to build up here?” he asks, and I nod before he’s even finished.
“Oh yeah, the view from the top of the hill is something else. Thanks to your little phone call to the forestry commission, we can keep everything as far as we can see.”
“We’d better head back,” Bob remarks looking at his watch.
I round up the kids, and we all pile into the family bus, an eight-seater van.
By the time we get home to what used to be Bob’s house, the kids are asleep and I see Krystal’s car pulling into the drive just as we do.
“Uh oh,” Grandpa says ominously. “I told ya we should’ve left earlier.”
I smile and wave at Krystal, she checks her watch and comes over to help us unload the sleeping army of elves.
“What have you been doing?” she asks me, taking Yasmin from her seat and casting an eye over the kids who have paint, sawdust, and mud all over them.
“You’re home early, honey,” I chime, ignoring her question and pecking her cheek.
“I’ll get the door,” I volunteer as I hear her greeting her dad.
“Governor,” she says with an air of formality.
“Lady Mayor,” he replies before they both burst out laughing and hug like old times.
“When did you fly in dad? I had no idea you were coming,” she says, and I busy myself ferrying the kids inside as they start to wake up, ordering them to go get cleaned up so we can start dinner.
“I thought we might get take out, my treat?” Bob suggests, and both Krystal and I don’t hesitate to take him up on that.
The kids suddenly spring to life, shouting and cheering, swarming around Grandpa as each one tries to yell over the rest, telling him exactly what they want.
The storm of kids swarm around Grandpa as he herds them all inside, leaving my wife and me with baby Yasmin a minute alone.
“You really want to know where we were,” I ask her, hating to keep anything from her.
She smiles and pecks my cheek. “I’ll find out one day, won’t I?” she asks, and I’m sure I catch the shiver of emotion in her voice.
“You will, baby. And you’ll be proud of all those little monsters, I guarantee it.” I tell her.
“Not as proud as I am of you,” she says. “I don’t know how you do it, wrangling all of them and my Dad while I was at work. I had no idea he was coming this week,” she says, puffing out her cheeks.
Looking tired.
“You okay, baby?” I ask, pressing my palm against her forehead, telling her to stick out her tongue.
“Oh no. Oh no, you don’t!” she says, protesting and shaking a finger at me.
“You do honey,” I tease her, “You look a little… puffy. Let me call the doctor, huh?”
She clutches Yasmin closer and pretends to shriek in horror, running inside and asking Grandpa and the kids to save her.
I watch her run inside and feel my heart swell up, a lump in my throat.
God, I love her.
I love all of them.
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Sliding the van door closed, I count off the empty seats compared to how many in our little family so far.
She’s definitely looking tired, I conclude.
Might just be time to give the doc a call, make an appointment. Just for a checkup.
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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
Book 216: My Best Friend’s Dad
Book 217: Taming Her Beast
Book 218: All I Want For Christmas is You
Book 219: Falling for His Captive
Book 220: My Christmas Carol
Book 221: Preacher’s Daughter
Book 222: Her Hitman
Book 223: Claimed by Her Best Friend’s Dad
Book 224: My Roommate’s Dad
Book 225: His To Claim
Book 226: Matchmaker Backfire
Book 227: Saved by the Hitman
Book 228: Valentine’s with My Best Friend’s Dad
Book 229: Lost and Found
Electing For her Curves: An Instalove Possessive Age Gap Romance Page 13