Sworn to Protect

by A K August

Mom shakes her head. "Nope. You're just lucky."

  "Nobody's biting you unless it's me." My husband, kid-free, wraps his arms around me and kisses my neck. I soak up his heat, our bodies pressed tightly together, causing butterflies to flutter over my skin. We were married in the backyard two months ago and plan to leave on our delayed honeymoon tomorrow. Both sets of grandparents are already settled in the guest rooms upstairs and Jackson and Claire said they'd be over every day. It was either one organized babysitting assembly line or they planned to party in our backyard all week. I suspected the latter. Auntie Annie also said she'd be stopping by, so there'd be at least one responsible adult present.

  While it panged me to think of not seeing Abigail and Andrew for seven days, I couldn't wait to have a week alone with Anthony. We took our moments where we could, and I got wet just thinking about when I'd get to have him again. Even now, I gently sway my hips against his, and I can feel him swelling, pushing into me.

  I looked around the room at the chaos and laughter, he playpen set up in my office; the trampoline Anthony unveiled this morning in the backyard. The row of toy boxes along the wall in the living room that miraculously kept the room somewhat clutter-free.

  Two years ago I couldn't imagine this is what I wanted, but now I didn't want to be anywhere else.

  Anthony's arms tightened around me, sensing my mood. "It's not a dream, baby. This is our home, our life."

  "I love you." My hormones kicked into full gear and I felt my eyes well, a tear escaping down my cheek.

  He kissed the tear away and rubbed my shoulders. "Hey, now. What's wrong?"

  "Nothing." I smile into his eyes, shining through the drops that hover. I take his hands and place them over my belly.

  Like I imagined in my dreams, while Anthony was in a coma, he immediately understood. His face lit up. "Really?"

  I nod, the tears falling in earnest, no point in trying to halt them now. "I was going to wait until tomorrow and tell you on the beach, but this just seemed right."

  He turns my head and claimed my lips in a searing kiss that heightens my arousal.

  "Hey, you two. Get a room!" Thomas' voice booms across the room.

  We laugh before looking at our family and share the news. Everyone is congratulating us; Thomas and Jackson run off to raid Anthony's humidor, coming back with and a handful of Monte Cristo's.

  Annie comes downstairs with a clean Abby in her arms. "What's going on?"

  Claire does the honors. "Anthony and Katie are having another baby!"

  Annie's shoulders slump. "It's not going to be twins again, is it?"

  The crowd goes quiet as Anthony and I look at each other.

  "TWINS!" Andrew squeals.

  Abby joins him, "TWINS!"

  Soon the whole room is chanting, "TWINS! TWINS! TWINS!"

  I scan the room, the men are clipping and lighting their cigars, the women are dancing and laughing with my children as they keep repeating, "TWINS! TWINS! TWINS!"

  When I glance back at my husband, I see he's done the same. We speak together, like minds. "Twins? Shit!"

  THE END

  ABOUT A.K. AUGUST

  A.K. August has been a film and television producer for more than fifteen years before lifting the pen to create her own stories.

  Growing up, she lived in over three-dozen places around the U.S. as part of her family experiment. She continues that journey and has been fortunate enough to collect a bold assortment of life experiences that are almost as interesting as the stories in her books.

  A lifelong Packers fan, she loves moody jazz, cheesy action flicks, and photography, where she voyeuristically looks for beautiful compassion in life.

  A.K. August resided in Los Angeles and Washington, DC, before starting a new adventure in Japan with her husband and her King Charles Spaniel.