by Lucy Darling
“Are we too early?” Mom asks as she rounds the kitchen island to give me a kiss on the cheek while giving my hair a small pull with a knowing smirk.
“Not too early.” I say when I hear Carly’s mom's voice next.
“Be good.” My mom elbows me. The truth is Carly’s mom has gotten much better. I guess some habits are hard to break. Especially when it comes to her off-handed comments. Carly lets them roll off her now while I try to temper my irritation. Carly’s mom is a product of her own mother. Carly is breaking that cycle.
It’s not long until everyone is in the backyard enjoying the food and pool. All the kids play while everyone tries to guess the sex. Tinsley and Reed ended up with two girls already. I really don’t think Reed cares if he has another girl or boy. He’s just fucking happy to have anything. I know the feeling.
We already have two boys, but I’d be a liar if I don’t admit I want a little girl that looks just like her mama. I don’t know how Carly and Tinsley manage it, but they are always pregnant about the same time. I watch as they sit on the side of the pool together watching the kids swim. Both of them dangle their legs in the water. Bear sits by the pool like a lifeguard ready to spring into action.
“This is nice.” I look over at my cousin Reed, who is sitting next to me watching the chaos. His eyes are on his own father, who is throwing his oldest daughter into the pool. It blows my mind sometimes how love really can heal a family and bring them back together.
Carly gets up from the pool, wandering over toward me. She drops down into my lap. Tinsley does the same to Reed.
“I have a secret,” she whispers.
“Hmm,” I pull her closer, my hand resting on her stomach.
“I peeked,” she says into my ear.
“I know.” She jerks back to glare at me.
“Of course you know.” She lets out a small huff. I was shocked when she agreed to do a gender reveal party. That meant she’d have to wait extra time to find out the sex of the baby. Carly and Tinsley are not the best at waiting. If they both hadn’t peeked at the results already, there is no way we would be waiting this long into the party for the results. They would have done the reveal first thing.
“I know everything about you.” I rub my hand over her baby bump.
“Well, at least now I’ll have someone on my side. It will no longer be three against one in this house. I can’t wait until our little girl has both you and her brothers wrapped around her little finger.” I smile big at the thought of having a mini Carly running around.
“Another thing to check off the list.” I brush my mouth against hers.
“You finished that list years ago.” We did. She no longer needed a list because anything my wife dreamed of or wanted I made sure she got it. It was the least I could do. I’d claimed her after all. My beautiful wife is full of so much life. She let me have her knowing I would never be able to let her go. She is my obsession. I am a lucky bastard because she claimed me right back.
The End
Did you love Carly and James? Curious about Tinsley and Reed? Read their story, Stalking His Claim now!
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Also by Lucy Darling
Meant to Love
Meant to Be
Love on the Line
Love Forever
Love in the Mix
Love Undefeated
Belong to Me
Return to Me
Never Let Go
Never Been Kissed
Stalking His Claim
CONNECT WITH ME!
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Copyright © 2020 by Lucy Darling
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