Breathe With Me(21)
Sophie tries to turn and falls on her butt. Her little lip sticks out, but before she can start to cry, Mer squats next to her, Livie still in her arms, and calms her, then helps her back to her feet so she can continue dancing with the others.
Christ, she’s magnificent. She kisses Liv’s cheek and then sets her on her feet so she can dance in that awkward way that toddlers do, and finishes the song with the others.
“She’s clearly in the right job,” Matt says quietly. “Most of us can’t deal with two of them at once, and she has all of them around her effortlessly.” He points as baby Liam toddles over and grips her jeans, pulls himself up on his feet and bounces on his legs, dancing with the others.
“Mark’s a goner,” Meg says. I glance over at her and grin.
“I’m bringing her with me to Vegas.” I’m bringing her with me everywhere. If I’m invited, she’s invited.
“We wouldn’t have it any other way,” she replies and pats my arm. “I like her already.”
I’m fucking in love with her again already. I’m never letting her go. Never again.
She comes running back to us, out of breath and a wide smile on her beautiful face.
“They would dance all day,” she says with a laugh. “Maddie’s amazing. If she wanted to, she could go pretty far in the dance world.”
“She’s eight.” Caleb growls.
“Well, not today,” Mer agrees. “But someday.”
“She asked me if we could sign her up for one on one classes with you,” Brynna says as she pats Michael on the back. “Isn’t she too young for that?”
“Maybe a bit,” Mer says and purses her lips as she thinks it over. “You could add a second class a week for now. If she’s still interested when she hits about thirteen, I can take her on one on one and work with her.”
Brynna nods thoughtfully and glances up at Caleb who’s just gone pale. “What do you think?”
“I think I don’t want to even think about the day she turns thirteen.”
“Oh! That reminds me, I have something for Mom. I brought her birthday gift along with us, but it’s in the car. Meredith, will you hold Michael for me?”
“Oh, I…” Mer begins, but Brynna places the sleeping baby in Mer’s arms and hurries away. Mer looks at each of us with panicked eyes and then back down at the oblivious baby. “I’m not good with babies. Here, his dad should hold him.”
“You’ll do fine,” Caleb says with an amused grin.
“Here,” Stacy says and helps Meredith settle Michael on her shoulder. “There you go. He’s not going anywhere.”
“You were just swarmed by children and looked just fine, sweetheart,” Will says.
“I’m good with kids, but tiny babies scare the hell out of me. I’m afraid I’ll break them.” Meredith immediately sways back and forth, patting Michael’s diaper-covered butt and rests her cheek on his head. “Is this okay?”
“Perfect,” I reply quietly. Her eyes find mine over the baby’s head and she smiles softly.
“Wow,” someone—Meg?—says. I can’t look away from the gorgeous woman before me.
My woman.
Mine.
She looks amazing wearing that baby. I can see her holding our baby. Grandbabies.
Fuck, this is forever. She’s it for me.
“I’m going to need someone to take that baby,” I say calmly.
“Why?” Mer asks and frowns. “Am I doing it wrong?”
“No, I need to get you out of here. Now.”
“I got it!” Stacy takes Michael from Meredith and I immediately grip her hand in mine and tug her along behind me to the gate at the side of the house.
“Goodbye everyone!” she calls with a laugh and waves. “I had a great time! Thanks for including me!”
“Goodbye!” I can hear the guys laughing, and I don’t give a shit. I need her. I need to claim her, to remind her that she’s mine. To lose myself in her for hours, rediscovering everything about her.
“Mark?” she asks with another laugh. “Slow down, babe.”
“No.”
I yank the Jeep door open and wait for her to climb in but she stops in front of me and cups my face in her small hands.
“Stop. What got into you?”
“I can’t wait another minute.” Her eyes darken as she watches me. “I know it’s nuts and my brother will most likely never let me forget dragging you out of there like a caveman, but I can’t share you with them any longer. I need you naked and wet and moving beneath me for about the next two days.”
Her eyes dilate and she licks her lips as she watches my mouth move. Her hands are braced on my biceps and I smile as I flex them on purpose, making her eyes widen and that pulse point in her throat thrum in anticipation.