This Man Confessed(186)

“I know!” I scream, laughing before we’re under the water and homing straight in on each other’s lips. I cling on to him like my life depends on it because it absolutely does.





This is it. This is us. This will be our normal forever and ever, no more shocking discoveries and no more confessions. His two perfect mars on his insanely perfect stomach are a constant reminder of our journey together, but the relentless gleam of happiness in his shockingly green eyes is a continuous reminder that I still have this man.

And I always will.





Epilogue



Five Months Later



Life is good. Actually, it’s fucking amazing. Constant contact. And I’ve had it for six straight months. If this is my angel’s idea of Central Jesse Cloud Nine, then it’s my most favorite place in the world, too.

Her pregnant belly is perfectly round, and I’ve definitely noticed it drop over the past few weeks. I’ve also noticed an air of tranquility floating around her in recent days. It’s the most beautiful sight. Nothing will ever beat the vision of her glowing face as she potters around the penthouse with my babies growing inside of her. I think she might be at that nesting stage. I’ve read about it. Everything is spotless, but she keeps going over the same routine, even after Cathy’s seen to it all. She seems to have developed a bit of a growl, too, so I’ve stopped trying to intervene with her pregnancy habits—the best habit of all being me. I’m close to fucking exhaustion, not that I would dream of telling her so, or dream of denying her. If she wasn’t so irresistible herself, I might feel used and abused.

Kicking my feet up onto my desk, I rest my head back and stare at my wall, smiling when I hear the Hoover kick in upstairs. Works are still underway on the new house, our little manor, but I’m keeping the penthouse. Everywhere I look, Ava is there, whether it be one of those irritating scatter cushions, a huge lump of furniture…or her face splashed all over my office wall. My eyes only. That’ll never change.

A smile of utter contentment spreads across my face but soon drops away when I jump at the sound of an almighty crash above my head. What the fuck was that? I fly up from my chair, my heart pounding instantly. “Ava!”

I sprint from my office and take the stairs four at a time, crashing into our bedroom, my eyes darting all over the place until they land on my girl. She’s clenching her tummy.

“Ava, fucking hell!” I’m by her side in a second, my hands running all over her face. She turns those deep chocolate eyes onto me. They’re full of fear. I’m starting to shake, despite my best effort to remain calm and collected. “Fucking hell! Is it time?” I barely get the words out. Fuck me, I’ve been preparing for this, training myself to be all calm, but I can’t stop my damn heart from clattering in my chest. “Shit, Ava, tell me! Is it time? Are the babies coming?”

She straightens, releases her tummy and grins that little fucking grin. “No.” She takes my hand and kisses my wedding ring. “But it’ll never get old.”

I practically crumble to the floor in relief. “Damn it, Ava, you’ll fucking kill me off!”

She gasps again, her hands resuming position on her bump.

“Oh no!” I laugh. “You have to leave at least ten minutes between pranks.” She’s taking this too far now. But then I hear an audible pop followed by a gushing sound. “What the fuck was that?” I look down, seeing liquid running down her bare legs. My heart beats up to my throat and chokes me. I can’t breathe.

“My waters.” She exhales, then doubles over on a shriek that nearly bursts my eardrums. “Fucking hell, Jesse!”

I don’t know what to do. She’s not playing now, I’m certain, and rather than gathering her hospital bag and calmly walking her to the door, I scold her instead. “Ava, watch your fucking mouth!”

“Oooooohhhhh, shit!” She starts panting, short sharp breaths, just how we practiced. “Fucking hell! Ward, you’d better get some fucking earplugs. Fuck!”

“Ava!” I’m useless, just standing here doing nothing except registering her string of foul language.

“Jesse.” She’s still panting. “Remember how we practiced this a million fucking times?”

Yes, we did, but I can’t remember a fucking thing. Phone! I scoop her up and go in search of my mobile, taking the stairs fast down to my office.

“Jesse, leave me on the bed!”

“I’m not leaving you alone, lady.” I burst into my office and place her in my chair, immediately swiping up my phone and calling the big guy. “John! It’s time. It’s time!” I start pacing up and down, my eyes darting to Ava every few seconds and noting a pained, sweaty face. “They’re too early! Fuck, they said four weeks early, not six!”