The second Hannah moved Mitchell to her shoulder, Stephen was at her side.
“Come here, big boy.” He took his son, gently laid him over his shoulder, patted his back. “Most handsome boy.”
“Hey,” Mia protested. “I’ve been patiently waiting my turn.”
“Daddy’s first,” Stephen said.
“Mmm.”
Mia fake pouted, and Nick eyed Stephen, pointed, and held up a finger. “You, one. Me”—he pointed to himself—“three.” He held up three fingers.
The game had been going on for months, since they were running out of things to pretend to dislike about each other. Mitchell let out a proud burp then that unmistakable sound of filling his diaper. Nick laughed and faked a gagging sound, to which Stephen responded, “Me, one. You, three.” Nick was instantly shut down by that thought, and they all laughed.
Hannah started to rise. “I need water.”
Mia scooted to the edge of the couch and began to rise. “Me, too.”
“I’ll get it.” The men spoke at once.
“Best friends,” Hannah said.
“Practically twins,” Mia added, propping her feet on the ottoman next to Hannah’s. “If you won’t let me get up, I could use some more dip,” Mia called out.
“Me, too,” Hannah said.
While the men plated their food, Hannah scooted closer and laid both hands over her belly, hoping to feel a light kick. “I can’t believe how fast you’re growing.”
“Tell me about it.” Everything was happening fast, their bright future racing toward them with so much happiness she sometimes felt dizzy with it.
She and Nick had married three weeks after returning from Arkansas. They had a short engagement, as they agreed there should be no more wasted time. A week-long honeymoon had immediately followed. Soon after their return, they bought a house and, not long after that, found out they were pregnant.
It was happening fast but nothing seemed too fast for them. It felt more like finally.
Their love wasn’t as strong as it had been before—it was stronger. The reality was better, new, more than anything she could have imagined. They’d never had this. Never traveled like they’d done on their honeymoon, never had hours and hours to make love except for those few days in New York. And that had been so fleeting.
Most of all, they’d never had this single-minded focus on each other.
This was their future, their days and nights and weeks and months and years together. Nick was talking about making a change at work, moving away from field agent to let the younger guys take over.
She got the feeling he might have felt that way for a while but as with her, work had been all he had, a way to pass time.
Hours later, she was just as happy but not laughing as Nick removed her clothes, bringing her blood to a boil. He’d been fascinated with her swollen breasts, lavished them with attention. But not nearly as fascinated as he was with her belly.
They lay facing, their faces inches apart, but his attention was on the babies. “Hello in there.” He smoothed his palm over her ever-growing stomach, kissed the top. “Baby Boy One, Baby Boy Two, and Princess. Don't crowd your sister in there, boys. And no kicking her.”
Mia thought Nick was secretly glad there was only one girl, and he had already singled her out. She predicted his princess would come out busting all their balls, but it would be fun to watch.
“Don’t forget about the mom.”
With another kiss to her belly, Nick brought his lips back up to hers. “Oh, I haven’t forgotten about her.” He proved it by brushing his thumb over her sensitive nipple and deepening the kiss.
“Ahh,” he said when she arched into him. “There you are.”
“Yes. Here I am.” With her hand cupping his cheek, she gazed at him with all the love she felt shining back at her.
Nick laid one wide hand over her stomach, said goodnight to their babies, then gave her his undivided and exceptionally skilled attention.
THE END