“I swear I love you too, baby.”
An hourlater Olive and I finally made our way inside the tent into the bed. After the last orgasm, she had tapped out on me. And now I held her in my arms as she snored softly, making me smile. I rubbed her back as I began to tell her our plans even if she couldn’t hear. I wanted to get it out though, to set the intentions now.
“I’m ready to officially start living out our forever type of love, Olive. Baby, after we get your expansion set up, I want you relaxed and focused on our family. Especially since our baby I’m sure you’re currently carrying will take a lot of your energy. I vow to never miss an appointment either and provide feet, back, and booty rubs…faithfully. I know you might be upset, but baby, I’m not waiting a year for your body to bounce back before I tie myself to you legally. Uht uhn, nope. But I promise to give you the wedding of your dreams. And even though we will have a baseball team of kids that will try to use us against each other, my loyalty will always be toourteam first, Olive. Oh, and date nights will be a must every other Saturday, just us.” I closed my eyes, now quiet, as I lay there listening to her and the ocean.
“I’m ready too, Highland. I love you.” I smiled as I snuggled her into me more, falling asleep with my Olive, anticipating waking to the rest of our lives.
Epilogue
A yearand two months later…
“Walk the plank, pirates!” I yelled up the steps for Cece, Jo-Jo, and Neela while I patted the back of our baby girl Talia on my chest, fighting this burp that needed to come out. It was crazy how much a year could change your life. I was a borderline full-time stay at home mom at this point who only made it to her office during the monthly meetings I set up to make sure my private practice was in order. I had said goodbye almost immediately after summer ended last year. Well, once I found out I was pregnant with Talia. Highland went into overdrive to get everything done for me. He had truly been amazing.
I had three employees, not including Tunk and another security guard Bone, to make sure my receptionist and two cuddlers stayed safe. I also let go of my condo but kept the house and used it for my practice. I knew I wanted a space that allowed for privacy and rooms for each client, while still keeping that homey feel that made them feel comfortable.
I stood at the bottom of the steps as I began to hear little feet marching down the stairs singing “Ahoy, Mommy” in unison. Jo-Jo and Cece came into view first, each hugging me around my waist before requesting to kiss their little sister on her cheek.Then they headed straight for the door. I put my attention on the Captain who was carrying Neela down. It was spring break, so we were back in The Keys at the beach house. The weather was freakishly warmer than expected, but swimming was still off for the kids. So we had to make other plans to keep them busy, with us sailing out for one of them. The only one not going was Talia, who was still too young and small, so she was staying with Mr. Kelvin here at the house. Tunk was coming along to keep the kids occupied since he had my kids going crazy with this pirate talk. I swear he hyped the pirate lifestyle up so much that the three oldest had only been responding to the lingo this last week.
“Good morning, baby.” He leaned down and kissed my lips, making Neela giggle as she said her new favorite word.
“Eww, that’sdisgusting, Daddy. Don’t kiss my mommy.”
“I can kiss my wife, little girl. It’s not too early for the tickle monster, Neela.” Highland tossed her around until she was hanging off his side as he tickled her. Her sweet giggles filled the air.
That was the big one I couldn’t get over; I was married to the Captain. And like a good man of his word, I had the wedding of my dreams, small and very intimate. Our family and friends helped celebrate our love, coasting on the big yacht while I was very much big and pregnant. But I didn’t care as long as I married that man of mine.
“Captain, give me my baby. I done told you not to handle her that way.” I pulled for Neela just as Kelvin popped into the room to get a now sleeping Talia.
“She’s alright, ain’t that right, Neela?” She nodded as he placed her on the ground and she ran outside as I kissed Talia’s chunky cheeks.
“If you wake her up, you gon’ be staying with her, Liv,” Kelvin teased as he walked her over to Highland for his goodbye kiss to her cheek.
“Call me if you need anything, Mr. Kelvin. All her extra milk is in the freezer, just?—”
He cut me off with a wave.
“I promise we gon’ be fine. I remember the routine and will send pictures to hold you over. Go have fun. I heard that husband of yours might have a surprise, but you ain’t heard nothing from me.” He winked, which had Highland wrapping his arm around my waist, mumbling under his breath, but I wanted to hear what Mr. Kelvin had to say.
“Wait, surprise? Captain, what surprise? Didn’t we learn from the last one that I don’t like ’em anymore.” He ushered me into the SUV, completely ignoring me, kissing me on the forehead as he shut the door. The entire five-minute car ride to the dock, I asked the question over again, with Highland just smirking as if something was humorous.
Once we made it to the dock, Kiana greeted us with a warm welcome. After spending far too many days with Highland on these seas during my pregnancy, I got so used to his crew, like they were mine. A couple of them even called me Mrs. Captain, which always made my day.
“Good morning, Mrs. Captain and Captain. The vessel is all ready for your voyage today, your brother is already on the yacht. You’ll have me and Amber to assist and serve you today. The fridge is stocked for the kids as well. Please let me know if you need anything.” We walked on and my eyes bugged out as Jo-Jo yelled out his excitement.
“Dad!” I turned to look at Highland who pulled me to him.
Jasiel had been on tour for the past year or so and kept telling us he had no idea when he was coming home. Jo-Jo had been strong, while my heart broke each call or letter he got from Jasiel giving him the news.
“How, when?” I asked Highland.
“He got in today. He hit me up about setting this up for Jo-Jo a couple weeks ago. It only made sense to make this happen for Jo-Jo…them. It’s been a tough ass year for them both. Olive, you know I would do anything to make my son happy.” I stood on my tippy toes and tongued my husband the fuck down as I put my hands around his neck, pulling him into me more.
“Captain, thank you for this. I might have to bless you later.” I winked at him, making him chuckle.
“Girl, I’m getting some regardless, I don’t know what you talking about. As a matter of fact, they got the kids.” He pulled me away as we went below to the Captain’s cabin, Highland kissing me dangerously.
I didn’t know what made me remember the surprise but my mind went to it. I broke our kiss as I looked up at Highland who wore a confused expression as his eyes narrowed at me and he pressed his lips together.
“What’s wrong?”
