I love you,
Dad
Hunt looked up, eyes watering for real this time. “Damn.”
“Oh, Hunt,” Abby said, and hugged him tightly. “That’s a beautiful letter. And what a special time for Esther to share it with you.”
Hunt wiped his eyes, and Abby kissed his cheek. “Sort of makes me wonder if my brothers received letters too. You know, after they married or fell in love.”
“I don’t know,” Abby said. “You should ask them.”
Hunt nodded and slowly took in a few breaths.
He looked down at Abby and smiled. “I’m the luckiest guy alive. I have a son, a baby girl on the way, and the most incredible wife a man could ever ask for.”
Abby beamed. And then her smile fell. “Except I’m huge.”
“Huge with our beautiful girl growing inside you. And I’m going to show you tonight just how hot I think you are.”
Abby’s face turned bright red. “You realize my hormones are raging in this second trimester. We’d better get home soon.”
“You don’t need to tell me twice.” Hunt thought of carrying her through the crowd, then reconsidered. He didn’t want to risk his wife getting jostled in her condition. He settled for holding her firmly at his side, and urging them through more guest greetings and toasts.
It seemed like forever before they made it home for the night, with Noah at a sleepover at his cousin Harlow’s house. Hunt and Abby didn’t leave for their trip until tomorrow, so they had one night at home together.
They sat on the carpet cross-legged in their bedroom, and Hunt held up a glass of champagne. “I love you, Abby Cade. Thank you for giving me the best family I could ever hope for. One I never thought I’d have, but always dreamed of.”
Abby teared up and raised her glass of sparkling apple cider. “Thank you for standing up for Noah and me. For loving me. And forloving me.” She winked.
Hunt raised his eyebrows. That was an invitation if ever he’d heard one.
Abby leaned over to kiss him, and he took advantage of her sketchy equilibrium and gently tipped her to the floor.
Abby laughed. “You’re bad.”
“And don’t you forget it.”
They didn’t make it to the bed until much later.
* * *
