“I know and I see how Egan is with both of his kids. It’s nice to see men like that with their children.”
Her father had never been warm and loving. Nothing like she’d witnessed with Ethan’s brothers and their families.
She knew beyond a doubt Ethan would be that way with a child of his also.
“I want kids,” he said. “Sooner rather than later. I guess it’s just one more thing I haven’t talked to you about because it’s only been a few months, but I’m happy to find out you feel the same way. I’ve dated a few women who didn’t want kids. Or they wanted to adopt. Or hire a surrogate so they didn’t have to put their bodies through it.”
“A surrogate never crossed my mind. I mean, I know a lot of women do it because they can’t physically carry a child, but I never even imagined I could afford to do that if I had to. But I sure the heck wouldn’t think that if there was no reason.”
“To each their own,” he said. “But it’s not my first course of action without a medical necessity to it. And if I was with a woman who couldn’t have a child, but we wanted them, then there are other ways around it.”
“Here is the deal,” she said. “Money buys a lot of things, but it can’t give you miracles. I don’t care what anyone says. If I were married and my husband could have kids and I couldn’t, I’d be on board with finding a surrogate and using his sperm if we could afford it. I’d like to think my husband would feel the same way if the roles were reversed, or we just accepted what fate was going to hand us.”
“It feels good to be with a woman who shares my thoughts and values,” he said. “What you said.”
She pushed the plate in front of her. She was stuffed. Her two slices of French toast gone along with the slice of frittata. “How about if I say something else?”
He grinned and slid his plate in front of him also. “Say whatever you want.”
“I need to work this off. I don’t want to clean up this mess yet either.”
“It can wait,” he said, putting his hand out.
She dipped her head. “Can I do what I want?”
He lifted her chin. “You can always do whatever you want.”
“You gave me this special morning and I want you to have something fun too. I know I’m a little dull in the bedroom.”
He laughed and picked her up to put her on his shoulder, then slapped her ass. “You are absolutelynotdull.”
She giggled. “Vanilla then.”
“I like vanilla,” he said. “One of my favorite flavors.”
He carried her to the room they’d stayed in last time. “Do you have a headboard in the house with slats on it?”
He turned quickly. “My old bed does. What do you have in mind?”
“I just thought we could hold on to it. Each of us at some point. Maybe a little blindfold. Or a shirt over our eyes.”
He moved quicker, dropped her on the bed and left her there alone, then returned with a bandana and long-sleeved shirt.
“I’ll go first.”
He pulled his shirt over his head, laughter spilling out as he pushed his shorts down.
She followed, drawn to the sound of him. That easy, carefree laugh that always seemed to wrap around her heart.
That was the thing about Ethan.
Everything with him felt lighter.
Even the moments that should have been serious somehow became soft, safe, and full of warmth.
When he opened up, it was like the world around her did too.
And when he helpedheropen up… it felt like falling in love all over again.
