“You’re stunning.” I look past her into the patio door and don’t see anyone nearby so I quickly lean forward and press my lips to hers. It’s a quick kiss, but I can’t risk it being any longer.
When my eyes connect back with hers I see the shimmer of tears in her wide eyes, mouth still slightly open. It makes me giggle at the state of shock I left her in, a warmth in my chest making me feel so giddy to be able to have these kinds of moments.
Josie stares at me for a beat longer before she clears her throat, running her hands down her stomach, over her hips and down her legs. “I came out here to tell you everyone is packed up and ready to go.” She chuckles, “if you’re ready?”
“I’m so ready.”
Chapter Twenty Seven
Josie
Seven Months Post Partum
Idon’tknowwhyInever thought to take Shiloh to the local greenhouse nursery. I didn’t even know they had a kid zone.
“momma! Watch this!” Shiloh yells at me while he bounces across the air trampoline and then tumbles forward. I clap my hands together as he straightens himself out and stares right at me, pride beaming from him.
“Good job Loh! That was super cool!” I shout at him.
He quickly goes back to jumping around, and I look around to see what everyone else is doing. Monty has Hayes in his arms, leaning over so he could pet the goat that’s in the petting zoo. Xavier is there beside him, and while it looks like he’s enjoying it and spending time with the animals. I know he’s also trying to check their health, that man does not know how to take a break.
Harper snorts beside me, when I look at her I see her eyes are in the same spot mine just were. When she looks at me her smile widens. “How much do you want to bet he’s checking to make sure that goat that Hayes is touching is healthy?” I ask her.
“I don’t need to bet anything, because that’s one hundred percent what he’s doing.” Just then Xavier grabs the goat's face like he’s trying to pet it, but I catch the way his thumbs move over the animal's face as he checks its eyes, nose and mouth.
We both start laughing, and Xavier’s eyes snap to ours before shrugging his shoulder and scratching the goats chin before moving on. Evie isalso looking over at us, camera in hand and a raised eyebrow. She’s been taking pictures of everyone since we’ve been here, and she makes our way to us.
“What are you guys laughing about?” She asks when she’s close enough.
“We were just calling out Xavier for trying to be stealthy and checking the health of all the animals in the petting zoo.” Harper says to Evie, her eyes haven’t left where Xavier is and it’s adorable.
“Oh that’s what he was doing with that goat?” Evie hums, “I was wondering why he was grabbing it’s face like that.”
I snort and shake my head, “Yeah he tries to be subtle but he really isn’t.” I look over at her and ask, “Did you get some good pictures?”
Her face brightens at the question.
“Yes! I got so many pictures. They’re going to turn out so good.” She fiddles with her camera before turning it to me and showing me some of the pictures she took.
They’re stunning, and she captures so many great moments. Each shot shows the various faces of Hayes as he tries to figure out exactly what each animal is. Then she moves on and there’s another picture of Shiloh as he does one of his ninja moves on the air trampoline. Immortalizing the joy in his face as he actively does another front flip.
“These are amazing, Sweets.” I say to her so only she can hear. I’m not sure how much she has told Harper so I don’t know what her thoughts are. Monty plans to tell Xavier when they go camping with Shiloh next week. Obviously once Shiloh is asleep for the night, but still.
A soft smile dons her lips, she’s not looking at me but keeps looking through the photos.
“Thank you.” She says quietly, her eyes finally looking up to mine and I watch as she bites the bottom of her lip. It’s moments like this that make it hard to keep uson the downlowbecause I’d really like to kiss her right now.
Instead, I clear my throat and move us along with the outing. “Shall we go into the greenhouse and pick out a plant?” I ask no one in particular, but it’s Harper who answers first.
“Oh yes! I wanted to find a plant for the living room.” She links her arm into Evie's, and then into mine and we head toward the greenhouse with the guys following behind us.
A blanket of light humidity hits my skin as we walk through the doors to the greenhouse. Scents of damp earth, swirling around with different shades of herby tones. Multiple lines of different plants on tabled palettes, vast shades of green with splashes of blues, purples, pinks and so many other colors to each different flower that is offered.
Right at the entrance are a mixture of large potted and hanging plants. I have no idea what the names of any of these plants are, but I can appreciate the beauty.
Hayes begins to get fussy in the carrier so Monty takes him off and lets our youngest son hold his fingers while he wobbly steps forward. Paying more attention to his surroundings knowing that his dad won’t let him fall.
Shiloh is doing very well in the greenhouse, granted he’s still bustling up and down the aisle but he has stopped on more than one occasion to try and reach the plant label. He’s just started trying to reach and for six years old, he’s doing a great job.
