Brit and Rebel laughed, then Brit narrowed her gaze at him. “Not a word, Dad.”
“Not a word,” Z replied.
After a delicious sit-down dinner, they danced until two in the morning. At the elevator bank, she tapped the down button for the parking garage.
Rebel tapped the up button. “Another surprise.”
She grinned. “This’ll be fun.”
They rode to the top floor.
On the way down the hall, she threaded her fingers through his. “Tiny pea baby loves going to the amusement park.”
Rebel laughed. “Rollercoaster time for baby.”
In the Presidential Suite, she found her overnight bag. He’d packed some clothing for her, along with her toothbrush, and a few other supplies.
They undressed, fell into bed together.
She loved loving him, couldn’t get enough of his love. Being with him made her happy in her soul. And that was exactly what she needed for the rest of her life.
“Thank you for tonight,” she whispered as they cuddled close.
“Thank you for making my life complete,” he replied.
April, the following year
Joaquin
As the garagedoor started rising, he knelt on the driveway in front of the stroller and grinned. Love washed over him. The most beautiful babies in the entire world smiled back.
“That was a fun run, wasn’t it?” Rebel asked, his gaze still cemented on his children.
“It was definitely a challenge,” Brit replied.
“You did great, babe.” He kissed one baby, then the other. When he stood, he kissed his wife.
Her sweet smile had him dipping down and stealing another kiss.
She pushed the double-wide stroller into their three-car garage. While she unstrapped one baby, he unstrapped the other.
Into the house they went. Brit filled two sippy cups with water, then filled two glasses, also with water. They sat on a large baby blanket in the middle of the family room while they quenched their thirsts.
When finished, Brit took her son’s little socked foot in hand and pretended to munch on his toes. He started giggling.
“Yummy,” Brit said. “Mama loves Clark’s toes.” Then, she picked up her daughter’s small hand and gently nibbled on her fingers. “Willow, your fingers taste soooo good.”
Willow stared at her mom while more giggles erupted from Clark.
“What sound does a cow make?” When Brit mooed, Willow’s belly laugh filled the room.
“It’s amazing how different they are,” Brit said.
“Today’s their six-month birthday,” Rebel said.
“Happy birthday, my loves,” Brit said to them.
She kissed her daughter on her cheek, kissed her son on his. Then, she held Rebel’s chin in her fingers, leaned close, and kissed him.
