I grab Aspen's hand as we walk around the clearing for a minute, not saying anything, but just enjoying the beauty of the world around us together.
“Alright guys, I’m ready!” Lindsey hollers out, and we make our way back to her. Ready to capture this time of our lives that is going by way too damn fast.
The sun hides behind the mountain peak just as we finish our last shot. Aspen grins from ear to ear, and I can’t help but feel a swell of pride. Proud that I got this right. Not just the pictures, but us. It was worth it. God forbid, even if Weston never gets over this, she was worth it. Our little family we’re building is worth every bit of trouble and struggle I’ve ever been through.
“We got some amazing pictures. I’ve got about an hour drive, but I hope to get you guys a sneak peek tomorrow,” Lindsey says as she tucks her camera away in its case.
“Thank you so much. I had a blast. You made me feel so beautiful. I can’t wait to see them.” The giddiness in Aspen’s voice makes me soar.
“You both are some of the most photogenic people I have ever met in my life. Seriously, these pictures are going to be wall-hanging worthy. I’ll shoot you an email as soon as I have them ready.” She hugs Aspen and shakes my hand once before leaving.
Aspen turns to me as she drives off. “That was the best real first date ever. Unconventional, but at least we will have the pictures to remember it by,” she jokes. “Not to hustle on to the next thing, but baby is hungry.” She taps her bump twice for good measure.
“Oh, of course. Let’s get you fed.” I throw my arm around her shoulder and we walk back to the truck. When we get there, I drop my arm. “Let me get the blankets, food, and lantern out of the truck. Give me one sec.”
The cooler and blankets sit in my back seat; I pull them out. I probably went overboard on the blankets, but the mountains tend to be a little rocky, and I wanted her to be comfortable. Splaying them out on the ground, I grab a couple of rocks for the corners, because you never know when the Wyoming wind is going to come in and give you a hard time.
The cooler gets set on the last free corner of the blanket. I pull out our food. Fresh fruits, pickles, her favorite chips and dips, and of course a dozen of her mom’s cookies. She’s been obsessed with these organic protein shakes, so I grabbed one of those too, trying to add at least some nutritional value.
I help her to a sitting position, something that looks like it takes a hell of a lot of work these days. She hit thirty-six weeks this week and it feels like the bump gets a bit bigger each day. "Alright, let’s get you fed, honey.” Women truly do not get enough credit for what their bodies do.
She stretches out, leaning back on her arms.
“You and all this food. Dare I say this might just have been the most perfect day of my existence?” She quirks a brow at me.
“I’ll gladly take the first place title of the perfect day for now. I have a feeling meeting that little guy in there might top it.”
She tips her head back and forth. “I do think he is going to beat you out. I can’t believe we only have four weeks left. I feel huge now.”
“It feels like it’s been a blink of an eye but eternity all at the same time. I wonder what he will be like?” I think out loud.
“I think he will inherit my attitude; I think all Taylors do. But I hope he gets your work ethic and kindness.”
“As long as he is healthy and happy, he can be whoever he wants to be. But, God help me if his attitude matches yours.”
“Hey! You love that about me,” she points out.
“I do. Among many other things.” I get quiet for a while, a thought coming to my head, “You know, I think the best part of this is our kids will get to see what being in love really looks like. You had it with your parents, but mine were different. I learned it from your family. Our kids will grow up in a house of love. I think that’s the best part of it all.”
“That’s the only goal I have. Raise happy babies and be happy with you until our time here is done.”
I pull her closer, looking up to the stars just as one shoots across the sky. I’d make a wish, but I don’t need to anymore. I’ve got all I could ever need.
Chapter 36
Aspen
While I may not be as in tune with the world and everyone around me like my dear Rhett is, I still have two eyes in my head and a vibe radar that is beeping off the tracks every time Rhett is out late. He’s up to something. And being that I’m in an empty bed, that means he’s already started his day and is out the door.
He came in late last night, which woke me up, and then I had a hard time getting back to sleep because trying to get comfortable at night with a giant basketball growing out of you is next to impossible.
My eyeballs feel scratchy, and a dull ache pounds at my skull, but even with that, there is an excitement buzzing through me. It’s baby shower day. A whole day full of the people I love, snacks that don’t have to be full of nutritional value, fizzy drinks, and most importantly, presents. While they are not exactly presentsfor me, they are for dear baby boy, and since he is a part of me, it counts.
My phone buzzes, and I see my mom’s name come across the screen. “Hello, mother dearest.”
“How is my favorite daughter doing?” By the perk of her voice, I think she might be as excited as I am for today.
“She has a headache and has a desperate need for caffeine, which she cannot have, so I’ve been better. The baby shower should cure me.”
