Page 70 of Sudden Summer

“I’m sure your family is already over there, and I can’t even finish my makeup because my stupid wrist aches and is making everything impossible,” she whispered. “I just want today to be perfect for you and Juniper.”

“Well, first of all, she’s five months old. She’ll be thrilled if you hold her and give her a bottle. And don’t stress about it not being the perfect day for me. Both my girls are here, that’s all I need.”

“That’s not all you need. That’s the bare minimum. And I’m not letting you or Juniper accept that. Today will be perfect. I’ll get a million pictures of you and her together. We’ll fill her baby book up in one go!”

“Her baby book?”

“Oh, I wasn’t going to tell you until you opened it! That’s the present I got for her today.” Birdie’s eyes fluttered shut. “Sorry I ruined the surprise.”

“No surprises were ruined. That’s a really sweet gift. Thank you.” My lips pressed against that little hollow in her neck right next to her collarbone that I loved.

“I did. I think I’m going to pack everything up and just send you two over. I-I…I’m too flustered.”

“You’re going with us.” I chuckled. She was so goddamn adorable. All flustered, her cheeks had this watermelon red tint to them, her freckles fading into the red like stars in the night sky.

“This isn’t funny, Beau. This is the first special celebration day for Juniper, and I’m not going to be the reason why you two don’t have the best day!”

I placed my hands on her shoulders and took an exaggerated breath, hoping she would catch on. She did, closing her eyes to cycle through a few breaths.

“You already look perfect.”

Her eyes popped open just before they dramatically rolled at me.

“I do not. My hair is a mess. This is the only dress that looks halfway decent on me today because I’m bloated, I can’t even do my make up because I have to wear this stupid brace, and it hurts trying to hold anything right now.”

“First, this dress looks incredible on you.” She tried to scoff at that, but I stared her down. “I think it’s perfect, but if you’d like another option, I did get you a little something for today.”

“You got me something? Why?”

“It’s not just my day to celebrate Juniper. It’s our day. There is no Juniper and me without you. I wouldn’t have lasted a single second into fatherhood without you there helping me these last few weeks. Do you want to see it?”

Her eyes went wide. “Yes.”

I pressed my lips to her forehead. “Good girl. Stay right here.”

Birdie’s hip rested against the sink, the heat of her eyes on my back the entire walk into the bedroom. As soon as I bent to grab the bag off the floor, I heard her giggle.

“See something you like, Chickadee?” I asked, wiggling my hips back and forth.

“You know your ass is one of your best features, Cowboy. Sue me for looking at it every chance I get.”

“Mm…if I did sue, what could I win in damages?”

“Probably not much from me. Funding Lainey’s business drained my savings. But it was worth it to see how happy she is now.”

“Hm.” I slid my hand into my back pocket, pulling out my wallet. I grabbed the credit card linked to my bank account and walked back over, sliding it under her fingers. “Take that and put it in your wallet. Use it whenever you need something.”

“Beau—”

“It wasn’t a suggestion, Birdie. You’re a kept woman now. My kept woman. And I’ll take care of anything you need.”

“I make a decent amount of money, you know. I just need to build back up my savings, that's all.”

“That money should be for fun things. Not for things you worry about like groceries, or clothes, or anything you want to get for Juniper. Keep that money safe and, hell, I don’t know, plan a vacation once a year with my sister and Vi if you want to. Do something crazy and fun with it. But when it comes to something you need, I want to take care of it for you.”

“I can’t take your money.”

“You’re going to be my wife. The mother to my children.” If I thought her eyes went wide at the first declaration, they were saucers by the time I finished the second. I tried not to chuckle as I continued. “It’s not my money, it’s our money. And it’s yours to use for whatever you need or want. And I mean whatever, Birdie. No questions asked.”