Page 97 of Rescuing Erin

“Come here, tesoro.”

Giorgia came into the living room and seven adults all muttered a collective oh, fuck. Gia’s face was covered in what I assumed was icing from Robert and Asher’s birthday cake.

Olivia and I broke out in a round of laughter.

“It’s not funny,” Linc growled.

“It kinda is,” Liv barely choked out the words.

“Jasmin’s going to kill me.”

“No, she won’t.” I tried to assure him.

“Yes. She is. It’s the twins’ birthday.”

“Is anyone hurt?” I asked.

“No.”

“Then she won’t care. Shit happens. Life happens. The only thing Jas cares about is that we’re all together and her sons are smiling. Who the hell cares if they’re a little dirty.”

“Or wet,” Liv answered. “For a group who’s used to adapting and regrouping, you all sure looked panicked.”

“Mission shift, boys. Kids out back, hose them off, and we’ll clean up the kitchen,” I called out. When I glanced at Colin, his lips were twitching. “What?”

“You’re goddamn sexy when you’re bossy.”

“Is that so?”

“It is. And, tonight, I’m going to show you how hot I think it is.”

“Looking forward to it.”

“I love you, sunshine.”

“Love you.” I rolled up to my tiptoes and gave Colin a peck. Sadly, it was not the way I wanted to kiss my husband. One thing was for sure, over the last couple of years, even while pregnant and right after, our need and passion for one another had not waned. I wanted him now just as much as I did the first time I saw him. I kept my promise and loved him everyday like it was our last. Colin was a good man, a great husband, but an even better father. He loved Lexi beyond measure. Both of them filled me with so much love and joy I was busting at the seams.

The men left the house with all the kids minus a still sleeping Lexi and Olivia, and I went to the kitchen.

“You know he’s gonna try to knock you up tonight, right?” Liv asked. “They’re sneaky, all of them. It starts with a tough guy act, then they throw in the sexy smirk, they make their voices rumbly, and bam, panties drop. Careful, friend, don’t fall for his tricks.”

“I’m counting on it.”

“Counting on it?” Liv laughed.

“We’re working on giving Colin’s mom the eighteen grandkids she wants.”

“Your poor vagina.”

“Mine? You’ve already popped out two. Leo walks by you in the hall and you wind up pregnant.”

“He does more than walk by, trust and believe that.”

The two of us laughed and cleaned up the crumbs and icing off the floor and counter. Luckily, most of the cake was intact. But even if it wasn’t, it wouldn’t have mattered. We were all together, the kids were happy, and life was good.

* * *

Sixteen years later