Page 158 of Jonesing for a Spy

“Celebrating is what got us here.”

“I’m not complaining.” I place a hand on her belly. “Don’t listen to anything else today but this, okay, little one? Daddy loves you and can’t wait to meet you. I’m so excited you chose us. Now, earmuffs.” I look up into the face of the woman I love. “I fucking love you. I love the life we have and the one we’re creating. Marry me.”

“Again with the command.” Mirren acts affronted.

Surging up, I take her mouth, one hand to the back of her head, not even attempting chaste or considering that we’re in public. Lips still touching, I whisper, “If we weren't in public, I’d fuck that smart mouth. Later will have to do.”

“Later”—her eyes dance with mischief—“I’ll suck you till you explode, honey, and drain you dry.”

Fuck! Now I have a semi, have the evidence to prove it, and am still on my knees in a restaurant.

“Ahem.” A throat clearing brings me back to the here and now. “The chicken plate for the lady. And the gyro and loaded fries for the gentleman.”

Looking up from my place on the floor. “Thanks. We’re celebrating.”

“Congratulations. I knew when I met you that you two would make it.”

Standing, I use my napkin strategically to hide my erection and retake my seat.

“Your place is special, Dimitri.” Mirren cuts in. “We wanted to come back. Strider’s birthday is tomorrow.”

“And Mirren agreed to marry me,” I finish.

“Love like yours is obvious.” He taps two fingers on the tabletop. “Love and garlic… the two best things in the world. Enjoy both.” He smiles a huge smile and wanders away.

Mirren digs into her plate as I unwrap the foil around my gyro. “So these plans you have percolating…”

“Think we can get your family to Alabama for tomorrow night?”

I drop my gyro and stare, a fry frozen halfway to my mouth. “Tomorrow?”

“We’ll all be together. I don’t need fancy. I need you. But just like I wouldn’t cut my family out, I won’t cut yours out either.”

Dropping my fry, I pull up the airline app. I can get Mom and Dad to Mobile tonight. Same with Liam and Lorien. Same with Sam and Billy.

“Eat your gyro while it’s hot, but if we can make it work, let’s do it. But don’t tell them. Just say it’s your birthday and we’re cooking out.”

“You’re thinking surprise wedding?”

“I’m thinking all the people we love are together and we commit ourselves to each other. Did you want something more elaborate?”

“I want you, Freckles. Every day for forever. I don’t care how we make it happen, just that it happens.”

So we do…

The next day, with my parents mingling with friends who’ve become family, and with Lorien and Liam fighting the South Alabama humidity, we celebrate my forty-first birthday.

There are no black eyes or broken bones like last year—but that’s a story for another day. Sam and Billy declined the invite, but that’s just Sam, and I understand.

Sometime between the barbecue with all the sides and the huge cake and ice cream, not to mention the cookies Mom brought, Mirren yells, “Can I get your attention?”

All eyes turn to her in her lemon yellow sundress with its white lace edges. Jamie being Jamie strides to her side, on guard and ready to defend her. I should’ve planned as much.

She lifts on her toes and tugs his shoulder to whisper something in his ear. He shakes his head but smiles anyway and returns to the circle of onlookers.

“Strider?” She extends a hand—one I gladly accept, one I’ll hold until the day that I die.

“Strider and I hope you’ll indulge us for two minutes and then we’ll go back to the festivities.”