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“I know, baby. Anytime you want to come back, you let me know. I know there’s enough love in that heart of yours for both of us.”
If I wasn’t already irrevocably in love with him, I would be from that statement alone.
Chapter 25
Marshall
“So, a little birdie tells me that you’re going back to college,” Aspen says from where she sits on their couch, holding Bryson.
It’s New Year's Eve, and the big party animals that we are, we’re all sitting around Conrad and Aspen’s house with the kids in tow. Mom and Dad are here, and so are Jase, Sam, Aria, Carrie, and Elijah. When I asked Conrad about having them over, he didn’t hesitate. I knew he wouldn’t, but still, it means a lot to me that he was willing to do that for Wren.
“I am,” Wren says excitedly. “June from HR came to me the other day and reminded me that Riggins Enterprises offers tuition reimbursement. At first, I felt bad for accepting it, but Marshall reminded me I could still do my job and be a nurse and that it would be helpful to have a nurse at the day care.”
“I agree with him,” Owen chimes in. “That’s definitely comforting knowing a nurse is on staff for the kids, hell to have a nurse in the family for the kids.” He chuckles. “You see how rambunctious Carter is. I’m sure once the others reach his age, they’re all going to be just like we were, getting into everything. We’re going to need you.”
“You should consider setting up a clinic room in your house.” Dad laughs. “These boys had us running for bandages and stitches at every turn.”
“Come on now,” Royce defends. “We weren’t that bad.”
“Oh, I beg to differ,” Mom adds. “I’m sure I could look up the receipts for the co-pays to prove it.”
“That was years ago,” Grant tells her. “You wouldn’t still have all of that stuff.”
“Probably not, but I do have your baby books that would showcase many trips just in the first five years of your lives.” She laughs.
Wren looks at me and smiles. “Maybe we should consider it?” She’s teasing; I can see it in the glint in her eyes.
“If that’s what you want to do, we’ll make it happen,” I assure her. I love seeing her like this. With each passing day, she grows more comfortable with my family, and she’s stopped fighting me on driving the SUV and even me spending money on the two of them. Sure she grumbles, but that’s progress.
We live too far from work to walk. Sure, most days we ride together, but if she needs to go to the store or has plans with Carrie or one of my sisters, she takes it now without hesitation. Baby steps, but we’re getting there.
“Well, since we have everyone here, there’s something I need to say,” Owen speaks up. He smiles down at Layla, who’s holding Carter. “Lay and I are having another baby.” He smiles.
The room erupts with cheers and hugs for the happy couple. I feel a tightening in my chest, and this time it’s easy for me to name the feeling. Longing. I want Wren to be my wife. I want to make babies with her. I want to be the one standing in front of my family telling them that we’re having a baby. I want to see Madeline as a big sister. I’ve been letting Wren take her time with setting a wedding date. I know that living together, the engagement, the new job, all of that has been a huge change for her. I wanted to give her time to settle into all of it before we move forward with the wedding. However, she’s doing just fine.
I think it’s time I push a little.
All the kids have crashed and most of the adults look dead on their feet. I smile. A couple of years ago, my brothers and I would have been at a club bringing in the new year. Now, here we are, all domesticated and shit and barely able to keep our eyes open to get our midnight kiss. Life has changed for the five of us so much, but for me, and hell, even for them, I know that none of us would have it any other way. I’ll take quiet nights in with my girls over the noise of a club any day. I never thought I’d even think that, but it’s the truth. I guess that’s what magic does to you.
Grant passes out small plastic cups with sparkling cider as the room begins to countdown to the new year. “Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one… Happy New Year!” everyone shouts, and then the room is quiet, all except for the music coming from the TV as they celebrate in New York for the ball dropping. None of us seem to care as we kiss our wives. Well, my fiancée in my case, but this year, she will be my wife. Hopefully, sooner rather than later.
