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Tickling Lacey just a little, she lets out a loud giggle, and Jett is just as ticklish. So before long, we are all crawling out to a pretend-shocked Nat.
“Oh, you scared me! I didn’t know you were hiding under the desk.” Nat, no matter how tired she feels, is still smiling and putting on an act for the benefit of the kids. “You two are the best at playing hide-and-seek. You always beat me. Now I think it’s time for bed, Daddy.”
“For who, you or the kids?” I ask, taking her in my arms and kissing the top of her head.
“Both.” She sighs. Time to take over.
“Okay, you two rascals, climb on board and get on the daddy train. We are heading down the tracks to your bedrooms for story time and off to sleep. But you better be quick to get on the train. It doesn’t wait for people who are late.”
As I drop my body to the floor, Jett is already up and on my back, while Lacey is still trying to climb up and getting there with the help of her mom.
“Go, Daddy, go!” Lacey cries out with her sweet little voice.
As we start off down the hallway with all the noises of a train, my heart is full. I could never risk missing this precious time with my children.
* * *
It takes an hour of trying to get the kids to sleep, after the constant “Just one more story, Daddy,”from both of them. If only they knew what those words meant to both Nat and me.
Making my way to our bedroom after checking the house is all secure, I find Nat in our bed, propped up against the headboard with one of my shirts on, stretched over her eight-month-pregnant belly. We decided not to find out what we’re having this time, so the sex is a surprise for us all. I know she would argue, but the sight before me is one of the most beautiful I’ve seen. I snap a picture on my phone so I can remember this moment in years to come.
Her long brown hair is hanging down over her shoulders, her kindle resting on her belly in her hands, even though she has fallen off to sleep. Both the baby monitors are on next to her, as she would say, “just in case they need us.” My shirt is sitting halfway down her creamy thighs. She’s still toned after all these years, even heavily pregnant.
I thought earlier she was asking for some alone time for us, but tiredness has put an end to that. Instead, I can give her something better.
Taking her kindle off her stomach and turning off the light, I slide into bed with her. Trying not to wake her too much, I shift her down to lie on my chest and just rest while I start rubbing softly up and down her back. Instead of the moans I was hoping for tonight, all I can hear from her is the purring like a kitten as she totally settles into a deep sleep.
Putting my hand on her stomach, I whisper to our baby, “Sleep, little one, and let Mommy get some rest. She is working hard to help you grow.”
Life doesn’t get any better than this, it truly doesn’t.
I promised Nat when we decided to try for baby number three that it would be “just one last time.”
But we both know how many times we have muttered those words in a moment of passion.
Sorry, Nat, four kids sounds like a perfect number.
I’m sure you’ll all agree.
No matter what happens in our life, there will always be room for “just one more time!”
THE END
Read on for an excerpt of That Day
Acknowledgments
Thank you to all of you who have been patiently waiting for Nat and Jordan’s story. Defining Us has been a long time coming, but it was worth the wait. Revisiting the Stevenson family is like coming home.
They say it takes a village, and that is true with publishing a book too. I couldn’t do this without the help of so many hardworking friends.
My beta readers: Vicki, Nicole G, Linda, Nicole W, and Di. I know this time was full of stops and starts, and then a story that frustrated you reading it just as much as it did to me writing it. Thank you for all you do for me.
Lindsay at Contagious Edits, as always you are my savior. I promise to be more organized this year and maybe even try to give you more than a few days to create miracles. I can truly say I would be lost without you.
Linda and the girls at Foreword PR & Marketing are my rocks and keep me sane. I couldn’t get through this life being an author without their help and guidance. It’s not just the promoting that they excel at but the friendship that has helped me to get through the last twelve months. My dream team!
Once again, Sarah Paige at Opium House Creatives – Cover Design has created my amazing cover for Defining Us. Nothing is ever too much trouble for her, and she makes them look first-class. Thank you to Wander Aguiar for the super-hot image of Brady Ervin.
