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It’s not long before Keaton collapses next to Claire with a weary groan. “These kids. Where do they get all this energy?”
“That’s a silly question. It’s from all the sugar they’ve digested so far today.” Claire unwraps a miniature peanut butter cup and closes her eyes once she pops it into her mouth. “I mean, not that I blame them.”
There are moments like this one when I almost can’t believe this is my life. Five years later, it’s still the three of us. Raising the kids and building a life together. I can’t think of anyone I’d rather be on this adventure with. Keaton balances out my stern, sometimes grumpy tendencies, while I tend to balance out the ‘Fun Dad’ tendencies whenever he starts to go overboard.
But it’s clear who keeps us both centered. Claire is the heart of our family, of our home. If the kids squeal happily while running circles around the tree, it’s thanks to her. She has given them so much love and patience. She is exactly the sort of mother any child would be lucky to have.
It’s early afternoon by the time we take them home, and it’s no surprise that both kids are out cold when we pull into the driveway. “Careful with her dress!” Claire whispers while I lift Lilly from her seat.
“Aren’t all the festivities over now?” Keaton points out while taking Tommy from his car seat.
“That’s not the point. What if her sister could wear it in a few years?”
“You seem pretty sure that this baby is a girl.” I lift my eyebrow at her. “Do you know something we don’t?”
“No. I just feel it.” She runs her hand over her belly before unlocking the front door. Keaton and I take the kids straight upstairs, where we take off their Easter clothes before tucking them in for their naps. And, while we do, I hear Claire downstairs, getting lunch together.
There is nothing sweeter than this. The simple, everyday business of life. How easy it was for us to fall into a routine together. I kiss the top of Lilly’s head and inhale the sweet scent of her dark curls, then give my son the same treatment. Whether or not he’s biologically mine doesn’t matter, and we never bothered finding out for sure. As far as Keaton and I are concerned, the kids are ours, no matter who happened to father them. We are their parents, the three of us, and that’s all we care about.
The sight of Claire moving around in the sunny kitchen while she hums happily to herself is a gift. To think, I figured I had it all worked out before I ever knew she existed. I didn’t have the first idea of what life could be like. I didn’t know it could be this sweet and easy and fulfilling.
“How are you feeling?” I ask, stepping up behind her and stroking her swollen belly while nuzzling her neck. I can’t help but ask since it’s already been a long day, thanks to Lilly waking up the house before dawn, wanting to see if the bunny brought her a basket.
“Great. Happy.” She tips her head to the side and narrows her eyes. “I don’t hear anything up there.”
“Are you kidding? They’ll probably sleep until dinner.”
“Then they’ll be up all night,” she points out with a gentle laugh.
“And to think, I was the one who wanted to be up all night.” Keaton winks our way when he enters the kitchen.
All night? I’m not sure I can make it that long, not with her in my arms, not with her sweet scent and the feel of her lush, ripe body working its magic on me. I’m rock hard when I press against her ass. “I was thinking more like a little afternoon fun while the kids are asleep.”
“What about lunch?” She looks over the salad she’s been putting together, frowning.
“That will keep in the fridge.” Like magic, Keaton starts gathering things and putting them away while Claire laughs helplessly.
“What do you say?” I whisper in her ear, pinching her tight nipples and knowing how horny pregnancy makes her.
“I say…” She reaches behind her, between us, and wraps her hand around my bulge. “We should work up an appetite.”
That’s the thing she’ll never understand. When it comes to her, my appetite is never satisfied.
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