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“I have super sperm.” Cole laughs.
“Don’t be cocky,” I snap. “Or you can walk right out this door and tell my momma what you said.”
“I got you, Casper.” Cole smiles down at me with love and devotion shining in his eyes. “I get to be cocky for the rest of my life. You’re stuck with me.”
“Forever.”
23
CASPER
I’m not sure who thought it would be a good idea to keep me in the hospital, but I don’t even make it two days before I’m ready to murder someone and get on with my life.
I’m seriously contemplating breaking out through a window so I can get something real to eat, and every single time someone comes in with the smell of food on their body, I’m ready to take a knife to their eyeballs.
Yes, I am absolutely certain that I’m not crazy, but I am hormonal, and people keep trying to tell me what I can and cannot do.
Not only that, but I’m pregnant, and all I want is a steak and cheese sandwich and some chili fries.
I don’t evenlikechili fries, but I want them.
Casper: If you love me, you’ll bring me a steak and cheese sub from Lucy’s.
Demon Spawn: I don’t love you enough to piss off Mom.
Casper: Please. The baby is hungry. If you don’t do it, I’ll wait until one time when they’re ready to poop and ask you to change it so you get shit on.
Demon Spawn: Fine. But you better find a way to hide it before she comes back.
So what if I used pity and the threat of something terrible happening to my big brother in order to get him to bring me food. The threat of poop is real and I’m ready to use it.
Plus, I know that he wouldn’t be tempted just by me asking him to. Remy and Cole are both being obsessive about my health, which is really annoying.
“Your brother isn’t going to bring you a steak and cheese.” Cole presses a kiss against the side of my head to take away the sting of his words. “He already sent me a text with a screenshot of you threatening him with baby poop. You’re not getting out of here until you get a clean bill of health and you’re healing okay. Sorry, but that means you’re having one more day of gross hospital food. But as soon as it’s over, I’ll get you some good stuff. I promise. All of it. It’ll be waiting.”
Cole is sitting in a chair right next to me, taking his time as he swipes on his phone.
“I don’t think I want to live in Birch Harbor anymore, Cole.” I fiddle with the hospital blanket that covers my legs and part of my stomach. “Don’t get me wrong. I love my family, and I don’t want to be away from them forever. But… I think it’s time that I live somewhere else.” Once I get the words out, I feel a strange sense of relief.
Ever since I woke up, I’ve been thinking about it. About where our family will live. Where I’ll teach. Where we will raise our children. Where I’ll get to grow old with the man at my side.
“Okay.” He shrugs. “I’m due to either re-enlist or get out of the Marine Corps. Emmett asked me to be part of the next venture for the family business. I’m sure we could have the headquarters in Boston if you want to be closer than New York.”
“Just like that?” I expect a fight from him. For him to want to stay in New York. Or to be closer to my family. “You’ll get out of the military for me?”
“I’m a Marine, Casper. I’m used to picking up and moving every few years, or whenever I get orders. It’s not about where I am that makes something my home. It’s about the people that I’m there with. Wherever you and our babies are, that’s where I want to be. Besides.” He links our hands together and pulls my hand to his mouth. “You may not know this, but my family has a lot of money. Like… a lot. We can live anywhere you want, and if you didn’t want to work ever again, you wouldn’t have to. Being a Marine doesn’t end when I get out. It’s a part of who I am, but it’s not the entirety of who I am. You’re making me a father. You’re going to make me a husband. I’ll get to be all of those things. Because of you.”
God, I love this man more than anything.“I want to teach.” I swat him lightly. “I didn’t say that I don’t want to work. I do. I just don’t want to do it in Birch Harbor, or even Maine.”
“That’s fine.” Cole watches me carefully. “I don’t know if you were trying to test me or something, but did I pass? Because this feels like a test and I really want to pass.”
“Not a test.” I fold my arms across my chest. “You failed the test when you wouldn’t let me get a steak and cheese. You and Remy both. I don’t know if I can tell you how much it aggravates me that you and Remy are getting along so well and you are both teaming up on me now.”
“I’ve grown up with brothers my entire life. And we’ve gotten blown up together. Then we saved your life together. It’s a bond that won’t get broken by a steak and cheese sub.” Why does he have to bring up the food that I’m craving. “I promise that I will give you as many steak and cheese subs as you want as soon as you’re cleared.”
“Well, it’s about to get broken by me murdering you both in your sleep because I’m dying of hunger and I’m grumpy and I haven’t slept much since I’ve been here.” And I can’t help but add in one more threat. “Oh, and Miles and Sean both reached out. I could always ask your brothers to come visit. I’m sure they’ll love to get all up in your business.”
Cole pulls me into his arms and puts his hand on my stomach, promptly ignoring what we both know is an empty threat. “I can’t believe we’re having twins.”
