Heart ready to explode with exhilaration, I laugh and laugh and kiss him some more.
When we pull apart, I feel dazed. I glance out the window at the construction trucks on the lawn. Putting in this nursery is going to cost some money.
“What…what about the new tractors?” I ask. “There’s no way we’ll be able to afford them now.”
Walker scoffs at me and gives me an incredulous look. “Woman, are you crazy? You’re my fucking dream come true. I don’t give a shit about tractors. Do you think that I would ever, ever choose some tractors over you?” He stares at me tenderly.
I gaze up at him. “Okay, fine. But, I know the greener equipment means a lot to you. So, let’s promise ourselves that we’ll find a way to make it happen, anyway.”
“Okay. Fine. We’ll make it happen.”
He kisses my forehead. Then his lips trail their way back down to my mouth and we dive into another soul-claiming kiss.
59
Penny
I can’t stop staring at them…” Walker whispers reverently.
Neither can I. My eyes are transfixed to the pair of magical creatures cradled to my chest.
“They’re perfect,” I say, my voice cracking with emotion.
I was having contractions sporadically all day yesterday. My water broke just after dinner time and Walker hoisted me into his truck.
The events that happened after we arrived at the hospital are kind of hazy. I remember the agonizing flashes of labor pain, the overhead lights of the delivery room, the soothing encouragement of the nurses.
There was lots of screaming and bodily fluids and a double-burst of euphoria when I pushed two healthy, shrieking six-pounders out into the world.
Our family and friends descended upon the hospital’s maternity ward in a flurry of flowers and teddy bears and baked goods, everyone excited to meet the latest additions to the Kingston family tree.
Now, it’s just us. Me and Walker and our itty-bitty boys. We’re cuddled up in the too-small hospital bed, experiencing our first moments together as a new family.
My man pulls a warm blanket over us and I inch closer to him, loving the heat of his body near mine.
Walker runs his fingertips through the shock of red hair on our older son. “Hello there, Luke,” he whispers quietly as he eases the tiny boy out of my arms. “It’s so amazing to meet you and your brother.”
Luke came out three minutes ahead of his younger twin and he already has a bossy streak. He’s repeatedly been the one to initiate cuddling and handholding with his little brother in the hours since they’ve been born.
I hug Mayor closer. He’s going to be the lazy, cuddly one. I can tell from the way he nuzzles his face between my breasts the second he has me all to himself.
We named the boys after the men in the family.
Luke Elliot Kingston, for Lucas and Eli.
Mayor Walker Kingston, in honor of Walker’s maternal grandfather.
With the baby safely tucked against his chest, my man shrugs off the blanket and shifts like he’s about to get out of bed.
“Noooo…Where are you going?” I whine, my free arm reaching for him. “This is perfect. Don’t get up.”
I have never loved any moment of my life as much as I love this moment here.
Walker pauses. He stares at me, his eyes filled to the brim with an intense emotion.
“What is it, baby?” I whisper, holding his gaze.
He hesitates then settles back beneath the blanket. He takes my hand in his. “I’m supposed to get down on one knee. I’m supposed to pour my heart out and offer you a ring.” He gives an impish smile. “But the ring is in my jacket pocket, over there on the hook…and I can’t wait one more second to ask you…”
Something warm washes over me as every nerve ending in my body comes to life.
He takes a breath. “I wanna marry you, Princess. I’d do it right this second, if you’d let me.”
I smile. I feel tears in my eyes. “What?”
“I’ve waited almost thirty years for this. I don’t want to wait anymore. Marry me.”
“Like…now?” I giggle.
He shrugs playfully. “I’d do it right here, right now…since it doesn’t seem like you have any intention of leaving this bed.” He chuckles.
I throw my head back and laugh again. “I definitely have no intention of leaving this bed any time soon but can you at least give me a couple months to recover from popping these babies out?”
He grins. “Okay. But that's all you get. A few months. I can’t wait for you to finally be mine.”
I lean my head on his shoulder. “Oh, I’ve always been yours, Big Man.”
“Good.” He kisses the top of my head. “So, let’s do this forever-and-ever thing, Princess.”
I tilt my face up to his. “Let’s do it.”
My heart is rehearsing something acrobatic when our lips come together. My eyelids fall closed and we share a sweet kiss.
When I open my eyes again, there’s a guy standing in the doorway. He’s carrying a simple pair of blue balloons. His jaw is tense, his facial features are hard, but there’s something warm and familiar in his eyes.
I blink. I pull in a breath.
When I nudge Walker with my elbow, his attention goes to the doorway. His eyes widen as he utters the name. “Eli…”
Epilogue Walker
Two and a half months later…
I’m standing under a floral arch on my front lawn. My heart is pounding, my hands are fidgety and this necktie is too damn tight. But I’m not going anywhere, because I’m waiting for my girl to make her grand entrance and pledge her heart to me.
The sun shines high and bright but the air is nippy. It’s a little more than a year to the date that Penny and I
