Poppy gives a wave and disconnects, draping her arms around my shoulders. “He seemed happy.”
“That’s because you gave him permission to be in our kids’ lives.”
“He’s not your favorite person, but his decisions led me to you. I can’t hold a grudge.”
“I’d have found you.”
“On a stage in Vegas? Highly unlikely.”
“It’s a moot point now.”
“Do you want to put me down?”
“No.”
“Pretty soon, you won’t be able to hold me like this.”
“I’ll always be able to hold you.”
“Isn’t it crazy you’re holding three of us?”
“Makes it all the more important.”
She grins sweetly, pressing close. “I have one more birthday surprise.”
“Pretty sure you’ve hit your quota with surprises.”
“I had to get creative. You set the bar with my Christmas present.”
“Baby, I gave you a car. You’re giving me a family. Not even in the same realm.”
“Tonight, Darby and Pierce are taking us out on Jill and Warren’s boat to celebrate the stroke of midnight.”
“All my life, I’ve shared the day with Darby. I’d rather celebrate the stroke of midnight in our bed deep inside you.”
A twinkle forms in her eyes and she rolls her bottom lip through her teeth. “I thought you may feel that way. So, they’re dropping us off at the dock.”
“What dock?”
“Our dock. Well, technically, it’s still Len and Deni’s, but soon it’s ours.”
My head jerks back in confusion. “Did you know something?”
“Not officially. Since they were leaving for Florida this morning, I called Deni and asked for the favor. She was quick to agree, almost too quick. Miller’s bringing your truck to the gate for us. We’ll ring in your birthday in your favorite spot.”
Her blinding smile strikes straight through my heart. “You’ve thought of almost everything but the most important part. I’m all about adventure, baby, but I’m not fucking my pregnant wife on a wooden dock.”
She shifts, grinding down, and my cock stiffens at the friction. “Trust me. It’s all taken care of. This is my night to spoil you.”
I place my lips against hers, kissing softly. “Okay, baby, I trust you. Spoil away.”
The sun begins to peek over the horizon, lighting the sky, and my mind goes back to that morning in Vegas. Unlike that morning, my time is no longer limited. The bohemian beauty sleeping on my chest is mine forever. The thought causes my heart to speed.
Poppy stirs, cuddling deeper into me. “Is it time?”
“Almost.”
“Have you slept?”
“Yes.”
She peers up at me, her eyes a happy-sleepy-pleased glow. “Told you to trust me.”
“Yeah, babe, still not sure how you talked Miller and Pierce into delivering a full cabana bed and set it up out here.”
When Peirce and Darby dropped us off last night, the area beyond the dock was lit with tiki torches and lanterns leading to a large outdoor cabana bed that had a perfect view of the water. Apparently, Deni did more than approve of us using the dock because Poppy had access to the boathouse with a full bathroom and kitchen as well.
“I bribed them with Nerf Blasters.”
“Nerf Blasters?”
“How do you think we got those lights in the trees? I bought them both top-of-the-line Nerf Blasters. Since they always have to share with the kids, they got their own. Once they tired of playing, they shot the lights in the trees, while the girls and I set up the rest. I’ve never spent the night outdoors in South Carolina, and Darby had strict instructions how to keep the bugs and critters away.”
“You called in reinforcements.”
“I’m really glad we got the house and we don’t have to move the bed. My plan was presumptuous.”
“You’ve set the bar. I have three and a half weeks to top this.”
She props up on her arm, pressing her hand over my heart. “All I want is this. You and me, and our little peas, watching the sunrise.”
“Then that’s what you’ll get.”
3 ½ weeks later
My mouth moves over her stomach before I heft up, watching her catch her breath. “You back on earth, baby?”
“Mmhmm,” she mumbles, “did we wake the neighbors?”
I cast a glance over my shoulders, but the only light in the distance is from the rising sun. “Maybe next time. Can you sit up?”
“No, I can’t move.”
“Let me help you.”
“Too much work.” She tucks to her side.
I yank on my shorts, grabbing my shirt and lifting her into sitting position. “Just my shirt.” I finagle it on her limp body and lay her back down. “Be right back.”
“The peanuts are sleepy.” Her eyes close on a sigh. I walk around the house to the side yard where Pierce is waiting inside the fence.
“Fifty-five hundred square feet of indoor, air-conditioned, perfectly good space, and you sleep outside like a vagrant?”
“How about you get your ass over here on Monday and get my bedroom renovations started so I can move my wife into the house?”
“You couldn’t throw a mattress on the floor?”
“Your fault. You started this shit.”
“I thought it was a one-off to get laid on your birthday. Didn’t know it was starting a tradition—especially in fucking July.”
“You done?”
“Not by a long shot, but considering we’ll be together in a few hours, I can wait to bust your balls.”
“Where is he?”
Pierce goes to his truck, hauling out a cage and opening the door. The Golden Retriever puppy rolls out, anxiously hopping around. There’s a huge rainbow colored bow covering his neck.
“What the hell is that?”
“That is Darby and Maya. They insisted on it.”
As if the dog hears my disgust, he starts to paw at his neck, rolling toward me.
I crouch, petting his head and stopping his assault. “Hey, terror, give it a few minutes before you destroy it. Poppy will love it.”
At the first mention of her name, his ear perks and he’s on the move, dashing around me.
“Better go,” Pierce suggests. “See you later.”
“Thanks, man.” I flick a wave and take off after my new dog.
He’s fast, but I catch him before he hits the cabana bed, hitching him up and inching close quietly. He sees the sleeping form and whines,
