“Sugar. No wonder he doesn’t like to sleep on his back when you let him nap on his stomach laying on your chest like that all the time,” Jude chides me. He leans over to give me a not so quick kiss as he gently picks Luka up off my chest to cradle him in the crook of his arm and settles into the lounge beside me. It shouldn’t surprise me that my bossy husband has turned into one overprotective father. I was expecting this when Merri was born seeing as he was overbearing my entire pregnancy, but his overprotectiveness has continued with the second and third kids. I don’t mind it because I understand it. Jude knows what it feels like to lose everything, so I do what I can to put him at ease and give in to his domineering protectiveness (well, for the most part!).
“I can’t help it,” I sort of whine. “He’s getting so big so fast, before long he’ll be too big to snuggle up and nap on me like that.” I look over at my husband, still as hot and amazing as the day we met and he frisked me for weapons. But my brow furrows as I exclaim, “Jude, you’re all sweaty! I just gave him a bath and now he’s going to be stinky!”
“Boys are stinky, Gabby. Get used to it,” he replies as he smiles down at our son, who is now stretching his little baby arms and legs, trying to blink the sunlight away. I can’t help but smile, Luka is going to look exactly like his dad. His mass of dark hair is starting to wave and his deep blue baby eyes are already turning dark brown. I know they will be the color of melted dark chocolate, just like Jude’s.
Turning my head to the sun, I mutter, “My son won’t stink, he’s perfect.”
“Gabby,” Jude bosses, so I look back to him. With his melty eyes searing into mine, he rasps, “Love you, sugar.”
I reach out to grab his hand, entwining our fingers and say, “I love you, too, Jude. More than anything.”
Not thinking my happy could get any happier, my husband treats me to his beautiful smile. And my happy overflows.
The Carpino Series will continue with Tony’s story…
About the Author
Brynne Asher grew up in the Midwest and now lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, three children and her perfect dog. When she isn’t creating pretend people and relationships in her head, she is running her kids around and doing laundry. She enjoys cooking, decorating, shopping at outlet malls, shopping online and is always seeking a good deal. A perfect day in “Brynne” world ends in front of an outdoor fire with family, friends, s’mores and a delicious cocktail!
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