“Sure, I just don’t know what I want. Something salty maybe, but I’m not sure I want to go in and eat.” I’d been having the hardest time going back and forth from sweet to salty and hated the smells of most public places. All of my senses were going wild, especially my sense of smell.
“Then we’ll just grab it and come home. I’ll get my keys.” He walked to the kitchen as I hurried to the room to make sure I looked okay. When I went back out, Cam came out of his room and we all met up in the front room.
“Are we going to the hangar?”
“Yeah, but just to check the door,” Cole said, giving Cam a sideward look. “Then we’re taking your mama out to eat.” Cole took Cam’s hand, and the two walked to the door as I waddled along behind them. I was so ready to have the baby.
We got in the car and headed out to the hangar.
As we approached, I glanced back to see the same suspicious grin on my son’s face. I wasn’t sure what they’d done, but they were up to something.
Sure enough, we got to the hangar and parked out front, and when Cole killed the engine, I knew that there was something going on. “Do you want to go in with me?” he asked.
I gave him a narrow stare. “Aren’t you just checking the door, and that’s it? We could stay in the car.”
Cam grabbed onto my arm from the back seat. He’d already gotten out of his buckle. “No, Mama! You have to come in!”
I turned to look at Cole, who was trying not to laugh. “Okay, so I guess I’ll go in.” I opened the door to the car, and Cole met me around front, taking my hand.
He led me to the side door, and instead of checking the lock, he put his key in, and I heard the mechanism disengage. I gave him a suspicious glance, but he paid me no mind as he pushed it open and went inside the dark hangar.
Cole headed for the lights, but as Cam darted away, I called out to him. “Wait for the lights, son. I don’t see how you two can find your way around.”
Just then, the lights came on above us, and there were balloons and streamers everywhere. It looked like someone was having a birthday party, but none of us had one remotely close to the date.
I walked in a bit farther and saw that they had made banners with all of our names, all but for the baby’s, and posters that had question marks and hearts, and one sign read: I love you.
“We made it all for you.” said Cam.
And when I turned to Cole again, he was already down on one knee, a small black satin box in his hand. “Jess, I love you, and I love your son. I know we said we’d wait, but I want you to be my wife. I want us to be a family when the baby comes. Will you do me the honor of marrying me?” He opened the box, and the diamond inside was bigger than the lump in my throat.
I met his eyes, knowing that I loved him more than anyone. “Yes.”
He had me in his arms so fast, and Cam cheered and giggled as we kissed, and then he ran over and jumped up in Cole’s arms.
I looked into his eyes and realized that none of the names I’d chosen would do. The answer was right in front of me all along in his gorgeous blue eyes. “I know what I want to name her.” I rubbed my tummy, and Cole and Cam exchanged a grin. “Sky. I want to name her Sky.”
“Sky Saunders,” said Cole with a pleased look. “Perfect.”
And so was the moment. I knew I’d never forget it.
Epilogue
Cole
Seven Months Later
“That’s the last piece of the puzzle,” said Tanner as I checked the last part of my plane’s engine off of the list from my private inspection.
“Well, in theory,” I said. “We have a lot of work left to do, and then we’ll be ready for the test flight. With the wedding coming next weekend, and me taking Jessica to the Bahamas for our honeymoon right after, you’ll need to make sure the permits don’t expire. And we’ll have to contact the government to make sure we’re still doing everything in accordance with their rules. I’m not having those assholes from the FAA come down and seize another plane.”
Tanner groaned. “They wouldn’t dare. They returned everything, and that’s all we can ask for.”
“Yes, because an apology for coming in and taking everything like it was some kind of drug raid is too much to expect.” I knew I should be grateful and let it go, but I doubted that I’d ever be able to forget what happened.
“You’re not getting an apology. But the permits should be good.”
“We’ve had them a while, man. You need to make sure.” The government was serious when it came to doing things by the book, and if I wanted my project to be a successful use of algae fuel, I was going to have to do things their way as always.
“They were good for three months. We’re good.”
“Time has a way of getting away from us, and we know how plans change. So please, double check the permits. Consider it your best man duties.”
Tanner gave me a withering glance. “I’d rather plan a bachelor party with strippers and lots of booze.” He was still pouting because I hadn’t wanted anything traditional.
“No. Besides, aren’t you seeing someone?”
“Oh yeah, don’t remind me.” He sighed. “We’re done here. All the staff is gone early since its Friday. Let’s go grab a couple of beers. We’ve earned it.”
I’d tried to make sure I’d made time for Tanner, who was still my best friend and closest business partner, but with a new baby at home and the wedding plans in full swing, it had been less and less appealing. “The wedding is a week from tomorrow, man. I’ve got to get home and see my girls and make sure Jess doesn’t need help with anything.”
“Fine, but I’m not letting you turn into one of those dull husbands who sits around with your wife all day holding her purse. We’re going to go out soon. Besides, it’s healthy to make our women wonder. Keeps them thin.”
I gave a chuckle and shook my head at his primitive way of thinking. “You’re a pig. I wouldn’t let anyone else hear you say that.” It wouldn’t have been funny if I didn’t know he was full of shit, but that was just Tanner being silly.
Finally, we finished up, and I left him to lock the hangar as I headed home. I fought through the traffic in the city and thankfully still made it home in good time.
When I walked into the house, I found Jessica sitting in the nursery, holding our little Sky. She was now six months old and getting bigger and bigger every day.
I thanked my lucky stars for both of my precious girls and kissed Sky on her little head and then Jessica on her soft, perfect lips. “How was your day?” I asked.
“Good, someone decided to scoot off of her pallet today.”
“That’s daddy’s girl.” I patted her little back, and she smiled. “Where’s my little man?”
“He’s in his room lying down. I took the plane away from him.” She shook her head. “I caught him flying it in the room again.”
“I’ll talk with him. But he’s not going to hurt anything that we can’t replace.”
She gave me a scolding look. “Except for your daughter. I walked in with Sky, and the darned thing swooped at me.”
“Okay, I’ll tell him. If he wants to fly indoors when it’s bad weather, maybe he can use the theater.”
“Or maybe he can take a day off. That’s all he does anymore, and I can’t get him to clean his room.” She let out a long breath. “How was your day?”
“We’re ready for a test flight.” I felt a burst of pride being able to say that. My plane had taken a long time to build, and I had faced many obstacles along the way.
Her eyes lit with her smile. “That’s wonderful news. When is the big day?”
“I’m not sure. It will depend on our permits and when we’re allowed to do the flight.”
“But not until after the wedding, right?” She held her hand to her chest like she did when she was nervous.
“Don’t worry; I won’t let anything get in the way of the wedding.” I knelt down beside her chair and held her hand. “I promised you alr
eady that we weren’t putting it off again.” We’d already had one date delayed, but that was because of her health. She had been put on bed rest during her eighth month, and the small, intimate ceremony we’d planned was canceled two days before.
A worried look creased her forehead. “It’s just our luck hasn’t been that good with wedding dates.”
But I wasn’t going to let her worry. “No, but our luck was perfect when it comes to a healthy mother and baby. That’s what was most important.”
There was fear in her eyes as she passed little Sky off to me. “The test is important though, right? If they schedule you on the same day—”
“Then I’ll reschedule it, baby. I’ll have until the permit expires.” I held Sky against me, and her little hand found my chin and gave it a pat. The feel of my stubble seemed to surprise her, and her big blue eyes widened. “I’ll make sure it'’ after the honeymoon, and we won’t have to worry about it until then.”
That brought a smile to her face. “If you say so. I’m just so happy. I guess things are going too well, and I’m waiting on the other shoe to drop.” The worry was back in a blink.
I gave her a smoldering smile. “Things are going to come together, and a week from tomorrow, I get to marry the sexiest girl in the world.”
“Please, I’m still twenty pounds overweight, and I don’t have a baby in there to blame it on.”
“You’re gorgeous, and it’s all in the right places, baby. Trust me.” She had gone up two bra sizes, and now that she wasn’t breastfeeding, they were all mine. Her ass was rounder too, and it gave her a curvy figure that had me hard just looking at it and imagining myself chipping away at it.
“Thanks, baby.” She gave me a shy smile. “I better get started with dinner. I’m going to make Cam help me.”
“That’s a good idea. And I’ll talk to him later before bed.” We were going to have to have a heart to heart about the plane, and hopefully, he wasn’t going to be too upset. Cam was a good kid, and while I’d not really ever had to get onto him for much, I had to make sure he understood that safety was first in the house and around his sister.
I carried Sky to the living room where I sat down to play with her while Jessica rounded up Cam and had him feed Max before he pulled his step stool over to the counter to help wash vegetables.
After dinner and bath time, I walked Cam into his bedroom and pulled the covers back while he climbed into bed. “You’ve been awfully quiet all evening.”
He shrugged his little shoulders. “Mama’s mad at me. I almost hit her and Baby Sky with the plane.”
I had to give it to the little guy; he was honest. “I heard all about it.”
“Are you mad at me, too?” He looked up at me with his big blue eyes. His little curly haircut was cut much shorter for the wedding, and it only made him look so much smaller.
“Nah, and neither is your mother. She loves you and Sky, and she’s in charge of making sure you’re both safe and taken care of when I’m away, so she wants to make sure that you’re not doing anything that could lead to an accident. That’s why it’s important to follow rules.”
“I know, but I wasn’t really playing for long, and I didn’t know Mama and Sky would come into the room.”
I pulled the covers up and tucked him in. “That’s the point, though. You never know when something dangerous can happen, and that’s why your mother and me set rules. If you follow them, the probability of something happening decreases.”
He tucked his little chin. “Sorry.”
I knelt beside his bed. “I need you to promise me that you won’t play with the plane in the house anymore.”
“But what if it’s raining, or I can’t go outside?”
“Then you can find something else to do. I know you love planes, but a boy your age should be playing with lots of things and using your imagination too. Don’t limit your fun.”
“When you get married, can I be a Saunders, too?”
The question took me by surprise, and while I would love to have him take my name, I wasn’t sure what Jessica would think about that. His father had died before he was born, but through Camden, his family name could carry on. “Don’t you like to have your father’s name?”
“I know I’m not supposed to upset Mama, but I didn’t know him. And Baby Sky gets to be a Saunders, and so does Mama now.”
I hadn’t even thought that he’d want that, and I wondered if Jessica had. “Well, I tell you what. If you want, I’ll talk to your mama about it.”
His eyes lit, and I earned the first smile of the day as he came up out of the covers and hugged my neck. “Thank you, Cole!”
“You know, after the wedding, you could call me Dad. I mean, if you’d want to.” I was relieved to see a smile on his face, but then his little eyes narrowed.
“You better talk to Mama about that too,” he said.
“Will do. Get some sleep, kiddo. And no plane in the house.” I pointed my finger at him but gave him a wink as he settled back into bed.
“I love you, Champ,” I called from the door.
“Love you.” He rolled over and hugged his pillow, and I shut the door behind me.
Walking down the hall, I couldn’t help but wonder what his mother was going to think of all of that. And when I went into the bedroom, she was already in bed with her arms up to stretch as she yawned. She put her arms down and turned her head to watch me cross the room. “Is he okay?”
“Yes, but I think we need to talk.” I stripped off my clothes and crawled into bed.
“That doesn’t sound good. Should I be worried?” She reached over and turned off her lamp and then curled up against me in the dark.
“No, I hope not. But I’m afraid it’s something we’ve never talked about, and I’m not sure why we didn’t think of it sooner.” I stared up at the ceiling, which was glowing grey from the moonlight through the window. “It’s about his name.”
I glanced over at her and could tell that she didn’t understand. “His name?” I saw the moment she realized that I meant his last name.
“He asked me if he could be a Saunders after the wedding. Since Sky is, and you’ll be changing your name after the wedding.”
She covered her mouth. “Oh, he must have overheard me and Leslie talking. I told her I wasn’t going to hyphenate and that I’d drop the Hyde name all together. I’m sorry. I can talk to him about it.”
She didn’t want him to change it. The answer was in her expression. “So, you prefer he keep his father’s name? I mean, I understand, but I think it’s much less sentimental to Cam as it is to you.”
“It’s his father’s name,” she said. “Cam’s all we have left of his legacy.”
I know the look of disappointment had to be obvious, but when her mouth dropped open, I think it really sank in how much it meant to me. “You mean, you want him to take your name? Oh, Cole. I never even thought to discuss it.”
“I understand, Jess. It just felt nice that he asked. I told him that I’d like him to call me dad if he wants, but he is so terrified to hurt your feelings that he said to ask you first. If you don’t like it, I’ll let you tell him and explain why.” I wasn’t about to tell him no, especially since I’d been the one to suggest it. I couldn’t read the emotion on her face, but I knew that she didn’t look happy.
“It would unify us as a family even more, and I guess I don’t want Cam singled out or made to feel like he’s not a part of the family. If it’s what he really wants, then I say we should do it for him, but maybe he could keep the other last name too, in case he wants to use it when he’s older.”
I got the biggest grin, knowing how excited he was going to be.
“And as for calling you dad, Cole. I mean, it’s who you are. Who you will be. Of course, I don’t mind.”
“I can’t wait to tell him. He’s going to be so excited.” I pulled her close and held her tight until we both drifted off.
Jessica
Knowing that Cam wanted to cha
nge his name made me a little sad, but I didn’t want him to ever feel like he wasn’t part of the family or loved any less than one of Cole’s biological children. So, when I woke up the next morning, I planned to talk to him about it while we planned our day. It was the first Saturday in a long time that we hadn’t been busy with wedding plans, and by the time I got up and tended to Sky, Cole and Cam had already gathered at the table with their favorites: frozen waffles and bacon.
“I hope you saved me some bacon,” I said as I walked over to the counter and poured some coffee. I hadn’t been able to eat too much in the morning during my pregnancy, but for some reason, I was starving.
“There’s plenty,” Cole said. “Do you want to sit, and I’ll fix your plate?”
I put Sky down in her highchair and moved her closer to my chair. “No, I’ve got it, thanks.” I popped a couple of waffles in the toaster and pushed the lever down. I went to the Keurig and fixed myself a cup of coffee and then gathered up my breakfast and carried it to the table. “What are we going to do today?”
“Dad promised to take me to see the airplane,” said Cam.
I looked over to see a very pleased Cole. Other than giving him a smile, I decided not to say anything about it. I wanted Cam to feel comfortable using the name, and there was no need to make a big deal of it. But then I wondered if he’d told him about the name change too.
It didn’t take long to find out. Cole cleared his throat and gave me a wink. “Cam, I was telling your mother how you’d like to have my name Saunders for your last name.”
He looked up at me with hopeful eyes. “Please, can I, Mama?”
“I think if that’s what you want, there’s no harm in it. I would like for you to keep Hyde as part of your name, but you can go by Saunders.”
Before I knew it, Cam jumped down from his chair and ran over to throw his arms around me. “Thank you, Mama! Did you hear that, Sky? I’m going to be a Saunders just like you.”
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