by E. L. Todd
I wondered if this was going to come up. Slade was the jealous type, as he already made clear. But when he was threatened, he didn’t speak of it in such a calm way. “He works in accounting. He had a few questions about payroll.”
Slade was silent.
“Actually, I just met him today.”
“I see.” He still didn’t seem mad.
“There’s nothing going on—”
“I know,” he said immediately. “I trust you. I was just curious.”
This wasn’t the Slade I knew—at all.
“Is he married?”
“I…don’t know.” Our conversation only lasted for two minutes, and I didn’t check his wedding finger for a band. “But probably.”
He kissed my shoulder again. “Okay.”
That was it? No big fight? No storming out?
He gave me a slight squeeze. “I’m going to get a beer. Do you want anything?”
“No, thank you.”
He kissed my shoulder before he left the bed. He walked out of the bedroom buck-naked. His nice ass looked tight as he moved. The muscles in his back moved as he left.
I could stare at that all day.
When he was gone, I lay back in bed and looked across the room. On Slade’s dresser was a green notebook. There was a pen in the spiral coil at the edge. I wondered if it contained his sketches for new tattoo ideas. Curious, I walked to the dresser and grabbed it.
When I flipped it open, I didn’t see any drawings. Instead, I saw scribbled notes in his handwriting.
Sean says always surprise her with gifts at unexpected times. And always show her you love her, not tell her.
What is this?
I kept skimming through it and realized it was notes from some sort of interview with Sean. It basically detailed his marriage and how he treated his wife. Slade made his own notes about things he wanted to do for me.
I returned the notebook to its previous location and felt terrible for violating his privacy. I honestly thought there would only be designs inside. But now I realized Slade was working his ass off to be perfect for me—still. It was unnecessary but I couldn’t tell him that because I would have to admit I looked through his stuff.
I couldn’t believe he did that for me.
Chapter Three
Clementine
At three in the morning, Ward Jr. started wailing. His cries echoed through the halls of the house, and the baby monitor on my nightstand was unnecessary because his voice was loud and clear.
I sat up and groaned. My body was exhausted from giving birth and it hadn’t healed just yet. My nipples were raw from breastfeeding, and the area between my legs was still extremely sore despite the pain medication the doctor gave me.
Ward got out of bed first. “I got it. Go back to sleep, darling.”
“You got him last night.”
He grabbed my arm and gently pulled me back down. “And I’ll continue to get him. You need to rest.”
“But you have work—”
“Go to sleep, darling.” Ward walked out without waiting for me to protest.
I lay back in bed and closed my eyes, grateful I got to go back to sleep.
Ward’s voice came over the monitor a moment later. “Hey, stud. What’s the problem?”
Ward Jr. continued to cry.
“You just want to be held, don’t you? Well, alright. Like I could ever say no to you.” His soothing voice was gentle and quiet.
Ward Jr. immediately stopped crying.
Ward started to sing quietly, humming a quiet song for Ward Jr. It was “Black Bird” by The Beatles, and his voice came out so smooth. It was hypnotizing and alluring. He was lulling both of us to sleep and he didn’t even know it.
Ward Jr. didn’t make another sound but I assumed he was awake because Ward kept singing.
Unable to sleep because all I could do was concentrate on Ward’s voice, I left the bed and entered Ward Jr.’s bedroom.
Ward sat in the wooden rocking chair and slightly moved back and forth. One foot was on the ground as it rocked him, and his other foot rested on the opposite knee. Ward Jr. was in his arms, wrapped up in a blanket.
I watched them from the doorway before I entered the room.
Ward looked up and stopped singing. He just stared at me.
“Keep going,” I whispered. “We both love the sound of your voice.”
He gave me a slight smile before he continued to sing. Then he adjusted our son to one arm before he beckoned me over. He sat me on his lap and put one arm around my waist. His other large hand contained Ward Jr.
I rested my head on his shoulder and felt Ward rock me. I watched my son’s face and watched his eyes grow heavy. They were starting to fall, unable to resist the soothing melody of Ward’s voice.
Finally, his eyes fell.
Ward turned to me with a lidded expression. “You should be in bed, darling.”
“I should be with you.” I leaned against his powerful chest and closed my eyes.
Ward pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead and continued to sing.
***
Ward came home with a box of diapers. “Man, that kid shits a lot.”
I laughed from my spot on the couch. Ward Jr. was lying on my thighs and staring up at me. I just put socks on his feet and he was kicking slightly. Quiet coos came from his mouth, sounding adorable and making my ovaries pop. “And that’s a good sign.”
He set the box on the counter then joined me on the couch. “What did you two do today?”
“This,” I said with a chuckle. I squeezed his feet gently and smiled at him.
Ward put his arm around my shoulders then kissed me on the cheek. “That sounds like a beautiful day.”
“It was.” I stared at my son’s blue eyes and saw Ward every time. “How was yours?”
“Terrible.”
“Why?” I turned to him with concern in my eyes.
“Because I wasn’t here.” His eyes were glued to Ward Jr.’s.
“Oh…” I relaxed slightly.
His hand moved to mine and he felt the engagement ring. “When are you going to marry me?”
I hadn’t put any thought into it. “I don’t know…when I lose my baby body.”
“Baby body?” he asked. “You haven’t gained any weight.”
“A little,” I argued. “And I have a few stretch marks…” I was a little self-conscious about it.
“Well, those will never go away,” he said. “And I wouldn’t want them to.” He grabbed my chin and turned my face toward him. “Because they’re beautiful.”
Ward was so sweet to me. I wasn’t sure what I did to deserve it.
“So, when are you going to marry me?”
“I’ll marry you today if that’s what you want.”
“Yeah?” He seemed intrigued.
“City hall?”
“That’s an idea,” he said. “But don’t you want to have a grand wedding?”
I shrugged. “I don’t really care about that. Besides, we have a child together…we don’t exactly deserve a grand wedding where I wear a white gown.”
“Says who?” he asked.
“People…”
“Let’s do what you want to do, not what other people think we should do. If you want a grand wedding we’ll have one.”
“What do you want?” I asked.
“What you want. I’m easy like that.” He winked at me.
“I’ve always wanted to get married at the Plaza…” But that was a little pricey.
“Then that’s what we’ll do. Problem solved. We’ll just have to book a date.”
“I guess so.”
Ward felt Ward Jr.’s foot. “And he’ll be the ring bearer.”
“That would be so cute…”
“My little stud is adorable.”
I lifted him slightly and handed him to Ward. “Your turn.”
“Thank you.” He took our son with a smile on his face. He had large hands so he could hold him with a
single palm. “How’s my little man? You looked after your mother today while I was at work?”
Ward Jr. just stared at him.
“He’s the strong and silent type,” I said with a chuckle.
“I can tell,” Ward said. He turned to me. “I want to have everyone over this weekend. We have a beautiful backyard and we should use it, have a barbeque or something.”
“Sure. They’ll want to see Ward Jr.”
“I was thinking of an engagement party.”
I hadn’t thought of that. “We should tell them, huh?”
“I think so.”
“Did you ask my father’s permission first?” Since things had been so tense, it must have been difficult for Ward to ask him.
He nodded. “I asked four months ago.”
“Four months?” I blurted. “Why so long ago?”
“I planned on proposing for a long time but I was looking for the right moment. When we held our son for the first time I knew it was the time.”
My eyes watered slightly. “Very romantic, Ward.”
He pressed a kiss to my temple. “A man will always be romantic when he’s in love.”
***
Ward flipped the burgers over the grill while he held a beer in his hand. “How do you like yours, darling?”
“Medium well,” I answered from my seat at the table. Our backyard was green with beautiful flowers. Ward hired a landscaper to take care of it because neither one of us had the time to do it.
Ward flipped a burger high into the air and it landed back on the grill. “Coming right up.”
Cayson and Skye approached Ward with a gift in their hands. “We got you something,” Skye said. “I think it’s pretty perfect.”
I watched them as I held Ward Jr. in my lap.
“A gift?” Ward asked. “My fiancé deserves a gift. She just pushed a human being out of her body.”
“We think you deserve something too.” Cayson handed the box over.
Ward put down his utensils and ripped into the paper. After he took off the lid he took out an apron. He turned it around and written on the front were the words, #1 Dad.
“Awe,” I whispered.
Ward smiled as he stared at it. “It’s perfect, guys.”
“We thought you would like it,” Skye said with a smile.
Ward put it on then pressed the wrinkles out of it. “I love it. Thank you.” He hugged Cayson and Skye.
“You’re welcome,” Cayson said. “So, we’re officially going to be brothers-in-law.”
“We are,” Ward said. “And I’m very honored.”
Cayson nodded. “Me too.”
I smiled at them, glad they finally worked out their problems and were true friends.
“Thanks for taking care of Clemy. You do a good job,” Cayson said.
“Of course,” Ward said. “I can promise you she’s in the best hands possible—and so is Ward Jr.”
Skye approached me and extended her hands. “May I?”
“Of course, Aunt Skye.” I handed him over.
Skye held him close to her chest and smiled down at him. “Such a cute baby.”
“He is,” Cayson said. “Beautiful.”
I knew I was biased because I was his mother, but I thought Ward Jr. was the cutest baby that ever lived. He was perfect in every way imaginable. The father of my child had excellent genes.
Ward finished my burger then set it in front of me. “Plain with just cheese.”
I smiled. “You remembered?”
“Darling, I remember everything. Do you need anything else?”
“No, I’m okay,” I said. “You’ve been working the grill all day. Why don’t you sit down and eat?”
“Hey, I’m the chef,” he said. “I’ve got to make sure everyone is fed and drunk.” He gave me a fond look before he turned around and walked away.
I stared at his ass in his jeans. I wanted to take a bite out of it. I figured my hormones would disappear completely once I had my son. But they were still firing off at full force. I couldn’t wait until the doctor said we could start having sex again. Right now, everything down below was too weak. I knew Ward was eager as well even if he didn’t show it.
Mom sat beside me and grabbed my left hand for the hundredth time. “Such a beautiful ring…”
I turned away from Ward and stared at the sparkling diamond that cast rainbows no matter how dark it was. “It is. Ward did a good job.”
“He did indeed.” She patted my hand. “I love Ward and I’m very happy for you.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Your dad is really happy too. We’re grateful that one of the men Cortland respects the most is going to be his son-in-law. You’re in good hands.”
“I know I am.”
“So, when’s the wedding?”
“Not sure,” I answered. “We still have to pick out a date.”
“Your father and I want to pay for it, so please let us know when you have the details.”
“The whole thing?” I asked in surprise.
“Of course,” she said. “You’re our daughter. We would be honored to.”
“Uh…you guys don’t have to do that. Ward and I can handle it.”
“Clemy.” Mom gave me a serious look. “We insist.”
“How about half?” That was more reasonable.
Mom shook her head.
“Cayson is getting married soon. I can’t ask you to pay for both.”
Mom laughed. “You think Sean would let us pay for anything?”
She had a point.
“This is the only wedding we get to throw. Please let us take care of it.”
I felt bad letting them do that. Ward and I were on our own and already had a house. It wasn’t like we were starting with nothing.
“You guys can take care of your honeymoon. How about that?”
“Mom…”
“It’s decided,” she said. “Don’t argue.”
I decided to let it go. “Well, thank you. That was really sweet of you.”
“Of course, Clemy.” She hugged me tightly. “We want you to have an amazing day. You deserve it.”
Voices distracted our moment, and we both turned at the commotion.
“Hey, you’re hogging him,” Dad said. “Hand him over.”
Cayson sighed. “Dad, I just got him.”
“I’m the grandfather so I automatically get bidding rights over you,” Dad argued.
“Whatever.” Cayson handed Ward Jr. without further argument.
Dad held him close and smiled down into his face. “Hey, kid. Long time no see.”
Ward Jr. flailed his arms around slightly while he looked into my father’s face.
Dad looked lost in his own world as he held Ward Jr.
Mom watched him with a smile on her face. “He loves that kid so much. Ward Jr. is all he ever talks about.”
“Everyone seems to love him,” I said in a daze.
Sean and Scarlet came over and peeked into his arms.
“Can I hold him?” Scarlet asked.
“Nope,” Dad said. “I get him for at least an hour then I’ll hand him over.”
Sean laughed. “You’re being a pain in the ass but we’ll let it go.”
“Believe me, when Skye has a baby you’ll be the same way.” Dad took a seat and cradled Ward Jr. to his chest.
I remained in my spot and watched everyone have a good time. It seemed like everyone was excited for our wedding, and naturally everyone loved Ward Jr. He was the center of the party and everyone wanted exclusive time with him.
I didn’t blame them.
Chapter Four
Skye
“Can you believe we’re getting married in five weeks?” I asked. “That’s like a month away.”
Cayson lay next to me in bed. He was naked under the sheets and he just finished giving me some much-needed satisfaction. “It can’t get here soon enough.” He sipped his beer then returned it to the nightstand.
I w
as so excited to get married but I was also dreading it. Cayson would be leaving shortly afterward. But I tried to focus on the fact that our commitment was forever. Three months would seem insignificant in comparison. “I just want it to get here already.”
“It will, baby. What are you doing for your bachelorette party?”
“Not sure,” I said. “I guess that’s up to Trinity. But my mom is throwing the shower.”
“I’m sure it’ll be nice then—with no hot wings.”
I chuckled. “In Slade’s defense, they were really good.”
“That reminds me…” He turned my way and propped his head on his hand. His arm moved across my stomach, just below my tits. “Keep an open mind when I tell you this.”
“Okay…” Where was this going?
“Slade wants to marry us.”
“What?” I blurted. Did I hear him right?
“He really wants to do it.”
“But…why? How did this even come up?”
He pressed his lips together as he thought. “Actually, I don’t know…but he wants to do it. I told him no in the beginning but he wouldn’t drop it. He says he’ll take it seriously.”
“But…Slade of all people? I mean, isn’t that a terrible idea?” I was trying to be sensitive because he was Cayson’s best friend but I was struggling.
“I see your point but I really think he could do this. It seems important to him.”
“I don’t give a damn if it’s important to him,” I argued. “I’m not going to stand up there while he goes on and on about how we both need to get tattoos and have more anal sex.”
Cayson made a face like he was trying not to laugh. “He won’t say anything like that.”
“Cayson, no.”
He released a sigh. “It’ll break his heart if I tell him no.”
“I don’t care,” I said. “It’s our wedding, not his.”
Cayson was quiet for a while. Then he picked up the argument again. “I really think he can handle this. I know he’s goofy and silly but—”
“Before Clemy went into labor he was doing magic tricks—and doing a terrible job at it.”
“But he’ll be serious for this,” Cayson said. “Remember how he was at his own wedding? He was the most serious and romantic guy in the world. Do you remember how beautiful his vows were?”
I rolled my eyes slightly. “That’s different. Of course he’s going to be serious at his own wedding.”
