Page 53 of Tempting Tessa

The past year has been amazing. Jake is the most amazing husband and father. The adoption process was finalized just a couple of months after we got married and just last week we welcomed twins! Emma Marie and Nathan Allen Richards arrived at 37 weeks and are just the most precious babies. Jake is so amazing with them. We were both shocked when we found out we were having twins. We had decided shortly before the wedding that we wanted to start trying for a baby, so I ditched the birth control and within a few months we found out I was pregnant. He almost passed out in the doctor’s office when we had that first ultrasound and saw two heartbeats.

With having two babies at home, we decided that I will not be returning to work, at least for the next few years. He makes more than enough to support our family. He even brought up the idea of building us our dream house. With having three kids now, our house is feeling a little small. The babies share a room for now but once they are older, I would like for them to have their own rooms. And with owning a construction company, he is pretty set on building me my dream house. We will be looking at some property options, as I don’t want to move too far away from our parents or Luke and Caroline.

Ty is an amazing big brother. He loves his new brother and sister. He also has taken to calling Jake dad. The first time he did so, both Jake and I both about burst into tears. Jake has never pressured Ty about calling him that, but the bond the two of them have formed is amazing and I am so grateful for this wonderful man I married. Falling in love with him was the best decision I have probably ever made, and I can’t wait to see where life takes us.

Jake

4 Years Later

Tomorrow is our 5th wedding anniversary. I can’t believe the years have flown by. The kids are all growing like crazy. Emma and Nathan are both happy 4 year olds and Ty has grown into such a great young man. Don’t get me wrong, we have butted heads over the years and he is a teenager these days, but even with the trials kids put their parents through, I wouldn’t change any of it.

It took a little over a year for us to get through the entire process of finding land, buying it and then having our dream house built. I made Tessa make me a list of all her dream house items and I put every single one of them into this house. It was just another way I could show her how much I love her and would do anything for her and our kids. It turned out amazing and this house will be where we call home for the remainder of our lives.

We are having a small dinner party here at our house tomorrow to celebrate our anniversary. We had agreed not to get each other anything, but I have a surprise for Tessa. I have booked us another week trip back to Bora Bora. Our parents are going to divide and conquer to keep the kids for us while we are gone. She is an amazing mother and loves getting to be home with them all the time, but she needs a break and I’m a selfish man who wants time with just my wife.

Tessa: Hey handsome, how’s work today?

Jake: It’s good, about to stop for the day and will be home soon. Need me to pick anything up on my way?

Tessa: Wine

Jake: Bad day?

Tessa: Nothing out of the ordinary, but bad enough that I need wine tonight.

Jake: Anything for you, beautiful. Do you need me to get anything for our dinner party tomorrow night?

Tessa: Nope, I already have our grocery order in for home delivery to come in the morning.

Jake: Ok, see you soon.

I stop and get her favorite wine on my way home and as soon as I arrive home, I make sure to send her off to take some time for herself and wrangle the twins into going outside with me to run around the backyard. These kids have nonstop energy, so anything to help burn some of it off so they sleep all night is a must each evening.

The next night our dinner party goes perfect. After dessert has been served, I slip the envelope with our flight info and bungalow information in front of her. She’s shocked but so excited about our upcoming trip. We are leaving next week, so it gives her a few days to pack and get ready for the trip.

Bora Bora is just as amazing the second time as it was the first. Having the time with just the two of us is amazing and we amazingly came back even closer and more in love with each other than we were before. It surprises me that I fall more in love with her as time goes by. I just didn’t think that my love for this woman could change as much as it has, but years later, she still amazes me every day. I challenge myself to find new ways to tempt her. Whether it be trying a new place to eat on date night or skinny dipping at the cabin while our kids are asleep, I do my best to tempt her in every way possible.

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