Page 110 of Together

“I have to admit, I’m a little surprised.”

“I don’t blame you for that. But I promise, I’ve thought this through a lot. I’m not doing it for me. The fact is, there are so many children who need love in this world and I have love to give.”

“I’m happy for you, then. And you have my complete support. However Nik and I can help, let me know.”

“Thanks, Ash.”

Nik and Jackson come walking into the kitchen. Well, Jackson toddles in while Nik walks slowly next to him.

Jackson gives me a toothy grin when he sees me and I move my chair, reaching out my arms. He stumbles toward me and I wrap him up, nuzzling my nose into his cheek. He’s the cutest thing on the planet and I can’t get enough of him.

“Don’t you look handsome?” I ask him. Nik’s combed his dark hair so it’s all slicked down and to the side. His chubby legs are covered in a little pair of jeans and he’s wearing a blue plaid flannel shirt that… oh my heart… matches Nik’s.

“How do we look?” Nik asks proudly.

“It’s so stinking adorable! Where did you find this? When?”

He shrugs. “Gotta leave a little mystery in our marriage, right, little man?” he asks our son who gives him a big smile.

Nik and I waited exactly six weeks after he was born to get married. We wanted to be able to celebrate our marriage the “right way”. Wink. Wink.

Even though that night we still had him at home with us, we still enjoyed our night together as a married couple.

Nik kisses me on top of the head and gives me a knowing grin.

“What do you need me to do before everyone gets here?”

“I think we’re ready. Dad wants to help grill the burgers but everything else is ready to go. Mom’s bringing potato salad, too.”

“Oooh, she is? I actually texted her about that.”

“I should be surprised but I’m not. She’s such a sucker for you.”

Nik grins shamelessly and steals our baby from me. Not so much steals since the two are practically inseparable, but it would sure be nice if he favored me once in a while.

“Gotta teach my guy how to charm the ladies from the start, right?”

“If he’s got even a smidgen of you in him, then he’s going to be a charmer regardless,” Grace says, rolling her eyes.

The doorbell rings and immediately opens, my parents’ voices filling the small space.

“Where’s my boy?” my dad shouts. Jackson squeals at Papa’s voice, his second favorite guy in the universe, and squirms out of Nik’s hands.

Jackson moves as quickly as his little legs can carry him to my dad, giggling the whole way.

A half hour later, the backyard is flooded with our family. Four kids under the age of two between Lucy, Josie, and me. My parents have taken to assuming the role of grandparents to little Jay as well, and I’ve never seen them so happy or enjoy life more.

It’s hard to believe that just two years ago I saw myself getting married to a man who I had to pretend to be someone else around. I can’t imagine a life other than the one I have now. Nik and Jackson are my everything.

My entire family is here, along with Nik’s and some of our friends he’s introduced me to. Brandon and Savannah, Mia and Cole, and all their kids.

“Niko, can you grab one of those juice boxes for Jay?” Josie asks, her hands resting on her incredibly large belly. She’s due with number two any day now.

“Sure thing,” Nik says, bringing an apple juice box over to where Jay is sitting, a plate of food in front of him.

“Niko?” Savannah asks, laughing.

“She’s the only one who’s allowed to call me that,” Nik says, shooting a pointed look at Savannah, making me laugh.

---