Page 177 of Wild Blades

“Sister.” Dayton squeals in excitement. He’s more fascinated by Kali’s ever-growing tummy than all of us put together. “Me, a big bruva.”

“Yes, you are. Such a big boy.”

“She’ll be my fwiend.”

“Sisters are the best.” I wink at him, knowing how much Lola means to me, and a little sadness pours over me for a second, wishing we would have had each other growing up.

While Ollie and Dayton fight like cat and dog most days, there is nothing better than the sound of them giggling while trying to jump as high as they can on the trampoline we have outside.

“Hey, snooki bear.” Kali clasps Dayton’s cheeks and gives him a kiss, which makes him hold his arms out to move into hers.

“Stay with me, buddy. Mommy is tired today.” I pull him back.

“Would you like me to take Dayton?” My dad appears to watch Ollie practice, which he’s been doing since his first lesson.

True to his word, and making up for lost time, he never misses any of his games either.

“Gwandpaa.” Dayton smiles and wiggles out of my arms and into my dad’s.

My kids adore their grandpa.

“I’ll take Ollie and Dayton for the night at our house, and you two can have a night off,” my dad adds. “Would you like to come for a sleepover at Grandpa and Grandma’s house?” He rests Dayton on his hip.

“Wes. Wice cweam?”

Smart kid. It’s always about the ice cream.

“That would be incredible.” Kali yawns again. “No alarm clock.”

We don’t need one. We have kids who wake us at half past five every morning instead.

“Thank you, Marcus.” Several years on, I can’t bring myself to call him dad. It doesn’t feel right. Not sure it ever will.

I watch my beautiful wife run her hands through her hair that’s still long and dark. Although she’s been complaining recently that she’s going to have to start coloring the silver roots that started to appear the minute she fell pregnant with our baby girl.

I can’t tear my eyes off the love of my life. Each day that passes I remind myself how lucky I am. Captain of the Eagles, two healthy kids with another on the way, and none of which would be possible without my incredibly supportive, loving, phenomenal wife who tells me every day how much she loves me.

She mended my damaged heart and mind and turned me into a complete sappy bastard, but I don’t care. I’m here for it. All of it.

“Make the most of the night,” Marcus says. “I’ll tell Ollie you had an appointment or something.”

Ollie won’t care. Even though we’re here every week for him, when Grandpa and Grandma show up, we’re sidelined. They spoil our kids and when they are on babysitting duties, he knows ice cream is on the menu and playtime with Freddie, his cousin, who is his best friend and more like a brother.

“Date night.” I slide my hand into Kali’s as we leave the rink to head home.

“Sleep.” Kali moves closer into my side and squeezes my hand.

“Nah.” I smile knowing that’s not how tonight will go. Regardless how tired Kali is, when she’s pregnant she’s permanently horny and has the hots for me every minute of the day. More than usual.

“I hate it when you’re right,” she says with a laugh.

Kali’s back to my front, on our sides, I slide in and out of Kali’s wet heat slowly, taking my time, enjoying every touch, kiss, and hip thrust.

I take my time exploring her curves and kiss the skin across her shoulder because there’s no rush.

It’s just her and I, in the moment, with only the sounds of our pleasure in the house.

Being this close to her does things to my heart that I may never understand. Sometimes it feels like it might explode.

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