Page 40 of Resolution
“Yep.” I smile widely with tears still blurring my vision. “You most certainly are.”
She then turns to Enzo and holds out her arms to him. She hugs him as well. “I guess congratulations are in order.”
“Thank you, Mads. It means the world that you’re happy for us.” Enzo’s voice is thick with emotion at the end.
“When are you due?” Maddie asks enthusiastically.
“July,” I state, not knowing how long I’ll be able to last with two kiddos. Each of my other kids came a week early, so who knows with twins.
“Wow. That’s just… Wow.” Maddie eyes me over. She places her hands on my belly and I’m sure she can feel the bump that I’ve been trying to hide.
When she releases me with wonderment in her eyes, I look between her and Nicole. “Hey… Uh… If you don’t mind, can we wait until after next week to tell everyone? I’d really like to keep the focus on our wedding.”
“No problem,” Nicole speaks as Maddie nods in agreement.
Nicole’s face suddenly fills with confusion. “Wait… Enzo, you do know you’re only going to be a father to four kids, right? You said five kids.”
Enzo’s eyes shine with delight. This eagerness rolls off him and his smile’s infectious. “Nope.” He pops the p at the end. “I meant five. Sam’s having twins, can you believe it?”
Both Maddie and Nicole’s jaws drop nearly to the floor. Maddie is the first to recover. “Wow. There’s two growing inside you? That’s. Just… Wow…”
Enzo wraps his arms from behind me, his hands cradle the baby bump that’s the center of attention. Though I’d rather this be under different circumstances, I’m glad everything’s out in the open. I’m sure Frankie and Declan will be shocked when they learn about the twins.
“When will you know if they’re a boy or girl?” Nicole asks in awe. “I’ve always wanted a younger brother or sister. But now that I’m in high school, I’m fine with being the only child.”
“Oh my God, Mom!” Maddie gasps. “People are going to think I’m their mom if I take them in public.”
“We’ll make sure you set them straight.” Enzo chuckles. “We can get you an ‘I’m the sister’ t-shirt, so you never have to explain.”
“Hopefully, it’ll be a long time before you have kids of your own, Mads. I’m too young to be a grandma, officially. Besides, these two are likely going to be amazing birth control for you in the future. You’re in charge of late-night feedings and diaper changes.” Sarcasm drips off my tongue at the end, making us burst into laughter.God, I hope she knows I’m joking, even if it might be the most effective birth control I could ever give her.
17
Enzo
Whirlwind doesn’t even describewhat life’s been like since I’ve been stateside. I can’t wait to be married to Samantha. Not only will we get to tell the world I’m going to be a father, but she’ll be officially mine. Four more days. Just four more days and Samantha will be my wife.
I love that woman more than I ever thought was possible. She handles things with grace and dignity. Between finding out about Devin’s vasectomy and Maddie finding out about the twins, these past few days have taken their emotional toll on us. Though I would’ve punched his fucking lights out, Samantha, as usual, took the high road.
Tonight, Lexi has asked Sam to go out to dinner. I know it’s going to turn into her bachelorette party since Erin let the cat out of the bag when she called to ask me for directions earlier. With it being a Wednesday night, the girls can’t get into too much trouble. I’m heading over to my parents’ and have dinner with Pops and my brother, Zane. We’re on kid patrol, so Erin can go out.
I’m so fucking relieved none of the guys from my former unit are around for a bachelor party. We’ve done some crazy shit over the years to each man who took the plunge into matrimony. Being the perpetual bachelor, I’d be in some serious trouble if they’d had time to plan anything. Thank God for small miracles.
When I get to my parents’, I let myself in through the kitchen. There’s noise in the living room, but it doesn’t sound like kids. The hairs on the back of my neck rise when I realize there’s more than the sound of three men’s voices coming from the other room. Who the hell are Dad, Nate, and Zane talking to?
When I enter the family room, I’m blown away when I hear, “Here’s the man,” from none other than Mack Gunderson, my buddy since basic. How did he get leave so soon after his vacation to London? He must have pulled some serious strings. But then again, he probably has plenty of time to spare as he, too, is single and nearing retirement.
“Holy shit, is that really you?” I shorten the distance between us to shake his hand before pulling him into a man-hug. After a few hard slaps on the back, we let go of each other. “What the hell are you doing here?” I ask, still reeling in disbelief.
“You think I was gonna let you get married without fuckin’ being here? I have to report back to command that you, the king of perpetual bachelors, has fallen from his throne.”
There’s laughter from around the room and for the first time, I look to see who’s here. Holy fuck. There’s got to be about fifteen full-size men in Ma’s family room. Where the hell did they park? Each of them has shit-eating grins plastered on their faces and I can’t help but join them.
“Damn, you got me.” I laugh, shaking my head.I didn’t see this coming.
“Harps, we couldn’t let you get away without a bachelor party.” Nate Carson reaches out his hand and pulls me in for another back-slapping hug.
“Hell, it’s great to see you, Cars.” I feel like a tool to let them slip this over on me.
