Page 130 of Conception
I start to laugh, which turns into a cough.
Knox gestures to the notepad. “So, what’s this about a party?”
I pick it up again, showing it to Amelia.
“Party?” she repeats.
I write more.
“40?”
I nod as enthusiastically as I can. Which is to say not much. I underline both words three times, then gesture back and forth between the two of us.
Finally, Amelia’s eyes light up. “You want to have another fortieth anniversary party?”
“Yes,” I manage to choke out. I go back to my pad and hold it up.
A re-do. I didn’t even get to give my toast before I had to leave.
“Honey,” Amelia begins.
I furiously write on my pad.
Say yes. Please.
Her eyes dart around the room, no doubt checking in with each of our sons. My eyes don’t deviate from her. Finally, when she returns to my gaze, she smiles. “I’ll agree to a party as long you’re fine waiting until you’re given a clean bill of health from the doctor.”
I nod my agreeance.
My wife leans in and presses a kiss to my forehead. “You stubborn fool. I’ve never been able to say no to you.”
Back to my pad.
That’s what I was counting on.
WITH A GRUMBLE, I FLINGthe tie onto the bed. I don’t care if this is a formal party. Ties make me feel like I’m choking, and if I’m holding one of my toddler twins, I literally will be choking. And if I show up in dark jeans and a button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled to my elbows to show off my tattoos, no one will be surprised.
My brothers and I are so much alike, but we’re still uniquely individual. Branson’s the suit-and-tie guy, which makes sense for the CFO of Wellington Enterprises. Sure, since he married Ariana, the stick’s come out of his ass and he’s loosened up a bit—just not with the suits.
I’m the one more comfortable in cargo pants and Henleys. It’s probably in part to my nearly twenty-year career in the Army. Charlie likes me this way, so why change it?
Cohen, when not in scrubs or a white lab coat, continues to rock concert T’s and Vans, probably due to his wife’s rising career in music journalism.
We’ve been through so much shit together, and even though our family was divided for years, I love my brothers more than anything.
Warm hands wrap around my waist, and Charlie’s breasts press against my back.
Well, I love my brothers more thanalmostanything.
“Even though your mom insisted, I’m glad you ditched the tie.” She unbuttons another button, exposing a bit more of my chest. “There. My rugged man.”
She must see me roll my eyes in the mirror, because she takes a step back and swats my ass, and when I turn, her mischievous grin hits me like a shot in my groin.
“But you can always use your tie on me later,” she teases, shooting me saucy wink.
“We’ll make an appearance, drop the kids off at your dad’s, then come home all within in an hour.”
Charlie’s haughty laugh tells me it’s wishful thinking. “Trust me, that sounds like heaven. But your dad’s been looking forward to this for the past couple of months. I thought he was going to go insane waiting for your mom and his doctor to finally give the okay. Not to mention Grandma Kate.”
