Page 19 of Always and Forever

I search my mind for something to disperse the sudden sullenness.

“Did you know Lex brought fishing gear?” I ask to change the subject.

Even with Ella resting on my chest, I feel her eyebrows lift.

“But it’s the middle of winter.”

“That’s what I told him. But he wants to go ice-fishing.”

“Don’t you need an auger or something to drill a hole in the ice? Where is he going to get that from?”

“He’s got one, along with a tent for shelter… as if that could keep out the cold,” I scoff.

“Doesn’t bother Claudette,” Ella teases. “Lex better make sure the first thing he hauls up from the deep isn’t her naked butt!

“Good thing then, you guys will be too busy scouting the perfect tree to get married under, and then setting up the fairy lights and torches, which I might add, you have to buy first.”

“How you talked me into an outdoor wedding, I will never know.”

“I just smile at you sweetly with big puppy eyes, and you’re a goner.”

Sadly, she’s right. It’s literally all it takes.

I roll my eyes, and even though she can’t see me, she chuckles. We’re that in tune. I pray this never changes.

“Everybody loves the idea of an outdoor winter wonderland wedding.”

I growl playfully, and she swats my thigh. “As long as we don’t get frostbite from that adventure.”

“We won’t,” she promises. “Not with all the thermal underwear you’re going to make us wear.”

That was my condition; one that’s not negotiable. I won’t risk her health, or that of our unborn child.

“So, ceremony location is a half tick. Now we only need flowers and a cake. The latter we’ll bake ourselves. Any requests?”

I shake my head. Unlike Ella, I don’t have a sweet tooth. “As long as I can cut it with you and feed you a piece, I’m happy.”

“I’ll surprise you then,” she declares, making me grin.

“I have a fair idea of what you’ll make.”

“Impossible. I’m not that predictable.”

“Wanna bet?”

“Yes, I do, actually,” she says, her tone challenging. “How about you write down on a piece of paper what kind of cake you expect me to make, put it in an envelope, and we’ll open it after the cake cutting?”

“What are the stakes?” I ask.

My angel’s face contorts adorably as she thinks.

“Honestly, I don’t know. I’ve got everything I could ever need right here.”

Truer words have not been spoken. “Bragging rights then.”

We shake on it, Ella’s face transforming into a mischievous smirk.

“You can’t change your plan about what you were going to make,” I declare.

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