"He’s dedicated to both of you.”
I nodded and smiled. watching my fine ass husband lift the boys one by one to sit them in the Jeep.God, I love this man.
"I would complain about you two doing too much but that’s my grand baby.” His mother walked up beside me and playfully rolled her eyes. “This party is perfect, sweetheart!"
“Thank you. I guess I’m not too bad at this parent thing.”
My father chuckled and kissed my cheek while I watched Rival help River into the driver's seat. Camden and Emerson were beside him.
"I'm going to get some pictures of them," Diana announced, moving toward them with her phone in hand.
My father squeezed my shoulder. "I'll help your mother with that cake so she doesn’t drop it."
“She better not. I would hate to have to disown her.”
“Lord forbid,” he teased and hurried toward my mother, who was struggling with River's enormous, elephant-shaped cake. I had no clue why she’d even attempted to lift it on her own.
A familiar arm slipped around my waist and I leaned back into my husband.
"You good?" he murmured, pressing a kiss to my temple.
"Watching you show off for the kids? Always. The Jeep is amazing, by the way. You've officially set the bar impossibly high for all future birthdays."
He chuckled. "Wait until you see what I have planned for his fifth birthday. Treehouse with a working elevator. I have the plans sketched but it’s going to take me a while to get that done. It has to be perfect.”
"Can we please get through this one first?" I suggested and turned in his arms to face him. "Have I told you today that I love you?"
"Mmm, not since this morning. But I don't mind hearing it again."
My body blazed with the memory of this morning.
"I love you.”
“Love that you wanted my dick so badly that you tricked me into marrying you. Had you not been so determined to get me into your bed that night none of this would exist."
"Are you complaining about my methods?" I raised an eyebrow, challenging.
"Not at all," he laughed. "Your persuasive techniques got us exactly where we needed to be."
"Even if they were slightly unorthodox?"
"Sailor," he said, pulling me closer. "Nothing about us has ever been orthodox. More like your thirsty ass wanted my dick and got it by any means necessary. That's what makes it perfect."
I narrowed my eyes and he grinned and kissed me before I could deliver a comeback.
"Bruh, some of us would like to see the birthday boy blow out his candle this century!" Jairo yelled from across the yard, interrupting our moment.
"Chill, we’re coming!" Rival called back, then lowered his voice. "Remind me again why we made him godfather?"
"Because he's family and you’re a good friend.”
Rival grabbed my hand and we crossed the yard to where everyone had gathered around the picnic table. River sat in his high chair with his sweet little face more excited about the candle on top of his cake than the actual cake, surrounded by all the people who loved him.
While we sang "Happy Birthday" to our son, his little face mirrored what I felt. This was perfect. I caught Rival's gaze across the table and knew he felt the same. I couldn’t have made this up if I wanted. I was a wife and mother and loving every second of it.
