"What's that?"
"The fourth generation of Walker musicians is already on the way."
My heart nearly bursts.Looking around the room at our gathered loved ones - my mother and Jeremy, Sam beaming at us knowingly, our friends celebrating - I realize how perfectly everything has fallen into place.
"Thank you," I whisper against Alex's temple.
"For what?"
"For making all my dreams come true.Even the ones I didn't know I had."
She kisses me softly, tasting of promises and forever."We're just getting started, Bulldozer.Just getting started."
47
ALISHA
"Where are we going, babe?And why the blindfold?"
I squirm in my seat, touching the fabric covering my eyes while rubbing my swollen belly.Humming "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star," I try to calm the restless duo inside me.They kept me up most of the night with their constant kicks and jabs, like they're practicing synchronized swimming.After our last ultrasound two days ago, I can't wait to meet them.Being pregnant is magical, but at thirty-six weeks and six days, this mommy wants her body back.
Cole's warm hand settles on my thigh, his gentle caress usually so soothing, but today it sparks something else entirely.
"If you think you're coming near my pussy, you're dead wrong.Until your children are out, it's closed for business."I shift uncomfortably."Why aren't they coming out?I've moved beyond enormous whale to goddamn sperm whale status."
My husband's deep chuckle earns him a sideways smack on the arm."Cole, it's not funny.I can't see my feet, my bladder is the size of a raisin, and my tits are giant sensitive watermelons."
"Alex."His voice holds that tender note that usually melts me."Tomorrow you're thirty-seven weeks - you're near the end.Our children are growing perfectly, and I find you and your giant belly stunning."
"Your smooth talk won't work this time, Walker."
"Okay, let's see if this will work."The car stops."Wait here.And don't remove the blindfold."
The door opens and closes, and seconds later, warm fingers touch my cheek."Give me your hand."
Standing beside the car, I reach for the blindfold."Can I finally remove this thing?"
"Yeah, Miss Impatience, you can."
I yank off the blindfold, blinking against the sunlight.When my vision clears, my jaw drops.Our house - the one we bought months ago - stands before us, but it's completely transformed.
"Welcome home!I finished the house."
"What?But you said it would be another four weeks before we could move."
"That was a white lie."
I spin around - as much as my whale-like state allows - and smack his chest."A lie?Do you have any idea how stressed I was, thinking about moving with twins?I've been having nightmares about going into labor surrounded by moving boxes!I—"
His warm lips silence my rant, and my fingers dig into his shirt as his tongue meets mine.The babies kick in response, as if saying hello to daddy.My bulldozer discovered early in this pregnancy that kissing is the fastest way to short-circuit my hormone-addled brain.
"I'm sorry," he murmurs against my lips, "but I wanted to surprise you.To give you our perfect home before our children arrive."
He turns me gently, pulling my back against his solid chest as we gaze at our dream house.The moment we saw it, we knew.After discovering we were having twins, we wanted a real family home - somewhere our children could run, play, and get dirty.This picture-perfect house, nestled on a quiet cul-de-sac with its manicured lawn and flowering trees, was everything we imagined.
Cole intertwines our fingers as we walk to the front porch - the perfect spot for morning coffee or evening hot chocolate.My eyes fill seeing the sign by the door:The Walker Family.
"This is perfect."Rising on tiptoes - a feat at this size - I kiss his cheek.
