When I handed him over, I warned, “He’s been fed, so he’ll likely need a nap soon.”
She didn’t spare me a glance, positioning Cash so that his head was tucked into the crook of her elbow as she rocked him gently. “Won’t be the first man to pass out on me after he’s sucked on a tit.”
Eyes wide, I choked back a laugh. You would think I’d have grown immune to her casually outrageous remarks, having been exposed to them my entire life, but they still had the power to shock me.
Betsy made a shooing motion with her free hand. “Go, enjoy your moment of peace. We’ll be just fine here.”
I smoothed a hand over the top of Cash’s head. He had no idea how loved he was.
Leaving the matriarch of the family to spend quality time with her great-grandson, I stepped over to one of the tables set up with food, swiping a slice of fresh watermelon and biting into it as I surveyed the scene.
For a man who didn’t like to flaunt his wealth, Macallan Blaze had gone all out for his daughter’s first birthday celebration. There was a bouncy house, a photo booth, a face-painting station, and you couldn’t forget about the horse rides.
The birthday girl was tucked safely in her father’s arms, a crown set atop her dark curls. A full year later, Mac hadn’t gotten any better at sharing. If he wasn’t holding Reagan, he was pouting.
My eyes shifted to where Aspen was laughing with Bex, my gaze dipping to her slightly rounded belly. She and Mac hadn’t wasted any time trying for another baby, and she was due with their second close to Christmas.
I wondered how Mac—or Reagan, for that matter—would handle splitting his attention when their family expanded from one child to two.
Arms slipped around my waist from behind, and against my ear, Tripp said, “You’re staring, you know.”
I melted into the strong form behind me. “Is it wrong that I’m a little jealous?”
He sucked in a surprised breath, taking a minute to recover from my admission before challenging, “You just got rid of that big ole belly, and you already want me to give you another?”
Turning so that we were face-to-face, I cocked an eyebrow. “I remember someone promising to give me an unlimited amount of babies.”
Tripp huffed out a laugh and shook his head. “Sorry. Just tryin’ to figure out if this is a trap like the last time you told me to put a baby in you and then freaked out when I actually went and did it.”
Instantly, I got defensive. “It wasn’t a trap. I just let my hormones gloss over the reality of it.”
He hummed. “The reality is different this time, Lucky. We’d be talking two under two. Is that something you really want?”
I scrunched my nose up. “Maybe?”
“Maybe’s not good enough when we’re talking about bringing another life into this world.” Chest expanding, he let out a heavy exhale. “You know if you tell me that’s what you want, I won’t deny you, darlin’. But I want you to be sure first, especially since you’re the one who has to carry the heavier burden at the beginning.”
Knowing he’d shove his own feelings aside if it meant making me happy, I turned the question around on him. “Is that something you would want?”
An expression of pure love filled his handsome face. “Cash is the most perfect thing in this world. ‘Course I’d want more just like him.”
I smiled so wide my cheeks began to hurt. “He’s pretty amazing,isn’t he?”
“How could he not be?” Tripp’s gaze lifted over my head to stare at our boy before it dropped back down to lock on mine. “He came from you.”
A blush crept up my neck. “You’re a pretty smooth talker, you know that, Mr. Sullivan?”
Head dipping, he captured my lips in a soft kiss. “You bring it out in me, Mrs. Sullivan.”
“Tell me I’m not dreaming,” I whispered the same words he’d uttered in disbelief on our wedding day.
His nose ran along the side of mine, and he breathed out, “If you are, it’s my favorite one. Do me a favor and try not to wake up.”
“Cake! Come sing to the birthday girl!” Mac’s voice called out, popping the bubble of our tender moment.
Tripp pulled away with a laugh, jerking his head toward where his brother-in-law was set before a giant, pink four-tier cake. “It’s our niece’s big day. Can’t let her down.”
I let him tug me toward where those gathered had already begun to sing.
Everyone we loved was right here, and as I counted my many blessings, I couldn’t help but think that this beautiful life was the best birthday wish I ever had come true.
