My arms wrap around her, pulling her in closer, tucking my face in her neck. Her fingers graze through my hair, scratching at my scalp. The movement has a calming effect on my soul. This feeling I have with Harper isn't like what I had with Shelby.
Yes, I loved Shelby. We were young and in love, and I saw a future with her. We never got to live that future though, so I didn't get to feel thiscontentment that I feel right now. This rightfulness. This feeling of home.Home.
“Move in with me.” The words leave my mouth like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
Her fingers stall on my head, before she grips my hair, pulling my head back so we are face to face. Those deep green gems swirl with a mixture of emotions.
“What did you just say?” Her whisper is so soft, if I wasn't right in front of her, I don't think I would hear it.
“You heard me, babydoll.” My arms tighten around her. “Move in with me. I don't care if anyone thinks it's too soon. You belong there, in my home, in my bed. I won't take no for an answer.”
Her eyes begin to shine with unshed tears as she stares down at me. “I love you.” She breathes before pressing her lips onto mine. “Yes. I'll move in!” She begins peppering kisses along my face, causing a laugh to leave my chest.
“Okay, okay.” A smile spreads across her face, so carefree and natural, I find my own lips tipping up. “I love you too.”
The sound of doors opening breaks me from my concentration as I look over Harper's shoulder and see Monty walk toward us with a huge smile on his face.
“It’s a boy!”
EpilogueTwo
Harper
Oneandahalfyears later
“Come on, where are they?” I grumble, shuffling through the kitchen. This is what I get for feeling inspired to rearrange the kitchen. Now, I can't find the damn napkins. Resting my hand on the cupboard door, I'm startled when a voice comes from behind me.
“Auntie Harps! Uncle Xavy told me to tell you that the napkins are outside already,” Shiloh says.
“Oh Shiloh, you scared me.” Closing the cupboard door, I turn to him. “Thanks for letting me know, sweetie. How about we grab a popsicle while we're here?”
His eyes light up, and he nods his head with enthusiasm. Opening the freezer, I grab the Bomb Pops, and quickly remove the wrapper before handing it over.
“Thanks, Auntie!” He yells behind him as he takes off to the backyard.
Suddenly, a hot flash washes over me, and sweat begins to form on my forehead. Fanning my face, I turn to face the freezer again. The cool air fans over my heated face, giving some relief.
I love the summer, but I’m overheated. The feeling of sweat on my skin makes my skin crawl, and my shirt all of a sudden feeling too tight. Closing the freezer door, I head toward our bedroom. The need to get out of this shirt is overwhelming.
In the room, I strip out of my clothes and toss them into the laundry hamper. Grabbing my favorite olive colored sundress from the closet, I slip it over my head. The soft fabric slides down my curves; the cincharound my bust frames my shape, while the skirt flows down and ends at my knees.
Instantly, I’m more comfortable than I have all day. Checking my reflection in the mirror one last time, I turn and head back to our guests. As I reach the bottom of the stairs, Dalton walks through the door, his hair is a mess, glasses tilted at an angle. He looks flustered, especially with the crying toddler attached to his hips. Making my way over to him, I take the screaming toddler and console her.
“Oh come here, my sweet girl, let’s give your dad a bit of a break.” Placing her on my hip, I begin rocking back and forth, hummingYou Are My Sunshine. Like all the other times, she begins to calm down, resting her head on my shoulder as soft snuffles come from her.
“I don’t know how you can calm her down so easily,” Dalton says, straightening himself out. When he looks up a soft smile forms on his lips, as he takes his daughter in.
“What can I say? Auntie Harper is the baby whisperer.” Placing a kiss on her forehead, I motion toward the back. “Come on, everyone is out this way. I think Xavier is almost done with everything on the barbecue.”
The backyard is busy with laughter and tiny humans. Xavier is at the barbecue, plating the last of the burgers onto a plate, Winnie sitting faithfully at his side, watching the plate of food with longing. He speaks with Monty, whose arms are moving around dramatically as he tells a story. Dalton has taken off with Elodie over to the guys to join in on the conversation.
Dalton has turned everything around since Elodie was born. He’s still working hard at work, but he makes sure he comes home every night to put her to bed. He really flourished in his role as a dad, although he didn’t really have a choice, since Chloe didn’t take to the mothering role like everyone hoped she would.
Over at the picnic table, Josie has Hayes in her arms. While she talks to Evie, she feeds him pieces of watermelon. The juices of the fruit fall all over the little guy's face as he aimlessly eats, watching his surroundings.Shiloh's stained face of blue and red is concentrated as he colors adamantly beside her.
When Evie catches me standing there, she makes her way over to me, a huge smile spread across her face. Her blonde locks are up in two french braids, and she's wearing a tank cropped top with a flowing lace skirt. She embraces me fully.
After a moment of time wrapped up in each other, Evie pulls away. “Damn girl, you look so good!” She praises, taking in my hot-mess glory. She lets her arms fall from my shoulder, but not before she places one hand on her swollen stomach, rubbing circular motions along her stretched skin.
