My heart flipped in my chest because that sounded scary to me. There were sharks out there. Or Tanner could hit his head and drown.
“I take it you told Carter what needed to be said,” Alex said.
I nodded. “Yes.”
“Good.”
“I think he’s still a little distrustful, but I’ll prove to him that he can trust me.”
Alex smiled and put his hand on mine. “I know you will.”
“Jess?”
I turned to where Kellie put a towel and managed to sit down.
“I was hoping to pick your brain about labor and babies.”
I laughed. “Well, I can only speak to my own experience, but I’ll try to answer your questions.”
That night, as I lay in Carter’s arms again, after making love, I knew that I was on the cusp of having it all. I had Carter and Tanner, but also, everyone in Carter’s family. It was more than I deserved, but everything that Tanner needed and wanted.
“Do we have time for you to scream my name again in pleasure before we unlock the door and put on our pajamas?” Carter said.
“Yes,” I answered, pulling Carter into my arms.
He settled over me. “First, there are a few things we need to get straight.”
“Oh?” Was he really going to have a serious discussion with me like this?
“First, we’re a family. You, me, Tanner.”
I smiled as love and warmth flooded my body. “Yes.”
“That means you and him live here now. With me.”
I nodded, but then thought of Reggie and how my moving out would make things hard for her.
Carter frowned. “What?”
Afraid he thought I was withdrawing from him, I said, “I’m just thinking of Reggie. She relies on my part of the rent.”
“I can take care of that.”
I laughed. “Not everyone likes to be given a handout.”
He shook his head. “So, I’ve learned. We can help her find a new roommate then.”
“Yes. Of course, because Tanner and I live here now.”
His smile was radiant and I wanted to make sure I saw it every day for as long as I lived. I wrapped my legs around him, eager to feel him inside me.
“There’s more,” he said, preventing me from getting what I wanted.
“What?”
“If we’re a family, we should make it official.” His hand slid under the pillow and he pulled out a ring. “We should get married.”
I gasped. “Carter.” I couldn’t find the words to say more.