“You can wear anything you like, honey,” Grant said. “You could wear a gunny sack and still look amazing in our eyes.”
She laughed. “If I had a gunny sack, I would wear it to your house just to prove you wrong.”
“We can’t wait to see you tomorrow,” Greg said. “Goodnight, Maude.”
“Goodnight.” She hung up the phone, and Mary and Carol were jumping up and down like a couple of teenagers.
“We’re so happy for you,” Carol said. “This is just the beginning, sweetheart.”
“You’re just taking the first steps into your new future,” Mary added. “Just like I am.”
“Girls, I know you’re both going to have the most amazing lives, just like I have since I came to Wilde so long ago.” Carol lifted up her coffee cup. “A toast.”
Maude and Mary lifted theirs.
“To your happily-ever-afters.”
They clinked their cups together, and Maude realized how lucky she was to have met her two wonderful men. Grant and Greg had changed her in so many ways. She finally believed in herself.
Chapter Fourteen
Placing the spaghetti into the boiling water, Grant looked over his shoulder at Maude, who was in the play area on the floor with the four boys. She looked so cute in her jeans and white top, with her hair pulled back in a ponytail.
She had the boys laughing. On her back with her legs in the air, she was giving them rides on her feet. The latest rider was Heath, who was in the air on her feet while she held on to him with her hands.
Toby was jumping up and down. “My turn, Mama.”
Seth and Nate sat nearby, giggling.
Wanting to capture this moment on film, he turned to Greg. “Get over here and watch the sauce and the pasta.”
“It took me years to master salad making. You want me to ruin our meal?”
He laughed. “You’re right. Go grab the Super 8 and shoot Maude playing with the boys.”
Greg turned and looked into the play area. “Another good idea, bro.” By the time he returned, Maude was giving Nate a ride on her feet.
Toby and Heath ran around her, and Seth was tugging on her arm.
“This is fantastic,” Greg said. “I’m getting great footage.”
“Keep filming. You’ve got five minutes before dinner. I’ll finish your salad.”
Greg smiled. “But I still get credit for it.”
He laughed. “I can’t wait to see what you’re getting.”
“We’ll be watching it for years to come, bro. This is just the first of many family movies.”
Putting the finishing touches on their meal, he glanced again at the woman of his and Greg’s dream. God, how he loved her. How they both loved her.
Toby screamed, and he and Greg ran into the playroom.
He was on the floor crying. “I want Mama. I want Mama.”
Maude swept him up into her arms. “You’re okay.” She turned to him and Greg and whispered, “He just stumped his toe.” Then in a louder tone, she said, “That mean coffee table hurt this precious boy.” She winked and then started slapping the table. “Shame on you, table. Don’t you hurt my little boy again.”
Hearing her call him “my little boy” thrilled Grant.