Marriage Material

“Forever,” he says, kissing me softly.

How on earth did I end up with such a perfect man to love me like this? It’s everything I could have dreamed of and more.

“I’m so lucky,” I say, pressing my forehead to his.

“No, beautiful. I’m the lucky one. I’ve gotten the two pieces of my heart all at once with you and Charlotte. I can’t wait to see what our future holds.”

“Me too,” I agree as I deepens the kiss and he makes love to me all over again.

Epilogue

Anderson

A few months later…

I roll over and reach for my wife, but when she’s not there I open my eyes wondering where she went off to. If I had to guess it’s probably to check on Charlotte. Normally I’m the first to wake up—old habits from my corporate days are hard to shake off—but I must have slept in. My little wife wore me out last night. Her pregnancy hormones are really no joke. Not that I’m complaining. I loved filling her every need and I’d do anything for her. All she ever has to do is ask and it’s hers.

Wife. The simple word makes me smile every time. As much as I thought it would be a fight with her family for them to even let me marry Robin, I was in a daze with how fast the wedding was planned. Not that I complained. I was all for making Robin mine in every way I could as fast as possible. I wanted to let the world know she’s off the market and she belongs to me. I was throwing money at people to get things done in record time, and seeing Robin walk down that aisle to me was worth every penny.

I glance over at the clock and see it’s a little after ten. We’ll need to get a move on soon. I know Robin and Ma will want to get started on Christmas dinner early. Those two can cook like nothing I’ve ever seen before. When I see them in the kitchen together my mind flashes to Charlotte and Robin doing the same in years to come. My sweet wife will never know what she’s given to me and Charlotte. I don’t know where I’d be without her and I sure don’t want to try and imagine it.

I sit up when I hear what sounds like a whimper come from the baby monitor. When I hear it again I’m out of the bed and going straight for Charlotte’s room. When I enter, Robin looks up at me from where she’s sitting in the rocking chair with Charlotte sitting in her lap. Tears slide down my wife’s face and I rush over to her.

“What’s wrong, beautiful?” Her mouth opens, but before she can tell me Charlotte gives me the answer.

“Mama!” she says as she smiles and points to Robin.

“She called me mama,” she gets out though a small hiccup. Though tears are sliding down her face, my wife has the biggest smile I’ve ever seen.

“She did,” I agree as my own throat tightens. This moment couldn’t have been more perfect.

“Her first word was mama,” Robin says again as if she doesn’t believe it.

I’ve been trying to teach her how to say it for over a month now whenever we had a moment alone. It was worth it after seeing the look on Robin’s face right now.

“I already knew this Christmas was going to be perfect, but it’s more than I could have ever wanted.” She hugs Charlotte to her and Charlotte cuddles her back.

I couldn’t think of a better Christmas than this present right now. Before they came into my life I didn’t even celebrate the holiday. I’d go into my office and work as if it was any other day, but now these girls have given me life. Some have said to me I’m a good man for stepping in and taking Charlotte and saving her from going into the system. The truth is, she saved me, and not only that but she helped me find our Robin.

I lean down, kissing both my girls. “I can’t wait to see everyone today. We get to tell them about the baby on the way and I get to brag about Charlotte saying my name first.” She gives me a smirk and I kiss her again. Not to wipe the smirk off her mouth but because I can’t help myself.

“Let’s get ready,” I tell her, taking Charlotte from her arms.

“Mama!” she says again, clapping her little chubby hands together. Robin’s bottom lip starts to tremble.

“Beautiful.” I know they are happy tears, but they’re still hard for me to take.

“Okay, okay. I’m getting it together.” She gives Charlotte a kiss before scampering from the room. “Her Christmas outfit is on top of her dresser,” she calls out from the hallway.