I don’t know about Jack but I’m really looking forward to being out without the kids. Jack’s parents babysit once a month so that we can meet up at Kix for food and drink with friends. The break is always nice and it’s an excuse to get my hands on Jack without Leigh wanting in on our ‘cuddles’.
“You look nice.” Stephanie smiles from her position at the kitchen table while she colors with Leigh. Winter sleeps soundly in her stroller.
“Thank you. It’s nice to be going out during the day with Jack.” I bend and kiss Leigh on the top of her head and smile when she looks up at me.
“Mommy, look.”
I look at the picture she’s drawn. “That’s, you, Daddy, and Winter.”
“That’s an amazing picture. It needs to go on the fridge once you’ve finished coloring it in.” I hug her tight and straighten when Jack appears in the doorway. He leans against the doorjamb, taking my breath away.
Hearing a throat being cleared, I glance at Stephanie and grin while I feel a blush coat my cheeks.
Jack smirks and walks toward me. He smacks me on the ass and curves his arm around my waist. “My beautiful wife.” He nuzzles into my neck.
“Kissy. Kissy,” Leigh shouts.
I chuckle and Jack groans into my neck, but he kisses me on the cheek and moves to collect Leigh into his arms.
Her dark, curly hair bounces on the top of her head as her daddy cuddles her close while kissing her all over the face.
“Dance, Daddy!”
Jack is lost now as I quickly find their song on my cell. Tim McGraw’s Daddy’s Little Girl filters through the kitchen. Every time I watch them dance to the song it gets me in the heart.
I sit beside Stephanie and feel tears slip out of my eyes. It’s beautiful the way that Jack holds Leigh against him, and seeing her small hands on his face while he sings to her takes my breath away. Leigh takes in every word, and in that moment, I fall in love with Jack all over again.
When the song comes to an end he kisses Leigh on her forehead and meets my watery gaze. He comes over and tugs me into his arms. “I love you, honey.”
I’m not sure how long we stand like we are, but sniffles from the side causes me to turn and look. Stephanie is dabbing at her eyes.
“Seeing Jack so happy, and witnessing your love for my son always makes me teary eyed.” Stephanie wipes at her eyes. “It gets me every damn time.” She smiles and holds her arms out for Leigh who drops down onto her Grandma’s lap.
“I’m damn lucky to have what I have, and I’ll never take it for granted.” Jack kisses me on the side of my head. “We need to leave.”
“I know.” I turn to Leigh. “You be a good girl, and help with Winter, okay? You know how much she loves being with you, Leigh.” I stroke down my daughter’s hair.
“I’ll be good,” Leigh mumbles with her thumb shoved into her mouth.
“We’ll be just fine here. You go and enjoy yourselves.” Stephanie smiles.
“We will, and thanks again for doing this.”
“Pfft, stop. You hardly ask us for anything, so I’m really looking forward to having them during the day for a change. Now shoo.” She moves her hand to get us out of the kitchen.
“We’re going, Mom.” Jack laughs, and snagging our jackets from the hook by the door tugs me to his truck, which he quickly warms up.
Jack
Standing off to one side with Reece, my eyes constantly stray to Thalia while she laughs and talks with Reece’s wife, Callie. They’ve been friends since before we met, and I guess they got lucky because they married two best friends. I love watching Thalia though when she isn’t aware that I am, and I’m sure I’ve spent many a time sitting staring at her with a big stupid grin on my face.
“So”—Reece clears his throat, a smirk on his face—“I believe you have something to talk me into.”
I raise a brow and grin. “Who told you?”
“Mom.” He winces. “She read me the riot act and Ben came into the kitchen during it.” He shakes his head and chuckles. “Callie explained to him that no matter your age you have to do what your mom says. She damn well enjoyed that.”
I roar with laughter. Reece and Callie’s three-year-old son, Ben, is a handful and he has to have an explanation for everything. I guess Thalia and I got away lightly on that front. For now, anyway.