They’d bought the next property over when one of their neighbors decided to sell. Now the church had been extended to an L-shape and they finally had direct access to the beach.
“Hey, hot mama. You forgot this.” He knew not to sneak up and surprise her. So many things had changed for them in so little time.
She turned toward him with a huge smile. Her dark hair was a little shorter now. She’d said she didn’t want to deal with all of it while nursing a baby.
Nursing.
God, how was this his life?
A year ago, the only boob talk he’d cared about was when and where he could get his mouth on his wife’s breast. Not the various creams and ointments she needed to prevent cracking.
Sweet Jesus.
She took the hat and tossed it on her beach bag with the tall water bottle sticking out. At least she was drinking her water, even if she wasn’t paying attention to her skin at the moment.
He moved behind her, linking his fingers over her belly. His little girl gave a hearty kick the moment he touched Margo.
“She is using my ribs for soccer practice.”
He rubbed the spot lightly. “Settle down in there. You don’t get to kick until after the spicy guac.” He grinned into Margo’s neck. “How are you feeling?”
She leaned back against him. “Good. Couldn’t get comfortable on the couch I used to love.”
“We debauched that couch many a night.”
Margo laughed and elbowed him. “Do not tell Li that.”
“Aww, come on. Just because they’re sitting on said couch right now? I shouldn’t mention just how skillfully you held onto the…oof.” He winced and wiggled behind her. “So that’s a no?”
“How’d you guess?”
He nipped her ear as a warm gust of air blew her dress up. He laughed as she shrieked and tried to keep it down over her rounded belly. Her hat took off across the garden.
“Simon.”
“Got it.” He chased after it to the edge of the path. He glanced down to the beach and swallowed. The white caps were looking a little fierce out there. He jogged back to her and picked up her bag. “Let’s get some food into you. Maybe Raine’s kicking up a storm because her mama’s hungry.”
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah.”
She narrowed her eyes at him, but she took his hand. “That’s your worried face.”
“That’s my face until this bambina makes a super safe arrival.” He patted her belly. “Stay in there and cook for a few more weeks, lemon drop.”
Margo laughed. “Not such a lemon drop anymore.”
Simon leaned in and brushed his mouth over hers. “Both of you are gorgeous.”
“You haven’t even seen her yet.”
“We’re two of the hottest people on the planet. Our baby is going to be gorgeous.”
“May our baby have some of my humility to combat your ego.”
He turned her around and marched her gently toward the house. “You know this little girl is going to be the most beautiful girl in the universe.”
“Universe now?”