“Your mom called me this morning,” Leah says after we’ve sat down and she’s dug into her Chinese food. I study her expression, hoping my mom didn’t ruin the surprise. “She says she and your dad will be here tomorrow evening. She asked if I wanted her to pick up the Tennessee wine my mom loved from that shop in town.”
“Shit.”
“Daddy said a bad word,” Cori informs Leah, briefly looking up from her show to tattle on me.
Leah smiles at our girl and pats the top of her hand before she looks at me once more. “Did you forget to tell me something?”
I play it off and explain. “Mom and Dad are missing their grandbaby. I forgot to tell you that they called a few days ago and are coming this weekend to spend time with her.”
“Then we’re not going away to Jamaica, and I don’t need to buy a new swimsuit?” I close my eyes in frustration because I should never have told my mom my plan to get Leah alone for a few days before she can’t travel. “She didn’t tell me,” she says, and I open my eyes to look at her. “I saw the travel plans in an email over a month ago.”
“Sneak.” I give her a little glare, and she smiles innocently.
“Honestly, it’s just good to know you’re not sneaking off with a mistress.” Her tone is joking, but there’s an undercurrent of truth in it.
I frown and then shake my head. “You’re not serious.”
“I’m fat,” she states, and I feel a rumble of aggravation deep in my chest. “I don’t look—”
“You’re still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen in my life. You’re not . . .” I look down at Cori and cut myself off before I curse. “You’re not fat. You’re creating a life inside you—a life I had a hand in making.”
Her face softens, and I get up from my chair and go to her. I pull her up to stand in front of me. I hold her face in my hands, then drop my face closer to hers. “Never doubt that you’re my world. That our family is what makes my world turn. Without you and my girls, I’d be lost.” I move one hand to rest on her stomach. “I love my life and our family, and I would never—not ever—do anything to jeopardize that.”
“Okay,” she whispers, holding my gaze.
“Our trip was supposed to be a surprise.”
“I have work and—”
I cut her off. “Your mom and grandma already got everything you’ll need and have spoken with your clients. It’s all set.”
“Of course they have,” she mumbles.
I ignore her comment. “I want us to have time to reconnect before Lacy gets here.” I rub her stomach. “You’ve been working hard, and between me, Cori, the shop, your family, and mine, you don’t take time for yourself.”
Her brow furrows. “I love our family. It’s not a hardship to take care of you guys.”
“I know that, but I want to take care of you. I need to take care of you.” I tighten my hand around her jaw. “Let me.”
“You do take care of me. You always take care of me and our family.”
“Then let me continue to do that. Pretend like you never saw that email and act surprised when we go to the airport.”
“I’m not sure I can pretend. It’s a nice resort, though. The room looks awesome, and I’ve been thinking about the beach for a month now.” She grins and I laugh.
I drop my mouth to her ear. “The room and the beach aren’t exactly what I’ve been thinking about when it comes to having you alone for a few days.”
“Right, I forgot to mention sleeping,” she jokes, sounding breathless.
“I can promise you’ll sleep, but only after I have my way with you.” I kiss the shell of her ear, and she groans in response. I pull back to look into her eyes. “I love you, baby.”
“I love you too.” She leans up on her tiptoes, pressing her mouth to mine. I hold her against me, taking everything she’s willing to give, and only when Cori interrupts us with a loud “Stop kissing” do I pull away. I look from my wife’s beautiful face to my baby’s and know I have it all—everything I ever wished for.
LEAH
With the sun warm on my skin and the scent of salt water in the air, I turn my head to the side and look at my husband. Tyler in his everyday jeans and tee is hot. Tyler in nothing but swim shorts, displaying his toned, tan torso, is a sight to behold. He was right—we needed this, time alone, time just for us. I love our life, I love being a mom, but I also enjoy the rare times I get to spend alone with my husband. Since we got married and had Corina, there hasn’t been a lot of time for us to just be . . . well, us. Until we got to Jamaica and checked into our room—not having to think about bath time, bedtime, or the million other things that come along with parenthood—I didn’t realize how much I missed just being me. A woman married to a hot guy.