Mister Landlord - Mister Yum

“You’re gonna be a daddy again,” she says winking at me. Her smile is infectious, and though I am happy, I am worried about her not healing properly between babies.

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” I ask, smiling down at her.

“I wanted it to be a surprise. Em and I are working on something.”

“I’ll act surprised if you want me to,” I say.

“I know it’s silly, but yeah, that would be good,” she says.

“You got it.” Leaning down, I kiss her.

If I ever got one thing in my life right, it was buying our house. Had I known she was living in it all that time; I would have come home sooner. She is the very best thing that has ever happened to me and it just keeps getting better.

Laissez les bons temps rouler.

Epilogue

Eleanor

Twenty Years Later

“Ma, does dad know we are coming?” My oldest asks over Skype. His face is coming really close to the screen. I laugh.

“Sweet boy of mine, what is the point of a surprise party if he knew we were having one?” He huffs.

“You know you can never keep a secret from him.” Damn, he does have me there but still, I think that I have done pretty well for the last month with this particular secret if I do say so myself.

“Baby, I know how hard we have been trying to keep this a secret. Hell, we haven’t even told your sister that you are coming. Cole will be there to pick you up when you get in.” He chuckles.

“Now she definitely can’t keep a secret to save her life. I can’t wait to see the look on dad’s face. Make sure you record it.” I laugh.

“You are so right. I can’t wait to see you, baby.” I can’t help the grin that comes over my face. I am so proud of him for joining the Marines, but he has been deployed for the last two years and I miss him. The thought of him getting hurt over there is enough to almost bring me to my knees. I can’t wait to get my arms around my sweet boy.

“I miss you too, Ma. I’ll be there before you know it but I gotta go now. They are calling my flight. This is my last flight and I should be there in ten hours.”

“Bye baby, I will see you soon.” It’s seven in the morning and I am currently hiding in my pantry while I let my hubby sleep in. After all, it is his big Six O, I plan on making him breakfast in bed and then our four other children are coming over. My daughter is coming to help with the decorating and our two boys are taking their father golfing.

Beau once told me that he bought this big old house so he could fill it up with a family and we sure did just that. The last twenty-four years have been amazingly full of laughter and babies, love and companionship. We have four sons and one daughter. Our youngest just turned eighteen and is now at MIT. He is coming down from Massachusetts. He is also picking up his brother, Dillon from the airport on his way. It has been so long since all of my babies have been under one roof and I can’t wait to see them all.

The pantry door opens, and I let out a squeak of surprise. Fuck he still takes my breath away.

“Chérie what are you doing?” I flush and give off a nervous laugh.

“Uh, the door shut behind me and I was trying to find the door to get out. What are you doing out of bed? You are supposed to be sleeping so I can make you breakfast in bed,” I scold, walking out of the pantry, silently patting myself on the back for not blowing my cover. He chuckles and wraps his arms around me pulling me close to his chest.

“I know what else I can have for breakfast,” he growls kissing my neck. I sigh and lean into him.

“Fine, but then you get to make me breakfast.” He chuckles.

“Whatever you say, love.”

T minus one minute and I am freaking out a bit. So far everything has gone to plan. Cole picked up his brother and they are now on their way. The party has been in full swing for about forty minutes. All of our friends and half of his old baseball team are here as well. We have the grill going outside and there is a cake in the fridge just waiting to be eaten.

Cole just walked in a couple of minutes ago. I walk to the garage and see Dillon sitting on the hood of his old Mustang. The one worked on before he was deployed. I gasp and run to him. He spots me the minute before I run into him. He hops off the car just in time for me to wrap him in my arms.