Rock-a-Bye, Baby

“I still paid him fair market value,” she admitted.

“Next present, Daddy,” Cyra exclaimed as she shoved the smallest box in my lap. I carefully handed Belle the instrument, and she set it far enough away to avoid child catastrophes.

“From See-wra an’ me!” Brand insisted with a tap on my leg.

I ruffled his blond fauxhawk—he insisted on the same haircut as his daddy and who could blame him for wanting to look like a stud? “I’ll bet it’s crazy awesome, dude.” He puffed up his little chest and nodded matter of factly.

Once I’d removed the paper, I opened the white cardboard container to find a pile of guitar picks. I lifted one, and a wide grin split my face when I saw it had a picture of Cyra and Brand smiling sweetly back at me. The next one was of Belle and I on our wedding day. Another was the four of us when Brand was born. Cyra narrated, telling me what was in each picture. Every new pick had a photo that documented moments, basically telling the story of our life together. With each one, my lips turned up even more until I thought my face might break.

“Daddy, yo face wet,” Brand said with a deep frown. “Men don’t cry.” I laughed and wiped at the tear that had slid down my cheek.

“Maybe one tear when we’re super happy, dude.”

He eyed me skeptically, then shrugged and played with the guitar picks.

“These are amazing, guys. Thank you.” I kissed and hugged both kids, then gave Belle a quick peck and a look that told her she’d get her appreciation later.

There was still a gift to be opened, but Belle held it back when I reached for it. “This is from me.” She winked. “You can open it later.” Her sly smile told me it was something that couldn’t be opened in front of the kids and she’d pulled it out just to torture me since we had friends and family coming over for a barbeque.

“Angling for another spanking, baby?” I murmured.

Her brown eyes turned molten, and her cheeks bloomed with pink. Later couldn’t come fast enough.

“Kids are with your sister, and everyone is gone,” I declared when I walked into the kitchen later that night. “Let’s go.”

Belle looked up from the large center island where she was packing away what was left of the cake. “Patience, Griff. I need to—” she broke off with a yelp when I ignored her protest and threw her over my shoulder in a fireman’s hold.

“What you need is to get naked and let the birthday boy play with his favorite toys.”

Belle giggled and slapped my ass. “I don’t want the cake to dry out!”

I halted and twirled around, keeping her steady with a hand on her butt. “No problem,” I assured her. I grabbed the plate of sugary goodness and pivoted once more, heading straight to our bedroom. “I’ll make sure it’s all gone by the time I’ve finished licking it off of you.”

Once we reached the master suite, I made a beeline for the bed and tossed her onto it. She laughed as she bounced, and I had to stop for a second and admire the view before me. Belle was wearing shorts and a white tank that had a purple stain from Brand dripping grape juice on it. There was frosting on her cheek, and her hair was falling out of the ponytail she’d thrown it in when it got really hot that afternoon.

“I don’t know how you do it,” I breathed. “You get even more gorgeous every fucking day.”

Belle’s expression softened, but she chuckled ruefully. “I’m a mess!”

“Gorgeous,” I disagreed with a tone that indicated I couldn’t be swayed to believe otherwise. “Now, where’s that present?”

I looked around and spotted it on the dresser across the room. Glancing back at her as I walked over to it, I demanded, “Strip, baby. Time for your birthday spanking.”

“How come I’m always the one getting birthday spankings, no matter whose birthday it is?” she grumbled.

I retrieved the gift and headed back to her, grinning wolfishly. “Because I enjoy putting my mark on your pretty white ass.”

Belle huffed and gestured to the box in my hand. “Open your present, caveman.”

By the time I was back at the bed and sitting beside her, I’d already torn off the paper and opened the box. Inside was a small, plain, cream-colored card on top of black tissue paper. On the backside of the card was a simple, “Happy Birthday. I love you. Belle.” Then I noticed the small script at the bottom. “I suggest you hide this present where no one else will find it so I don’t have to help you hide any dead bodies.” Hard laughter burst from my chest, making me gasp for air. Adorable.

“I’m glad you think so, but I was being completely serious,” Belle quipped, making me realize I’d said it out loud.