Cherished (Wanted 4)

The Honeymoon

“Baby, we have to go.” I tried to pull Jessie away from my mother and Lauren.

“I don’t know. Scott, she’s only three months old! I can’t leave her,” Jessie said with pleading eyes.

“Baby, she’s almost four months old, and yes, you can. She’s in good hands. We are only going to be a few hours away. I promise you, my mother has done this before.”

My mother let out a chuckle and winked at me. “Jessie, you wouldn’t let the boy take you to Hawaii because you said it was too far away. South Padre Island is only a few hours away, and I promise you, I will take extra special care of her.”

Jessie nodded her head and kissed Lauren on the forehead. She turned to Azurdee and gave her a hug.

After kissing Azurdee on the cheek, Jessie said, “Thank you so much for staying at the house while we’re gone. I didn’t have the heart to board the new kitten we just got.”

Azurdee rolled her eyes. “Uh-huh…that’s why Lark is staying there, too?”

I let out a laugh. “He’s only staying for the night, but y’all have the whole house to yourselves.” I winked at her.

The blush that crossed her face was the cutest thing ever.

“Go on back outside, and enjoy the party, Azurdee. I love you, and thank you for everything. It was a beautiful wedding,” Jessie said with one last hug.

“Y’all be careful driving down, and text me when you get there,” Azurdee said.

Jessie and I both nodded.

“Will do. Go

party. I think all the kids left with their grandparents, so go have fun,” I said with a smile.

Azurdee smiled. “Yeah, the only ones left are Brad and Amanda with Taylor and Maegan.”

Jessie and Azurdee hugged yet again, and after this time, Azurdee turned and headed back outside.

I took Jessie’s hand and began pulling her through the house and out to my truck.

“Bye, Mom. Take good care of my baby girl,” I called over my shoulder.

“Oh! Mom, remember to make sure to turn on her little music player when you put her down. She loves to go to sleep to music. Oh! And be sure to turn on her Pooh night-light. She sometimes will fight her afternoon nap, but don’t pick her up! She will only cry for like two minutes, and then she’s out.”

I heard my mother laughing.

“Jessie…I have watched this child before, you know. Go enjoy your honeymoon!” she called out.

I opened the door and practically lifted Jessie up into the truck. I quickly shut it and ran around to the other side. I jumped in, started the truck, and took off down my driveway faster than I’d ever had before.

“Damn, why are you driving so fast?” Jessie asked.

I glanced at her quickly. “For fear of you being tempted to jump out of the truck and run back.”

She giggled and shook her head. When she reached for my hand, I felt a jolt of electricity run through my body.

This would never get old.

“So…where are we going?” she asked.

I squeezed her hand. “The Four Seasons.”

She made a little squeak sound. “On Town Lake?”