Secret Baby

“I promise I’ll feed you soon.” His voice sounds distressed now. I reach out, putting my hand on his thigh.

“I’m teasing you, babe.” I give his thigh a squeeze. “I mean, I am hungry, but I can wait a little bit longer but—” My words trail off as we drive up the long driveway to our house. It’s not only all the cars lining it that surprise me, but the house looks done. The flowers and landscaping are complete and exactly how I wanted them. I bet anything most of the house is already filled with all of our things. It’s all starting to make sense as to why Oliver kept me out of the penthouse all day. He was having us moved and a freaking party planned. That is my husband, though. Always trying to make my life easier. The man will do anything for me. I was silly to run from him that night. Not that it matters. My Oliver will always find me.

“Oliver.” I look over at him. I already know everyone I love is inside the house ready to celebrate our first baby. I’m sure Blossom, Danielle and my sister, Cora, have had a field day planning this baby shower so it will be the most over the top event.

“It’s done. Your housewarming and baby shower all in one. Surprise to you, my wife.” He leans over, kissing me. “I can have surprises too.”

He always does. But the best surprise of my life was walking into the bar and finding him there waiting for me. It was the best birthday gift a girl could ever ask for. No wish needed. He was it.

Epilogue

Oliver

Years later

“Two egg whites,” Nat recites off the side of the box.

“You sure about that?”

“It says it right here,” my seven-year-old insists, tapping her tiny finger against the cardboard. I nudge the finger aside, wipe off the chocolate smear and read the recipe myself.

“Two egg whites,” I repeat.

“See?”

“You’re right, Button.”

“I told you so.”

“So you did.” I separate the eggs, dump the whites into the bowl and then lower the whisks. “Hit the power,” I tell my girl.

She punches the on switch of the mixer and then we both lean over to watch the metal whisks stir up the cookie mixture.

“Do we have to bake it, Daddy?” my girl whispers.

“Yeah, unfortunately,” I say. “Your momma would kill me if I let you eat raw eggs.”

Nat wrinkles her small baby nose. “I won’t tell if you won’t tell.”

“Don’t you dare,” a honeyed voice says from over our shoulders.

At the sound of reinforcements, I breathe out a sigh of relief. Nat can get me to do almost anything.

“I can’t leave you alone with the girls for more than a second, can I?” Maddie says with a sweet smile. She shifts baby June from one hip to the other and leans over to give me a kiss.

“What can I say?” I murmur against her lips. “I’m a sucker for you girls.”

“Gross.” Nat makes a gagging sound. “Why are you guys always kissing? It’s gross.”

“It is gross,” declares a new voice.

I draw away reluctantly to see my oldest, Riley, reach over and sweep her finger into the cookie dough bowl. Nat yelps. “Mommy said that we can’t eat raw eggs.”

“I’m older. It cooks in my stomach,” Riley lies.

Nat’s not sure about this and casts a suspicious look at her sister. Before the two can come to blows, I grab the bowl and start scooping out the dough onto the cookie sheet. “They taste just as good baked.” I shove a tray into the oven and set the timer on my watch. “How many of these do we have to make?”

“You only have time for one batch before you have to drive me to practice,” Riley reminds me.

“Can I come? Can I come?” Nat jumps up and down.

“Sure.”

“Can we get ice cream on the way home?”

“Not before dinner,” Maddie says.

Nat collapses on the center island in dismay while Riley chortles at her sister’s loss.

“We can get a pint to go.”

This cheers Nat up immensely. She pops up and runs around the center island. Boots, the cocker spaniel / golden retriever rescue dog with the brown feet, barks excitedly. Riley covers her ears and dashes from the kitchen. Maddie leans against me, rubbing June’s back.

“If you told me fourteen years ago I’d have three girls, a big house, and a dog, I think I would’ve thought you were crazy.”

“What about the husband?” I draw Maddie close and set my chin on her head.

“I dreamt about you, but I didn’t think you existed.”

Well. I can’t very well let that go without a response. I turn her around and tip her chin up.

“Look away, young things,” I whisper. “I’m about to kiss the hell out of your mama.”

Maddie’s lips curve up and when I make contact, I can feel her smile against my mouth. The smile fades when my tongue slips inside. At the taste of her, memories of our early morning flood my mind.