The Vow (North Woods University 4)

“This is the cutest fucking thing I’ve ever seen,” Rem says.

“You say that twice a week,” I chuckle. “Everything your daughter does is the cutest fucking thing you’ve ever seen.”

“Because it is!” Rem says defensively. “And don’t act like you don’t think the same about Maggie. Our kids are changing every day, and I find every single aspect of it cool.”

I can’t argue with that. I never thought I could be entertained and in awe about something so mundane as my girl holding a spoon for the first time, yet I was beside myself when she did. Being a dad is the strangest, most terrifying, most epic thing in the world. Right beside being a husband.

Lily and I got married two weeks after Maggie was born. I couldn’t wait a minute longer to make her officially mine. Her grandparents finally came around and started to support her art exhibits, which I knew meant a lot to her. They were also happy about us having a baby and getting married, even though they would have preferred it to have happened the other way around. My dad and my brothers were overjoyed from the beginning, as I expected. They all loved Lily before I even knew I did.

Rem and Jules ended up getting married a short while after they found out they were having Kayla. Marriage suits my brother well, now we just have to get Lex on board with the idea of something more than a one-night stand.

Speaking of Lex. “Hey, assholes,” he greets as he crosses the yard.

“Don’t talk about the kids like that,” Rem says sternly before a smile splits his face.

Lex rolls his eyes, “Not the kids, you guys are the assholes. I could never call my nieces such foul names.”

It’s my turn to roll my eyes, “How is life? Anything new happening?” Lex still doesn’t like to talk about his love life, or anything for that matter really. Since the girls were born, he’s kind of shut down, keeping to himself most of the time.”

“Nope, same ole’ same ole.”

“Good, good, so no wedding planning anytime soon?” Rem busts his balls on the daily about how we’re both married and have kids while our oldest brother doesn’t.

Maggie staggers over to where Lex is sitting, a big smile on her face. Her eyes twinkle with excitement as she hands him a dandelion which he takes with a smile.

“Thank you, sweetheart.” Maggie falls into his lap, a contagious giggle filling the air.

“Don’t you wish you had kids?” Rem asks, “Now that I have Kayla, I don’t think I could picture my life without having a kid.”

Lex shrugs his shoulders, “It doesn’t bother me. I’m not ready for kids, or marriage, or anything of the like. I’m still, too…unstable, unhinged. I need to get my shit together before I think about anything like that.”

I know what Lex thinks; that no one will love him and all of his flaws, but he’s wrong. There will be a woman that can handle him someday, that will build him up rather than cut him down. Before Rem or I can respond Lily and Jules come walking out of the house, one carrying a tray of sandwiches and the other a pitcher of tea.

“You boys hungry?” Lily asks, and I can’t help myself. As soon as she places the pitcher on the table, I grab her by the hips and pull her into my body.

“I’m hungry all right but it ain’t for any sandwiches,” I growl, my cock already hard and standing at attention.

“Jesus, get a room,” Lex gags.

“Oh, stop it,” Lily gives me a gentle push backward, and I release her even though it’s the last thing I want to do.

Maggie crawls out of Lex’s lap and walks over to me, her tiny hands grip onto my pants, and I stare down at her, a tiny version of her mother. Never did I think I would have it all. The house, the wife, the kid, the dream job, but I do. When I lost Amy, I thought my life was over, but Lily showed me there was so much more to life. It wasn’t easy, but together we achieved greatness.

“I love you,” I say to Maggie and then look up at Lily who is watching me with wonder in her eyes.

“What?” I ask, pouring myself a cup of tea.

“Nothing, it’s just I hope you can handle two.”

“Two?” My brow furrows with confusion. She can’t mean what I think she means…

“Two babies.” She grins, “Maggie is going to be a big sister.”

And just like that, I’m blessed all over again.

“Congratulations, brother, Rem and Lex both say, and I set my glass down and stand taking both Maggie and Lily into my arms.

“Thank you, baby, thank you so much for being my all, for giving me the best things in life.” I seal my words with a kiss, wondering if life can get any better.

The End