“Let’s leave Mom to eat her breakfast,” Nash said. “Remember, we need to get her presents ready.”
Jace’s face lit up. “You’re going to love your presents, Mom!”
“I can’t wait.”
“I’ll be back,” Nash said and patted my arm before taking Jace out of our bedroom.
I reached for a Saltine and nibbled on it. I forgot what morning sickness was like. I was hoping it went away quickly. I put my hand over my belly that was still flat. “You’re going to love your life, little one,” I whispered.
I loved my life. I loved the home we were making together. Nash’s house had been an adjustment, but we managed to settle in. Nash gave me free rein over the decorating. It was hard to spend his money, but he insisted. I brought a lot of my furniture and knick-knacks to the house. They added a personal touch to the rather cold house.
I nibbled on the cracker and felt my stomach settling. Thankfully, my morning sickness was mild. It was generally just an hour or so in the morning. Then I was all good. Most of the time. I grabbed another cracker and smeared some jelly on it before going out to see what my guys were up to.
I found them in the kitchen. Jace was on his stool helping to frost a cake. Nash looked up and jerked his head, motioning for me to get out. I pretended to drink. He nodded and moved to the coffee machine. Drinking decaf was still a bit of an adjustment, but with enough flavored cream, it worked.
I walked into the sunroom and stretched out on one of the lounge chairs. “Here you go,” Nash said and dropped a kiss on my head. He handed me my cup of decaf.
“Thank you. What are you guys doing in there?”
“Jace made you a cake,” he said.
“Really?”
“Really. He’s very excited to give you your gifts.”
“You guys are going to spoil me,” I said with a bright smile.
“You are my queen. We want to spoil you.”
“I like being spoiled,” I told him. “What time is Davin coming over?”
“They’ll be here around noon,” he answered.
“Jace is going to love seeing the baby,” I said. “Caitlyn too. They have two future babysitters.”
“And us too,” he said.
“One thing at a time,” I said. “Let me get this one out before we start planning babysitters.”
He put a hand to my belly. “I am so excited to take this journey with you.”
“I am too. This time is going to be very different.”
He nodded. “I better get back in there and make sure he isn’t frosting the ceiling.” He kissed me again. “Oh, the construction guys will be here on Monday to get started on your home office.”
“You really don’t have to give me a whole office,” I told him.
“Yes, I do. We have the room. I want you comfortable.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.”
“You’re doing me a favor by staying on at the firm,” he said.
“I’m not an invalid. I could go into the office.”
He shook his head. “No. This is what you wanted. You wanted to be here for Jace. You know you don’t need to work at all. If you want to quit, you can.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
He left me alone to enjoy my crappy coffee. I finished drinking what I could and went to get ready for the day. Today was the barbecue. Caitlyn and Joss were coming over, along with Davin and his girlfriend and their baby. Nash had bought out half of Whole Foods in preparation for the barbecue. He insisted none of the women cook anything. He was grilling steaks, which I was really hoping I could get down.
“Mom!” Jace hollered.
I walked to the kitchen. There were several gifts wrapped in pretty purple wrapping paper sitting on the island. “Did you need something?” I asked calmly.
“It’s time to open your presents!” he said. The kid was downright giddy.
“I can’t wait!” I said with a laugh.
Nash was standing next to Jace. They were both acting just a little strangely. Jace pushed a box toward me. “Open this one first,” he said.
I slowly opened the box and pulled out a pair of warm, comfy slippers. “These are going to feel so good on my feet.”
“I picked them out,” Jace announced.
“Thank you. They are perfect.”
He pushed another gift toward me. After I opened my gifts and felt like the luckiest woman in the world, I noticed Jace put another box on the counter in front of me. I stared down at the white box with a pretty purple bow on top. “What’s this?” I asked.
“It’s a present!” Jace answered.
“I see that,” I said.
“Jace and I have been talking about families,” Nash explained. “That project he had in school got us thinking about our own family.”
I nodded. “Okay.”
“We both realized our family is almost perfect, but it’s missing something,” he said.
“I think we have more than any family could ever want. Every need has been provided for. We have a beautiful home, and everyone is healthy.”
Nash pointed at the box. “Open it. This is the last piece of the puzzle.”
I pulled the ribbon and opened the box. I froze. There was a black velvet box inside the other box. I was almost afraid to touch it. “Open it, Mom!”
I reached for the black box and opened it. A gorgeous ring stared back at me. “Nash,” I whispered.
“Will you help us complete the puzzle?” he asked. “Jace and I want to make our family official. I want this to be a forever thing. I love you. I love Jace. We all love each other. Doesn’t it make sense to seal the deal?”
I couldn’t stop smiling. “I would love to make it forever.”
“Did she say yes?” Jace asked and looked at Nash.
“She said yes,” Nash said. “Me and your mom are going to get married.”
“Woohoo!” Jace exclaimed and ran around the kitchen.
He rushed out of the room, leaving me and Nash alone. “This is happening, huh?” I asked.
“It’s happening,” he said.
He came around the island and pulled me to my feet. He kissed me. “You make me so happy,” I told him. “I never thought I would be here with you, like this. We’re going to be a family. A real family.”
“Yes, we are. I know it’s fast, but I’d love to be married before our baby is born. I want to do this right. I want the total package.”
“I thought Davin freaked you out about the labor and delivery?” I teased.
“He terrified me, but you’ve done it once before. I’m going to be following your lead. I can do this. I put that little nugget in there. I’m going to watch him come out.”
“Him, huh?” I teased.
“You know I would be thrilled if it was a girl. I don’t care. I just want a baby.”
I leaned against him. “Do you remember how we talked about how many kids we wanted?”
“I do. I think we’re running against the clock here.”
“Gee, thanks,” I said dryly. “I think you just called me old.”
“I would never call you old.”