She stuck her tongue out at him. “That’s not an excuse. How do I look?”
She smoothed her hair. Sweat had made it damp, plus her cheeks were red and her dress was wrinkled.
“Amazing,” he said, being completely honest.
“Stop.” She playfully poked him in the side.
“Honest.”
Before she could poke him again, he caught her hand—the one with the new engagement ring. Lacing their fingers together, he drew her flush to him.
“You’re stunning,” he said. “Even more so while pregnant.”
Her cheeks flushed even more.
“We don’t want to be late for dinner.”
“Sorry. I think we’re already a little late.”
He nodded his head at the window, through which the sun set.
“I’m blaming that on you, buddy.”
“I’ll take the blame.”
He wrapped his arm around her waist, and they walked out of the bedroom and down the stairs.
“What did your mom ask us to bring to dinner?” She frowned. “I can’t even remember, now. It must be that pregnancy brain everyone talks about.”
“Salad mix.”
“Right.” She snapped her fingers. “Let’s stop at the place that always has the better veggies.”
“I know the one.”
Markus grinned. He never would have expected how good it felt to have these little regularities in their relationship and life—like how they always went to one particular store for produce and another for meat.
At the front door, Viv turned to face the empty house.
“Goodbye for now,” she said.
“We can start moving in whenever you want,” he promised.
Since he’d left the hospital, he’d spent most nights at her apartment, only going back to his place to get things he needed. Not only would it be nice to have everything in one place, it would be superb to have a home to call both of theirs.
“Tracey is gonna go crazy. She keeps talking about this bassinet she wants to get, but she hasn’t because she wants to make sure it goes with the new place.” Viv laughed. “Does this house have a name?”
“No. Will you do the honors?”
“Every good home needs a name.” She tapped a finger against her chin, considering. “What about… the yellow diamond?”
Markus raised his eyebrows. “Because the front door is yellow? And I paid for it thanks to diamonds?”
Viv shrugged a shoulder and laughed. “Also.” She wiggled her hand, reminding him of the yellow diamond engagement ring.
“A double meaning.” He kissed the corner of her mouth. “I like it.”
“Kind of like our double lives. You know, when I was an outlaw with you for, like, a day. Bonnie to your Clyde.”
“You’re the everything to my life.”
He kissed her again, and together, they walked out the door.
Epilogue
Six Months Later – Viv
The smell of steaming shrimp filled the kitchen. Pausing in the middle of icing the chocolate cake, Viv closed her eyes and breathed deep.
“Smell that?”
Markus stopped chopping veggies. “The shrimp?”
“Yeah.” She opened her eyes and grinned at him, sure he wouldn’t understand what she was getting at.
“Smells like the night destiny brought us back together.”
“Exactly.” She laughed. “Tracey made shrimp the night she invited me to have dinner with you guys.”
“Oh, I remember.” He cut up the last of the bell pepper. “I remember everything about that night.”
A soft cry came from the rocker in the corner.
“Daddy’s coming.”
Markus washed his hands and went to pick up baby Brynn, who had started crying full-blast by the time he got to her.
As soon as he picked her up, though, the crying subsided. Cradling her in his arms, he bounced her slowly.
Viv shook her head. “Two weeks old and already a daddy’s girl. But who could blame her?”
The doorbell rang. Viv started to leave her cake, but Markus was already halfway to the front of the house.
“That could be your grandma,” Markus said. “Or your aunt. Or your uncle Ryder.”
Viv finished up the cake while listening to the sounds of greetings. Judging from the loud volume, Veronica had entered the house. She was already squealing over Brynn while Emma and Mateo demanded to see the baby up close.
The day after Brynn was born, the whole family had visited in the hospital, but after that, Markus and Viv had laid pretty low. Tonight’s party would be Brynn’s official welcoming celebration.
“Smells good in here,” Veronica sang as she entered the kitchen with a tote bag in hand. “Hey, mama. What’s cooking?”
“Cake. Does anything else matter?”
“Nope.” She laughed and peeked at the stove. “But Cruz loves shrimp. He’ll go crazy for that.”
“Where is he?”
“He and Markus took the kids out front. Markus is showing them where he’s building the treehouse.”
“Sorry. Treehouse?” Viv cocked an eyebrow.
“Oh. Is that not a solid plan?”
From her tote bag, Veronica pulled a bottle of wine and some sparkling juice for the kids.
“It’s fine,” Viv said. “I’m not against it. The kids will love it.”
“Mateo and Emma will love it. It’s not gonna be high up, anyway, I’m sure.” Veronica bumped her hip against Viv. “Still, even if it’s only five feet up, it’ll be a good while before Brynn can climb up there.”
“Yeah, and then she’ll be chasing after the two of them, yelling ‘Wait for me!’”
“Aww. Just like us when we were kids.” Veronica clapped her hands. “What can I do?”
“Um…” Viv looked around the kitchen. “Pour yourself a glass of wine? Everything is pretty much set. Tracey and Ryder should be here at any time. Oh, wait. Sprinkle paprika on the eggs, if you would.”
“Done.” She opened the spice cabinet. “Mom wants to video chat tonight with all of us. That okay?”
“Sounds good to me.”
“Hey, have you…” Veronica paused in sprinkling the paprika. “Heard from Dad?”
“I got a letter from him the other day, actually. To thank me for the picture of Brynn.”
Veronica’s face lit up. “Really? You sent him a pic?”
Viv shrugged. “Yeah. I mean… we’re still not in the best place, but I want him to know about her, how she is and stuff.”
Veronica nodded. She seemed to know not to continue the conversation, but a pleased smile played at the corner of her lips.
“Eggs… are done!” Veronica wiped her hands dramatically. “Now what?”
“Now, you relax. Have a drink.”
Viv poured a glass of wine and handed it to her sister.
The front door opened, but this time the sound was accompanied by half a dozen people talking nearly at the same time.
“Baby, baby,” Mateo squeaked.
“Yeah,” Cruz said. “Together, we can make it happen in one afternoon. A rope wall would be a nice addition. Climb right up into the treehouse that way.”