Miranda
"What are you boys up to this morning?" I ask, looking at Jason before I turn to the backseat to look at the boys. They've been giggling and whispering back and forth all morning, and Jason keeps smiling like he has a secret. I'm getting suspicious.
Especially since my mom conveniently decided that she'd pick the boys up from the office this morning instead of us dropping them off at her house like we normally do. They're all in cahoots, but I have no idea what they're plotting.
"Nuffin'," Mateo says, blinking wide, innocent eyes at me.
"Nuffin," Tate echoes, though he giggles halfway through, making me even more certain that they're all up to no good.
"Bababababa!" Maddox shouts, banging his little toy hammer on the side of his car seat and then giving me a toothy grin.
I guess he's agreeing with his brothers, which means I'm getting no hints whatsoever. For little boys, they're pretty good at keeping secrets. They're also pretty good at melting my heart into a little puddle. Between the three of them and Jason, I'm in a permanent state of happiness. I never imagined life could be this perfect.
Every year, it gets a little harder to remember how boring and sad my life was before Jason. I don't think even I realized how lonely I was or how isolated I felt until Jason appeared out of nowhere to sweep me off my feet. He's been sweeping me off them every day since.
He's the most devoted husband and father. There hasn't been a single moment when I've wondered if I'm enough for him or if he's happy. There hasn't been a single time when I felt like I was missing anything. Our life is comfortable. Jason works hard to provide for us and to make all of our dreams come true. He spoils us every single day. I return the favor as often as I can. Which is why I tend to stay pregnant. He likes it when I spoil him with my mouth or from my back.
We still can't keep our hands off each other. Honestly, I think I want him more now than I did then. Sex with him has always been incredible, and it just keeps getting better and better.
"You sound suspicious, pretty baby," he says, reaching for my hand to bring it up to his lips.
"I am suspicious."
He chuckles.
"Are you going to tell me what you guys are up to?" I know it's something. He's been super secretive lately…and he isn't the only one. Lily and Lauren both say Grant and Knox have been acting weird lately too. We probably could have figured it out by now, but we're all pregnant again, so we're easily distracted. And to be honest, none of us want to spoil their fun.
Whatever they've been doing, I think we all know that we'll love it. And it's sweet, watching them sneak around, trying to keep us in the dark. I didn't realize the boys were in on it until yesterday though. I'll have to ask Lily and Lauren if their kids are acting suspicious too.
"What are you boys going to do with Grammy today?" I ask the boys as Jason pulls into the parking deck and circles around to our spot. Since I'm pregnant, we get to park right by the elevator, which is nice. Walking isn't my favorite thing to do these days. I prefer to get my exercise when I'm getting orgasms out of the deal. Otherwise, physical activity is overrated.
"I not know," Tate says.
"Nuffin," Mateo says.
Hmm. I don't think I'm getting anything out of them today.
"So suspicious," Jason says, chuckling again. He pulls into our spot and puts the Acadia in park before glancing at me. "You really want to know what we're doin'?"
"Um…yes!" I say, flinging my hands out in front of me.
"It's a surprise, mama," Mateo says, except surprise sounds more like soap pies, which makes me laugh. Soap pies would be a terrible surprise, I think.
Jason shakes his head at me, smiling my favorite smile. "Let's get our boys inside, and we'll show you," he says, reaching out to touch my cheek and then my belly. His expression softens, those gray flecks in his eyes shining brightly.
"I love you," I murmur.
He grins at me again and then climbs out. Chaos ensues after that. Getting three little boys, all their stuff, and a pregnant lady anywhere is a lot of work. By the time we're all in the elevator, I'm ready for a nap. I lean against Jason's chest, holding Mateo's hand. Tate is bouncing up and down on the other side of Jason. Maddox is on his hip, bopping him in the head with his little hammer and jabbering.
Jason just stands there with their bags and my purse draped over his free arm, not complaining even once. He's so good to us. God, he's the most amazing father and husband. There isn't anything he wouldn't do to make us happy. He has the patience of a saint some days.
"Hit the button, little man," he instructs Tate.
"Yay!" our son shouts, stumbling forward to hit the button for the first floor.
Mateo wiggles at my side.
Jason just smiles.
I give up trying to figure out what they're hiding and just enjoy the moment with them. We won't get many more of these. Now that my mom and dad are going to be traveling, I'll be quitting soon to stay home with the boys and the baby once she arrives.
It's bittersweet. I've made so many memories here with Jason. I've found a home here, a place where who I am and what I do matters more than anything else. It took me finding Jason to find the courage to open up to everyone. Part of me still expected them to treat me differently, but no one who mattered really did. Anyone who tried had to deal with Jason and, surprisingly, Grant. I didn't think he liked me much, but I was wrong about that. We're a family here.
I'm going to miss everyone so much. But I want to be with the boys. The thought of sending them off to strangers just makes me sad. They've never been away from family. What if someone is mean to them or hurts them? The thought alone makes my stomach churn.
"Shh, pretty baby," Jason whispers, running his hand down my arm.
Somehow, he always knows when I'm anxious or sad. Mateo squeezes my fingers in his little hand, silently helping his daddy try to make me feel better.
God, I love these boys so much.
The elevator whirs to a stop and then dings. Tate starts bouncing again, eager to go. He's so full of life and curious. He loves to explore and never settles down for very long. He's happiest when he's moving.
The doors slide open and he runs out into the lobby.
"Wrong way, sweet boy," I call after him when he turns left instead of right.
"Dis way, mama," he says, pointing down the hall.
"Follow him, Minnie," Jason instructs me.
I turn to look at him, only to find him grinning at me. He reaches out to snag the elevator door before it shuts on me. Mateo tugs on my hand to get me moving. More sure than ever that they're up to something, I let him lead me down the hall after Tate, who runs ahead, stops every few feet to look back and make sure we're still behind him, and then takes off running again.
"Is all the construction done?" I ask, noticing that the sheets and tarps have all been cleared out of the area. The walls are painted. There's a door at the far end of the hall now. It used to be a wall.
"Mmhmm," Jason hums.
Tate stops at the door, jumping up and down, impatient to get moving again.
Jason glances over at me when we get to the door. "All you dreams, Miranda," he says, his worn-leather voice softer than usual. "That's what I promised you, wasn't it?"