Page 6 of Summer With You

I reached forward and pressed the button, watching them race each other to the door leading into the house. They could never walk anywhere, and soon, there would be a third one following in their wake. The thought both thrilled and terrified me all at once.

Resting a hand on my slowly growing stomach, I pictured a perfectly healthy, blonde baby who would turn into a beautiful child and fit right in with Summer and Charlie. I often wondered if wanting a third child was the right decision since I grew up knowing three was a crowd. Was I condemning my own child to a life of misery?

I shook the thought from my head. Amber and Ryan had three kids, and they all got along perfectly if you took out the normal sibling banter. It wouldn’t be any different for us.

I willed every ounce of strength I had to open the car door, bracing myself for the summer heat for a few brief moments before I was entering my wonderful, freezing house.

The kids were giggling loudly from upstairs as I quickly cleaned the kitchen and put the kettle on for some tea. Amber needed a cup desperately, and hopefully, she could get an hour or two of rest while I kept everyone occupied outside.

The doorbell sounded a little while later, and I rushed to get the door, nearly tripping over Summer’s discarded backpack in the process. As soon as I turned the lock, the door swung open, and Amber barreled past me. “Sorry! Gotta pee!” she hollered, slamming the bathroom door shut.

I turned back to her stunned kids and smiled. They were always with Amber, and yet, her own children were sometimes stunned by how wild their mother was. “How are my favorite god children?” The twins, Maddi and Mason, grinned at me with identical smiles, their blue eyes shining with excitement.

“Hi, Auntie Cece!” They rushed at me for a hug, tiny arms wrapping around my legs.

“I missed you two!” I looked over their heads to see Nicky yawning, rubbing his green eyes with tiny fists. “Someone looks tired, my big boy!” I reached over the two redheads to pick up their little brother, who clung to me instantly, his little arms wrapping around my neck like a vise.

“Hi,” he whispered into my neck, resting his small head on my shoulder with another yawn.

“Phew. I know the drive is a short one, but I almost didn’t make it!” Amber exclaimed, exiting the bathroom and walking over to us at the entrance of the house. “Where are Summer and Charlie?” As she asked, loud footsteps pounded against the floor upstairs as they bounded from their rooms wearing their new swimsuits meant for the vacation. I guessed I would be doing laundry that night.

“Here!” they called, running up to hug Amber before bombarding their cousins with questions.

“Time to hit the pool!” I chimed in, gathering all their attention. Maddi and Mason tore off their clothes, revealing their swimsuits, and raced Summer and Charlie to the pool.

“Don’t forget sunscreen,” Ames added, looking at Nicky, who was falling asleep in my arms. “Can I put him down in the guest room? He hasn’t been sleeping through the night this week.” She yawned, her green eyes watering with the motion.

“Go ahead. I put the kettle on so I could make you some tea to help you rest. I’ll watch the kids from the kitchen while you put him down. Then, you have to try this new blend and go close your eyes for a bit in my room. You need to rest for the babies.” She nodded, taking her sleepy boy from me, and headed up the stairs.

A few minutes later, I had made her a cup and was watching the kids when she entered the kitchen.

“This pregnancy has been the hardest one so far,” she told me. “I think it’s just because I’m tired all the time, and the kids are driving me crazy. They constantly want something from me.” She dragged her hands down her face, leaving a worn expression behind. “I can’t ever just rest.”

“I know, Ames.” I handed her the cup of tea. “Go sleep, and if you don’t feel better after that, we can come up with a plan to make this easier for you. I can get Ryan to take the afternoons off from work or something.”

Her eyes bulged. “Are you crazy? You know how much work means to him. He would be so mad at me if I took that away from him because I couldn’t cope with being a mom.” Her voice cracked, breaking my heart all while anger at my brother slowly stirred in my gut. He knew what Amber was like and what she dealt with. Why did he have to be such a dick? “What else am I good for, Celine, if I can’t take care of our children?” Her eyes brimmed with tears, eyes flaring with panic.

“This is exhaustion talking,” I reprimanded. “Drink the tea, close your eyes, and let your body rest. This is what you need right now. Plus, the pool will tucker all of them out and give us a break.” She nodded, wiping away a few errant tears.

“What would I do without you, Cece?”

“You’d suffer,” I teased, and she laughed. “Honestly, I’m the best friend and sister-in-law you’ll ever have.” She laughed again, taking the cup of tea with her as she headed for the stairs, taking slower steps than before.

Picking up my phone, I waited until she was out of sight before I called my husband. Walking closer to the sliding glass door, I watched the kids as I held the ringing phone to my ear.

“What’s up, Princess?” Ace answered quickly. His warm voice and smooth baritone instantly eased all previous stress.

“I have a favor to ask.” The kids’ laughter as they splashed each other could be heard through the door. I smiled. It was a welcome sight to see all of them having a good time. This was one of the many joys of being a mom.

“I’m listening.”

“I want Amber and Ryan to come to the lake house with us. Can you arrange it?” I twirled a loose lock of blonde hair around my finger, my eyes still on the kids, constantly counting four heads bobbing up and down in the water.

“Are you sure?” Ace asked me, worry in his tone. “It’s going to be crowded, babe.”

“It’ll be good for all of us—one last hoorah before the babies come.” He chuckled, and the sound sent a shiver down my spine. God, I loved the sound of his laugh.

“Anything for you, Celine.”

His words warmed my soul. This man was a dream come true.

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