Page 32 of Love Contract

“What am I? A loaf of bread?” I thump my chest.

“No, Daddy, you know what I mean. A little boy like me.”

“Come here, darling.” Harlow gestures for the boy to climb over to her side of the car now that it’s stopped in front of Aunt Gia’s. “If you’re the only boy I ever have, I’ll be so happy.”

“You’re just saying that because you know you’re having another girl.” Kosta folds his arms over his chest. “I’m telling Aunt Gia that you’re refusing to have more kids. She won’t like that.”

Harlow winces. His threat is spot on. Aunt Gia thinks we should have a football team worth of kids. Harlow said there’s no more beyond four. Since I’m not the one cooking these kids in my body, it’s all up to her.

“I’ll put in a couple prayers for a boy, champ.”

Harlow rubs her belly. “Feels like a boy to me, too.”

This apparently placates Kosta, who lays his head on the side of Harlow’s belly not occupied by Georgie. “If you’re a boy, we’ll have lots of fun. We’ll go fishing and biking and take apart Aunt Gia’s toys. Just wait and see. Being a boy is the best. Come out a boy, okay?”

I hurry out of the car so I don’t laugh in front of Kosta. The boy tumbles out next, followed by a sleepy Georgie, who I pick up and cuddle to my chest. She sleepily says, “Daddy?”

“Right here, darling.”

She snuggles her head under my chin. I reach out my free hand to help Harlow out of the car. The doors open, and Aunt Gia rushes out. “Where’s my precious boy?”

Kosta leaps into her arms. “Happy birthday, Aunt Gia. We got you another egg!” he screams.

“Hush, Kosta. It’s supposed to be a surprise,” Harlow admonishes.

“Oh, right, Aunt Gia, we got you a surprise.” He beams, not even an ounce of remorse in his face.

Aunt Gia smiles happily. She dotes on him. “I am sure it will be the most wonderful surprise since it’s from you. Let’s go inside. I had Cook make you your favorite dishes.”

“But Aunt Gia, it’s your birthday, shouldn’t it be your favorites?”

“Your favorites are my favorites, so it works out perfectly.” The two walk hand in hand up the brownstone steps.

“It’s magical how grape jelly and peanut butter sandwiches are her favorite food,” Harlow murmurs as we follow behind.

“Who can resist that combination?” I say.

“Me,” Harlow says. “I’ve had too many of them.”

“Nelson made sure there’s adult food, didn’t you, Nelson?” I hand him the gift.

“We have a full assortment of dishes for all palates.” He nods.

“You’re a prince, Nelson.” Harlow pats his arm. He blushes. Thankfully, he’s eye level with Harlow and can’t really see down her chest. At least I don’t think he can. I guess I should check that out.

“I can hear your thoughts, and no, you are not going to test to see whether Nelson can see down my dress,” Harlow hisses under her breath as we move away from the door.

“I didn’t say anything.”

“I can see your boobies, Mommy,” Georgie says. She reaches over and pats the top swell of Harlow’s tits. Harlow sighs.

“This is really all your fault,” she accuses me.

“I know. I accept it. I can’t keep my hands off your gorgeous body. I love you too much.”

“Get me something then.”

And that’s how we end up at dinner with Harlow wearing a lovely shawl from Aunt Gia’s closet. I smile at her. She smiles back. Dinner’s served. Harlow and I get steak while the kids—and Aunt Gia—have peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. The dinner table is stuffed with family. It’s loud. People are laughing, sharing stories. Karen is plotting with Harlow about the ad campaign for the new television our subsidiary is rolling out. There’s so much happiness at the table that I barely need to eat. I still do, though, because Nelson would be offended if I didn’t.

I didn’t imagine that this is what I was missing in my life, but now that I have it, now that I have Harlow and Kosta and Georgie and a third on the way, I’d do anything to keep it. I’d kill, lie, steal—just anything. Because this, these people, my love, is the reason to live.

---