Page 33 of Timeless: Encore

Eventually, I want to have Zane’s babies.

Justice and Petra will give me the opportunity to have my cake and eat it too.

”We’ll peace out so you can set up for dinner.” Cillian joins me at the table where I’m finishing up my list. “You should be good to go for tonight. I’ll stop in on Monday so we can put together the punch list. There’s still quite a few things to do.”

I follow him out into reception area. As he reaches for the door, I shock him by giving him a hug. “You’ve worked miracles. I appreciate all your help.”

“It’s my pleasure. We’re all excited for you to get the restaurant and the club open. You’re creating a true legacy here, Fee.” Cillian’s kind words are in stark contrast to his gruff treatment of my former contractor. He tips an invisible hat and is off.

My phone buzzes. I click on FaceTime. Zane’s in our bathroom dripping wet from his shower. He sets the phone on the vanity so I have a great view of his naked chest. “Hey there, sexy man.”

“Well, hello my sexy backdoor baby.” Zane was so thrilled I let him fuck me in the ass last night, I probably won’t hear the end of it.

Oh God. “Do NOT call me that tonight if you ever want in on that action ever again.”

“You’re no fun.” He pouts.

I flip the camera around and pan the room. “Cillian and his crew just left, do you think this will be okay for tonight?”

“Yeah, babe. It looks phenom. I mean, there’s still work to be done, but tonight will be a perfect testing point,” he observes as he shaves his handsome face.

”How are you doing? Has Ty talked to you about his mom?” I’m not trying to interfere. Zane feels sad that Ty hasn’t even mentioned his mother’s shocking death.

His face falls a bit, but he recovers. “No. It’s distressing. I don’t want him to slip back into old patterns.”

“Yeah …” My Zane. Always worrying about the other people in his life and putting them first. I feel so protective of him and his generosity. He’s been let down enough.

Don’t ever forget, you’re one of those people.

Zane finishes shaving and splashes aftershave on his cheeks. “It’s going to be fine. He didn’t have much of a relationship with her. I think I’ll focus on being thebestbest man there ever was. He’s going to be shocked when we surprise him with the dinner tonight.”

“He will.” I can’t help but stare at my gorgeous husband. Zane’s hair is still damp. He’s clean-shaven. His brown eyes are like windows into the kindest heart that ever existed. “Plus, you’re just doing what he asked. Trying not to worry about him so much.”

He’s in our big walk-in closet now pulling a T-shirt over his head. “I’m still thinking about what he said about being brothers at the wedding-suit fitting. We are brothers. I don’t care if we’re not blood related. It just … meant a lot. I always wanted a sibling. Maybe he did too.” Zane focuses on me.

“I totally understand.” I smile at him through the screen.

“Yeah, I know you do. At least we had each other for most of our childhood.” Zane puckers his lips and faux-kisses me. “By the way, if I haven’t said it before, let me say it now. Thank you for getting yourself off that Xanax shit. Have you looked at yourself lately? You’re so radiant and happy. Glowing, almost. You didn’t need it. The light and fire is all inside of you, babe. You’re my strong, feisty, gorgeous girl.”

I can’t help but blush. He’s perceptive. I’ve lost the weight I gained when we were galivanting last summer. I feel enthused. Clearheaded. Confident. Despite all of the stress and deadlines I’m under, it’s a good kind of anxious. The motivating kind rather than a debilitating kind. “And you’re my rock. Together we can do anything.”

“We can. All because you hired both Petra and Justice.” Zane rests his head on his hand and just looks at me. Like I’m the only person on the planet. “Fee, I’m psyched we’re giving Mia a big family. Not just the babies you and I are going to make. Connor and Jace have kids. Ty’s going to knock Zoey up any day now. I’d love for all of them to grow up together.”

It’s hard not to melt. “We will. We’ll have all of that.” We stare at each other for a bit. This year, we’re killing it at life. A couple little bumps in the road, but manageable. Tonight’s going to be awesome. The thought jolts me into reality. “Shit, babe. I’ve gotta jam. I have less than six hours.”

“Thank you for doing all of this. You’re the true rockstar between the two of us.” Zane kisses the screen and we hang up.

Four and a half hours later, the place looks dreamy. I couldn’t be prouder.

The plan is bulletproof. Ty and Zoey think she’s having a bachelorette party with Ronni and Alex because I’m too busy with the restaurant. Which is true, obviously, but not for the reasons they think. Zane, Connor, and Jace are going to rouse Ty from whatever it is he does all day and take him for “dinner,” since he doesn’t drink. If all goes as planned, the boys will arrive , then the ladies. I’ll join them for dinner and we’ll celebrate the upcoming wedding.

“Go get ready.” Petra waves a towel at me. “We’re done with you.”

”Fine.” I take off my apron, satisfied that we’re as ready as we will ever be. “You’ll fill Daire and Jetta in on service?”

She winks. “If I must.”

Jesus. I hope she doesn’t have a crush on him. Daire was one of the best servers I worked with at the restaurant I ran for Tom Douglas. He offered to help out tonight. Secretly, I’m hoping to make him General Manager and to oversee all front-of-house operations. We’re not quite ready yet, so it’s awesome he’s willing to be a server tonight and bring his sister Jetta along to help.

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