Page 163 of It's Always Us

I grin, letting every ounce of joy I feel seep from me. “I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life. Besides, I knew exactly what I was doing that night you married me.”

Her eyebrows raise. “You did?”

“Yep. Look at them over there.” I tip my head in their direction. “I did a hell of a job, if I do say so myself.”

Her fingers wrap around my jaw, pulling me an inch closer and pressing her salty lips to mine. “You really did.”

This . . . this is the rest of my life.

Chapter 54

LEX

I guzzle ten ounces of water, trying to hydrate and hoping it will help me keep my eyes open a little longer.

I carefully shift onto my side, still getting used to not having the weight of two babies wedged inside. Mark sits next to me, resting against the headboard, both girls on his bare chest with a soft fuzzy pink blanket draped across them.

I’m pretty sure the man hasn’t worn a shirt for the past week. I’m not complaining. His glorious tan skin and that tattoo can be on full display 24/7 for the rest of my life.

The books taught him all about the benefits of skin-to-skin, and since he’s leaving tomorrow to head back to Denver, he’s held these babies in nothing but their diapers against his chest NON-STOP.

I watch him stare at their tiny faces smashed against his pecs. “What are you thinking?”

He presses his lips to each of their bald heads. “That I don’t want to leave tomorrow morning. I don’t want to miss this.”

I snuggle closer. “It won’t be so long,” I say, trying to convince myself. “You’ll be back for Bree’s recital, and not long after that, we’ll close on the house and be there with you.”

We talked to Bree about moving, and she had a lot of questions and was worried about what would happen when her mom was released. We reassured her we’d stay in contact and when Linda is released, she’ll be there. When we got to the part about living close to Shane’s family and all the kids, she was sold, excited they’d all be at the same school.

“Yeah. In the meantime, those jokers will rotate through here, stealing snuggle time withmygirls. Just the thought of it makes me want to punch each one of them.”

Mark detests the idea of the guys volunteering to take Bree to school and help with the babies in the evenings. I know these guys. The minute I get close to handing one of them over, they’ll panic and ditch me with some lame excuse. I could tell Mark to relieve his clear and obvious misery, but his rare display of jealousy makes me giddy inside.

“You might want to enjoy your time. It’s going to be you and a houseful of girls.”

His face turns toward mine, a sly smile sliding across his mouth. “I’m exceptional with the ladies.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Oh really?”

“I branded your young, ripe heart, didn’t I?”

I laugh, unable to argue with him. “Does it ever get tiring being so full of yourself?”

“Nah. I’m confident in what’s mine and always will be.” The intense heat in his eyes as he stakes his claim stirs a herd of wild horses in my belly.

“Just wait until they’re all teenagers,” I whisper, leaning into him to peek at their soft, sweet faces.

His head falls back toward the ceiling, hitting the headboard like I just sucked all the joy out of life. “Don’t. Don’t even. Bree, Ellie, and Peyton aren’t going anywhere with any guy unless I have a full background check, personal protection, and a very long conversation about what willnotbe happening.”

I laugh. “What are you, the president?”

“I will be Mr. President to anyone taking out my girls.”

I smile at him and all his protectiveness. The sight takes my breath away. It’s hard for me to believe that this is real. That this is actually my life. Just a few weeks, and this will be every day and every night.

I lean over and kiss his shoulder. “I can’t wait to see you play. I used to watch every game and wonder what you did when it was over. Who was waiting for you and wishing it was me.”

His lips press against my forehead. “I never allowed anyone in the family and friends space except Shane and Sean. I couldn’t stand to have anyone there that wasn’t you.”

---