Page 61 of Soul

“Yes, sweetie?”

She holds my chin in her hand, her little face very serious. “I want a sister,” she says definitively. For a two and a half year old, I’m convinced these children are advanced. Gillian believes it’s theMy Baby Can Readseries she’s been doing with them, but I must say, either way, it’s working.

I scrunch my nose and kiss her cheek. “Now why would you want that?”

Her sweet blue eyes narrow and the wild red curls glint in the sun. “Car-Car don’t like dollies.”

I nod. “You make a very good point sweetheart. How about I talk to Mommy about it?”

She smiles one of her I-own-the-universe smiles, scrambles off my legs and goes running into the house screaming, “Sister, sister, sister.”

“Planting ideas in our daughter’s head again?” The voice of my sweetest dreams, and a hand to my shoulders. She leans forward, and I’m instantly assaulted with the scent of vanilla and sex. She hasn’t showered yet. Mmm, I love smelling me on her. I turn fast, pull her around the waist and plop her into my lap, then kiss her silly, her arms around my neck.

Gillian gives her all in every kiss, and this one is no different. When she pulls away she’s smiling as bright as our daughter. “Claire decided she wants a sister,” I announce. I’m greeted with a sharp pointed brow.

“And what did you tell her?”

I nudge my nose against hers, kiss her again then say, “I told her I’d talk to you.”

“Do you want more children?” Her gaze is guarded.

I slide a hand up to cup her cheek not liking that she’s hiding something in those emerald pools. “Hey, I didn’t promise her anything.”

“But do you, want more kids?” she asks biting her lip.

Looking deep into her eyes I respond honestly and without hesitation. “Marrying you, having Claire and Carter has filled my life with reason and purpose. Making another baby with you could only make our lives more full.”

She kisses me hard, wet, and deep then pulls away gasping. Then she sits up, pulls her hand she’s been hiding around my back and shows me three sticks I’m very familiar with.

“I’m glad you think so because it’s time to pee on three sticks.”

Her eyes are smiling, the sun is shining down on us, and the sound of our children playing in the kitchen doesn’t prevent me from lifting her up, her legs wrapped around my waist as I carry her into our bedroom.

The children squeal in delight seeing Daddy carrying Mommy through the kitchen. Rebecca just shakes her head and continues making pancakes.

“What are you doing?” my wife laughs into my neck, but I don’t stop until I’ve led her through the house, and to our master bath where I set her on the vanity.

“You need a glass of water?”

“I love you,” she says kissing me.

“I love you more. Now, woman, get down, and pee on these three sticks. Can you do it all at once?” I ask with a heaping dose of déjà vu coming over me.

Her eyes quirk into a point. “Do you like having sex?” I look at her and laugh. “I told you once before don’t ask me stupid questions.” She shakes her head. “God, men. Dumb.”

“Is there a test that tells you if we’re having twins again?” I ask her while she proceeds to pee on the three sticks. Then her eyes come up looking pained.

“Do you seriously think we’d have two again?”

I shrug. “Anything’s possible.”

“Fuck me,” she cusses.

“I did. That’s why we’re here again.”

We both laugh until we can’t laugh anymore. She sets the sticks on the counter and jumps back into my arms. Instead of waiting the five excruciating minutes, I choose to undress her, and fuck her up against the shower wall.

When we get out, happy, clean, and sated again, the three tests are there, our answer another blaring moment of Déjà vu.

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