Page 134 of When The Rain Falls

One thing is very clear. I am being seduced. With a minivan. Who’d have imagined.

But the truth is, I like it.

And I’m probably going to like it multiple times.

Finn pulls me towards the open door, but I resist. “Wait,” I protest, “our picnic. We need to have our picnic first. I want to sit with you on an itchy blanket, eating soggy little sandwiches as we shoo away bugs. We have to do that before the rain falls.”

“Babe, there’s no rush,” he whispers in my ear. “When the rain falls, we’ll just dance in it. I learned that from you.”

EPILOGUE

FINN

Almost a year later

I can senseit's morning before I open my eyes. The dawn light teasing my closed eyelids has a feel of change about it, signaling the coming of falling leaves and colder days. I rub my cheek into my pillow and pause to enjoy the soothing sound of Aimee humming from behind me.

When two little feet jab me in the back, my face stretches into a grin.

Aimee and Everest are early risers and I love waking to their rustling and quiet noises every morning. I used to prefer to sleep in on the weekends. Now, I’m eager to wake up and start another morning with the people who fill my days with so much life. I’d trade all the sleep in the world for more moments with them.

When I turn over and finally pry my eyes open, my gaze first lands on Aimee. She’s on her side facing me, the view of half her face eaten by her pillow. Everest is nestled up to her breast. She’s brushing his wispy baby hair and admiring his tiny features. Everest’s hand is resting on her collarbone, where he'srhythmically curling his fingers open and closed. His perfect little fingernails trace lines into her skin.

The sight melts me on the spot. And I hope this is one of those scenes that passes before my eyes at the end of my life. I forgot how tender the love is between a mother and a child. It’s overwhelming sometimes. The fact that I get to experience all these things again.

She's slipped into the role of mother so easily. And she loves this little boy so fiercely. I feel a twinge of guilt that he’s going to have a grumpy old asshole as a father. Damn, I’m going to be 61 when he graduates from high school. But Aimee’s energy and enthusiasm over, well, fucking everything, is bound to make up for my shortcomings.

My face travels down Aimee’s body. Her breasts are full and heavy under her tank top and I'm trying really hard not to get a hard-on while she's nursing our son but it's fucking impossible. I already ache to bring her close and feel her body respond to my touch.

Aimee’s eyes shift to mine. “Hey mama bear,” I greet her, my voice deep and rough from sleep.

When Everest notices that he’s lost his mama’s full attention, his mouth pops off her breast. He turns his head towards me curiously.

“Good morning my little sleep terrorist.” I tease as I lean down to kiss Everest’s head. The baby between us puts Aimee just out of my mouth’s reach. I have to settle for running my hand from the dip in her waist to her hip and giving her a squeeze. When Everest smiles shyly at me, I can't help but notice his little nose wrinkles in the way that Aimee’s does. He stretches his arm towards my face and I kiss his fingers. Satisfied, he cuddles back up snuggly against his mama.

Everest James Hudson. Aimee picked his name. She was set on it. For reasons I didn't fully understand.Everest.Something about a mountain growing in her soul.

“You little man, need to learn to sleep in your own crib.” I scold gently as I rub Everest’s back.

“I like him here.” Aimee whines.

“I like it too, babe.” I assure her. “But if he wasn’t right fucking between us, I could wake up to a handful of your ass.”

“Bear, that’s two words from the no-no list. You can’t say those words around Everest, remember.” Her voice is chastising but her eyes are amused.

“Maybe I say them because I enjoy your punishments.” I raise an eyebrow and Aimee chuckles.

“You’re such a bad boy.” She brings her mouth down to the baby's small head. “Everest, your dad is a bad boy.”

“Everest, your mama is fucking sexy and your daddy has some things he wants to do to her right now.” I tease. “Especially since it’s a special occasion.”

“A special occasion?” Aimee scoffs gently. “Bear, you don’t have to make up a story to get my attention.”

“Itisa special occasion, Aimee. It’s our anniversary.”

“We don’t get married until next month.” Aimee wrinkles her nose in confusion. I fucking want to kiss those wrinkles on her nose.

I had intended to take my time with Aimee but unbeknownst to her, IUDs have expiration dates. When we found out she was pregnant, we decided to jump in all the way. She looks fucking sexy with my engagement ring on her finger.

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