Page 129 of A Bossy Proposal

Kingston nods enthusiastically, then proceeds to blow a raspberry on my cheek.

Amelia laughs, the sound as warm and bright as the Hilton Head sunshine.

“I swear, he gets that from you,” she says, trying to clean his hands and face.

“Me? I’m a perfect gentleman,” I protest, but I can’t keep the smile off my face.

Minutes later, we head to the beach.

The sand is already warm under our feet, the ocean a dazzling blue stretching to the horizon. Kingston alternates between running ahead and demanding to be carried.

“Do we have to leave tomorrow?” Amelia asks, a wistful note in her voice.

I wrap an arm around her waist, pulling her close. “I wish we could stay, but—”

“The meeting with your father, I know.” She sighs, leaning into me. “It’s just been so perfect here.”

I kiss the top of her head. “We’ll come back soon, I promise.”

“And the driving lessons?” she asks.

I smile. “Okay. I can give you one later.”

Kingston discovers a small crab scuttling across the sand. He chases after it, stubby legs pumping furiously as he shrieks with laughter.

“Kingston, be careful!” Amelia calls, but she’s smiling.

We spend the morning building sandcastles only for Kingston to destroy them. We also spend time splashing in the waves and soaking up the last bits of vacation bliss.

Our son is a whirlwind of energy, finding new ways to make us laugh—or give us minor heart attacks.

As we pack up to head back for lunch with Kingston nestled sleepily against my chest, I catch Amelia’s eye. The love I see there still takes my breath away.

“Thank you,” she says softly.

“For what?”

She gestures around us as we reach the house. “For this. For everything. You could spend your downtime somewhere fancy, but you’re happy to come here .”

“I’m happy because I’m with you, and that could be anywhere.” I lean in to kiss her, tasting salt and sunshine.

I carry our sleepy son up to his room, gently laying him in the crib for his nap.

Kingston mumbles something unintelligible, then rolls over, clutching his favorite stuffed elephant.

I watch him for a moment, marveling at how quickly he’s growing.

Closing the door quietly, I head back downstairs to find Amelia. She’s curled up on the couch, flipping through a magazine. The afternoon sunlight streams through the windows, catching her hair.

“Hey, beautiful,” I say, sitting down beside her.

She looks up, smiling. “Hey yourself. Did Kingston go down okay?”

I nod, then take a deep breath. “So, I’ve been thinking...”

Amelia raises an eyebrow. “Uh-oh. Should I be worried?”

I laugh, taking her hand in mine. “No, nothing like that. I was thinking...maybe it’s time we give Kingston a little brother or sister.”

---