Page 58 of Broken Chains

The period after bonding usually resulted in a heightened sex drive. Most newly mated couples took advantage of that as they got to know each other on a more intimate level. Having three boys and a baby girl underfoot twenty-four-seven meant a lot of sexual frustration instead for me and Oliver.

With a groan I rolled out of bed, grabbing some sweats and a T-shirt to toss on from the closet as I walked into Eve’s room. She was rolling over in both directions easily now and could sit with minimum assistance. I was greeted with a squealing coo and irritated grunt as she tried to pull herself up to a sitting position on her own, using the bars of the crib.

She fell backwards and gave an unhappy screech. I smiled as I swooped in to get her.

“Good morning, my sweet girl. You almost had it that time. Soon you’ll be sitting and crawling all on your own.”

I kept up a full conversation as I changed her diaper, then cradled her as I sat in the rocking chair. As much as I loved spending alone time with her daddy, I cherished my morning snuggles with my girl.

Looking down at Eve's sweet face, I was consumed by love. I kissed her soft curls and her chubby little cheeks as she cooed and squirmed in my arms.

"Your daddy asked me to marry him last night," I whispered to her. "You know what that means? I'm officially going to be your stepmother, but you'll never be a stepdaughter to me, Evie. In my heart you will always be my little girl. I love you so much, sweet pea."

She reached out with her dimpled hand and stroked my face like she understood everything I was trying to tell her. My heart was overflowing.

Only when Eve and I were absolutely alone did I allow myself to say mama around her. It was still uncharted territory I didn't know how to discuss with Oliver. He had said her birth mother was completely out of the picture, which meant I would be the only mother she would ever know, but was it too early to start calling myself that?

As far as I was concerned, she was my daughter and there was nothing I wouldn't do for this little girl.

"Now that is the most beautiful sight in the world," Oliver said as he leaned against the doorframe from our bedroom. "Did you tell her the big news?" he asked with a grin.

"I did," I confessed. "We were just discussing it."

"And what does Eve have to say about us getting married?" he asked.

I shrugged and smiled up at him, accepting the kiss he offered after closing the gap between us. Then he leaned down and kissed the top of Eve's head.

"She seems pretty happy about it," he said as he looked over his daughter.

I laughed. "She's always happy in the morning," I reminded him.

He dismissed the idea. "But you're happier this morning than usual, right, baby girl?"

"You're such a dork."

He frowned. "Don't be spreading that rumor. I do have a reputation to uphold."

I rolled my eyes.

"Talked to Brady after you passed out last night and he's going to take off for a late lunch today and meet us at the courthouse. Haven't broken the news to Kenneth and Tim yet.

I rolled my eyes. "Broken the news? You make it sound like a bad thing." I laughed.

"I really don't know how they'll take it."

"Oliver, they're going to be fine with it. We'll be one big happy family," I said confidently.

The morning passed by quickly. I pulled out a dozen or more dresses and nothing felt right. Finally I broke down and called Lily in for help. She was the only person I could think of that was truly a fashion expert. She had squealed on the phone when I told her what we were doing. And when she showed up she came with arms full of half a dozen dresses, and bags of makeup and supplies. We took them up to the bedroom and she laid everything out on the bed and then made me try each one on. I knew the moment I put the sleeveless ivory and lace dress on that it was the one I would be marrying my true mate in.

Lily gasped. "Girl, it's perfect! You look so beautiful. I can sweep your hair up like this," she said, showing me her thoughts in the mirror. I couldn't stop grinning as I nodded my approval.

It took her nearly another hour to finish my hair and makeup. She insisted on giving me a manicure and pedicure, too. I truly felt like a bride by the time Lily was done.

She clapped her hands together, then wiped a tear from her cheek. "You look perfect!"

I hugged her, then twirled around in front of the mirror as I assessed her artistry.

"I look. . ."

---