Page 109 of While We Waited

“I have a surprise for you.”

I roll my eyes. “No more surprises. You have to stop spoiling me.”

He helps me to my feet. “I love you. I’ll spoil you as much as I want.”

“What if I become a spoiled brat?”

He barks out a laugh. “My sunshine will never be a spoiled brat.”

“I don’t know. Maybe I expect you to buy me a new car every Christmas from now on.”

Yes, a car. Hudson doesn’t do small Christmas gifts.

“You yelled at me in front of my entire family for buying you a car.”

I shrug. “So, what if I did?”

He tweaks my nose. “You will never be a spoiled brat.”

He leads me to the sliding doors to the back patio. “Is the construction on the patio done?”

There was a problem with the support beams for the deck. Workmen have been making a racket for a week now.

“Yes! I was hoping they would finish before the baby shower.”

He pulls the drapes open. “It’s done.”

“Great. We can…” My voice trails off when I realize there’s more than a repaired deck back here. There’s an entire swimming pool. “You put in a pool?”

I yank on the sliding glass doors to open them but they don’t move. Hudson nudges me out of the way before sliding the door open and ushering me outside.

“What do you think?”

“I think you didn’t need to build me a pool. I already agreed to put my house on the market and live with you.”

“And this is me thanking you. I know how much that house meant to you.”

“Not as much as you do.”

He kisses my nose. “Love you, Sunshine. Now what do you think of your new pool?”

I hesitate for a second before giving in and hurrying to the edge of the pool. “It’s gorgeous! I love swimming pools!”

“I know.”

“I can’t wait to swim in it when the weather gets a bit warmer.”

“You can swim in it now. It’s heated.”

I gasp. “Heated?” I toe off my shoe and dip my foot in the water. The warm water. “What time is it? When are the guests coming? Do I have time for a quick swim?”

He laughs as he helps me put my shoe back on. “The guests will be here any minute. You can go for a swim after the party. If you’re awake.”

I slap his shoulder. “No making fun of the pregnant woman for needing her sleep.”

“I wouldn’t dare.” He leads me back inside. Just as the doorbell rings to indicate our first guests have arrived. I go to open the door with Hudson hot on my heels.

“Welcome!” I greet Weston.

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