“How did we miss this?” I whisper to him. He shakes his head, clearly having no clue either.
“Teddy,” my mom gasps. “You scared me.” She looks like a kid who just got caught with their hand in the cookie jar. “You and your sneaking around are getting a little out of hand. We might have to put a bell on you.” Her eyes bounce between West and me. “Yes, I know about the two of you.” She rolls her eyes at me.
I shouldn’t be shocked. “Okay then, so you know I’m in love with West.”
“Anyone with eyes and that knows you is aware,” Mom says dryly. “Wait, is there blood on you?” She wiggles out of Jack's hold, who is acting like it's not a big thing he was kissing my mom. They’re the sneaky ones.
“It’s fine; it’s not ours, and everything is okay,” I reassure her. “Can we talk about it tomorrow? It’s late.”
“All right.” My mom's face softens. She kisses me on my cheek. “Love you.”
“Love you too,” I tell her.
“And you.” She points at West.
“I love her too,” he says before Mom can scold him.
“I know that too. Jack has reassured me, but now I’m always watching.”
“Noted.” West gives her a smile.
“I’ll see you both for brunch,” Mom says before going back to Jack, who winks at us as he pulls my mom back into their dance.
“Come.” West leads me out of the kitchen and upstairs.
There’s a big sense of relief that my mom is okay with us being in a relationship. I was worried it would put a strain on it. Even though I’m an adult and can do what I want, it’s really nice having her approval.
“Shower first,” West says as he begins to strip me of my clothes then his own before placing me under the running water. He takes his time, washing every single inch of me, and I return the favor.
Our touches start to linger, and it’s not long before West has me in his arms, kissing me under the warm spray of water.
“I love you so fucking much, Teddy.”
“I love you too.” I gasp as he thrusts his way inside of me.
“I can’t lose you.” He pulls out and thrusts back in.
“You won’t.” I moan as West starts to move faster, my fingers gripping his shoulders. I'm not sure if it's the adrenaline or the combination of everything from tonight, but my orgasm is already pressing down on me. With each thrust, he angles so his pelvis brushes my clit.
“Promise it.”
“Promise.” I cry out as I come. West is right there with me, groaning my name as his release explodes inside of me, not for the first time.
He kisses my neck. "You'll marry me," he orders, making me smile.
"I think I'll have your babies too." West lifts his head and gives me one of his rare smiles, which I know will no longer be so rare.
"There is no thinking about it.You will."
"I will," I promise again. I'll do anything that makes him smile just as I know he'd do anything to have me.
Epilogue
WEST
MANY YEARS LATER
It doesn’t matter how big of a house or how many wings you have in it; you will always be able to find my wife by following the sounds of laughter. I make my way out of my office and down the stairs. Most people tend to linger and hang around the kitchen. It’s not lost on me that my wife is always there, and I know that is the reason.