Page 75 of Island Protector

“I’m free tomorrow,” he said, drawing her into his lap.

“Hm. That works for me, but Nina would throw a fit.”

He grinned. “You name the day and time and I’ll be there. Always.”

Always was a wonderful thought. For a few minutes she just enjoyed the soft sounds of the evening coast as the sunlight faded away. She could already see Bryce growing up in this house, herself taking time out here with Miles each evening after the bedtime routine. There was a lovely rhythm to life out here. And it seemed each year in Brookwell got better.

“Bryce made one request about us becoming a new family. He wasn’t sure he should say it in front of you.”

Miles frowned. “He can tell me anything. Ask me anything. Hell, he usually does.”

“And I’m sure it will continue. This was just a little different.”

“How so?”

“Bryce wanted to know if we could add a little brother to the wedding party. To the family.”

Everything about Miles went still. They hadn’t actually talked about kids, because she already had Bryce. In her head and heart, she knew she could be happy with just Bryce or with more children if that’s what Miles wanted.

“What did you tell him?” he rasped.

She laced her fingers through his, cradling his hand on her thigh. “I told him we don’t always get to choose to have a brother or sister but I would talk to you about it. Admittedly he was less enthused about a baby sister, based on horror stories from his pals in kindergarten.”

Miles scrubbed a hand through his hair. “Molly. I’m asking what you think about it. About us and…”

“I think you’re a father already. From a biological standpoint, I don’t have a say about whether it’s a boy or girl.”

“Molly, you know what I mean.”

She did. Her lips brushed over his. “I’d love to have more children. Your children. But I’m not waddling down a wedding aisle.”

“I would never ask you to.” He kissed her lightly at first, then lingered over it. Melting into him, she knew the next time he kissed her it would be even better than this one.

“I fall in love with you a little more every day,” she confessed, breathless.

“Same. You’ve given me a reason to smile every day. And not just because you’re the mother of my favorite little boy in the world.” He brought her hand to his lips. “If there are more kids in our future, each one of them will be my favorites too.”

“See, you’re a natural with the parental diplomacy already.”

“Are you going to tell Bryce that he’ll get to have a brother or sister?”

“I think that’s a talk that should wait until we really are pregnant.”

He tipped his head back and gave a low whistle.

“What is it?”

“All those years in foster care feeling so alone, I couldn’t imagine being the head of a family. I couldn’t even imagine family. Not a real one. You and Bryce are so precious and you’ve given me so much already. I’m just ridiculously happy, my love.”

“That makes two of us. I really thought it would just be me and Bryce against the world. And now you’re here and every day is brighter.”

“Co-Captains for life,” he said.

“Yes, exactly,” she agreed, her joy brimming over. “I love you, Miles.”

“And I love you too, future Mrs. Kearney.”

“That’sforeverMrs. Kearney.”

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