Page 39 of Maverick

“I mean, I have mixed feelings about it but I guess I can’t do anything about it, huh?”

Maverick frowned. “Do you not want this, Willow?”

“I do. I think. It’s just a lot to take in, ya know?”

He nodded and pulled me into a hug. “It’s for the best, I promise. I told you I would protect you and this is part of that plan. But I have some plans for us today.”

“Okay. I trust you, Maverick.”

I packed up my art supplies and handed some to Maverick. I patted Orion on the head as I threw my bag over my shoulder and headed up toward the house. This was all a lot to take in but I needed to trust Maverick. I mean I had some pretty strong feelings for him...

“So what’re your plans, big boy?”

Maverick threw his head back and laughed. “Back to the names, huh? Alright, babycakes. Get some jeans and a nice long-sleeved shirt. Boots too if you have them.”

As I quickly got dressed I could hear Maverick and Orion playing outside. I stepped onto the porch and quietly watched them as they played fetch. It was so peaceful and quiet here. Everything just felt right; like home.

Maverick looked up and smiled when he was me. He walked up the porch and wrapped me in a hug. “You look beautiful today, babe. Now let’s get moving.”

He grabbed my hand and intertwined his fingers with mine and led me to the small path toward Lilah’s house.

“Hanging out with Lilah and the boys today?”

“Nope. Just dropping Orion off.”

Before we could even get to the door, Colton and Knox came barreling out. Orion barked and ran up to them, licking them all over and wagging his tail like crazy. A very pregnant Lilah came waddling out the door last, her hand over her ever-growing belly.

“Hey, there you two! I could use a hand today. Orion will keep these boys occupied so I can get the baby clothes folded!”

I walked up on the porch and hugged Lilah. “We can stay and help you know. I don’t ever mind!”

Lilah laughed as she hugged me tightly. “Oh no! I’m not gonna ruin my big brother’s special plans with you!”

I looked back to see Maverick running in the yard with the boys and Orion. They were laughing and having a grand time. “I think I can spare a few minutes for you, Lilah.”

We both laughed as we headed inside toward the kitchen. There were dishes from breakfast all over, toys scattered on every inch of flooring and crayons spread across the table in the playroom. I bent down and started to pick up the toys on the floor.

“Oh, Willow. You really don’t have to do that.”

“Lilah Walker. Just shut up and accept my help already lady.”

Lilah just laughed as she turned the coffee maker on and started to clean up the kitchen. “It’s just so hard to bend over lately. I feel exhausted and so moody. Whoever said you get all your energy back in the second trimester is a big fat liar.”

I finished picking toys up and moved on to the crayons. As I picked up the paper the boys were drawing on, I looked down. They were working so hard on drawing their shapes as I had shown them. A small tear escaped my eye as I hung them up on the wall next to their other drawings. My heart was so full at the moment. I walked in the kitchen to help Lilah finish cleaning up when Maverick came through the door with Colton, Knox, and Orion.

“Babe, are you okay? Why are you crying?”

I laughed as I wiped the lone tear away. “No, no. I’m just happy. The boys were working on their shapes and did such a good job. I know it’s silly, but it just made me emotional.”

Colton and Knox ran up and hugged my legs, “Love.”

I bent down and wrapped them up in a big hug, “Oh, I love you, boys, too. Here I go crying again!”

As I got up, I could see Lilah standing at the kitchen island crying too. “Oh don’t mind me and my pregnant ass. Just hormonal over here. This is just such a nice moment!”

Maverick laughed as he wrapped me in a hug and brushed my tears away. “You’re incredible, Willow.”

We pulled apart and Lilah came over with a basket full of food. “For today. Don’t want you guys to get hungry. Just give me a shout if you need anything okay?”

---