Page 113 of More, Daddy
“You’re bringing in his milk crates for him?” Briar asks through a yawn, something she’s been doing so much lately.
I don’t like lying to her, but I had to give her a reason for us riding out to Gray Farms tonight. I nod. “Yeah, this way, honey.”
She hooks her finger in my belt loop, something she does at home when she’s my girl and I’m her Daddy, when I’m leading her to our room, or to somewhere where she’s going to be naughty and sexy. When she does it in public, even if this is just Hudson’s property, it’s a subtle nod to our private dynamic, and it makes me so hard.
Last week, at Goode’s, I cut up her waffle for her, another subtle nod to our private dynamic, and when we got in the truck, Briar sucked my cock the whole way home because it turned her on so much.
Right now though, even with her tugging at my belt loop and kicking up dust behind me, I don’t get my usual hard on.
We turn the corner between the house and the barn, and stop when I lay eyes on the white altar, made of painted white wood, ivy woven in between each free space. Around the altar are electric candles, and all around are rose petals. Some have blown away from sitting in the dirt all night, but if anything, the way they trickle down the hill toward the water only makes the setting that much more romantic.
I take Briar’s hand, watching her face as she takes it in. “Briar, baby, my sweet girl, my love,” I slowly start. “I know we’re married, but I thought tonight, with our one year anniversary just a few weeks away, we celebrate by renewing our vows. Just us.”
Tears stain her cheeks as she looks down at the ring on her finger, one we picked out together downtown not long after Ipopped the question unexpectedly a year ago. I love the way she looks at the ring when she’s feeling happy; it’s an honor to be a part of her life, but being part of what makes her feel good just may be the greatest thing I do with my life. Honestly.
Finally she looks up at me, and I take her hands with mine. “Happy anniversary. I thought we could spend the evening right here under this arbor, watch the creek, enjoy nightfall, then head home and celebrate our fortune in each other’s arms.” It sounds so fucking corny that I can’t help but laugh.
Her brows pull together, full lips in a questioning line. “What?”
I kiss her forehead, and pull her against me. “I’m just lucky to have you, that’s all.” Another kiss, this time on the lips, and before we break apart, I whisper, “I have everything because I have you.”
She smiles, but turns away from me to face the creek at the bottom of the hill. She brings her arms up around herself, hugging herself the way she does when she’s hurting.
“What?” I ask, pulling some of the ivy off the arbor to wrap it around the crown of her head, pressing a kiss to the tip of her nose when I’m done.
She touches the ivy.
“You look beautiful,” I whisper.
She smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “You don’t have everything. We don’t have everything; not yet.”
My heartbeat picks up knowing where she’s headed, and knowing what I know. She sinks into my chest, looping her hands around my neck, fingers playing with the loose ends of my messy hair. “Why is it taking so long, Daddy?” she mewls, slipping into a softer, more innocent tone. The very tone that makes me unbelievably happy, and hard.
I kiss her hairline, and stroke my hands down her back. “Maybe it took so long just so it would happen when you least expected it to happen.” I kiss the side of her neck, and her throat, then the underside of her chin, growing impossibly hard despite the fact we’re outside, not home, and standing up. With my lips hovering against hers, I whisper, “Like your first wedding anniversary.”
She laughs softly, and I stand there, holding her, unmoving. Her laughter dissipates and her smile slides away. “What?”
Now it’s my turn to grin from ear to ear. “I think our baby is growing in your belly, my sweet girl,” I tell her, sliding my hand over her still flat abdomen. “Daddy’s been keeping extra close tabs on his sweet girl.” I slide my hand beneath the hem of her shirt, and fill my palm with her soft, full breast. She moans, pressing her mouth against mine, her tongue hot as it slips past my lips. “You’ve been so tired, and you’ve been more than filling my palm,” I explain, giving her breast another gentle squeeze. Carefully, I lift the cotton fabric of her shirt and take the hat off my head as a shield as I bring my lips to her breast and suck.
Her back arches and her hands at my neck tighten, her ragged moans echoing around us. “How’s that feel, babygirl?” I ask her quietly, dragging my tongue around her areola, making wet circles before moving to the other breast.
She fills her fingers with my hair, and lets me work my mouth all down her belly before I drop to a crouch, fingers on her pants. I look up at her, now wearing my hat, a beautiful smirk on her lips.
“You ready to be a mama? Make me a daddy for real?” I blink up at her, the sun cresting over the hills in the background, blanketing us in a beautiful mellow orange.
She smiles down at me, suddenly glassy eyed. “Yes.”
I press my lips to her belly, and then we stand in that arbor and slow dance, holding each other tight, whispering our vows from a year ago, enjoying the sunset and the way fall feels against our faces as day gives way to evening. And when we start to get chilly, I take Briar to the truck, and we head home, where a pink and white box awaits.
We have madefive phone calls.
There have been many happy tears.
And there was, of course, the obligatory quickie right after. And now, as we sit on the fur rug in front of the old hearth, Briar completely naked, me in a cowboy hat and boxers, we begin to unravel our amazing, incredible news.
She slides her hands over her belly and looks at me, dancing flames reflecting in her shining eyes. “This means so much to me, West. I am going to be the best mom. The mom I always wanted.”
I tuck strands of golden hair behind her ear. “You will be incredible.”
