Page 70 of Slow Burn
Immediately, both Gigi and I go to rub her stomach, something that's become a running joke. If the boys thought Hunter was protective of a pregnant Lola, they had no idea. Even when us girls touch her swollen belly, Cage emits the slightest growl. That sweet, sexy possessiveness makes Cage a little hotter every time.
“How much longer?” I know, of course, we all chat almost every day, especially lately with the changes we've all gone through.
A month ago, Hunter and Lola were the first to make the move out to the lake. We finished their house first, and it was perfect. Lola had a studio and there were two spare rooms, for the kids Hunter said he'd be putting in Lola soon. It was next door to where our house was being built.
Cage and Charli loved their cottage, but Deacon and Gwen had convinced them to make the move too. Their house wasn't complete yet, because Cage and Charli were waiting to have the baby. They couldn't decide how many rooms they wanted.
But I had made sure to design her an epic library, and Lola and I had found awesome first editions of all the romances the two had exchanged during the beginning of their sugary sweet romance.
I expected Gigi and Finn would make the move some day, too. Like a migration, all my people—because I no longer had doubts, these weremy people—would be heading out to living the good life with our kids and our fairytale romances out by the lake. I was building the homes we would raise our families in and I couldn't be happier.
“Two months. Three weeks. Four days. I expect, like his father, he will be right on time. No rushing but no waiting, either.” Charli laughed, smoothing her hand over her round belly
“Our son will come when he wants to, sugar.” Cage smiles, his dimple flashing, gazing at his wife with love so blatant I feel intrusive watching them.
“Damn right. Cooper men don't rush. Do they, sweetheart?” I turn to watch Finn duck into the doorway, filling the room with his huge presence.
Gigi floats to him, her dual colored eyes sparkling and her porcelain skin flushing. I looked away again, laughing with Charli as Gigi jumped, letting Finn catch her. They were still newlyweds, so we allowed for their honeymoon behavior. I mean, it had been five months, but still.
“Hello my handsome husband.” We all look away as their kiss turns less than PG, ending with a loud growl and a smack of his hand on her ass.
“Children present, dick.” Levi barks with a laugh, holding Amelia up in all her pretty Princess wonder.
“Levi. Behave.” I giggle though, bending to touch my nose to hers, breathing deep her sweet scent.
“Never, honey.” Levi catches me before I get too far, kissing me gently, making our daughter giggle too.
When I lift away, I take stock of what we have. What all of us have. Of the people around us, the life we were given. We are so blessed. All of us.
“Ford! Damnit, he bit my tit again!” Lola's colorful shout is punctuated by a loud giggle and we all turn to watch her nurse baby Ford where she's also trying to paint.
“Such a mouth on you, darlin'.” Hunter's southern drawl booms from the doorway as he saunters in, shaking his bald head.
Lola giggles and we all can see that beast of a man melt. He crosses the room towards her, dipping her back and kissing her stupid. All with their son attached to her tit. Hunter has gotten used to all of us getting extended eyefuls of her milk bags. Still curses at us and tucks her smock back over her as he takes Ford from her.
I wonder briefly why they are all there; I don't remember making plans for tonight with everyone. Then again, my recent plans have been mostly about Amelia's first birthday party and the arrival of Charli's baby. I might have baby fever.
“Hey queen Gold,” Gigi slides down her mountain of a husband to holler at me, “How about a family photo, before we put the Princess shit away?” Gigi cocks her head, nodding towards the cute castle background.
I glance towards Levi, who looks especially excited about that prospect. I shrug in agreement, thankful I did a touch of makeup and changed my uniform of tank tops and sweats to something more photo ready. My flowy dress—the very one I wore on our first real date—wasn't exactly family photo-shoot appropriate, but what can you do.
The rest of the group looked on as we posed for a few photos, taking turns holding Amelia. After a few shots, Gigi paused us to fix something with her lens, and Finn fussed with the backdrop. Paid them no mind as I twisted into my family, kissing my little Princess and my king.
“Brynn...” Levi stepped away after a searing kiss that I was glad they hadn't caught on camera, and I frowned.
“Yes, baby.” I reached for Amelia, but he held her to his chest, looking anxious. I was nervous again, the lights making me hot.
Levi stood before me, gorgeous and perfect, his bright blue eyes blazing and his lip trembling. Propping the baby against his chest, Levi took a deep breath before he began to move towards me. Amelia's chunky legs kicked, but it was her little foot that caught my eyes. Or, rather, the perfect Princess cut diamond ring that dangled from her little toes.
Levi dropped to his knees, taking the ring and giving it to Amelia.
“Brynn. You are her mother. In every sense of the word now. Our Princess adores you. So do I, my queen. I want you to give us the final brick. Take my last name. Be my wife. Make our house our castle and keep battling dragons with me. Choose us forever. Marry me, Brynn. Become Mrs. Holt.” Levi whispered something to Amelia and she giggled, holding the ring out to me.
“Mama. Mama. Yours.” I vaguely heard Gigi's camera click off a few shots as I dropped to my knees.
“Oh my God. Yes. Yes, Levi. I choose you and I definitely choose her. Forever and always.” I took the ring and Amelia clapped as I slid it on my finger.
With our daughter between us, we shared an awkward kiss as we promised to always choose each other.
