Page 97 of Accepted Precedent
“Nope,” she replies, popping the ‘p.’ As she tries to kiss me, I pull back. “You’re not going to let this go, are you?”
“Not a chance, love.”
“I just… I don’t want to get your hopes up.” Her eyes search mine as she chews on her bottom lip. “I might be pregnant.”
“How?”
“Well, I wasn’t able to get my tubes tied when we had the twins, and I’ve been so busy I accidentally missed my appointment for my shot.”
“When were you supposed to go in for it?”
“Six weeks ago,” she winces. “I didn’t reschedule it because, well, life happened. We have that huge bill requiring insurance to fully fund mammograms. I’ve been busy.”
I slide a hand lower, gripping her waist and swiping my thumb on her belly. “You could be pregnant?”
“I’ll take a test to be sure, but yes, I could be.”
The twins may never know I’m their father, but if she’s pregnant again, I won’t need to pretend I’m not this one’s. I release her hands and sit back on my heels as a swirl of emotions courses through me. “We’ll need to tell everyone we’re married, then wait a while to share that you’re having our baby.”
“There’s no reason to unleash all of our secrets on your birthday.” Evie props herself onto her elbows and smirks. “But you’ll need to propose.”
“You’re already my wife,” I chuckle, still idly swiping my thumb along her belly.
“Yeah, but we need to make a show of it. Jaclyn and Lee will think it’s sweet and romantic. Finn and Andrew will probably laugh.” She cocks an eyebrow, mischief dancing in her eyes as a smirk tilts her lips. “Unless you don’t want to marry me.”
“Even if you’re not pregnant, I’m tired of the lies and secrets… You better say yes.”
Evie lets out a full laugh, and I lean in to kiss the side of her throat. She whimpers on contact, and as much as I’d love to play with her, we have family visiting and there’s a very real possibility someone will come looking for us soon.
“Each morning I wake up wondering how it’s possible, but I love you more every day, Evie. You’re the light to my dark—you keep me out of the shadows. And I intend on spending the rest of my life with you by my side.”
“You should’ve saved that for the proposal.”
I nip at her earlobe. “Fuckin’ brat. We should get out there. The kids are here, and I’m sure everyone else will be arriving soon.”
As I help her off the bed, she squeezes my hand. “For what it’s worth, I love you more every day, too.”
I sneak a small teal box out of my dresser and slip it into my pocket, then we make our way out to the back patio, where everyone has arrived. There’s something covered off to the side, which I can only assume is why Evie insisted I not come out herefor the past day or so. A large table she purchased earlier this week is set for ten, with space for at least four more.
Today I’m surrounded by so much love; a reminder that everything my brother and I worked for was worth it. The kids are playing with Finn’s dogs, laughing as the pups chase them. My brother is the happiest I’ve seen him in my life. It took me a while to come around to it, but Kristin fills in gaps I could never fill for Andrew. In a little over a year, the country will go to the polls and elect Jaclyn as the first female President of the United States. All the while Alex pretending to be his brother has given him a chance to be with the woman he loves.
And then there’s Evie. My angel. And soon I’ll be able to tell the whole world she’s my wife.
I don’t deserve any of it, but I don’t take it for granted.
Evie leans in to whisper, “Do you remember when we were on the porch swing and I asked you if I divorced Andrew, what would you want?” It takes me a moment to place it, but then my heart stops. “Happy birthday, Mick.”
She lifts onto her toes to kiss my cheek, and it takes everything in me to keep my eyes dry. This woman. This perfect woman. My wife. She did this—gave me everything I could’ve dreamed of and more.
Kristin brings out a tray covered with aluminum foil and sets it on a small table beside the covered item. Whatever it is, it’s huge. “Hey, Mick! You’ll need to open your present so I can make lunch.”
Evelyn keeps her hand in mine and we walk over to it. My feisty wife doesn’t let me unveil it myself, pulling the large sheet off to reveal an outdoor kitchen island. There are two grills, aminiature fridge, a smaller refrigerator stocked with white wine bottles, and a sink.
“I… I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t need to say anything. But you’ll need to learn how to use it. Just because Kristin and I grew up with gas barbecues and our parents taught us, doesn’t mean we’ll always grill for you.”
I pull her to me. “Fuck, I love you.”
