Page 87 of Resilient Rhythms
“More intense. Everything feels more sensitive,” she explains as I drag my fingertips across her nipple. “Like that.”
“Yeah,” I say, turning so we’re facing each other. I kiss her, long and deep. “I like watching you come apart for me.”
“I like feeling it,” she admits, blushing.
“We’ll have to do this more often.”
“Every morning.”
I laugh. “Every morning, sweetheart. And every night.” I kiss her again. “You ready to move into your new home?”
She nods, lifting her chin to kiss me softly. “I’m ready to move into our new home, Mav. I’m ready to start our life together.”
“Good.” I palm her hip, loving how smooth her skin is. “I can’t wait, either.”
She pushes her body against mine and I wrap her in my arms. Our mouths find each other and we spend minutes, or hours, wrapped in our little world. Sweet kisses, slow caresses, and deep touches.
It’s the best Sunday I’ve ever spent.
And on Monday morning, I move Mckenna into the new brownstone. Our home.
The remainder of summer passes in a beautiful rhythm. Slow mornings, productive afternoons, and quiet evenings. Mckennaand I spend our days with friends and family and our nights wrapped in each other.
She decorates the brownstone, adding artwork, photo frames, and candlesticks. It transforms from a beautiful house to a cozy, loving home. Every time I return from the studio, a new item welcomes me.
Linen sheets, soft bath towels, gardening tools.
A console dish for our keys, baby books for the nursery, a front porch swing.
I love the daily surprises, a series of small delights that assure me that this is my life. That everything is just as it should be.
At the start of autumn, we take a weekend trip to Knoxville to cheer on West Crawford as he storms the field alongside his football team, the Knoxville Coyotes. It’s a great opportunity for Mckenna to see her friends as Allegra and Derek join us on the trip and Ivy meets us in Tennessee.
As much as I love catching up with the crew, I really enjoy watching Mckenna with Stella. Seeing her read bedtime stories or paint butterflies with Stella offers a glimpse at the amazing mom she’s going to be.
And after that weekend, I can’t wait to find out the sex of our baby either. Not because I have a preference but because I’m too excited about everything that’s in store for us. I want to savor every moment; dive in and hold on to it with both hands.
TWENTY-FOUR
MCKENNA
“We’re trending on social media!”I announce as I walk into our home at the start of October. Waving my phone in the air, I grin when I spot Mav in the kitchen. “News of our pregnancy is everywhere.”
Mav frowns, alarm crossing his face.
“It’s good,” I tell him, showing him the image on my phone. “Fans are thrilled. People are genuinely happy. We’re a couple who somehow made it when the odds were stacked against us. Everyone loves a good comeback story.”
Mav plucks the phone from my hand, the concern in his eyes lessening as he peruses the social media threads. “Hey! There’s even a mention of The Bowling Tones in here.”
I snort. “People are ecstatic that we placed in the Summer Bowling League Finals.”
“But we didn’t win.”
“Third place isn’t terrible,” I counter. “We’re not exactly serious bowlers.”
“Allegra really came around in the end. The two of you anchored the team.”
“I know, right?”
