Page 80 of 7+Us Makes Nine

“I’m gonna go find my room!” Ivan said.

“Swim now?” Michaela asked.

“I think some night time swimming would be fun. What do you say, boys?” Jace asked.

“Yeah! I’m gonna go get in my bathing suit,” Dmitri said.

“Last one there gets to eat poop!” Ivan exclaimed.

“Well that doesn’t sound appetizing,” I said.

“Are you going to come swimming with us?” Jace asked.

He walked over and wrapped his arms around me before pulling me into a kiss. It was almost comical, how he had to kiss me now. Even with his massive stature, he had to stand on his tiptoes just so he could mold himself to the massive protrusion sticking out from my body. His lips pressed against mine as I felt a small hand slip into my palm.

“Pwease?” Michaela asked.

“I guess I could come stick my feet in,” I said with a smile.

“Great. I’m going to go get the boys in their suits. Do you need help with Michaela?” Jace asked.

“Nope. I’ve got her,” I said. “Come on. Let’s go find a bathing suit for you to wear.”

The cabin was beautiful, but not really a cabin at all. It was more like a wooden mansion in the middle of the woods. It had a heated pool and a hot tub off the back balcony as well as a beautiful private balcony off the master bedroom upstairs. And I had a feeling that would be my favorite spot. It overlooked the forest of trees that surrounded us and had the perfect little clearing to watch the sun set every single evening.

Jace had really outdone himself with this vacation.

I wiggled Michaela out of her clothes and helped her step into her bathing suit. Then, I went and put on a skirt that would let me stick my feet in. Hot tubs and pregnancy were a no go. Besides it was well past dinner time and my body was already giving out. But the idea of soaking my aching feet in some warm water sounded fantastic. The boys ran past Michaela’s room and she took off to join them, a chorus of giggles resounding as the door slid open. I watched Jace stride past, holding up floaties in his hands and calling out names.

I shook my head and smiled as I started out of the room.

“Last one in’s a rotten egg!” Jace exclaimed.

I heard the splashing of water before all the kids jumped in after him. But when I stepped out onto the porch, I gasped. It wasn’t a hot tub, it was a pool. And the pool wasn’t just any pool. It had cushioned seating inside the pool. I could get in, lay down, and have the heated water wash against my body at the same time.

Tears of happiness filled my eyes at the sight.

Jace got out and held my hand, helping me walk into the water. He settled me down onto the chair, then bent over and planted a kiss against my lips. We’d grown more comfortable showing affection in front of the children. Especially after we told them I was pregnant. I smoothed my fingers through his hair and gazed into his reverent eyes, enjoying every fleeting second with him.

Then a wall of water came rushing our way as the kids began to splash us.

“Oh, you guys are going to pay for that,” Jace said.

“Oh no! Michaela exclaimed.

“Swim away!” Ivan yelled.

“Daddy’s coming! Run!” Dmitri shouted.

I threw my head back and laughed as he began to dunk the kids. They splashed and played around. They hopped on Jace’s shoulders and tried to dunk him as best as they could. They swam around and jumped off the diving board and did flips off the sides of the pool.

It felt so good, relaxing with them like this.

It felt so good, spending time with them without the looming threat of Michaela being taken from us.

“Miss Caffy?”

“Yes sweetheart?”

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