Page 71 of 7+Us Makes Nine

“You are the most incredible woman alive. And I love you with everything I am,” I said.

She started laughing through her tears as she reached up and grabbed the back of my head. She pulled me in for a kiss, plunging her tongue deep into my mouth. I felt all of her. The whole of her. I felt her pulse beating in her tongue and her hand sliding into the tendrils of my hair. I felt the softness of her hand bleeding strength into my body. A strength I felt Anya ripping from me every second of every day. She filled me with emotions I’d never experienced before. With a strength and willpower I didn’t think I possessed any longer.

“I love you too,” she said into my lips.

I cupped her cheek as the doctor cleaned off her stomach.

I opened my eyes and saw panic quickly rush through Catherine’s eyes. My gut clenched with worry as I helped her sit up. I cupped her cheek and smoothed my thumb over her paling skin, and even the doctor jumped up to help.

“Miss Faust, are you okay?” he asked.

“Seven kids,” she said breathlessly.

I pressed my forehead against hers as her hands grasped mine.

“I’m going to be raising seven kids,” she said.

“You won’t be alone. I’ll be here.”

“That’s enough for a soccer team,” she said.

I chuckled as my eyes danced between hers.

“We’ll have enough kids for a soccer team, Jace.”

“Do you know anything about soccer?” I asked.

“Not one damn thing.”

“Me neither,” I said, laughing.

She joined me in my chorus of blissful anxiety before her body fell into mine. I cradled her close as the doctor printed out picture after picture of our children. Quadruplets. I couldn't express the joy that filed my body in that instant. A massive family with all the love in the world to give. Every bedroom my home would be filled by the time they grew up and wanted their own space. And the laundry alone. I didn’t even want to think about it.

I’d have to hire help for Catherine.

I’d have to find another nanny to help her around the house.

“I love you,” I said as I kissed the top of her head.

She nestled into me as the doctor began to pack up his things.

“I love you too,” she said breathlessly. “I love you, Jace. I do.”

And as the doctor made his way quietly out of the room, I snuggled us both underneath the covers of her bed. I wanted to hold her close to me. I wanted to feel our children kicking against my abs. I wanted to smooth my hands over her stomach and talk to them. Reassure them. Tell them how much I loved them.

How much I loved their mother.

The two of us drifted off to sleep, enjoying the silence of the house. The kids were off at school for another five hours and I’d taken the day off at the theater. No television. No lawyers. No custody battles and no tears. Just myself, Catherine, and the four children her beautiful body was growing.

I wasn’t going to let anything spoil our moment. Because Catherine had been right all those months ago. She deserved some of the attention to be on her.

And if there was anytime to give her all of my attention, it was now.

Twenty-Four

Catherine

“Have you talked with your parents at all?” Jace asked.

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