Page 100 of Dr. Off Limits

“Someone’s going to have to help me in with this,” Zach called out.

“I’ll do it.” I handed the lamp, certificate, and other things I was holding to Jacob and ran down the steps toward Zach.

Zach unlocked the back double doors of the van to reveal the gift I’d bought for Jacob. It was perfect.

“What’s all this about?” Jacob said as he approached us.

“It’s a present. For you.” I beckoned him forward. “Come and see.”

A grin unfurled on his face. He slid his arm around my waist as he looked into the van.

“A rowing boat,” he said, and pressed a kiss on the top of my head.

“I thought we could put it in the back garden. Then you don’t have to go to Hyde Park to think. I bought it in Norfolk. I know it’s not exactly the same boat you laid in all those years ago, but I hope this will do.”

“It will more than do, Sutton. I love you. It’s wonderful.” He chuckled.

“Why are you laughing?”

He reached around to his back pocket and pulled out a folded sheet of paper. “Because I’ve been working on this.” He handed the paper to me and I opened it out.

It was a sort of architect’s drawing of something but I couldn’t quite work it out. “It’s a library. For you. I thought we could convert the attic. I’ve had the plans drawn up.”

I pressed my palm against my chest. “You are the most thoughtful man. I love you so much.”

Zach coughed, interrupting the moment, but I couldn’t help but laugh. “Are we nauseatingly in love?” I asked.

“A little,” he replied.

“Zach’s a psychopath. He doesn’t do feelings,” Jacob explained. “Let’s get this boat round the back and then I can show you the samples I’ve got for the attic.”

Is this what my life would be like from now on? A husband who was always trying to think of ways to make me smile. Brothers-in-law that were rooting for me and each other. A mother and father-in-law that already meant more to me than my own parents. Life was so good. So easy. So entirely full of love and laughter that I knew that a part of me was going to have to keep reminding myself that it was all real.

Another week later

Jacob

As we pulled into the gravel drive of my parents’ house, and squeezed in between Nathan and Zach’s car, I could tell something was up.

“I thought it was just going to be your parents here,” Sutton said.

We’d driven up as soon as we both had days off at the same time. We’d FaceTimed Mum the night we got engaged—there was no point in trying to get my dad involved. He didn’t even like talking on the phone. She’d been excited and wanted to celebrate with us, so we’d come up with a bottle of champagne. I was hoping that if I asked her nicely, she might cook a roast dinner tomorrow.

“Dad’s right—there’s always more than one of us around. They genuinely never get any time by themselves.”

I opened the car door as my mother backed out of the house. It looked like she was carrying something. As she backed out farther, I realized she was unfurling a banner that said Congratulations. Zach was holding the other end, his expression more funerial than congratulatory.

Dad, Dog, Nathan, and Madison followed Zach out to greet us. Mum dropped the banner and rushed toward us, pulling us both in for a hug.

“I knew the moment I met you that you were the one for Jacob. I even told him so, didn’t I?”

“You did, Mum. Always right, as usual.”

“Welcome to the family,” Dad said, enveloping Sutton into a hug. “Why anyone would want to marry this troublemaker, I have no idea.” He turned to me and winked, then pulled me in for a hug. “I’m kidding. You’re my least troublesome son. Always been the one I’ve not had to worry about, but don’t tell Zach or Nathan.”

“We can hear you, Dad,” Nathan said.

“I said what I said,” Dad said, pulling out of our hug and patting me on the shoulder.

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