Page 8 of My Kinda Wedding (Summer Sisters 6.50)

“I recall that phase well.”

“You guys gonna have another? Noah needs a little brother or sister,” he says innocently, but the question still makes my chest tighten. Everyone knows how difficult it was for us to get pregnant, and I’m just not sure it’s worth going through all of that heartache and heavy emotion again.

“Honestly, I’m not sure. If I never see tears on my wife’s face from a negative pregnancy test again, that’d be just fine by me.”

Levi sobers. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking.”

“It’s okay. I think our family is pretty great as is. If it happens, fine, but I don’t think we’ll try again like before.”

“I don’t blame you. Just the thought of Abby being upset makes me want to cut out my heart,” Levi says, his eyes seeking out his wife. She’s over with Payton now, giving hugs to Brielle and telling her goodnight.

The trio heads our way, Payton offering farewell greetings as they return to where Levi and I are standing. I throw a wave at Brian and Cindy, then grab the diaper bag, pulling it over the shoulder that isn’t occupied by a sleeping baby. By the time my wife and daughter return to my side, I have all of our stuff gathered up.

“Ready?” I ask the beautiful woman standing beside me.

“Yes.”

“I’m not,” Brielle grumbles, clearly not happy that she has to leave the party.

“You’ll see everyone tomorrow. It’s a big day,” Payton reminds our daughter.

“I know,” she sighs, heading toward the door.

“Hey, I’ll see you at lunch tomorrow. I’m having pizza delivered to the salon,” Abby says, her eyes wide with excitement.

“With extra mushroom?” Brielle asks her aunt.

“You know it,” she whispers conspiratorially.

“Excellent!” Bri exclaims as we exit the small room in the back of the restaurant where tonight’s rehearsal dinner was held.

“Good night,” I say to Levi and Abby.

Outside, the early May air is cool as we head to my wife’s small SUV. I get Noah strapped into his car seat, while Payton loads up the back with all of our stuff. It’s a short drive to our home, but that doesn’t stop our daughter from filling every second of it with chatter. A couple of times, I glance over and find Payton just staring out into the dark night, a smile on her lips as she gives the appropriate ‘uh huh’s’ and ‘of course’s’ to Brielle. She’s so amazing with her, patient and kind. Even now, at nine years old, when everything is a bit more dramatic than ever before.

When we arrive home, we go about our nightly routine. Payton gets a bottle for Noah, while I help make sure Brielle gets on her pajamas, brushes her teeth, and climbs into bed, without sneaking a package of crackers under the blankets.

Has happened.

Bri’s eyelids start to get heavy the moment her head hits the pillow, and I know it won’t be long before she’s out. It was a big day for everyone, especially her. She takes her flower girl duties very seriously, and made sure to listen to everything Meghan said during the rehearsal.

I can’t wait to see her in her dress tomorrow.

And her mother.

Which reminds me, it’s time to go find my lovely wife.

We meet in the hallway, as if by some sort of kismet. She gives me the sexiest little grin, one that I know means we’re all alone and she has an idea of how to take advantage of this moment. Funny, I have an idea too and it involves throwing that red dress she’s wearing on the floor.

“Is she out?” she asks, slowly making her way to me.

“The moment her head hit the pillow,” I tell her, wrapping my hand around her hip and pulling her into my arms.

“Noah too. It was a big night,” she says, already slightly breathless. The sound makes me want to kiss her.

Soundly.

I waste no time in doing just that. I pin her against the wall, her head knocking into one of the family portraits we took at Christmas. Her hands grip my shirt at my hips as my lips devour hers, hungrily. This kiss is a prelude, a tease for what comes next.

“Come to bed with me, beautiful,” I whisper, nipping at her swollen, wet bottom lip.

“There’s no place I’d rather be…”

---