Page 28 of Wesley

“As long as you don’t mind.” She replied softly, and I glanced over the table to find everyone watching Marisol get situated on my lap and lay her head on my chest.

“I don’t mind,” I told her and shifted Marisol so that she was situated a little better on my lap before joining the conversation about some new protocols at the hospital.

I felt her body go slack about five minutes after she got settled, her face resting in the center of my chest, her hand on my stomach. I glanced at Charlotte, who appeared to be in awe. I winked at her.

“Man, you have a way with kids,” Bruce said. “I think it’s time you got a few for yourself.”

“Someday Bruce, someday I will.” I couldn’t help but glance toward Charlotte as I finished. Would she be the one? Our gazes locked for a moment before she averted her gaze.

“Well, I should probably get sleepy home and in bed. This is the most activity she’s had since her accident.” Charlotte collected her plate and mine and went toward the house to throw them away. Jersey followed her into the house quickly, and I wondered what they were going to talk about.

As Marisol slept in my lap, I felt things inside of me begin to settle. Bruce was right, I did need this in my life. I wanted kids so badly, and having Marisol trusting me enough to fall asleep against me made my heart truly ache with the need to fill my life with family.

My older brother had two children, and I loved to spend time with them. My youngest sibling was engaged to get married, and I hoped that they would tie the knot soon so I could have more nieces or nephews. But even that wasn’t enough. I wanted my own. I wanted a wife that I could fawn over and treat like a queen, and I wanted a baby to keep me up all night, and kids to fill the quiet of my life.

Charlotte and Jersey came back out of the house, and she had her purse slung over her shoulder. Obviously, she was serious about leaving, and I was instantly disappointed. We hadn’t had enough time together.

I glanced at my watch and saw that it was almost seven. I should probably head home myself as I had another early shift tomorrow.

Charlotte came over to me and was about to lean down to retrieve Marisol, but I held my hand up, “I’ll take her out to your car. I need to get going myself.”

“Are you sure? Don’t leave on my account.” She said.

I grinned up at her, I wish I were leaving on her account. I’d like nothing more than to take her home with me and make love to her all night long. “No, I have an early shift tomorrow, and some things that need to be taken care of tonight.”

She nodded, and I held Marisol tight to my chest as I stood. Marisol barely moved in my arms as I readjusted her onto my shoulder. We said goodbye to everyone, and Jersey kissed my cheek, whispering in my ear, “This looks good on you.”

I smiled down at her, “I think I have to agree.”

Charlotte was quiet as we walked out to the road and she unlocked her door. She turned to take her daughter, and I shook my head, “I’ll put her in. You will have the pleasure of getting her out and to bed.”

“Ah, true.” Charlotte grinned as I shifted Marisol and bent down to slip her into her booster seat.

I belted her in, checked the straps, and before I pulled back, I placed a kiss on her forehead. “Sleep well, pretty lady,” I whispered before I stood and closed the door.

“Thank you, that wasn’t necessary,” Charlotte said, but I was already shaking my head at her.

“Your right, it wasn’t necessary for me to do that. I’m pretty sure you could have managed, but you don’t seem to understand that I wanted to do it, Charlotte.”

She leaned back against her car, “Well, I appreciate that, Wes.”

I stepped closer to her, boxing her in and she lifted her chin higher so she could look me in the face. I touched her cheek again. “Say it again.”

“Say what?”

“Say my name again, Charlotte.”

She swallowed slowly and wet her lips, “Wes.”

I shuffled forward a few more inches, my hands going to her waist, “I love the sound of my name on your lips.”

She kept staring at me, her gaze dipping to my mouth as I mentioned lips and her pupils dilated just a tad. Would she push me away if I tried to kiss her?

“Have dinner with me, Charlotte. We can even bring Marisol if you’d like. In fact, I insist you bring her.”

“Okay,” She breathed out slowly.

I smiled, “Good. I’m going to kiss you now, okay?”

---