Page 25 of Easter Daddy

It’s been a year since I married Liam only three weeks after his proposal, and I just gave birth to our first son a few weeks ago. We named him Lucas, as it’s his father’s middle name, and we wanted to honor their relationship, especially since his love for me almost drove them apart.

“He’s beautiful,” Liam says as we watch him sleep. “Just like his mother. And he’s the first of many.”

Having a baby changed me in ways I didn’t know possible. I’m excited to go home from work, to see both Liam and Lucas. They’re perfect. Life is perfect…well, almost. I have my own struggles too, especially because I never really got my pre-pregnancy body back.

“What are you doing?”

Liam catches me looking at my stretch marks and thicker thighs. Blush blooms in my cheeks and I look away. He notices and raises my face to his. “What’s going on, princess? Tell me.”

“Do you still find me attractive? I know I gained a few pounds, but—”

“Of course. You’re the sexiest, hottest, most beautiful in the world.”

“Don’t lie to me, Liam.”

“I’m not. If you can see what I see every day when I look at you, you’ll understand. I love your curves. I love how I can be rougher with you in bed, knowing you won’t break in my hands. You’re perfect, princess. Always have been.”

Tears spring to my eyes, and I kiss him lightly.

“I love you,” I tell him.

“And I love you,” he murmurs back. He nips on my earlobe and whispers, “By the way, I need to tell you something.”

I stop, suddenly anxious. “What’s that?”

“We’ll get a nanny so you can go back to school,” he tells me and he laughs at the visible relief on my face. “And I’ll stay home more.”

“You’ll take time off work to take care of Lucas?” I ask in surprise.

He frowns.

“Why is that a surprise?” he asks me.

“Because you’re married to your job.”

“No, little girl, I’m married to you,” he tells me before kissing my forehead.

And this is why I love him. Well, it’s one of the reasons, anyway. He always puts me first and always does things as a team. He’s sensitive to my needs, even those I don’t directly say to him, and so in tune with my moods.

“I love you,” he says, tipping up my chin and claiming my lips.

“I love you, too,” I say when he pulls away.

This. This is my happily ever after.

EXTENDED EPILOGUE

LIAM

Iwas never really fond of children until I had my own.

Lucy, Lilah, and Lyle—my two-year-old triplets—run around the living room in circles as we all wait for their mother to get home. I usually work at home while Lily is doing fieldwork.

“Mr. Lewis?” Alice, the nanny, calls to me from behind.

“Hmm?” I ask, turning to look at her. “Yes?”

“I’m leaving.” I look at my watch. It’s 5 p.m., time for her to head home.

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