Page 63 of Ultimate Freedom

“No doubt. It’s why I didn’t stand in their way. I would have loved for them to stay here but that would have meant me and you sleeping in Charlie’s room so they could take the big bedroom.”

“Which we would have happily done. That small bed means cuddling all night.”

“Right. And your feet freezing from hanging over the mattress.”

Whit chuckled. “Wouldn’t be the first time I wore wool socks to bed.”

Demi turned in his arms laughing at the mental picture of a naked Whit wearing only socks. “Don’t make me laugh. I’m having a pity party here.”

“I can see that. But it kills me to see you so upset. You have to understand they need to get back to their real lives.”

“I know. It’s just that I’ll miss them so much. Since they were able to discuss what upset Bella and put her mind at rest, they’re like two lovebirds again.”

Whit laughed. “Yeah, it’s nice to see. Look, Tanner and I came up with a plan. They both have lots of vacation time, and he suggested returning to help us build the cabin this summer. And while they’re here, we wondered if you ladies might like to have a double wedding by the river.”

“A what?”

“You know, get married. A while ago, Clive got ordained to perform weddings. He’d be happy to officiate at the ceremony. We can set up a tent and just serve a potluck. Everyone would happily bring tables and chairs and we can lay mats for the dance floor. What do you say?”

Stunned, Demi whispered, “I’d love that. Do you think Bella would go for it?”

“You and Tanner know her better than I do. He seemed to think it would make her happy being married with us.”

“Then it’s an absolute yes for me too.” She looked out the new window toward the river and the hill where Whit had chosen for the new house. “Won’t it take years to build the place?”

“Not the way I have it planned. I’ve already hired the contractors to put in the basement as soon as the frost lifts and the prefab building can be shipped by barge. We can start erecting it once the foundation is laid.”

“Prebuilt? You mean it’s already constructed and just has to be assembled?”

“Pretty much. Of course, we’ll need to decide which style. They can make it however we choose. My preference is for it to have a big kitchen and lots of bedrooms.”

Demi hugged Whit hard. Then, she pulled back. “Just pick whichever one you want. I don’t care. Really. I’d be happy to stay here, you know that.”

“Me too. But we both know it’s not going to be big enough with our new baby coming.”

Demi eyed him in puzzlement. “Baby? What new baby?”

“Ours.” He gently rubbed her tummy. “This little one.”

“Huh? What are you talking about?” She stumbled back.

Whit reached to hold her arms and leaned back so he could watch her expression. “Darling, you didn’t have a period last month, and you’re always on time… third week of every month.”

Demi’s eyes widened in shock. “I didn’t?” Then she thought back. “You’re right, I didn’t. What with everything happening around here, I completely forgot about it. Oh my God, Whit. Could I be pregnant?”

He grinned lovingly and held her cheeks. “If your swelling boobs are any indication, I’d say most likely.”

She threw herself back into his arms and hung on. Lifting her into the air, he swung her around and around. “I’ve been waiting for you to tell me. Now I know why you didn’t. In case you get to wondering, I’m thrilled to the bottom of my big feet.”

Pulling away to look into his happy expression, she shouted with glee. “Me, too. A baby. For us. Oh, my God. If it’s a boy, can we call him Johnny after Grandpa?”

“Of course. How about Johnny for a boy and Joanie for a girl?”

A huge grin lighting up her face, Demi nodded. “Perfect. Oh, Whit, wait’ll Charlie hears about this, he’s going to be over the moon. I never saw a grown kid so enraptured by a baby before. It’s been killing him knowing Tanner and Bella are going to be taking his baby away. Now he’ll have one of his own to fuss over.” She jumped up to wrap her legs around his hips, lifted herarms to wrap around his neck, and kissed every spot she could reach on his face.

“Uh, honey… about the house?”

“Screw the house. In fact, let’s celebrate. We can decide on all those silly little details later.”

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