Every time I look at the picture hanging in my bakery, I want to rush down to the fire station and kiss my man.
Five years. Me, Bela Andrews, married for five years. And that big family I always wanted? Yeah, I have that too.
“Has anyone seen Bandit?”
I poke my head over my mom’s shoulder and brush my fingertips over the crown of our sleeping princess. Bela Rose Malone. She’s a quiet one at six months old, which is a nice change from the twin boys. Both Miles and I were right. I got pregnant that night we stole away in my bedroom. Nine months later our boys were born, Matt and Josh. They have their father’s eyes and his sense of adventure. Eleven months later Daisy was born and I’ve never seen a grown man as tough as my husband turn to mush, but the second she entered this world she had him wrapped around her finger. And now we have two princes and two princesses.
Shortly after the boys were born, we bought a bigger house a few miles down the road. It has a bigger yard, a better kitchen and lots of rooms to fill with little firefighters and bakers. And believe me, Miles seems intent on making sure each one gets filled. Life is perfect with all its flaws and challenges. Because hello, has anyone tried nursing a newborn while chasing two four-year-olds? Pure hell and thank GOD for moms. Mine in particular.
“Thanks for coming down for a while, Mom. You are a Godsend.”
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
Mrs. Malone—Mandy, sits opposite my mom holding our two-year-old. Both babies are fast asleep after an afternoon at the park. It’s about an hour before we open the bakery and there are fresh apple pies ready to come out of the oven.
“Guess who I found waiting for me at the station when I returned from a call.” Miles strolls into the bakery with a fidgety black pup tucked under his arm.
“Bandit. Silly thing.”
I give the hyper pup a hearty ear scratch. I have a weak spot for the panty-thieving pup since it is because of him Miles and I broke past our hang-ups and found our love for one another. We found love and the pup found a home. Seems fitting.
Miles wraps his arms around me, his hands coming over my stomach protectively. “Have you told them yet?” My head falls back on his shoulder and I stay like this for a while, just feeling his steady breathing push on my back.
“Not yet—let’s keep it our little secret for now.”
Warm lips brush over my shoulder and trail up the side of my neck.
“I have a surprise for you tonight. Our moms are taking the kids back to my mom and dad’s for the night. How does a hot bubble bath, a foot rub, and some strategically-placed whipped cream afterward sound?”
I turn in Miles’ arms and wrap my arms around him. “Sounds good if you plan on joining me in that bubble bath. I have very distinct cravings right now and you’re the only one who can satisfy them.”
A deep laugh rumbles through him. “As my lady wishes.”
When I stepped through the door of 202 Cherry Popper Way for the first time, I never saw it leading to a man who loves me more than life. But here we are. I’ll always be his and he’ll always be mine. Forever.
I loved this story