It’s been a month since Marlow got back from Paris, and every day has been better than the last. Things get chaotic with two adults, a kid, and an energetic dog in the house, but I wouldn’t trade this life of mine for anything.
Marlow decided to keep her pink house for now, not ready to part ways with it just yet. She still uses her studio when she paints, and I rather enjoy having a front-row view of her from my office when she does.
Gavin was ecstatic when Marlow told him she was working on a new art exhibition. It will be a collection of ten pieces inspired by the flowers in our front yard. However, she’s waiting to set a date until she’s completed most of the pieces.
Her main priority right now is making the most of Lola’s summer vacation.
She tossed a shoe at me when I suggested we hire a part-time nanny for the next couple of months, so she’s not overwhelmed. Marlow told me that we weren’t having anyone else take care of our daughter when she was more than capable. It means everything that she considers Lola her own, and I worshiped every inch of her body that night to show her just how much.
I did convince her to let my parents watch Lola one day a week, so she has free time to paint and visit her friends.
The Vanburen development is well underway, and I recently hired another senior analyst to take over some of my day-to-day job responsibilities. I needed more time with my family.
Like tonight. We were watching Frozen—Lola’s latest obsession—as a family. However, it seems I’m the only one who stayed awake during the entire film.
I’m on the edge of the bed with Marlow and Lola taking up most of the space. Lola is snuggled against Marlow, one hand draped across her stomach and the other tucked against her chest. Waffles has made himself at home on my memory foam pillow. He raises his head like he can sense me staring, and I swear he gives me a smug expression.
He’s rarely allowed in our room, but I can be persuaded when my girls give me that look. Besides, I admit during Marlow’s absence that I developed a soft spot for him, and it helps that he’s learned to roll over and shake in the last month.
Careful not to wake anyone, I quietly get out of bed and go around to the other side to scoop Lola into my arms. She nuzzles into my chest as I carry her to her room, with Waffles following close behind.
Her room looks like a rainbow exploded. The newest additions are paintings on two of her walls—a rainbow with a unicorn sitting on top and a giant pink daisy.
I gently place Lola in her bed and pull the covers up around her. Waffles hops onto the mattress and settles in next to her.
“I love you, lolabug.” I press a kiss to her temple.
“Goodnight, Waffles,” I say, giving him a pat on the head.
When I get back to our bedroom, Marlow is still in the middle of the mattress, her mouth slightly parted as she sleeps.
She’s so damn beautiful.
I lie down next to her and pull her close. She gives a little stretch before draping her arm across my chest, tangling her leg with mine and resting her head on my shoulder.
“Is everything okay?” she murmurs, still half asleep.
Everything is perfect.
“Where is your brother?” My mom anxiously paces the entryway. “He knows better than to be late.”
“I’m sure he’ll be here soon,” I assure her.
I pull out my phone and send another text message to Cash. He was in London this past week but was supposed to fly back yesterday. Presley and Harrison are standing nearby, both trying to reach him too.
My mom has been eagerly anticipating having new family photos taken to include Jack, Marlow, and Waffles. If Cash doesn’t show up, we’ll all pay the price.
I’m about to text him again when he comes barreling through the front door, all out of breath, like he just sprinted a marathon.
“Where have you been?” Presley demands, pointing at the clock on the wall. “We’ve tried calling you a dozen times, but it goes straight to voicemail.”
“You’re late,” my mom echoes. “You know how important this is to me.”
“Sorry. Our flight was delayed, and I came straight here from the airfield,” he rushes out.
“You were supposed to fly back from London yesterday,” Harrison says, studying him suspiciously.
“Yeah, well, something held me up… or should I say, someone.” His tone is cryptic.
“What are you talking—” Presley cuts herself off as she points to the ring on Cash’s finger. “What is that?” she asks with a gasp.
“My wedding ring.”
“I’m sorry, your what?” she screeches.
“I got married.” Cash shrugs casually. “My wife is on a conference call, but she will come inside as soon as she’s finished. You don’t mind if we wait for her, do you, Mom?”
She gapes at him in shock.
“Your wife?” Presley laughs. “Very funny, Cash. Who put you up to this?” She turns her glacier stare on Jack. “Was it you?”
He holds his hands up in defense. “I know better than to play practical jokes on you, little vixen.”
“What about you two?” She glares at Harrison and me. “Because this joke is even less funny than the time you had Jack arrested.”
I hold my hands up in defense. “It wasn’t me.”
Harrison shakes his head. “I had nothing to do with this.”
Cash places his hand on Presley’s shoulder. “I’m serious, sis. We flew to Vegas last night and got hitched. We came straight to Aspen Grove after, so we could share the good news with our families.”
“Are you out of your mind?” my mom interjects, smacking him upside the head. “You got married and didn’t invite your own mother? Shame on you,” she scolds him.
You’ve got to be kidding me.
I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying to maintain my patience. Of course Mom doesn’t see the problem with Cash getting married, even though just last week he wasn’t dating anyone.
“Oh, here she is now,” Cash says enthusiastically.
Harrison and I exchange confused glances when Everly Townstead walks through my parents’ front door with a giant diamond on her ring finger.
“Oh, Everly,” my mother exclaims. “Welcome to the family, sweetheart.”
She pulls her into a big hug, and I don’t miss the glare Everly shoots Cash as he smirks back at her.
Things just got interesting.
