Her eyes glow with love. “I love you too.”
I leave the baby room and head to the bedroom for privacy to make the calls I need to make.
“Hey, Roger? I hear you have good news for us?”
“I do. Are you ready to be a daddy again?”
I chuckle and sit on the bed. “So ready. Jane’s excited. How long do you think this is going to take?”
“Not long at all. Both of his parents are young and they’re willing to sign the paperwork immediately. It will take time to be official, you know how that goes.”
“Terrific. I’ll pop over in the morning and sign whatever you need me to sign.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll come to you. I’m dying to see how little Claire is doing!”
“She’s growing by leaps and bounds. She’s amazing.”
“I’m so glad, man. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I hang up and lean back in the bed, my eyes closing. It’s been a long week away and I’m exhausted.
I must doze off because I wake to Jane’s lips teasing a path down my chest and unbuckling my belt, releasing my cock from my pants. Her lips close around me and my head tilts back, pleasure tingling in my body, radiating out in a fire of desire.
“Oh god, baby. I love watching your lips wrap around my cock.”
Her eyes dance when she gurgles, refusing to pull off to respond. Instead she doubles down, her lips and tongue sending my body careening out of control, flying over a cliff, the spiraling need bursting and my seed spilling between her lips.
She sits up and licks her lips, drinking down every drop. I draw her into me, nuzzling behind her ear where I know it drives her crazy.
“Ohhh. I missed you.”
“Not more than I missed you.”
“Really?” she asks, her eyes still worried. I’ve had to fight her insecurities for years. But I’ll keep fighting those battles until she realizes what a treasure she is.
“Baby, every second that I’m away from you feels like forever.” She curls up on my chest and I run my fingers through her long, dark hair.
“I love you, Ryker.”
“Baby, I love you more every day. You’re the first thing I want to see in the morning and the last thing I want to see at night. You’re the breath in my lungs and the beat of my heart. You mean more to me than anything on this earth and that’s never going to change.”
“Even though I’m older than you.”
I shake my head and kiss the top of her head. “None of that matters. Especially when you’re like a witch and get more beautiful every day.”
“Liar,” she laughs.
I lift her chin, my eyes serious. “I’m not lying. I promised you I would never lie to you again and I meant it.”
Claire’s wail rings out and I groan but stand, zipping my pants. “I’ll get her. You rest, baby doll. You’re gonna need it for later,” I whisper, kissing her hard and fast.
I jog up the stairs and into Claire’s room, picking up the second love of my life. “Hello, sweetheart. How are you? Wet? Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you, princess.”
And after cleaning her up, I sit in the rocking chair and rock her gently, smiling when her plump lips open in a yawn, her blue eyes closing.
It took longer than I planned and all of the path that we took wasn’t easy, but we’ve found our happy place. I glance out the window and smile, seeing the soft flakes of snow dance past the window. Christmas is next week and I can’t wait.
The only thing I need this year is my Jane and our daughter. And I intend to make both of their lives as full of love as I possibly can. The heart can give in, but mine feels stronger every day I spend with my family.
Love makes you strong not weak. It builds your dreams from what might seem like insurmountable obstacles. But somehow, love finds a way.
And I thank god every day that I found Jane. And she gave me the chance to prove to her that we belonged together. Forever.