“Oh, Salem! Shit, princess, I’m so sorry. I was just excited.” He says as he holds my hair back.
I finish being sick and stand back up. “It’s ok. I’m glad you were excited.” I laugh.
He kisses my forehead before getting me a glass of water and carrying me over to the table. My stomach is already settling and I take a couple of sips of the water. Campbell rubs my back until he’s sure I’m ok.
“So, we’re pregnant!” I say when I’m finally composed.
Campbell laughs.
“Are you happy?” I ask when he just smiles at me.
“I’m over the moon, princess.” He says as he pulls me into his lap.
“I love you so much, princess.”
“I love you, too.”
He kisses me but pulls back before things can get too heated, probably still worried about me getting sick. Campbell starts laughing and I look at him, confused.
“Maybe we should build another house on your father’s land.” I cock my head at him, wondering why he would want that.
“My parents are going to be so happy. They’re going to end up moving back here.”
I laugh as I realize he’s right. I met Campbell’s mom and dad last month when they came up to visit and I loved them instantly. They’re so warm and loving, nothing like my father. They were already asking about grandbabies when they were here last month and I know they’ll be thrilled when we tell them the news. We both laugh as we picture telling them the news. When we calm down, I stroke my hand down Campbell’s beard, staring into his eyes.
“We’re going to be parents, Campbell.”
“I know, princess. You’re going to be a great mom.”
I smile as Campbell tells me exactly what I needed to hear. I already know that he’ll be the best dad and I can’t wait to start our family together.
Chapter Fourteen
Campbell
Ten Years Later…
I watch as Salem and our kids curl up in the reading nook. She’s reading to them from some book series that they all got hooked on and the kids are all hanging on her every word. I hate to interrupt but if I don’t stop them, then they will read all day. They all can get lost in a book and let the day pass them by. Salem definitely passed her love for books down to our children.
We had three kids, all within five years. Two boys, Sam and Caleb, and then our little girl, Ariel. We decided that three was enough for us and, although my parents would have liked more grandkids, it was perfect for us. My parents ended up moving back up, just like I knew they would. We built them a little house on our land and they help Salem out with the library and both of us with the kids.
The library and playground were finished right after Salem gave birth to Sam and we opened it a month after that. Salem loves being a librarian and helping others find a perfect book to get lost in and I love that she’s happy. I also love that she’s so close by. I can pop over whenever I want and steal a few minutes with my wife.
I’m still working the farm and I’m happy to see that my kids have taken an interest in it too. Right now, they mostly just like the animals. You can’t drag Ariel away from the horses and I swear she would be riding them all day if you let her. Sam and Caleb both like the animals but their new found interest is riding around on the tractors and other equipment. We spend most Sunday’s all out in the barn together and they’re my favorite days. Watching my girls with the horses and teaching my boys about how the farm works is makes me happier than anything. I’m looking forward to passing the farm on to them when they’re older just like my parents did for me.
Tonight though, I’m just looking forward to taking my wife out on a date. It’s our anniversary and I arranged for my parents to watch the kids for the night. Salem and I are going to a fancy dinner in the city and then are spending a night at a hotel. Karen and her husband have been raving about some new restaurant that just opened and they tried last month and I know that Salem has been dying to try it too so I made us reservations. If we don’t leave soon though, we will miss that reservation.
“Alright, guys.” I say as I walk up to them. “It’s time to head to Grandma and Grandpa’s.”
The kids all smile and hop up. They love staying with their grandparents, probably because they spoil them rotten. I know my mother has been baking sweets up all day, anticipating their arrival tonight. I smile as they hug each of us and tell us to have fun before they run out past us. I pull Salem up and help her finish putting the loose books away before we head to the door, waving goodbye to the evening librarian.
We walk hand in hand back home and she tries to get what we’re doing out of me the whole way. I just smile and pull her along faster. She laughs as we practically run the last few yards and we stumble up the stairs. I catch her and lead her into the house. She tells me she’ll be ready in half an hour and I take a seat on the couch as I hear the shower start.
True to her word, she’s dressed and ready half an hour later. I hear her heels clicking as she makes her way down the hallway and I stand as they get closer. Then I almost fall back onto the sofa when she comes into view.
Even after all these years she is still the most beautiful woman that I have ever seen. She’s wearing a tight hot pink dress that molds to all of her curves. Her hair is pulled back on wide side and held in place with some kind of clip and strappy black heels complete the look. She is perfection.
“You’re gorgeous, princess.” I say as she walks over to me.