Devlynn –Six Years Later
“Can you change the baby's diaper?” I called from down the hall.
“I had the last one,” Elis yelled as he watched the football game.
“Babe, I can’t change the diaper. Seriously, it will make me sick,” I whined as I stepped into the room with Brady wiggling in my arms in only a diaper.
“Shouldn’t he be potty trained by now,” Elis groaned as he stood from the couch.
“He’s only eighteen months old, so no.” I thrust our boy into his arms.
“Jesus.” Elis held Brady’s stinky self at arm’s length. “Come on, buddy. Don’t you want to use the toilet like a big boy?”
“No.”
Ah, there it was. No. One of the few words he knew and used excessively.
“What a bum deal if you’re going to be like this the whole pregnancy,” Elis grumbled good-naturedly as he headed down the hall and into the nursery.
“It’s only at the beginning that my nose is so sensitive.” I rubbed my tummy softly as I followed after them.
“Mommy! Look at our paintings!” the boys called as they entered the nursery with Aunt Sarena in tow.
“My little artists. So much talent. Future New York City Gallery owners just like your Daddy.” I bent and caught them both in my arms, hugging them tightly. The boys were just like their father, creative types, they preferred to be hanging out at The Brooks Gallery instead of at the law firm with me.
I thought about quitting the firm with baby number four on the way but my work was too important and the office was always understaffed as it was. Not many people wanted to make peanuts as a lawyer or work pro bono cases.
Welcoming Kellen and Harrison into our lives had been a whirlwind. Twins had been the last thing we were expecting, but neither of our mothers had been surprised when we broke the news.
I looked back at Elis as he lifted our one-and-a-half-year-old son into the air and spun him around until he was giggling wildly. My heart stuttered to a stop, looking at all the men in my life who made my heart beat.
“Hey, Mama.” My gorgeous husband pressed a kiss to my lips.
I held his cheek as I kissed him. “Hey.”
“You look extra beautiful with that smile on your face,”
“Thanks for putting it there.” I took his lips with mine again.
“Daddy! Show me how to paint with the sponge again, please!” Harrison, the smaller of our twins, demanded.
“He’s ready, Daddy.” I smiled sweetly.
“After I set them up, can I get some alone time with my girl?” Elis quirked an eyebrow suggestively.
“Maybe at nap time, Mr. Brooks.” I rubbed my tummy, watching with dreamy eyes as Aunt Sarena and Elis set the boys up with painting sponges at their craft table overlooking the park.
It's funny how I almost hated this place. It was so lonely upon moving in, and now it was jam-packed with life.
Elis returned, wrapping his arms around my waist and swaying me back and forth as he tucked his nose into my neck.
I sucked in a contented breath and relaxed against his chest. “Thank you.”
“For what?” His lips tickled the skin beneath my ear.
“For everything. All of it. From the beginning to the end, thank you.”
“Mmm, my pleasure, ma’am,” he said in his sexy, throaty voice.