“Not in front of Pyra,” I tease. “You’re so bad.”
“Truce, then.” He clears his throat. “Marky and Brett seem happy,” he adds changing the subject.
“I think so, too.” I smile at Matt. “They’re good for one another, don’t you think?”
After all, Matt’s first child finally came out of the closet after he and I ended our engagement. In fact, Marky told me that it was learning about my willingness to risk everything to be with the person I love that helped him decide it was time to be true to himself. Once he found out about me and his dad, he knew that his news would be small peas by comparison.
I shake my head. Still, it was definitely one of the strangest conversations I’ve ever had.
“What’s running through that beautiful mind of yours?” Matt asks as he starts putting the leftovers in the fridge.
“Remember how shocked Marky was when he learned about us?” I laugh at the memory. “But then he was so ecstatic? I was just thinking about that.”
“I was so worried.” Matt agrees ruefully. “We thought he was going to run screaming for the hills, but he didn’t. Marky was our first supporter, which means a lot.”
I smile at my handsome lover again, but unintentionally frown as he turns away to start washing the dinner plates.
After all, even with Marky’s support, it wasn’t easy. A lot of people in our town, and even some family members, expressed concern and even displeasure with the fact that I was dating my ex-fiancé’s dad. I get what it looks like. Girl hops from one man’s bed … and into the bed of that same man’s father.
But still, our relationship is real, and I have proof. I look at my little girl playing with her leftover dinner, making a mess of the peas and potatoes. Announcing Pyra’s birth was a big part of helping others see that Matt and I are serious about each other. Marky especially loves having a kid sister and is her frequent babysitter. The innocent little tot has unknowingly brought our strange little family much closer together.
I shake my head. How did I get so lucky?
“If you’ve got the dishes, I’ll go make sure the house is cleaned up before we go upstairs.”
Matt grins at me over the pile of dishes. “Uh-huh, sure.”
“Thanks love,” I wink at him as I pull Pyra from her highchair and prop her on my hip. “Come on little girl, we’re going to make sure everything’s cleaned up before bedtime.”
As I adjust a cushion here, straighten a picture frame there, I pause to take in my beautiful home.
Even by mansion standards, the house is huge. Nestled on a few acres on the outskirts of Blue Mountain, the house boasts a sweeping foyer, large porch, and magnificent windows. Matt purchased the home for us a few months after I told him I was pregnant, and insisted that I decorate however I saw fit.
I smile as I stroll around the living room, turning off various lamps. I love the place, and – despite its grand size – have managed to make it a cozy and fun home. To my surprise, Matt had been completely on board with my interior design theme of turquoise, deep red, and sunflower yellow décor. Pyra’s framed finger-paintings grace the living room walls, and pictures of our loving family members line the stairs.
Yep, I’m pretty darn lucky.
Pyra coos in agreement.
“Alright, girls.” Matt says as he strides into the living room. “I finished the dishes, locked up, and now it’s time for one of you to go to sleep and the other, well,” he kisses me deeply. “I have plans for the other.”
I smile wickedly at him.
“Alright, let’s get upstairs then.”
After we settle Pyra into her crib, Matt and I stand side by side, watching the infant wiggle around.
“We made a cute kid.” Matt puts his arm around my shoulder.
“We really did.” I smile at the baby.
“Plus, she’s surprisingly calm, considering we named her ‘fire.’”
“Well, who knows, maybe the next one will be the fiery one,” I reply in a sly tone.
Matt drops his arm and turns to face me, his blue eyes searching.
“Next one? Sweetheart, are you trying to tell me something?”
I turn to look at him, my eyes damp.
“I’m pregnant, Matt. You’re going to be a father again.” Tears fall down my cheeks and Matt’s own steel-blue eyes get misty.
“You are? That’s just – I’m so happy, Cora.” Matt scoops me into a tight embrace. “You hear that, kiddo? You’re going to be a big sister.”
Pyra coos noisily, waving her chubby fists.
I sniffle a bit. “I think she’s excited.”
“I’m excited.” Matt is grinning ear to ear. “How far along are you, do you know?”
I giggle at his eagerness.
“Maybe six weeks. Not much. And by the way, I think I want to keep working part time at Hearts and Heroes for a little longer, but honestly, Hadley’s such a good manager even my part-time work seems unnecessary.”