“Amy, these gifts are wonderful. Thank you.”
“I didn’t know what to get the sprog, so there’s a gift voucher in there for you to get whatever it is a one-year-old needs.”
“A woman after my own heart,” Dean whispers, nodding at Amy.
I shake my head. “You’ve no chance there, mate.”
“Why not?”
“She lives in Paris.”
Claire hands Caleb over to Amy, and she holds him at arm’s length.
“Amy, he won’t spew on your Versace dress. It’s okay.” Steph giggles.
“It’s Dior, darling.”
“Whatever. Give him here.” Dean takes Caleb from her and starts chatting her up. That little dude’s being passed around like pass the parcel, but he has a smile on his face.
I wrap my arm around Steph’s waist, and she leans into me. Her cotton dress lifts slightly in the breeze as it swathes around her legs. A perfect summer dress that looks adorable on her, but I can't wait to take it off.
I'm going to unwrap her slowly, like the beautiful gift she is. I breathe in her familiar scent of banana and honey shampoo mixed with her signature perfume that I taste on my tongue when I kiss her neck.
She turns her head as I lick the spot below her ear, and our lips meet. My mum and everyone else are standing in front of us, but I couldn't give a fuck. I love this woman, and I’ll kiss her when and wherever I please. I want the entire world to know she’s mine.
“Dadda,” Caleb says. Each time I hear those words from my boy’s lips, my heart melts.
Mum beams at me when she hears the words. She knows how much it means to me to have another son, a second chance, just like I have a second chance with Steph, and I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve either.
“Are you coming, mate?” I hold out my arms for him, and he waves his hands in excitement. Dean hands him over. Probably glad he’s no longer cramping his style as he continues to try his luck with Amy.
* * *
STEPH
“Steph,”Mark shouts.
I turn to see him and Michael waving from the bottom of the garden, holding a large object wrapped in brown cardboard.
Cal waves back at them with a smile. “Look, Jackson Pillock and his partner are here.”
I jab him in the ribs. “Be nice.”
He mocks my voice as we walk towards them. “All right, I’ll be nice.”
“You’re only jealous because they have the body of Michelangelo’s David and a talent.”
“I have a talent. You just said I was good at multitasking. And I don’t hear any complaints about my skilled tongue.” He smirks, and I smile along with him, thinking about just how skilled his tongue is.
We walk past our kids, throwing a ball to Lady. She’s going to be worn out after all the excitement of today. I smile, hoping Caleb will be the same with a bit of luck.
“Michael, Mark, I’m so glad you came.” I kiss them both, doing the double as they always do.
Mark spins me around. “You look amazing, Steph.” He offers his hand to Cal, and I hold my breath, hoping he’ll take it.
Cal not only grabs his hand, but he pulls him in for a chest bump of sorts before patting Michael on the shoulder and shaking his hand. “How’s it going, fellas?”
“We brought you a gift. I know it’s Caleb’s day, and we placed his present on the table, but this one’s for you, Steph.” Mark offers the gift for me to take.