“Politically, if I start inviting people from work, everyone from work is going to want to go. And everyone that I grew up with will want to go, especially if they hear that we're having an open bar. I just want to keep it between us.”
“Let's elope,” I suggested. “The only person who I'd really like to invite, outside of Misty, is my mom. We could do that, just you, Katherine, Emma, my mom, and I.” Then, I paused, feeling my face flushing. “Sorry, I'm getting too ahead of myself, aren't I? You specifically said that you weren't looking to marry me tomorrow or anything.”
Andrew laughed and pulled me closer until my body was
pressed tightly against his. “I don't mind,” he said. “In fact, I like the enthusiasm. It's cute.”
“Good,” I said.
We kissed chastely. I pulled away before it could get heated, squirming a little. “I really don't think that I can come again,” I told him.
Andrew laughed again. “I don't even think I could get half hard again. Not until morning. I'm exhausted.”
“So, I'm doing a good job of earning it, then?” I asked wickedly.
“More than good,” Andrew told me, kissing me again.
We settled against the pillows, and I watched Andrew's eyes slide closed. I couldn't take my eyes off my ring just yet, though. “Hey, Andrew?” I asked, voice barely a whisper.
“Hmm?” he responded.
“I love you.”
“I love you, too,” he murmured. “More than you'll ever know.”
Epilogue
Andrew
I watched as Lexi took a few dozen pictures of Emma dressed in her new outfit. The girl looked adorable in a plaid skirt and crisp white top, with ribbons in her braids.
“Can you believe it's already her first day of school?” Janice asked from my elbow.
I shook my head. These past years had gone by fast. If I'd thought, three years ago, that I could hardly imagine my life without Emma and Lexi in it, it was nothing compared to how I felt now.
But I was going to have to get used to Emma not being in the house for most of the daytime, now that she was headed to school.
We drove up to the elementary school, and Emma craned her neck back to look up at the building. “Whoa,” she said. “Daddy, is this whole building my school?”
I laughed. “Of course not, sweetie,” I told her. “There's a lot of different offices and companies on different floors. That would be a lot of kids to meet, otherwise.”
Emma puffed out her chest. “I'm great at making friends,” she said. “Mr. Sanders said it last year when I was in kindergarten. By the time I come home today, I'm gonna have a hundred new friends.”
“Oh, really?” I asked her, stifling a grin.
“You be good today,” Lexi said, kneeling down next to Emma. “And share those crackers that I put in your lunch, okay? That's a great way to make friends.”
“I know, Mom,” Emma said, rolling her eyes. “I know that you're all sad because I'm going off to school, but I'm a big kid now, and this is what big kids do. You and Daddy are just going to have to eat lunch alone. But I'm going to be home for dinner.”
I gave her a high-five, but Lexi still looked a little upset. Emma looked around and then gave her a quick hug, kissing her on the cheek. “Sometimes, I get nervous too,” she said solemnly. “But Daddy goes to work, like, so many days, and he still comes home. School's the same, isn't it?”
Lexi cracked a smile at that. “Just like that,” she agreed. She sighed and straightened up, giving Lexi one last pat on the head. “Come on, let's figure out where your classes are.”
Emma bounded off, following the signs leading up to the administration office. I put my hand on Lexi's back as we walked up the stairs. She moved slowly, and I wondered if her ankles were bothering her again. I'd have to give her a good foot massage when we got home that evening.
“Are you doing all right?” I asked her in a low tone, not wanting Emma to overhear.
“I'm fine,” Lexi said, giving me a sad smile. “I guess with this new little one on the way, I'm just a little emotional. I still remember when I was pregnant with Emma. It doesn't seem like it was that long ago.”