Chapter 52
FIFTY-TWO
Aspen
A month later…
“I have an early present for you.” I offer Bishop the wrapped package I’d left tucked away in the house earlier today.
It was killing me all day knowing it was sitting here waiting for him.
But I wanted time alone with him when he opened it, uninterrupted by our family or friends or obligations to be somewhere else.
“A gift for me?” He looks surprised as he takes it.
“Open it.” I nod down to the package.
He begins to tear the wrapping paper around the box, his eyes darting between mine and the task in front of him. He sets the paper aside and slips the lid free on the small rectangular container.
My heart is very nearly bouncing out of my chest by the time he gets it off and stares down at the contents. I can hear a pin drop.
“Jones…” His eyes widen and then jump to mine in question.
My grin spreads as I see the shock on his face melt to sheer joy.
“You’re gonna be a mom again?”
“You’re gonna be a dad again.”
“Oh my god.” He presses his fist to his lips, his eyes threatening to water. “How long?”
“I need to make the doctor’s appointment this week to know for sure, but I thought you might want to go with me.”
“Hell yes, I want to go with you.” He drops the box to the side and wraps his arms around me, pulling me close and kissing me before looking at me like he’s seeing me for the first time again. “I’m coming to every appointment you have. When did you know? Recently?”
“I wasn’t sure at first. My symptoms were so much milder than I remember. Until I got so tired I could barely see straight the last couple of weeks.”
“The naps you’ve been taking threw me a bit. I won’t lie. I was starting to worry,” he confesses.
“I just needed to get some extra sleep. The little one’s taking its fair share of energy lately.” I press my hand to my abdomen.
“You can sleep now if you want. I can pull the sheets down. Get you some water. You just tell me.” His hand brushes over mine, staring down in awe. “Anything you need.”
“I’ve had plenty. I don’t need to sleep right now.”
“Are you sure? Maybe we should get your feet up. Don’t they say that you need to rest your feet when you’re pregnant?” His elation turns to concern.
“Bishop.” I raise a pointed brow, and his eyes snap up to meet mine.
“Yes?”
“I’m fine. Truly. You don’t need to worry.”
“I just want to make sure you’re getting everything you need this time.”
“I know you will. But right now, I’m just wishing for a little more time with you.”
“Well, that’s always the case for me. But now… You’re not gonna be able to get rid of me. I’m gonna be at your side everywhere you go. You better be careful what you wish for, honey.”
“Too late. Honestly, I think it might be the best thing I’ve ever done—wishing to have you back.” I kiss him gently, but he draws me in, murmuring softly about how much he loves me and how he has everything he’s ever wanted.
I’m so in love with this man, with our present and our future, that I can’t remember a time I ever wasn’t.
Because he’s mine, and I’m his. Our children, and their children, and the ones who read about us in old, dusty memory books tucked into the shelves of the ranch house will forever know that the love in this family flows fast and free.
Always has. Always will.