Chapter 19
Jasmine
I don’t think I’d stopped smiling for the past month. Well, it was more than a month now, actually, and I felt like the sparkling lights that exploded into the inky blackness above our heads. All glittery and busting with excitement.
This was the best Fourth of July celebration in years. Maybe ever. And I wanted to savor every single moment.
I’d forgotten the giddiness that deep loved limned around the world. Or maybe I’d never experienced anything so deep and abiding before.
Another firework shot into the sky, and we all oohed over the sparkling lights as they exploded out of the inky blackness. I sat in a camp chair sandwiched between Aya and Kate, the two of them chatting animatedly about her latest clean water project in the Caribbean.
“You know I’m glad to help with the social media aspect,” Kate said.
I smiled because connecting, helping, supporting each other was the most natural response between these kids. They were so busy, but they made time for each other—and for Steve and me.
Considering their hectic schedules, I felt even luckier than my kids were willing to drop everything to answer the phone when I called…
which wasn’t that often. I hated to bother them, but as Cater told me recently, I wasn’t a bother.
And I’d shown the kids how to put family first. I wasn’t sure my boy could have offered up a nicer compliment.
Tonight was the perfect example of the family-first creed the kids set down out our wedding.
Cam had cleared his schedule this week to be home with his family.
Regan, who’d been touring in South America, had created this space in her schedule to return to their home a couple of days before while Aya and Nash, who was recording a new album, made their way back to Austin yesterday.
I loved having all my chicks under my wings, and I soaked up every moment of their chaos.
Carter and Cam broke into laughter, and I took a sip of my iced tea, my smile widening as another firework burst and sprinkled its way across the sky.
We did something right by these kids, and they were teaching their kids to put their loved ones first. What more could a matriarch ask for, really?
Nash and Rye stood by the outdoor bar Cam had installed last year, sipping a drink and nibbling on some chips—they were the root vegetable kind and Steve had air-fried them himself. No bagged crap for our loved ones.
No doubt those two were talking music. I turned my head from the beautiful display of the Fourth of July fireworks to take in my blessings.
The kids were in the Big House, asleep—all except for Ike, who had moved over to stand next to his father. He expounded on some topic in adorable fashion. His thick glasses caught the light of the next firework.
“You did good with that boy,” I said to Kate, nodding my head in Ike’s direction.
She chuckled. “I’m pretty sure he’s raising himself. I’m just along for the ride.”
“He’s a good egg,” I said.
Her smile widened. “The best.”
Jenna crossed the lawn from the house where she’d check of Cash, flinching a little at the booms from the light show. She was so much more settled now, but her anxiety still flared more than she’d like—more than I or Cam would, too.
“Levi must have woken up because he and Cash are all snuggled together,” Jenna said as she rejoined our group.
Jenna pulled out her phone, and we rose to crowd around, much more interested in photos of our babies than the intricate designs lighting up the sky.
After appropriate oohing and ahhing over the sweetness of the two little boys tucked in together, arms slung around each other, we returned to our seats. Jenna remained standing, fidgeting.
“What’s wrong, Jen?” Kate asked. She rose once more and wrapped a friendly arm around Jenna’s narrow shoulders.
Jenna shuffled her feet before she blurted, “I’m pregnant.”
Her shoulders heaved, and she struggled to contain her panic.
She dropped her phone to the ground and paced, quick and jittery, back and forth, back and forth.
Any second now, Cam would notice. It was impossible for Cam not to notice Jenna’s distress.
When Kate and Aya simply stood by, eyes wide, uncertainty written all over their expressions, I stepped forward and embraced her.
“I got you, Jenna. I got you,” I said. “There now. Take that breath.”
She did, struggling to suck in enough air. Her chin trembled and tears formed in her eyes. “I haven’t told Cam yet. I just took the test. Up at the house. I don’t know…I don’t know how he’s going to react.”
I had a pretty good idea—with fear for his wife. But we’d cross that bridge in a few minutes.
“How do you feel about the pregnancy?” I asked, my tone gentle. I rubbed small circles on her shoulder with my free hand.
Jenna gripped my fingers so tightly, the tips turned white. “I’m excited, but I’m scared. I’m so scared and…and I’m afraid to hope.”
Gently, I extricated my fingers and tucked the pretty wisps of hair behind her ears. “That’s all understandable. It’s murky right now, that’s what you mean.”
“Y-yeah.” She exhaled. “I want this baby.” Her expression morphed into one of fierce love, determination, and hope. “I love this peanut already.”
I kissed her forehead. “Course you do. And we’re all going to do everything we can to make sure you have a safe pregnancy and a healthy baby. Okay?”
She nodded. “Yes, Mama.”
I touched her cheeks with my fingertips.
“Ready to tell Cam now?” I lifted my gaze, aware that my son strode toward us, worry etched into the lines around his mouth.
I narrowed my eyes a little and shook my head at him.
He slowed his gait and took a long, slow breath.
By the time he reached us, his emotions were under control.
“Come on over here, sugar,” he crooned. “I’m gonna hold you for a while.”
She wrapped her arms around him, clinging like a baby koala.
When Jenna mumbled against his chest, Cam’s knees gave a little, but he caught himself, his hold on Jenna firm and strong.
His gaze shot to mine, his expression such fierce joy and protectiveness.
I pressed a hand to my belly, trying to contain my response.
So deeply like his father, my son. Cam nuzzled his nose against her hair, his arms tightening before he pressed kisses from her temple down her cheek to claim her lips.
Somehow, I just knew Jenna was going to be okay.
She had her family, and we’d love her no matter what.
Jenna and Cam had a relationship with a specialist who dealt in high-risk reproduction, who’d helped them through her term with Cash, and I was sure Cam would have Jenna in to see Dr. Ometz next week.
She’d have all the care and expertise surrounding her.
Steve slipped his arm around my waist. I settled back against his torso, tilting my head so I could look into his eyes.
“Hey there, handsome. The kids are fine. Jenna had some news—she’s pregnant.”
He grinned, showing off the faintest of dimples in his left cheek. I’d never tired of seeing that indent. Ever. It took my breath each time, and I loved that I got to have such a reaction to him. His eyes stayed fixed on my face. I liked that, too—being his focus.
He leaned in closer and kissed me. His aftershave tickled my senses just as his five o’clock shadow whispered against the skin of my cheek. Steve always smelled good. Like home.
“Hi, my beautiful wife.”
I tipped my head back in invitation, enjoying his warm bulk against my side and his soft lips caressing mine.
Marrying this man was one of my smarter moves. In fact, from the moment he’d asked me to that…fine, I’d admit it….delicious vegan restaurant where we’d talked about our future, I’d been all in with and for Steve.
In fact, picking where to live had proved much harder than us deciding to spend the rest of our lives together.
In the end, we’d bought a small house in Kate and Rye’s neighborhood, which was between the ranch and Nash and Aya’s place.
I’d been happy to downsize and Steve loved the kitchen, where he liked to putter.
Steve still went over to Nash and Aya’s regularly to make sure their security team was doing their job…
and that they were eating well. While he hovered and showed his love through nitpicking their fridge choices, I drove to the ranch a few times a week to work with my horses.
In the afternoon, I liked to bake in my kitchen and spend time with Cash.
“Want to sneak out of here early?” Steve asked, his tone suggestive. When he pressed his hips against mine, I giggled. Damn, it felt good to love.
“You know, if you got plans, I’m going to be there with you.” I turned in his arms.
He kissed me, long, slow, and sweet—just what I needed. But Steve always knew what I needed.
“And I’m with you,” he said. “Every step of the way.”