Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
Knight
Six Months Later
“Can we not have a repeat of your last party?” Spector calls over his shoulder as he takes his coffee into his office to monitor the property.
“Thanks, asshole!” I yell from the top of the ladder where I’m helping hang the baby shower banner.
“A little to the left,” Wizard says from the floor below me.
“Perfect!” I tie off my side and climb down.
Pirate walks in holding Zac’s little hand. He’s walking now, and the minute he sees me, he pulls to be let go.
“TIO!” he giggles as he runs to me.
“Little man! Are you ready to be a big brother?” He nods, pulling at his shirt that reads ‘Best Big Brother Ever’ on it.
“Where are the girls?” I ask my best friend, who points over his shoulder towards the kitchen.
“These cravings are going to kill me, man. So much worse than the last time.” I laugh and slap his shoulder.
“Almost over.” He nods and takes his son out of my arms.
“Tio needs to go help Titi now.” Zac frowns, but then sees the mountain of balloons for the arch Wizard is making and wiggles down to go play with them.
I go in search of my wife and find her sitting at the counter, green at the gills as she watches Gen devour God only knows what.
“What you got there, mama?” Gen turns to show me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with bananas and bacon in it.
“Elvis would be proud.” I grin at her as she takes a large bite and moans.
“Ugh, I can’t.” Jenna turns, just making it to the trash can and puking whatever her lunch today was.
“Easy,” I walk over and rub her back.
“Sorry, Jenna,” Gen says, taking her plate into the main room so the smell doesn’t make Jenna’s nausea worse.
“Here, sit down. I’ll get you some water to rinse your mouth.” She nods as she lowers herself into a chair.
“How are things going out there?” she asks, taking the water bottle from my hand.
“Wizard has it under control. No worries.” She rinses her mouth with the water, then spits in the trash, which I promptly empty and take out to the dumpster.
“I should be helping,” she calls out so I can hear her down the small hallway.
“No, you insist on helping. There is a difference, dear wife. Stop trying to control everything and let people do something nice for you for a change.” She pouts and crosses her arms over my favorite new pregnancy additions.
Boobs.
“I hate surprises.” I laugh, shaking my head at her as I walk up and cup her growing belly.
“Oh, babe. That is such a fucking lie. The best things in life are surprises. They’re the proof.” My twins move under the warmth of my hands.
“I guess you’re right. God knows you were a fucking surprise. Who’d ever thought I’d be married to you after your mother called me a slut!” We laugh at the memory.
“They all love you now, don’t they?” She smiles and nods.
“They better or they’ll never see these babies.” I grin.
“Look at that! You already have the Italian guilt mom routine perfected.” She slaps me away, but I hug her tighter.
“How about after the baby shower we go away. A baby-cation.” Her eyes light up, and then she narrows, pointing at me.
“Anywhere but Jersey!”