on her shirt.
“Daddy,” she shrieks when her beautiful eyes lock with mine. Then she shoots up to stand before jumping into my arms.
I balance her and the bag of food in my grasp, then look at my wife. When she rests her hands on her swollen stomach and lets out a sigh, I smile at her, and she smiles back.
“How are all my girls today?”
“Good,” Cori says, looking up at me and smiling before resting her head against my shoulder and wrapping her arms around my neck.
I look from her to Leah, and she shakes her head. She touches Cori’s hair and rests her hand on her stomach. “Between this wild one and her dancing on my bladder day and night, I’m not sure I have it in me to try again for the boy you want.” She’s full of shit. Yes, our girl’s wild, and yes, the daughter who’ll be joining us in three short months is causing her to run to the restroom every few minutes, but I know, just like me, she’s happy in our chaos and happy with the life we’ve built.
“I want a brother,” Cori informs us while looking at Leah’s stomach like she has the power to change the sex of her sister.
“Maybe someday, honey.” Leah laughs and kisses the side of her head when she pouts.
I lean over and kiss the top of Leah’s head, then inform Cori, “You need to finish getting dressed so you can eat.” I take her shirt from Leah before going to the kitchen. Bruce, like always, is sprawled out on the kitchen floor and hardly lifts his head to acknowledge our presence. He’s used to the chaos, whereas Mouse avoids it at all costs by staying hidden until Cori is asleep for the night. I set the bag with dinner on the counter, then put Cori down and help her into her shirt. When she’s covered, I carry her to her high chair and lock her in so she can’t escape and climb onto the kitchen table to sing or dance, which she does often when we’re not overly careful. I hand her my cell phone so she can watch her favorite videos on YouTube. Once she’s settled, I go to Leah, who’s making our plates, and take advantage of the few minutes of quiet to feel her up and steal a few kisses. I’ve missed her today. Hell, I miss her when I haven’t seen her for just a few hours. My obsession with her hasn’t changed over the last few years, even after us becoming parents.
“Your mom called me this morning,” Leah says after we’ve sat down and she’s dug into her Chinese food. I study her expression, hoping my mom didn’t ruin the surprise. “She says she and your dad will be here tomorrow evening. She asked if I wanted her to pick up the Tennessee wine my mom loved from that shop in town.”
“Shit.”
“Daddy said a bad word,” Cori informs Leah, briefly looking up from her show to tattle on me.
Leah smiles at our girl and pats the top of her hand before she looks at me once more. “Did you forget to tell me something?”
I play it off and explain. “Mom and Dad are missing their grandbaby. I forgot to tell you that they called a few days ago and are coming this weekend to spend time with her.”
“Then we’re not going away to Jamaica, and I don’t need to buy a new swimsuit?” I close my eyes in frustration because I should never have told my mom my plan to get Leah alone for a few days before she can’t travel. “She didn’t tell me,” she says, and I open my eyes to look at her. “I saw the travel plans in an email over a month ago.”
“Sneak.” I give her a little glare, and she smiles innocently.
“Honestly, it’s just good to know you’re not sneaking off with a mistress.” Her tone is joking, but there’s an undercurrent of truth in it.
I frown and then shake my head. “You’re not serious.”
“I’m fat,” she states, and I feel a rumble of aggravation deep in my chest. “I don’t look—”
“You’re still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen in my life. You’re not . . .” I look down at Cori and cut myself off before I curse. “You’re not fat. You’re creating a life inside you—a life I had a hand in making.”
Her face softens, and I get up from my chair