that she’s pregnant? She’s a goddamn vision. She is quite literally glowing. And I don’t think she’s ever been more beautiful than she is right now. She’s in her element. Happiness just wafts off her as she takes everything in.
“I’m happy for you, man,” Landon says, clapping me on the back. His gaze is on Selene, too. It tightens my stomach. “Still can’t believe you managed to get her to marry your dumbass after all these years.”
I shoot him a glare, and he laughs, purposely trying to tick me off. The bastard is just like Bishop. They know how to get a rise out of me.
“How’s Beth-Ann?” I shoot back. It works, if the scowl on his face is any indication.
There’s a sudden tugging on my jacket, and I glance down. “Daddy, can we get ice cream?”
I stifle my laughter. It’s the dead of winter with snow sludge decorating the streets, and my daughter wants ice cream? Christ.
“As soon as we’re done here.” She smiles victoriously and skips off, standing at Selene’s side. My wife looks down at our daughter with a soft smile on her face. The impact of it hits me square in the chest.
I can’t wait to watch her stomach grow bigger until she’s begging me to help her walk. I can’t wait to experience all the things I missed out on the first time with this new baby. I want to watch Luna take on the role of big sister. I want it all.
“You’ve never looked happier, son,” my dad says, clapping me on the shoulder. Our eyes are glued to Selene. She’s dressed in jeans and a knit black top with a jacket to ward off the cold weather. The outfit, in particular, isn’t anything special, but on her? She looks fucking beautiful. She’s deep in conversation with my mother and her mother, a slight flush on her cheeks and a wide grin on her face.
“I’ve never been this happy,” I admit.
“Selene is lucky to have you.”
I shake my head, unable to look away from her. Waves tumble down her back. The chocolate strands pop out against the white jacket she’s wearing. The snow has come early this year, bringing the cold front with it. Luna screamed at the first sight of it. She was ecstatic that she lived where it snowed. The wonder of it all hasn’t faded for her yet, but I imagine it will soon enough.
The love I have for my girls is fierce. It billows in my chest, a live wire surging through my body. I can’t imagine what life would be like without either of them. Without Selene and our little moon.
“I’m the lucky one. I always have been.”
And I mean every damn word.
Ten Years Later
“You sure you have everything handled? You don’t need my help?” I ask down the line. I can practically envision Julia’s eye roll.
“Everything is fine. Jesus, woman. I can handle this. You’ve just given birth. Why don’t you lie down and breastfeed or something.”
My eyes narrow. “Don’t tempt me. As you’ve said, I just had a baby.”
“What number is this now anyway? Eighteen?” she teases, and I fight my smile. She knows damn well how many kids I have. Hell, she’s the godmother to most of them.
“You’re such an ass. She’s number four.”
Julia whistles. “End really took the term barefoot and pregnant to heart, didn’t he?”
I laugh because she isn’t wrong. The man has no qualms about coming inside me. Not that he should, as he’s my husband, but you’d at least think after four kids he’d want to slow down.
He doesn’t.
“You’re horrible. You know that?”
“That’s why you love me,” she singsongs. “Oh, I gotta go. We have customers.”
“Okay, I’ll be in later to check on things once End gets back from work. He took Gavin with him, so I’m sure they’ll be back sometime soon. You know how that kid is. He’s the biggest complainer. A lot like you, actually.”
Julia huffs, “Har, har, har. Goodbye, Selene. Kiss my sweet little baby Flora for me.”
“I will.”
Moonchild has been incredibly successful here in Dunsmuir. I took a risk bringing this baby to life in Pasadena, then again here, but it’s performed so much better than my wildest dreams. Tomorrow officially marks ten years that we’ve been open, and I still can’t wrap my head around it. It’s my dream come true, and I get to live it every single day.
After hanging up with Julia, I check on Flora, our youngest. My sweet little girl is still