Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 69911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
“Easton, I’m perfectly capable of changing her diaper.”
“I know, but you fed her.” He points to my breasts and his eyes heat. Ignoring the way that one look from him makes me feel, makes me want things it’s too soon to want, I focus on the issue at hand.
“I know that. But I can do this. I want to do this.”
“Ris,” he sighs.
“Why don’t you call Drew and see if he wants to go to the cages?” I suggest.
“What?” he asks, appalled. “I can’t leave you here alone.” As if I’m not capable of caring for myself or our children.
“I won’t be alone. Chloe is coming over to hang out with me. I haven’t seen her since the first week we were home.”
“I’ll take the girls downstairs so you two can catch up.”
“East.” I say his name in my mom voice that always stops P in her tracks. “Go. Call the guys. Get out of the house. You need a break.”
He scoffs. “I don’t need a break from my family.”
“Fine. We need a break from you.”
His head jerks back and hurt flashes across his face. “Look. I love you. You are the most amazing father and husband. I love our life, but, babe, your hovering is driving me crazy. I’ve been down this road, and I traveled it mostly alone.”
“But not this time. I promised you wouldn’t ever do it alone again. I meant that.”
“You’re here for us every day. You’ve barely seen the guys since I told you we were pregnant. You need to still have a life, even though we have a family. It’s a balance. You need this, trust me.”
“What happens if you need me?”
“I’ll call you. Chloe will be here. Nothing is going to happen. Go have a few beers, swing the bat a few or a hundred times. Go do manly things.” I offer him a smile.
“Mommy, girls can hit balls too.” Paisley’s ever-present ears pick up on everything.
“That’s right, princess,” Easton agrees with her.
I move to stand in front of him. “I love you, Easton Monroe. You need a break, too. Go call Drew.” Before he can protest again, the doorbell rings. “That’s Chloe. We’re going to catch up. You should do the same.” With my index finger, I motion for him to come closer. He does as I ask and leans down so we are eye-to-eye. “I love you, slugger.” I kiss him, taking my time. When I pull away, I see the worry leave him.
“Okay. But I’m not staying out long.”
“Take all the time you need,” I say, walking past him to let Chloe in.
“Aunt Chloe.” Paisley runs and wraps her arms around Chloe’s waist.
“Hey, P, you been helping Mommy and Daddy take care of your new baby sister?”
“When Daddy lets me.” She giggles.
“I get it,” Easton says, joining us at the front door. He has on a clean T-shirt, and his keys and phone are in his hand. “I can’t believe I’m getting kicked out of my own home,” he grumbles.
“Drew’s waiting for your call.” Chloe grins. She and Drew dated sporadically in the beginning, but these last few months, it seems to have become more serious.
“Love you.” Easton bends to kiss the top of Paisley’s head. He then gently presses a kiss to the top of Parker’s who is asleep in my arms. “Love you, too,” he says softly. His hand slides around the back of my neck as he leans in and kisses me. “Love you, wife. I’ll be back soon.” Standing, he points at Chloe. “You take care of them.” The two of us throw our heads back in laughter.
“Go,” I say, pushing on his back with my free hand.
“Love you,” he calls over his shoulder, walking out the door.
“Gimme.” Chloe holds her hands out for Parker. I transfer her over, then reach for Paisley’s hand.
“Let’s go sit on the couch.” P is thrilled that she has my attention and leads the way. “So how are things with Drew?” I ask Chloe.
“Good. We’ve gotten closer these last few months.”
“Exclusively?”
She smiles. “Not officially, but yeah, we’re headed that way I think.”
“You need one of those,” I say, pointing to a sleeping Parker.
“I think you’re right,” she agrees, shocking the hell out of me.
“That’s a first.”
She shrugs. “Finding a guy who you know is going to stick around changes a girl’s perspective.”
“Don’t I know it.”
“Daddy never leaves,” Paisley says, adding her two cents to the conversation, causing us to laugh.
“Your daddy just loves us and wants to take care of us.”
“I know.” She sighs. “Can I go play in my room?”
“Sure you can.” Like lightning, she’s off the couch and dashing upstairs to her princess room. Easton went all out when he asked us to move in with him. He took the liberty of making a pink and purple princess oasis for Paisley, the minute she saw it, she begged to move in. That was two months after he proposed. Since that day, the day of the proposal, our lives have been a whirlwind. A happy, full of love and laughter spiral of moments that I never want to forget.