Page 23 of Stolen to Forever
“I love you, too.”She kisses me sweetly before I rest my forehead to hers.
“Want to go back on the dance floor or go to bed?”
She pretends to think on it for a second before her eyes light up.“Let’s get some cake to go!”
“Anything you want.”I kiss her one last time before we put our clothes back in place and walk out of the closet hand in hand.
Even though both of us are a little wobbly on our legs.
EPILOGUE
COLLINS
Five years later…
Isit up, still sleepy from my nap but my stomach gets the better of me.With our daughter, I couldn't keep anything down for months but with our son I’m always hungry.After Maryjane, Kade swore we were never doing this again because the pregnancy was too much.I giggle thinking back on it.You would have thought he’d been the one throwing up and going through labor because the man worried himself sick.God, I love that husband of mine.
Even when I was bent over the toilet with morning sickness I knew I would do it again and I’ve been lucky so far this time.My baby boy wants me to eat everything and doesn’t have any desire for me to throw anything up.I’m not even that far along, but still a small bump has popped out a lot quicker than the first time.
I knew before my eyes opened from my nap I needed icing, and not the whipped kind either.I need the kind that’s thick and creamy and so rich it makes my teeth ache.
“You’re right.We should dip the chocolate chip cookies in the icing.”I rub my baby bump as I swing my legs over the side of the bed.I look at the clock to see I only napped for thirty minutes and not my usual two hours.
Kade kissed me goodbye this morning when he took Maryjane to preschool.He and his brother went back to the office together since they normally meet a few times a week to go over things.I came back to our house and passed out since my little bun wants all the sleep and sugar.
I see from the glass of water and prenatal pills next to the bed Kade came in search of me.He’s likely back in his office counting down the time until I wake up or it’s time to get Maryjane from preschool.I still have another few hours until it’s time to pick her up.I yawn and down the water and the pills.
This first week of preschool has been rough.I don’t know why it’s been so hard on Kade and me but our little MJ could care less about us.She’s a social butterfly, though everyone on the island knows each other already.I know she’s growing up and it makes my heart ache.The house is too quiet, which is another reason that after we have this little precious boy we will go on to have more.Kade shouldn’t have made a house with so many rooms if he didn’t want me to fill them.Besides, with how easy this pregnancy is going, I know he’s going to be down for another.It’s not like he can say no.The man can’t keep his hands off me and there’s no way he’s about to start.He just worries over me and I get it since he almost lost me once.
I yawn as I walk into the bathroom and make myself look human as I brush my hair.I find a light dress and slip on some sandals as my stomach growls.“You act like you didn't eat a few hours ago.”I pat my stomach.
Meals around here are mini feasts with a family as big as ours.I still can’t believe how many pancakes I ate this morning and I’m not going to think about how much bacon I’d chased it with.
I make my way down the stairs, calling out for Kade in case he’s home.I go straight for the pantry, only finding the chocolate chip cookies and sprinkles.Oh God, I could mix the sprinkles into the icing and make a cookie sandwich, but I can’t find any freaking icing.How could we be out?
If I go to the main house to look for some, Kade will leave whatever he’s working on to hunt down icing for me and I can get it on my own.I go to the front door and grab the keys to the golf cart off the hook.I’ll go to the main warehouse and get some myself.I could stock up on a few other things while I’m out.
I go out to the cart and take off toward the warehouse, waving to a few people as I drive down the road.They wave back but I see a few people give me a weird look.
“Don’t be a snitch!”I shout to Papa Mick when I see him pulling out his phone.I know he’s calling or texting Kade.I love this island but you can’t do anything without everyone knowing.
I push the gas pedal harder, trying to beat Kade there.The main warehouse holds most things we need for the island and is right next to the airport.It’s easy to store things there when they come in and we use it like a grocery store to go in and stock up.
“Mrs.Warsaw?”Jim says as I pull my cart to a stop in front of the warehouse.He says my name like he’s shocked to see me alone.
“Icing,” I tell him as I walk past him.It actually looks like a new order has just arrived when I start roaming around the crates.
I’m a woman on a mission and not paying attention to anything else when I run right into someone.
“Can I help you find something?”
I turn around and see a man I don’t recognize.I’m guessing he’s with the people doing the delivery drop.He must be new because I know most of them, too.He looks to be about my age and is shirtless.It’s not that hot out today so I don’t know why, and then I see his badge clipped to his jeans.His eyes roam over me.I know he’s checking me out and I swear I think I see him flex his chest muscles.I fight a laugh as I rest my hand over my small baby bump, letting my wedding ring show.
“I’m good, Brent, but thanks.”I give him a small smile and resume my search.
Did they move crap around?Maybe it’s my pregnancy brain and I do actually need help finding something, but how would the new guy know where it was?The warehouse is pretty big so I decide to go find Jim because he knows this place inside and out.
I come up short when I see the shirtless Brent still standing there staring at me.