Page 118 of Inseparable
Ayden giggles. “I’m flying, Gramma!” he shrieks, wiggling his hands in the air. “Again, Daddy! I wanna fly again!”
Devin indulges him, running up and down the deck with Ayden elevated above him like a mini Superman in the making. Watching Devin with our son is an absolute joy to behold. There is no more attentive, more devoted dad in the world. He’s strict with him on manners and routine, but he knows how to ensure he has fun, how not to clip his wings. Ayden has a lively personality, and there’s no doubt he’s a handful, but he’s the sweetest, smartest, happiest child going.
We’ve brought Ayden to Devin Junior’s grave a couple times since we moved him closer. He doesn’t quite understand it yet, but he will in time. All he knows is his older brother is an angel, watching over him from heaven.
I was a hot mess during my pregnancy and delivery with Ayden. Old fears returned to haunt me, and, at every turn, I was convinced something was wrong. I was more closely monitored because of my previous pregnancy, and they conducted a fetal echocardiography during my second trimester—which came back clear—but I still couldn’t relax. I was petrified the same thing would happen again. I’m sure the doctor was sick of the sight of me by the time I delivered.
This pregnancy has been different. Because Ayden’s delivery was uncomplicated, and he came out all pink and healthy, I’ve managed to chill out, so this experience has been more enjoyable. I’m not going to lie and say I don’t have fears, because I’m still plagued with them, but it’s within more normal confines. Every parent worries their baby will be fine, and we’re no exception.
But Devin has been amazing—never chastising me for my irrational fears and always listening, always supporting, always reassuring me.
“How’s business?” Jon asks Devin from his position in front of the grill.
“Booming,” Devin replies, and I smile proudly at him. While it was all totally Devin’s idea, I was delighted when he quit his job to set up his own security consultancy company. It’s less dangerous, and the hours are better. Besides, we need the flexibility now we have another baby on the way and I’m entering the second year of my PhD. Life is hectic, but I couldn’t be any happier.
The doorbell chimes, and Mom scurries off to answer it.
“Lissa!” Ayden squeals. “Lemme down, Daddy!”
Devin places our son’s feet on the ground just as the triplets come racing out onto the deck.
“Melissa, Melody, and Mason!” Mariah screams after them. “Stop running!”
Her face is flushed and red as she joins us on the deck. Cody is behind her, weighed down with bags. Devin pulls out two chairs for us. “Ladies, rest your feet.”
Mariah waddles to the table, flopping into the chair with a relieved sigh. “Thank you, Devin. I’m like a demon today. The three amigos were awake at the crack of dawn,” she says, gesturing toward her triplets who are now playing on the swing and slide set with Ayden. “And the twin minxes in my belly were having an energetic game of football in the middle of the night.” She yawns, as if to prove her point.
“I can’t believe you’re going to have five kids under the age of five,” I admit, shuddering at the thought. “And you’re not even thirty yet!”
“Oh, God,” Cody says. “Please don’t remind us. You’ll be lucky to see us this time next year. We’ll be run ragged.”
“You better not be too busy to finish the treehouse, slacker,” Devin teases. He concocted the plan with Cody a couple of months back, and I think it’s sweet he wants to replicate our childhood treehouse in our own backyard, so the next generation can have as much fun as we had. They’ve started building it, but it’s nowhere near finished.
“Don’t worry. I’ll pull my weight. The kids wouldn’t have it otherwise.” He rolls his eyes, before leaning down to kiss his wife’s cheek. “Besides, we’ll need it with our expanding family; otherwise, we’ll take over when we come to visit. Not that I’m complaining,” he hurries to add, kissing Mariah briefly on the lips. “I’ve always wanted a big family, and we’re blessed.”
“Me too,” Devin says, standing behind me and angling his body into mine. “I was disappointed we weren’t having twins.”
“I wasn’t!” I blurt. “One at a time is all I can manage.” I touch my friend’s arm, smiling, so she knows it’s a compliment. “I’m no Mariah.”
“Aw, you’re too sweet.” My friend leans in to hug me. “And feel free to borrow ours anytime your house seems too quiet. Our lot will rectify that in seconds.”
Melissa emits a loud shriek right that second, as if perfectly timed. “See what I mean?” Mariah deadpans. We all look out into the yard. Ayden has his arms wrapped around Melissa, and he’s trying to kiss her.
“Oh boy,” Devin says, smirking. “I think we’re in trouble.”
“It’s Ange and Devin part two,” Mom says, her tone nostalgic. “They’re so sweet together, just like you two were at that age.”
Devin drapes himself around me, sweeping my hair aside to plant a delicate kiss on my neck. I shiver all over. My insane addiction to Devin hasn’t lessened in the slightest. Add in pregnancy hormones and I’m relentlessly horny. His touch ignites fireworks inside me, and I can’t get enough. The minute Ayden is asleep at night, I pounce on my husband, although the bigger I’m getting, the more creative I have to be.
“I hope Ayden’s as lucky,” Devin says, “because there’s no greater feeling than getting to spend the rest of your life with the girl you’ve grown up loving.”
Mariah slaps Cody’s arm. “Why don’t you say stuff like that to me?”
“Thanks, man,” Cody faux glares at Devin. “You’ve gone from bad ass to pansy ass in the flick of an eye.”
“If loving my woman makes me a pansy ass, then I’ll wear that crown with pride,” my husband retorts. I yank his head down, smashing my lips against his. He doesn’t shy away, kissing me deeply, and if we didn’t have guests, I’d straddle his lap and have my wicked way with him. But we do, so I reluctantly break the kiss, pulling away.
“Your mom’s right,” Mariah says, smiling. “You two are still so sweet together.”
