Page 117 of Make it a Double

I nodded, smiling. True to my own word, I’d worked tirelessly to make sure Beckett got the birthday party of his dreams. While we opted out of sun-warmed pizza, Duke and Grady had posted up at the grill with hamburgers and hot dogs. A store-bought cake sat in the refrigerator for nostalgia purposes, but Cleo had been quick to volunteer her services and brought a decadent two-tiered dark chocolate pecan creation that was way too large for our party. Upbeat music filtered through the speakers directed toward the lawn where two large bounce houses sat, one of which was currently occupied by Lukas, Harper, Charlie, and Charlie’s friend, Maverick. He was a bit older than the two girls, but they’d grown up together. His dad was Grady’s friend and former bandmate while they were on tour. They moved to Pinecrest about a year ago, and had integrated themselves into our little family.

“Do you think it’s too much?” I asked her. “I just wanted everything to be perfect. He deserves it.”

“And it is. Look at him,” Liv said. She nodded to where Beckett sat beneath the shade, bouncing Oliver on his knee. It was so nice seeing him in his element, completely relaxed and laughing at something one of the guys said. “That man is right where he wants to be.”

As though he could hear our conversation, Beckett glanced our way. He smiled and readjusted our son on his lap, pointing in my direction. Oliver started wiggling, letting out a high-pitched squeal as his dad peppered kisses on his cheek.

Just when I thought I couldn’t love them any more than I already did, it was moments like these that proved me wrong. Moments where the world quieted and it was like we were the only people in it. When my heart physically ached in my chest because there wasn’t an adequate word for how infinite and unconditional my love truly was.

Liv gently pushed my shoulder. “Go on and get your man. Y’all are dangerous trading looks like that in public. I feel like I could get pregnant from just looking at the two of you.”

With that, Liv and I made our way over to my favorite boys. “There’s my namesake,” she cooed, holding out her hands for my son. “Did you miss Auntie Liv?” Oliver squealed, jumping in his father’s lap and babbling incoherently in an excited way we took to mean yes. Liv snuggled him to her chest, rocking on her feet. “I knew it. Come on, let’s go make your other aunts jealous.”

They disappeared into the house where Cleo and Tatum were busying themselves with cake decorations. When Tatum asked me what I wanted on the one from the store, I told her to go all out. There was no telling what she would come out with. It was going to be just as much of a surprise to me as it was to the birthday boy.

“Come here, you,” Beckett said, pulling me into his lap. I went without question, perching on his knee and wrapping my arms around his neck. We sat there for a moment in silence, looking around the massive yard at all the people we called family. It wasn’t perfect, but that was what made it perfect for us. We were surrounded by people who loved and supported us through the good times and the bad. I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

“Thank you for today,” he whispered, holding me a bit tighter. “This is everything I could’ve wanted and more.”

“Well, it was a travesty that you had to wait thirty-two years to experience the greatness of a kid’s birthday party, but better late than never,” I said. “Have you gotten a chance to try out the bounce houses?”

“Not yet.” He turned, giving me a mischievous smile. “But do you think I could get a private tour tonight?”

I laughed. The thought of having sex in a bounce house, even with Beckett, was not appealing. Especially in a rental. “Uh, while I’m sure it’s possible, I feel like one ill-timed thrust could break one of my favorite body parts, so why don’t we keep our feet on the ground?”

Beckett nuzzled my neck, teasing me with a kiss that had my thighs clenching at the memory of this morning. “As long as I get that sweet pussy on my face again, I don’t care where it happens,” he said, voice barely above a whisper.

“Get a room!” Grams called from the porch. I turned around to see her standing at the back door. Thankfully, she’d left the graphic tees at home this time, but that didn’t stop her from bringing out her bedazzled cane and leopard print pants. “But first, come cut this damn cake so the rest of us can get a little sugar.”

Beckett raised his hands in apology. “Sorry, Grams. We’ll be right there.” He looked at me, fingers toying with the waistband of my shorts. “You and I will finish this conversation tonight.”

“That better be a promise,” I breathed, pushing to my feet and holding out my hands for him to take.

“It is.” His skin was warm against mine as he followed suit, threading our fingers together as we walked toward the house. “Now, how does this wish situation work? I just blow out the candles and think of something I want?”

“Pretty much. It’s kind of self-explanatory,” I said with a laugh. “Just like they do in the movies.”

“Alright, then,” he said, nodding to himself. “And what do you do if, hypothetically speaking, you already have everything you want?”

My steps slowed as we stepped beneath the covered porch. “Everything you want, huh? That’s a big declaration.”

He lifted one shoulder in a casual shrug, toying with my empty ring finger. “I guess there are one or two things I could wish for.”

My body warmed at his words and the intention behind them. There’d never been a question of whether Beckett and I would get married someday. He’d told me as much the night we brought Oliver home from the hospital. We just hadn’t had the time to plan everything. Every time we talked about it, we agreed to wait until things settled down.

But I was ready whenever he was.

“Maybe that’s a good place to start,” I said, slowly. I hoped he could see exactly how I felt. “You never know unless you try.”

“Good thinking,” he said, rubbing his hands together. “The pressure is on. Better come up with something pretty great then.”

My laughter came out in a rush. “It’s not that big of a deal, Beckett. It’s just a silly little thing.”

He tugged me up the porch steps, pausing at the threshold. “You should know by now that I take these things very seriously. Whether we’re talking bucket lists or birthday wishes.”

“Oh yeah,” I joked, rolling my eyes. “The ten-month-old cockblock inside is a constant reminder of your dedication to a bit.”

Beckett leaned in and kissed me, taking his time as though we didn’t have a houseful of people on the other side of a screen door staring at us. When we broke apart, he rested his forehead against mine. Somehow, even after everything we’d been through, I was still enraptured by this wonderful man. His voice was playful as he whispered, “Dedication is my middle name. Remind me, what was your ring size again?”

“As if you haven’t been sneaking rings out of my jewelry box for months now.” I swatted at his chest.

“Well, it’s not like I get a second chance at that.” He smirked. “But I do get a second chance at knocking you up. You know… If you still want that?”

As much as I loved my son, adding a newborn to our still-settling routine wasn’t something I was ready for just yet. “Maybe in a year or two. But…” I walked my fingers up his chest, looking up at him through thick lashes. “We could practice tonight.”

“Damn. These birthday wishes work fast,” he laughed, pulling me in for a sweet kiss before turning me toward the door and swatting my ass. “Quit distracting me. There’s people waiting on us, and the sooner we get this over with, the sooner we can kick them out.”

I held out my hand for him to take, interlacing our fingers. “Let’s go make those wishes come true, birthday boy.”