He rolls his eyes. “Like I trust any of them.”
I smile and pat his cheek. “She will be fine and so will you.”
Brynn comes running down the stairs, blonde hair flying behind her like a cape. She takes the last four as a jump, causing my heart to falter until she stands with her arms in the air. “I did it.”
“Can we not do that again?” I make my way to her.
Brynn has her father’s personality with my features. It’s a lot of fun for both of us. I look at her, and see myself, but when she talks, all I hear is him. She is funny, smart, and sarcastic at the age of five. All we hear is that it’s only going to get worse.
“I wish I could make that promise, Mama, but you said I can’t lie. It’s a sin.”
Oh for heaven’s sake.
“Nice try.”
Oliver comes over. “How about this, if you do that again, you won’t have the television for a week.”
Her green eyes widen before she clutches her hand to her chest. “You wouldn’t do that to me, would you, Daddy? Not for practicing my gymnastics.”
“I would.”
She looks to me. “I was told that I don’t try hard enough, and that’s what I’m doing. I’m practicing.”
“Your teacher did not tell you to leap off the stairs as practice. But I appreciate your effort in trying to sell it.” I boop her on the nose. “Now, go eat your breakfast before the bus comes.”
Brynn rushes off, and Oliver flops onto the couch. “That child is a menace.”
“That child is you.”
He smirks. “Menace.”
“Who you love.”
“With every fiber of my being.”
Brynn is everything to us. She’s truly a miracle. We conceived her naturally, but since then, we haven’t been able to get pregnant. After countless visits to fertility clinics over the years, we finally decided to stop trying. The emotional toll it was taking on us was too great, and we are eternally grateful for the child we do have. Still, I struggle.
Ashton Miller is one of the top infertility specialists in the country and a good friend of mine. She explained it wasn’t anything either of us was doing wrong or even the chemo treatments Oliver had a few years back. It just wasn’t working, even after IVF.
There are days when I swear I can imagine the tiny baby in my arms. I can feel his weight and see his blue eyes that are just like his father’s.
“Hey,” Oliver says, opening his arms, “come here.”
I settle onto his lap, allowing him to once again be my safe harbor, and rest my head on his chest. “How did you know I needed this?”
“Because I know you.”
“I’m a lucky girl.”
“You sure are.”
I snort. “If you do say so yourself?”
“I think both of us are lucky, so there’s that. You know that I love you more every single day, don’t you?”
“I do.”
“And I am completely content with our life. We have everything, Maren. Everything.”
He’s right. I know he is. We have a beautiful home on Melia Lake that we built when we found out we were pregnant. It’s tucked back so the guests can’t see it, but we still have a great view of the water.
Every month, we take a trip out to the farm, check on the horses we bought, and visit with my family. A wonderful couple lives there full time to care for the land and the animals. Thanks to Brynn, what started out as a few chickens and horses have grown into a damn zoo.
Really, it’s Oliver’s fault since he can’t say no to her.
“I know we do. I just can’t seem to stop from wanting more.”
“If it happens, then it’ll be because it was right.”
“You always know what to say.”
He laughs. “I wish I did. It would make arguing with you so much more fun for me. Instead, I usually end up going in circles.”
“Because you’re usually wrong in those instances.”
He raises a brow. “Shut up and kiss me.”
I give him a kiss right as Brynn enters.
“Eww! Kissing boys is gross.”
Oliver pops his head up. “It is. You should never do it. Ever. Boys are stupid.”
“You just kissed Mama.”
“Because I’m stupid!” He pushes me up off his lap. “See? I am going to put myself in timeout.”
“Don’t do that, Daddy! I’ll protect you!” Brynn giggles and rushes over to him, throwing herself into his arms.
Oliver catches her and spins her around and around. “Thank goodness!”
They are a mess.
“Daddy, why did you marry Mama?”
“Because she made me.”
I snort. “Yes, the hardship.”
“It really is hard being married to her. Did you know that she tricked me?”
“She did?”
Oliver nods. “She did. One day, she showed up at my job and said: ‘Oliver, I need you to marry me, but it won’t really be a marriage.’” He leans in and whispers. “But the joke was on her because we’re married still . . .”
“That can be rectified,” I warn.
“And you said yes?” Brynn asks with wide eyes, ignoring me completely.
“She’s a babe. Of course I said yes.”
I sigh. “Don’t let him fool you, Brynnikins. He didn’t say yes at first.”
Now her eyes narrow as she turns back to him. “You said no?”
“Well, a man has to have some pride.”
Brynn purses her lips, probably not understanding. “But you love Mama.”
“With my whole heart.”
I walk over to them and wrap my arm around Oliver’s waist. “And we love you.”
“I’m glad you married Mama.”
“Why is that?” Oliver asks with a chuckle.
“Because she’s the best.”
Who knew? She compliments me. Miracles never cease. “Thank you.”
She turns to me. “Because Daddy is the best, and he would only pick the best.”
I sigh. “Of course.” The man walks on water. “How about you go finish getting ready for school.”
She wiggles her way down and rushes off.
Oliver grins. “I love that girl.”
“Because she thinks you’re the best?”
“Partially.”
“Well, what about me?”
He turns, pulling me into his arms. Instinctively, I rest my arms on his broad shoulders, as his hands press against my spine. “I think you’re the best too.”
I smile. “So, do I get all your heart?”
“Sweetheart, you have had my heart since the day you stepped out of that car. I fell in love with you before you ever said a single word.”
Silver-tongued as ever. “And why is that?”
He leans in, his lips grazing mine. “Because when you got out of the car, it was as if the whole world stopped and all I could see was you. I knew it then, and I know it now. You are everything I want in life, and as soon as our daughter is on that bus, I plan to prove it to you. I’m going to enjoy not needing to be quiet.”
I grin. “I look forward to it.”
“You should.”
And I know I will because life with Oliver is one word: perfect.