She extended her arm, grabbed my shirt, and pulled me closer.
“I got the bad guys, saved a hostage from being killed, and made it home in time. That’s all that matters.” She kissed my lips. “Now go so I can finish getting ready.”
“We’re not done discussing this,” I said.
“I know. We’ll argue about it later and have the best make-up sex. I look forward to it.” She smiled.
And just like that, I was undone. My wife always knew the right things to say to calm me down, and I loved every minute of it.
Paige stayed true to her word. She was showered and fully ready with five minutes to spare. Guests started filtering in, and the celebration began. The food was a hit since I had Four Kinds cater it. And the cake? Nobody made a better cake than Zoey Kind.
We placed Gabriel in his highchair on the patio and placed a small cake in front of him. After we sang happy birthday, we all stood back and watched what he’d do. He took his fist and jammed it into the center of the cake with force, laughing when he saw what he had done.
“Well, he’s definitely Paige’s son.” Julian chuckled.
“Damn right, he is.” Paige smiled as she overheard. She walked over to Gabriel and kissed the top of his head. “That’s my boy.”
The party was winding down. Roman, Julian, and I grabbed our kids and walked down to the shoreline.
“Look at us,” Roman said. “Who the hell ever would have thought the three of us would be married and have kids?”
“Right?” Julian said. “It’s funny how your life can completely do a 180.”
“True. So true,” I said, holding Gabriel. “Paige barely made it home in time. And when she did, she had blood all over her shirt.”
“Did she get the mission done?” Roman asked.
“Yeah. She did.”
“Then that’s all that matters,” he said.
“I can’t wait until Gabriel is in school and gets bullied.” Julian chuckled. “Paige is going to go ballistic, and one of us will most likely have to defend her.”
“She wouldn’t do that,” I said, glancing at Julian.
“In what universe are you living in, bro?” Julian laughed.
“I guess you’re right,” I sighed.
Our wives walked down and joined us. We sat in the sand, talked, and played with the kids.
“I have a question for you,” I said to Paige.
“Okay.”
“If Gabriel gets bullied in school, what will you do?”
“Pulverize the kids who are bullying him and ruin their lives. Not only their lives, but their parents’ lives as well.”
“Told you.” Julian laughed.
“Now, Paige. We just can’t go?—”
“Can’t go and do what, Parker?” Her brow raised. “If someone hurts our child, I won’t stand back and pretend it’s okay. There will be consequences.”
“Okay,” I sighed.
Julian hooked his arm around me. “Don’t worry. We’ll be here to support you.” He whispered in my ear.