His voice is husky when he says, “How about if we let Adam and Rebekah take Eve for the evening?”
I smile broader.“Why would we do that?”I tease.Already, my body is tingling at the suggestion.We haven’t made love yet.It seems crazy that when I say that in my head, I meanever.I’ve never had sex with the man I’ve been married to for almost two months.
Charlene said it was perfectly safe at six weeks, but that was nearly a week ago, and still, my husband has been holding back on me.I’m starting to get a complex, so I’m glad he’s wiggling his brows at me suggestively.
“Maybe we could play Monopoly or Go Fish or something without getting interrupted,” he jokes.
The truth is, Eve is an angelic baby who rarely cries and only for a few minutes when she’s hungry or poops in her diaper.We could play an entire game of Monopoly with six players and never get interrupted.
We probably spoil her—especially Aaric.He holds her a lot.I do, too, but not as much as him.I catch him sitting with her when he doesn’t know I’m watching.He puts his feet on the footstool, props her up on his bent thighs, and talks to her like she’s a grown adult.He tells her all kinds of things.Usually, his voice is too low for me to hear, but Eve listens intently, gurgling and giggling.She loves him.
I’m so blessed.Beyond measure.I have to pinch myself every morning to remind myself this is real life.I’m married to a good man who takes care of me and our baby.Someday, we will tell Eve that Aaric isn’t her biological father, but that’s way in the future.She doesn’t need to know that now.It will change nothing.
There’s a knock at the door, and I narrow my gaze at Aaric.“Did you already make arrangements with my sister?”
“Yep.”He releases me, backs up, and turns to head for the door.
Shaking my head, I follow him.
Sure enough, Rebekah and Adam are waiting on the porch.Rebekah rushes in and hugs me.“Your hair looks amazing.I’m so excited that you’re going to let us babysit.I promise we’ll be model babysitters.”
I’m not at all worried about Eve’s safety, but I’ve never been apart from her, so I’m concerned about my own sanity.We need to do this, though.Aaric and I need time alone.It’s important.
In a whirlwind, my husband hands his brother a printed list of instructions and passes over our baby with a giant diaper bag.He’s so prepared.I barely say anything.All I can do is peer over the car seat to take one last look at my daughter before she leaves my sight.
Aaric shuts the door and turns to pull me into his arms again.“Nervous?”
“Mmm.Depends on what you’re referring to.Am I nervous about the fact that some people, who are not us, just left with our daughter?Yes.Am I nervous about getting amorous and making love to my husband for the first time?Also, yes.”
He chuckles.“Both are legit feelings.I’ll do my best to distract you enough that you don’t fret about Eve for a few hours.I promise to take my time and make your body hum with pleasure.”
Aaric backs me up until we’re in the bedroom.It’s the middle of the afternoon, so it’s bright out.He leaves me for a moment to shut the blinds.That’s good.After all, any of his brothers could walk by and see us naked.
The sunlight filters through the slats enough that we’re not in the dark.It’s perfect.
My husband reaches for the hem of my dress and eases it over my head.
I gasp.“Aaric… Maybe we could get under the covers or something.”
“Nope.You’re not hiding anything from me, sunshine.”
I’m self-conscious about my body.My boobs are gigantic because he milks me so often that they keep getting bigger.Totally unnecessary.I could feed three babies with my level of production.I’m seriously top-heavy.I gasp every time I look in a mirror.
On top of that, though I’ve lost most of the baby weight, my stomach is soft and wiggly.I have stretch marks.I can’t imagine what my vagina must look like.I’d rather he not find out.
About a week ago, Aaric threw out all the panties he’d bought me and replaced them with lace-and-silk bikinis.Seriously.Now my stomach is exposed, so I cover it with both hands.
There’s no way to replace my bras.I’m wearing a supportive nursing bra because it’s the only option and will be for a long time.But I’m impressed by the fact that Aaric managed to find nursing bras that are at least feminine and pretty.
Suddenly, it occurs to me that it’s almost time for Eve to eat.My boobs are heavy and tight.
Aaric grabs my hips and brings his lips to mine.“You’re so beautiful, Hannah.Every inch of you.I never saw you as a woman before you were nine months pregnant, but I can guarantee this new you is even better.You’re real.”
“I’m wrinkly.Flabby.My boobs are ridiculous, thanks to you.”
He shakes his head.“You’re perfect.Stunning.And your tits make my mouth water.”He slides his hands up my back and easily unfastens all the clasps holding my bra so that my boobs pop free and heavy in front of me.
My breath hitches.“Aaric…” His take-charge, bossy-in-the-bedroom side is all the way out, and it’s making me wet.