Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 229(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 229(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
“Hmm, tasty.” Russ bounds into the room, full of six year old energy as he always is, his black hair tousled in a way that makes me want to run my hand through it endlessly. “Mommy. I said… hmm, tasty.”
“Yes, I heard you.” I giggle. “But somehow I don’t think that’s all you want to say. Methinks a little man wants a taste of the chicken.”
He grins unabashedly, tugging on his special heartstring. I said that to Jaxon when the latest addition to our family made her wailing beautiful entrance into the world.
“Each of the kids has their own heartstring. There’s one for Anna, one for Cecilia, one for Russ, and now there’s one for Lacey too.”
Four children, like we talked about…
And the way Jaxon has been looking at me lately, I wouldn’t be surprised if we have a fifth on the way soon in the next year or two.
His excitement has never waned, not as my weight fluctuated from the pregnancies, not when I return from the city so tired I know I must look like a zombie.
That glint in my husband’s eyes has never stopped sparking, as he stares at me like I’m the only woman alive. Like he can’t believe how lucky he is.
Well, ditto, because I’m the luckiest woman alive.
“Mommy’s in the clouds,” Russ laughs, turning to the kitchen door.
I follow his gaze to find Jaxon standing with our three year old Cecilia on his shoulders. She grins from her place up top, her gorgeous little grin that I almost wish could stay like that forever… She has my hair, people say, and her father’s eyes. I can see all of it in her.
Jaxon is wearing shorts and a T-shirt, displaying muscles that are, if anything, even sturdier and firmer than they were when we first met. His hair has become a deeper, stronger shade of silver. The only difference now is, he’s smiling more often than not, with wide love-filled smiles that fill me with joy.
“I bet she’s thinking about how much she loves you all.”
“Uh, ew,” Russ laughs, and then he runs around the kitchen island and throws his arms around me. “Only kidding, Mommy. Love you really.”
I smile and embrace him, hugging him to my hips. “I love you too, little terror. So are you going to ask what you came in here for?”
“He smelled chicken,” Jaxon confirms, wandering over to us.
“Chicken smells good,” Cecilia giggles. “Mommy, you know me and Daddy have chicken dance? Show her, Daddy. Pleassse.”
Jaxon chuckles and walks in small circles around the kitchen, as Cecilia, from her place up high, flaps her arms and starts to make chicken noises. The enthusiasm she puts into it has us all laughing like crazy, the way we always do when she does something adorable and silly like this.
“How’s it going out there?” I ask.
Jaxon stops with a smile, stepping close to me. Holding Cecilia firmly in place with one hand – he’s always so careful to keep our children safe – he reaches over and brushes his thumb along my cheek.
“Amazingly,” he says. “Anna’s reading her story about the goblin and the ghoul, and Mom and Dad are loving it. Kenny’s got everyone gushing over Fletcher, and the old guy is enjoying the attention. Carmen and Kelly are competing for the cutest baby in the world with little Tess.”
“Good. I’m glad everybody’s having a good time. I think I’ll go and check in on Lacey before we sit down to eat.”
“Why don’t we join you, huh?” Jaxon says, looking up at Cecilia. “You want to go and see your little sister?”
“Yay, let’s go see Lacey. Come on, Mommy. Daddy. Let’s go.”
“I’ll stay here with Grandma,” Russ declares proudly. “Keep the chicken safe.”
“Yeah, right,” I giggle, as Aunt Claire’s eyes meet mine.
She looks at me with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Despite not technically being their grandma, all the kids love to call her that, and I know it just lights her up inside. And, like all good grandparents, she’s going to indulge her grandson the moment I leave. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
We step through the house together, down the hallway, and past the living room where Anna’s voice rises.
“And then the goblin said, ‘Got ya.’”
Everybody gasps and my heart glows even more. She’s been working on that story for weeks – reading it to us several times – and I simply love that everyone is enjoying it.
Up the stairs we go, Jaxon holding Cecilia to his chest so she doesn’t bump her head.