Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 77827 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77827 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Dixon and Bowen join us. “You ready?” Bowen asks me.
I glance at Copeland and Dixon, and they both nod. “Yep.”
“Ready for what?” Baylor asks, glancing at me over her shoulder.
“Something,” I say. “Let’s get you ladies seated, and I’ll show you.”
“What are you up to, husband?”
“You’ll see.” I take her hand and lead her to the dance floor. Dixon is there with a chair for her, and I nod for her to sit. She does with a look of confusion on her face. “Patience, baby.” I lean in for a kiss before Copeland, Dixon, Bowen, and I take the dance floor.
Leighton and Courtlynn look confused as Brad and Hank lead them back to their seats. All eyes are on us, and I can’t wait to see Baylor’s reaction to what’s about to happen.
“My wife’s favorite movie is 8 Seconds. I like to think it’s because of me, but—” I shrug, and everyone laughs. “Anyway, the boys and I planned a little something for you.”
I nod to Grandma Ruby, who has my phone, to hit Play on the Bluetooth speaker. As soon as the beat drops, we start shucking and jiving, doing the line dance from the wedding in the movie. Baylor’s mouth drops open in shock. Then she begins to laugh. Her sisters and their best friends bring their chairs over to sit with Baylor to enjoy the show. Lainey is on Leighton’s lap, giggling and babbling, watching her daddy and his best friends—well, her new uncle, that’s me—dance for them.
Brad and Hank jump up and join us. Their steps are not as fluid as ours, but they haven’t been practicing the way the four of us have since the day after Baylor’s sisters helped us set a wedding date.
The song ends, and Baylor jumps out of her chair and rushes toward me. I catch her easily, spinning her around as a slow song starts. I pull her into my arms as we begin to sway to the music.
“I can’t believe you did that.”
“Good surprise?” I ask her.
“The best. Court recorded it on her phone.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less.” I chuckle.
“I can’t believe this is my life. I don’t ever remember being this happy.” My wife smiles up at me with tears in her eyes. “Thank you for loving me, for being patient with me, and for giving me the life and the love I’ve always dreamed of.”
“Loving you is as easy as breathing. Never thank me for breathing, baby. I love you. I love our life, and these babies—two babies, Bay. Two.”
“Overachiever,” she sasses.
“Always when it comes to you.” I grin down at her.
“I love you.” She smiles.
“I love you more. Thank you for giving me a chance. For letting me show you how it would be to be loved the way that you deserve.”
“I tried not to need you, but your big heart made that impossible.” She smiles, tears in her eyes, and she rests her head against my chest.
I hold her close, her and our babies. My entire world is in my arms. This is the life I’ve dreamed about, but it was always so out of reach. I don’t know if it was her parents looking out for us, or if the universe just knew, but there won’t be a day that passes that I won’t be thankful for this life, for this woman, and for the family we’re creating.
Epilogue Baylor
Baylor
* * *
Macklin gently squeezes my hand as the ultrasound tech enters the room. I’m seventeen weeks this week, and today is our second ultrasound.
“Mom and Dad, how are you? I’m Elizabeth. I’ll be your ultrasound tech. Congratulations on the twins.” She smiles.
“Thank you,” Macklin and I say at the same time.
“Okay, I’m going to get some measurements for the doctor, look at the babies’ organs, and print you some pictures. Before we get started, do we want to know the genders?”
I look at Macklin, and he smiles and nods. We both want to know so that we can be prepared. Two babies mean two of everything, and we think we can be more prepared if we know the genders. “Yeah, we want to know,” I tell her.
“Big reveal plans?” she asks.
“Nah, just us plans for the nursery and all the things we’re going to need for them.”
She nods. “Simple, just the two of you. I love it.” She smiles. “Okay, let’s get to work.”
She helps me adjust the gown I’m wearing and spreads the gel on my belly, which is warm, thankfully, and starts the appointment.
“I’m just taking some measurements and getting some good anatomy images for the doctor first. Then we’ll get to the fun stuff,” she says.
“Two heartbeats,” Macklin says when the sound fills the room. The awe in his voice is the same as it was the very first time we heard their heartbeats the day before our wedding. I happen to be just as awestruck. It never gets old hearing our babies.