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“Do you think Mack is going to be in my class this year?” Alandria stared at me through the mirror as I brushed out her pretty hair.
“Maybe. Do you like having Mack in your class?”
She nodded, then frowned when some of her hair fell out of my hand. “Sorry, Mommy.”
“It’s all right. We still have plenty of time.” I kissed the top of her head, then finished her hair quickly. It was almost time to go. “Done. Now, go put your shoes on and grab your lunch bag and backpack.”
“Daddy made lunch,” Alandria said, happiness filling her voice. “I love when Daddy makes my lunch.”
“Don’t tell Daddy, but Mommy loves when Daddy makes lunch too.” Between Sasha and Jackson, the kitchen at Flame ran like a well-oiled machine, winning several awards over the years.
Alandria pantomimed sealing her lips, then throwing away the key before a peal of giggles erupted from her. She ran off to her room to gather her things, allowing me a moment to revel in the fact I was pregnant again with Jackson’s baby.
“What were you two conspiring about over here?” Jackson’s deep, rough voice sent tingles of pleasure cascading over me. In the five years we’d been together, waking up next to my husband had been the best gift ever. I had to pinch myself a couple of times to make sure my life was real and I wasn’t laid up in some hospital bed in a coma still.
“Nothing,” I said, turning to face him. I went to my tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his lips. “Everything.”
He chuckled. The sound vibrated through me, turning me on like nothing else could. “I’ll eventually find out. I always do.”
“You sound like a Disney villain.”
“Maybe I am.” He kissed me again. “Love you, sunshine.”
“Love you too,” I replied. “Now, let’s get little Miss Bean to school. I have a surprise for you afterward.”
“Oh yeah?” Jackson quirked a brow. “It’s not even my birthday.”
I grinned. “You’re going to love it.”
Getting Alandria to school was easy. Maneuvering through the throng of people who stood in a kiss-and-cry circle not so easy. Ireland was at my side, along with my brother and Jackson. We dropped our children off at their shared classroom—Alandria and Mack were happy to be together—then exited the building while sidestepping weepy kids and frantic first-time parents.
“It’ll be easier at pickup,” Ireland said with a laugh. “Are you working today?”
I shook my head. “I took the next two days off just so we can get back into the swing of things. When I return, I will be on day shift. So, six to six.”
“Well, at least you’ll be home at night and not out working the dreaded hours.” Ireland rolled her eyes.
“True.” We stopped at Jackson’s Comet. “I’ll call you later. We should do dinner sometime this week.”
Ireland grinned. “I’d like that. I have something to tell you too.”
“Same.” I smiled, then waved bye as I got into the car.
“So, about this surprise...” Jackson cut his gaze toward me.
“When we get home,” I said, patting his hand. “That means we need to drive there first.”
Either Jackson was really excited to see what I had for him, or I’d been lost in my thoughts about the new baby and him being able to be a part of every step this time, but we were at the house in no time. I went in first, followed by Jackson. He stayed right with me as I climbed the stairs to the second story of our home, then went straight to our room. His looming, tense presence had butterflies fluttering in my chest and stomach. I really hoped he liked my gift.
“Close your eyes and hold out your hand.”
He gave me a disgruntled look but did as I asked.
After placing the digital test in his hand, I cleared my throat. “Okay, you can open them now.”
His gaze zeroed in on me first, then lowered to the stick in his hand. There was one thing about Jackson. Every emotion could be read through his eyes. Happiness, anger, surprise, shock, arousal. Right now, there was so much swirling in those beautiful eyes of his. “You’re pregnant.”
“Surprise,” I murmured. “This time, we’re doing this together.”