Page 51 of Accepted Precedent (Love & Politics #3)

Mickey

I find Evie in our bed, asleep on top of the covers. As I sit on the edge, the dip in the mattress wakes her. “Hey, angel. Are you all right?”

“Shit! Is everyone here? I must’ve overslept.”

“No, just Finn and Ileah. This is the third day in a row you’ve needed to rest in the middle of the day. What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know,” she sighs, sitting up and tying her hair into a bun. “I haven’t been this tired since…” Her eyes widen.

“Since when?”

She looks away, brows furrowed as she works something out, then whispers, “Fuck.”

“Evelyn, I’m only going to ask you this one more time. What’s wrong?”

“It’s probably nothing.”

I climb onto the bed and pin her arms over her head. “We don’t keep secrets.” Evie lets out a full laugh, wrapping her legs around me. “Nothing about this is funny. I’m worried about you.”

“Well, this is probably what caused my fatigue.”

Closing the distance, I stop a breath away from her lips. “Did I fuck my little brat to the point of exhaustion?”

“Nope,” she replies, popping the ‘p.’ As she tries to kiss me, I pull back. “You’re not going to let this go, are you?”

“Not a chance, love.”

“I just… I don’t want to get your hopes up.” Her eyes search mine as she chews on her bottom lip. “I might be pregnant.”

“How?”

“Well, I wasn’t able to get my tubes tied when we had the twins, and I’ve been so busy I accidentally missed my appointment for my shot.”

“When were you supposed to go in for it?”

“Six weeks ago,” she winces. “I didn’t reschedule it because, well, life happened. We have that huge bill requiring insurance to fully fund mammograms. I’ve been busy.”

I slide a hand lower, gripping her waist and swiping my thumb on her belly. “You could be pregnant?”

“I’ll take a test to be sure, but yes, I could be.”

The twins may never know I’m their father, but if she’s pregnant again, I won’t need to pretend I’m not this one’s.

I release her hands and sit back on my heels as a swirl of emotions courses through me.

“We’ll need to tell everyone we’re married, then wait a while to share that you’re having our baby. ”

“There’s no reason to unleash all of our secrets on your birthday.” Evie props herself onto her elbows and smirks. “But you’ll need to propose.”

“You’re already my wife,” I chuckle, still idly swiping my thumb along her belly.

“Yeah, but we need to make a show of it. Jaclyn and Lee will think it’s sweet and romantic. Finn and Andrew will probably laugh.” She cocks an eyebrow, mischief dancing in her eyes as a smirk tilts her lips. “Unless you don’t want to marry me.”

“Even if you’re not pregnant, I’m tired of the lies and secrets… You better say yes.”

Evie lets out a full laugh, and I lean in to kiss the side of her throat. She whimpers on contact, and as much as I’d love to play with her, we have family visiting and there’s a very real possibility someone will come looking for us soon.

“Each morning I wake up wondering how it’s possible, but I love you more every day, Evie. You’re the light to my dark—you keep me out of the shadows. And I intend on spending the rest of my life with you by my side.”

“You should’ve saved that for the proposal.”

I nip at her earlobe. “Fuckin’ brat. We should get out there. The kids are here, and I’m sure everyone else will be arriving soon.”

As I help her off the bed, she squeezes my hand. “For what it’s worth, I love you more every day, too.”

I sneak a small teal box out of my dresser and slip it into my pocket, then we make our way out to the back patio, where everyone has arrived.

There’s something covered off to the side, which I can only assume is why Evie insisted I not come out here for the past day or so.

A large table she purchased earlier this week is set for ten, with space for at least four more.

Today I’m surrounded by so much love; a reminder that everything my brother and I worked for was worth it.

The kids are playing with Finn’s dogs, laughing as the pups chase them.

My brother is the happiest I’ve seen him in my life.

It took me a while to come around to it, but Kristin fills in gaps I could never fill for Andrew.

In a little over a year, the country will go to the polls and elect Jaclyn as the first female President of the United States.

All the while Alex pretending to be his brother has given him a chance to be with the woman he loves.

And then there’s Evie. My angel. And soon I’ll be able to tell the whole world she’s my wife.

I don’t deserve any of it, but I don’t take it for granted.

Evie leans in to whisper, “Do you remember when we were on the porch swing and I asked you if I divorced Andrew, what would you want?” It takes me a moment to place it, but then my heart stops. “Happy birthday, Mick.”

She lifts onto her toes to kiss my cheek, and it takes everything in me to keep my eyes dry. This woman. This perfect woman. My wife. She did this—gave me everything I could’ve dreamed of and more.

Kristin brings out a tray covered with aluminum foil and sets it on a small table beside the covered item. Whatever it is, it’s huge. “Hey, Mick! You’ll need to open your present so I can make lunch.”

Evelyn keeps her hand in mine and we walk over to it. My feisty wife doesn’t let me unveil it myself, pulling the large sheet off to reveal an outdoor kitchen island. There are two grills, a miniature fridge, a smaller refrigerator stocked with white wine bottles, and a sink.

“I… I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t need to say anything. But you’ll need to learn how to use it. Just because Kristin and I grew up with gas barbecues and our parents taught us, doesn’t mean we’ll always grill for you.”

I pull her to me. “Fuck, I love you.”

“Aw! We missed present,” Grace cries, and I pick her up.

“You didn’t miss anything, love. Thank you for my birthday present. Actually, I have one for your mam.” I take the box out of my pocket. “Do you want to give it to her, or should I?”

“Me! I want to!”

I set her down and she hands Evie the box. Evelyn’s eyes widen as realization sets in, sucking in a sharp breath. “The second box.”

“It’s about time you open it, angel.”

Evelyn opens the teal box to reveal an enhancer band meant to surround her current ring.

The sight drags me back to the day she told me she was pregnant with Brandon and Grace.

I knew I couldn’t give her both boxes. While I walked away with the ring, it was always supposed to be hers.

I wanted to give it to her on our wedding day, but Evelyn deserves a real engagement, with a real wedding, and it’s time I give her everything I promised.

I drop to one knee and take her hand in mine.

“I should’ve done this a long time ago.” There are a few gasps behind me, but I ignore them.

Raising my voice, I continue, “You deserve someone better than me. But not deserving you and your love doesn’t mean I’m not going to ask anyway.

Evelyn, will you let me spend the rest of my life loving you and our family—until we’re old and gray—by your side as your partner? ”

She cups my cheek and whispers, “Only if you let me do the same.”

I stand and slip off the ring I gave her years ago, add the new one, and return it to its rightful place on her hand. Her eyes are glassy, and I’m struggling to hold it together myself. “I love you, angel. Thank you for always being my anchor.”

“Uncle Mickey, don’t cry,” Grace says with a frown.

“Happy tears, Gracie. Only happy tears,” I assure her, but my sweet daughter hugs my leg to comfort me anyway.

“Time for cake?”

“Not yet,” Evie laughs, wiping away a few tears that escaped the corner of her eye. “We’re going to make lunch. Cake comes after.”

“Okay,” Grace grumbles. She runs off, and I take a few moments to enjoy watching the kids play.

I hate that the twins have to grow up in a world where I can’t openly admit they’re mine, but if this is the price I have to pay for my sins, I’ll gladly accept it.

I’m surrounded by friends and family who I’d kill for without a second thought—the life my Grandad lived and loved.

“Congratulations on proposing to your wife,” Kristin quips as she fires up the grill. “Also, I’m only making lunch because it’s your birthday.”

“Thank you.” I huff a laugh. “Be sure to leave the instruction manual. I’m sure I’ll figure it out for next time.”

“So, who did you hire to write that?” Evie asks with a wide grin.

“No one. It doesn’t matter if you’re pregnant again, you’re mo rúnsearc .”

“You’ve said that before. What does it mean?”

I slide my hand in her hair and bring her lips to mine, muttering against them, “You’re mine, angel.”

“Ah-hem,” Kristin dramatically clears her throat. “It doesn’t mean that. I’ve worked enough with Finn that I’ve needed to do a quick internet search from time to time, and he’s calling you his ‘secret love.’ So… there’s that.”

“Just as Ileah is no longer Finn’s secret love, you’re no longer mine,” I whisper beside Evie’s ear. “But it’s what Grandad called the love of his life.”

“Mick, my hormones are all screwed up right now. If you don’t stop with your declarations, we’re going to have to sneak away for a quickie,” Evie laughs, and I can’t help stealing another kiss from her. “Stop it! Kristin and I need to make lunch.”

As Evie and Kristin get everything ready, I stuff my hands in my pockets, neither of them allowing me to help. I truly am speechless, my heart full of so much love for them and everyone else who came today.

Andrew slides up beside me, and I whisper, “She’s good for you,” referring to my sister-in-law.

“I know.” He doesn’t qualify it, doesn’t argue. Sliding his hand into mine, he adds, “So are you. Even if I hold a different place in your heart than Evie does, I’ll always be yours.”

“Hey, Andrew! Can you help me with the drinks?” Alex asks over his shoulder as he opens the sliding glass door.