Page 17 of Jasper (Guardians of the North #5)

ABOUT A YEAR LATER…

JASPER

“You got the cake?” I ask Joel as he steps into my kitchen.

“Yes, I got the cake.”

“You’re sure it’s the right cake?”

Joel shakes his head, setting the bakery box on the counter. “They swore up and down that it’s the right cake.”

“Good, good.”

“You nervous or something man?” he asks on a chuckle.

“Wouldn’t you be?”

“Yeah, probably.” Joel lets out a soft sigh, and I catch him staring into space.

“She’s out there,” I say to him about his future wife.

“Probably lost at sea,” he says with an amused headshake. Poor man is the only single one left in the J-Squad. He pretends to be happy living the bachelor life, but I know better. He wants what we all have.

“Then it’s a good thing you’re a rescue swimmer.”

The front door bursts open, and a bunch of excited female chatter fills the air. Several of the wives agreed to help me set up the gender reveal party that Vanessa knows nothing about. Erin, who’s in town visiting for the week, has agreed to keep my wife entertained until it’s time to surprise her.

Either Vanessa will be thrilled by the surprise party or super pissed. Because we couldn’t agree whether or not to find out the sex of our baby or let it be a surprise, we’ve been putting it off.

But our little bundle of joy will be here in less than three months.

I know my wife.

Despite what she’s been saying, she’ll want to know.

Probably.

“Remember the plan,” I say to Joel. “If Vanessa says no?—”

“I’ll take the cake to the shelter the next town over. I swear I won’t eat it. I’ll scrape off the fancy words. No one will ever know what they’re eating.”

“I owe you, man.”

“Yes, you do.” He claps me on the shoulder. “I’ll get the grill warmed up.”

The next hour is a blur of decorations, food prep, and excitement as more people show up. The kind of excitement that reminds me of last summer when I traveled to Houston with Vanessa and helped her move her entire life to North Haven. There was no regret or hesitation. Just pure exhilaration.

We were married a few weeks later, before Admiral Wheeler was sent away on a temporary mission in Cape Cod, of all places. He’s back in North Haven now, where he’ll be until he retires in six short months. He’s planning to keep North Haven as his home base so he can be close to his grandchild.

Vanessa didn’t want to wait to start a family. She told me she put that area of life on hold for long enough.

We didn’t waste any time getting to work on that request.

And in a few minutes, we might get to find out if we’re having a little girl or a little boy.

“I can’t wait to be a grandma,” Mom says, giving me a side hug. “I’m going to spoil that kid rotten you know.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“They’re here!” Blakely, who’s been stationed as the lookout, calls from the living room. She has a camera around her neck, ready to document the momentous occasion. “Places everyone!”

I scan the area once more, ensuring every detail is in place. Pink and blue balloons are scattered throughout. The white-frosted cake is centered on the dining room table. Pink and blue ribbon are strung from the chandelier that once held Vanessa’s red panties captive. The memory makes me smile.

The door opens and we collectively yell, “Surprise!”

Vanessa covers her agape mouth with both hands. I make my way across the living room to meet her, relieved that there’s an excited sparkle in her blue eyes. Not mad .

“What is all this?” she asks, her eyes instantly shiny with tears. The baby hormones have made her more emotional as of late, but I don’t mind. I never mind a reason to cuddle my wife. There’s nothing better than having Vanessa close—with or without clothes.

“Sweetheart, it’s up to you, but if you want to know what we’re having, we can find out today. Right now, actually.”

“Really?”

“We just have to cut the cake.”

“Cake?”

I lead her to the dining room table, to a white-frosted cake with blue and pink frosting accents that says Congratulations on Your Bundle of Joy.

“Please don’t stab me with this,” I say, handing my wife a large knife. Though I suspect I’m out of the danger zone with the way she can’t stop smiling.

“We’re really doing this?” she says to me, locking her gaze with mine.

“Only if you want to.”

“And if I don’t?”

“Then that’s okay. I’ll kick everyone out and Joel will make the cake disappear before anyone discovers what color it is.”

“No.”

“No?”

“No, don’t kick everyone out.” She scans the room, her expression glowing. “Everyone we love is in this room.” She hovers the knife above the center of the cake, waiting for me to place my hand over hers. “Together.”

“Together.”

“Wait!” Blakely snaps a few pictures. “Okay, go ahead.”

Together, we lower the knife through the center of the round cake. The cut is clean, but I can see the edges of pink escaping through the white frosting before the knife has sunk all the way through.

A girl.

We’re having a little girl.

“Are you happy?” Vanessa asks me.

“So happy.”

She turns to me, cupping both my cheeks and pulling me down for a kiss. I expect her to pull away after a few seconds, but those fingernails dig into the back of my neck as her tongue demands passage into my mouth. Blood starts to rush south, and suddenly I’m wishing we could kick everyone out.

“They’re family,” she whispers to me, finally breaking apart the kiss. As though she’s read my mind. Or perhaps she just knows what a kiss like that does to me.

“We should probably feed them,” I add.

“Probably.”

I kiss her once more then lean my cheek against hers, lowering my voice against her ear. “But after they’re gone, I have a very special dessert just for you to enjoy, sweetheart.”

“God, I love you, Jasper.”

“Oh, I definitely love you more.”