It’s true that you and Ransom tended to spoil each other with attention and touches. Throughout the years the two of you grew even closer and more in love with each other with each passing child. Watching him be the man that you had always hoped and knew deep down he could become. Making sure to be a good grandson, son, husband, and father.

While he had his quirks and ridiculousness, he was yours. The two of you celebrated your life as a family and couple regularly. Told each other how happy you were, and that if you ended up where you were, you would go through that pain again and again. He was worth it. And your family was worth it.

There wasn’t anything sexier than watching him shave each morning with your beautiful son standing right beside him “shaving”. Watching him try to be as understanding as possible with your ever growing twins. Or even watch him become Story’s ballet partner in the evenings. Letting the little girl completely dictate which way he needed to turn or lift her. The way he would hold Lucy while you made supper for everyone. Walking around with the baby strapped to his front while he helped with homework, and got everyone ready for the next morning.

He was your constant, and you were proud to call him yours. Proud of the family that you two had worked so hard for and fight for. You nearly forgot the special occasions such as anniversaries and each other’s birthday’s. Because you didn’t care as long as you got to call him yours.

Of course with Ransom, he was always giving you gifts randomly. A piece of jewelry, shoes, perfume, and sometimes lingerie, which he admitted was one hundred percent just for him. You didn’t care. You loved seeing him happy, and even more so seeing him horny. Was elated to find that after all these years, you were the one that he went to bed with every night.

Even if all you did was curl up on each other reading, or watching a movie or show, it was your favorite spot in the house. In his arms was the most comfortable and secure you felt. He never slept with a shirt on. And his chest made the best pillow. You found yourself constantly turning to kiss over his heart, while he cheesily would tell you it belonged to you. Making you melt and become soaked every time.

Sometimes you two just had a sinful little make out session before your little princess tiptoed into your room. Crawling in between the two of you. Her face squished up against your belly, with Ransom holding her, and Story’s fingers wrapped around his ring finger.

Other times the moment your heads hit the pillow, the both of you passed out immediately. But no matter what time of night you woke up, you two had always found each other. You couldn’t sleep anymore without touching a part of Ransom’s chiseled body. Even his clean and masculine scent was soothing and comfortable.

That’s why this morning, a morning you thought was like any other, but somehow you wake up to an empty bed. It was too early, and Ransom, while the first to wake, would have never been up at this time of morning. You hold the blanket over your bare chest, since no princess came knocking at your door, whispering out his name, thinking that surely he was just in the bathroom, but when there’s no answer, you go to investigate.

Slipping on one of his sweaters, and pulling on those knee high cable knit socks, only because you know it drives him crazy, you walk into the bathroom and still find no Ransom. You set out to find him in this giant estate, and you don’t go far before you see him walking down the hall, with a coffee cup in hand. “Where were you,” you pout looking at him.

“You look like you need coffee, Kitten,” he leans forward, softly and still so sensually kissing on the sensitive skin of your neck, before his towering body stands back erect. “Come into the bedroom,” his voice whispers, already pushing you into your room. “I really wish you wouldn’t have been wearing this. I’ve got something to tell you.”

“Oh god, please tell me it’s not bad.”

“It’s not, Kitten,” he waits for you to sit in the bed, before he joins you, pulling your legs over his, and he gives you the perfect brew. His hands caress the supple skin of your legs, and he waits on you to take a drink.

“Why on earth did you leave me? I could have made coffee myself. You know I don’t like waking up without you.”

“I know,” his free hand pets around your face, pushing those baby hairs back. Roaming around until he pulls you to him, to kiss your forehead. “Do you know what today is?”

“Another day with you.”

“Wow,” Ransom gives a little giggle, shaking his head. “It’s our wedding anniversary.”

“Oh, baby, I forgot all about that,” you feel bad. One of his love languages is gifts, so it doesn’t surprise you that he remembered today was the day that he changed your last name, and you never looked back. Mrs. Drysdale is your forever now.

“I figured. No matter, I uh, I kinda did something stupid, but exciting, and for you. I know you don’t mind doing the books for Grandpa. You make sure our home runs smooth. Make sure our kids are taken care of, fed, get to practices, keep Grandpa company, and you always look amazing doing it. But I feel your identity has become a mom, and my wife.”

His thumb brushes over your cheek, and it’s only then you realize you had been crying. His hand cups your cheek and you lean into it. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

“It’s not bad, babe. I love calling you my wife and mother of my kids. But don’t you ever want something that’s yours?”

“They are mine.”

He tilts his head giving you a soft smile. “You don’t have to accept this gift. Because Lucy and is still so young. And I don’t want you to feel you’re spread too thin, but…” Ransom takes a deep gulp. “I bought the coffee shop for you,” you laugh, sniffling thinking he’s joking. “I’m being serious. We can hire a good manager for now. And once the kids are fully out of school, then you can devote more time to it. In fact there is a good manager, Vanessa. It wouldn’t require a lot right now. But eventually…”

“You bought my coffee shop?” no matter what happened after you quit, there was still something special about that beanery. The best location, the best atmosphere, and the best baristas.

“I did. Now it’s officially yours. I signed the final papers this morning. The employees were worried when it was put up for sale, but they’re all staying,” he holds up a key giving you a big smile. “If you want them. I don’t want you to be there everyday. Our kids still need their mom, but…Kitten, I want you to have something that separates you from this house.”

“You mean our home?” you give him a smile, and he nods. “You know I’m happy just being Mrs. Drysdale, right?”

“You want me to put it back on the market?”

“Hell no! Let me get dressed, and you can take me and the kids there.”

“You guys go all the time.”

“But this time it’s the Drysdale Café,” there was something that sounded so perfect about that. His eyes shine with how excited and proud he is of his gift. “But, I think you need a proper thank you,” your fingers already move to take that oversized sweater off of him. His own hands drifting up your legs, spreading them slightly. He’s no dummy. He knows he left you that morning naked, and you would never fully get dressed to look for him.

“It was hard to leave you this morning. Kitten,” he stops his movements, waiting on you to look at him. “I want forever with you.”

“You’ve got it baby. I don’t want to spend my life with anyone but my ridiculous, pretty boy, baby daddy, handsome, wonderful, funny husband. You know that right?”

“You make sure to tell me everyday. I think it’s finally sinking in. Now show your pretty baby how thankful you are.”.

“This is ridiculous,” Carter looks at the toy and both his wife and youngest son gasp at him. “It is. It’s utterly ridiculous. Your Drysdale is showing son.”

“This,” he points at the baby doll refusing to remove his eyes away from his dad. “This is our baby,” Carter rolls his eyes but Story smiles sweetly at her big boy. “You’re making fun.”

“Daddy’s not making fun,” she turns glaring at Carter. “Are you my King?”

“No, I’m not making fun. I think it’s great that you wanted a lifelike doll for your five-year-old girlfriend so you can play in treehouse,” Story shakes her head no, and Carter gives her an odd look. “In the playroom?”

She gives him another shake of her head no, “Then where, woman?”

“Well,” she pets back the soft curls of Raiden’s hair and turns away from Carter for a moment. “He was concerned with Birdie Mae’s safety high in the tree.”

“No one has fallen out of the tree yet.”

“Yet, daddy,” his chubby little fingers points at his dad. “Tell him mama.”

“He…um, he kinda picked out a playhouse for her on the ground.”

“It’ll be our home. Our baby needs a place to sleep.”

Carter’s eyes slowly close, and he wonders if his wife ever had a doll she pretended was their baby. “Are you splitting your time with the baby?” Story snorts while Raiden looks at him confused.

“You and Birdie Mae don’t live together, so where does the baby stay? Will you have full custody, or joint? These are things we need to think about buddy. There’s a discussion of prenups should you get married. Also if the baby stays here who will watch him? Me and your mother both have enough kids.”

He looks outside their window to see a large box delivered. “Story, why is there a car seat being delivered?”

“My baby has to be safe! When is Burd-Dee getting here? When is our house being built? Can I have slumber parties with Burd-Dee in there? I will marry her, so we can start now.”

“Story, do something with your clone.”

“He looks just like you Carter,” she giggles. “And no slumber parties until your thirty. James is building you the playhouse in about thirty minutes. Even uncle Airy said he needed to see this. I believe Beau has no idea.”

———————————————————————————

“She’s coming right?” Raiden asks his mom excitedly. Story nods her head, and Raiden starts running upstairs, “I gotta get our baby! He’s not been named yet.”

After breakfast Arleigh comes over with her three babies, mostly spending time by the pool, while Raiden grabs Birdie Mae to give her a tour of the new playhouse.

“And this, is the fridge. Mama put some water in there. And look these cabinets,” he opens one up raising his eyebrows, “Real food. Icy and Ills tried to sleep out here last night. Come see,” he nearly drags her into the bedroom, and she sees the baby doll.

“Raiden Carter, he’s beautiful.”

“It’s…our baby. The future QB. But you have to name him,” he gives her a sweet little smile while she contemplates a name.

“Ember.”

“He’s a boy.”

“Like burning wood. That red part. Ember Cove like mama and daddy’s spot. We went swimming there,” Raiden smiles and pats the baby doll on the head.

“Let’s go swimming. Mama will babysit Ember Cove.”

Arleigh and Story with their floppy hats, drink their mocktails while they watch the kids swim. Arleigh’s hand rubs on Story’s belly still amazed that the woman is still having kids, and still is able to wrangle them up. And then she spots her daughter cradling a baby.

“You normally keep other babies in the playhouse?”

Story confused looks at her smiling boy. His face going from looking ahead of him to smiling at whatever it is she says. His little bouncy curls jumping with his steps and he even runs into a chair, because of the sweet little girl being a distraction.

“Oh that’s their baby.”

“Their baby?”

“Mama, Burd-Dee and me want to swim can you watch Ember Cove Baizen. You’re good with babies. Arleigh, this is your grandson,” with another sweet smile he pulls Birdie Mae into the pool with him splashing around with Brookie.

“My grandson?”

“He also got a car seat carrier for the baby, too. The baby needed to be safe,” she gives a sweet smile to her friend. “I’m sorry. Those Carter Baizen eyes, I can’t say no to. And he has a plan. He’s going to Boston college and play football, and she can travel with him, if she wants. And then when he makes the Pats, they’ll get married. He’s very convinced of this.”

“It’s a little much. Cute, but they’re five.”

“Oh, he’s already been told by me and his daddy, that he needs to calm down, and not be shouting how Burd-Dee Mae Adler is his and nobody can touch her in the hallway. He understands that’s embarrassing and he doesn’t want to hurt her. Raiden…he doesn’t always have a filter.”

“Sounds like someone else I know.”

“Oh he’s me. Worse. Had Carter been my age, that would be me,” Story agrees laughing. “Oh, he means well. He’s so sweet with her when I’m putting him to bed. Telling me how she’s the mostest prettiest girl at school. And she’s sweet to all the kids, and her eyes sparkle, and he wants to count her freckles.”

Arleigh shakes her head looking at the two young kids. When he’s not being overly aggressive about them getting married, they play well.

“Where did he get his height from?”

“Blade. He’s built more like Blade. But, one of the first memories I have of Carter’s face…Raiden looks just like him. Even his baby pictures, that’s my baby. I promise, he will treat Birdie Mae with respect throughout her life, even if they don’t get married. Carter makes sure that all the boys are respectful of women. Even if Otto can’t keep a girlfriend,” she rolls her eyes thinking of her oldest son.

“He likes those redheads you know. I think he’s determined to date every redhead at that school before he graduates.”

“Beau’s not gonna like the baby.”

“I think Raiden said he wants joint custody. So we’ll keep the baby this time.”

____________________________________________

Beau looks angrily at the carrier that sits in the middle of the living room. Birdie Mae in the bath and getting ready for bed while this baby doll that looks very real lays in front of him. “I don’t know what’s creepier, the baby doll or the fact they bought their son a fake baby to show that Raiden Carter and Birdie Mae are a couple.”

Arleigh flops down on the couch by her husband. “Why is that thing here?”

“That’s your grandson. And Birdie Mae missed him and wanted him here.”

Beau leans back pouting, crossing his arms around his chest. “It’s weird, that’s what it is. That thing isn’t going to stay here all summer.”

“They have joint custody,” Arleigh throws her head back in a fit of laughter, and Beau still just glowers at it.

“If that thing gets left in the car, people will call the cops on us. It looks real.”

“They’re just kids.”

“That’s…that’s what Mrs. Drysdale said about James and Iris. How did that end up? And you know who else played house like that? James and Iris.”

“I believe Arthur and Guinevere did, too,” Beau turns to glare at his wife now. “We’re well past that. But you did. How many times did you try to convince her Arthur marries Guinevere? You two have a baby?”

“Nope.”

“Roselyn…Blue? Gray?”

“Skye,” Beau deadpans.

“Ha! See. And who bought who the baby doll?”

“You and Story talk too much. I forbid you to go back over there unless you’re taking that thing.”

Birdie Mae stomps her feet over to the baby, “He is mine! And you will call him Ember Cove. You can be so cruel. He misses his daddy, and you’re hurting his feelings. Come ‘ere baby, Papi is being mean,” she hums still stomping to her room.

“Papi? Papi? That’s my future? My kid is five and already calling me a grandpa. What’s ‘Ember Cove’ call you?”

“Bunny.”

“Of course he does.”