Mac returned carrying the handheld baby monitor, which he set on one of the teak tables that was part of their deck set. Then he set about removing the pads from two of the lounge chairs. He put them on the deck and held out his hand to her.

“Right here?”

“Right here.”

She snuggled up to him on the makeshift bed, resting her head on his outstretched arm.

“I hate to see you sad about anything,” he said.

“I’m sorry. I’m being crazy, and I know it—”

He kissed her soundly, silencing her words as much as her worries. “You’re not crazy. You’re adorable, and I love you.”

“Don’t be nice to me, or I’ll start crying again.”

“Fine then. You’re a shrew and a hag, and I still love you.”

She laughed even as tears filled her eyes. “How did I land such a fabulous husband?”

“You were very, very, very lucky.”

“Yes, I was.”

“We both were. And I’ll tell you what, if it turns out you aren’t pregnant, we’ll try again next month.” As he spoke, he removed her T-shirt and panties as well as his own pajama pants.

“I thought you never wanted to go through that again.”

“I never again want to see you in any sort of pain or danger. That’s the part I object to. Not the baby. So we’d do things differently this time. Make sure we’re where we need to be way before you’re due so there’s no chance of any drama.”

“Do you have any idea what it’d be like to have three kids under the age of five?”

“Worse than having two kids under the age of five?”

“I’ve heard it’s way worse.”

“You go from a man-to-man defense to a zone.”

“Huh?”

“Sorry, basketball joke. Basically, it means they’ll outnumber us.”

“Yes, they will. And how about when they’re all teenagers at the same time? What will that be like?”

“Will you be here with me?” Mac asked.

“Where else would I be?”

“Then it’ll be as fantastic as the rest of our lives will be. It’s all good, honey. As long as we have each other, they can’t defeat us.” As he spoke, he arranged them so he was behind her, his arm secure around her waist and his cock snug against her ass.

Maddie squirmed, trying to get closer to him, the position new and unfamiliar to her.

“It’s getting sweaty around here,” he said as he slid against her, the movement aided by the slight sheen on their skin.

“Mac… Hurry.”

“I’m not in any hurry tonight.”