“Like . . . ?”
“Like a girlfriend.”
“No way!” I hissed and looked up at him. Kash looked just as surprised as I felt.
A shriek filled the living room and I turned to see Kennedy running as fast as her little toddler legs would carry her.
“Jesus,” I whispered and pointed. “Naked baby.”
Kash laughed and kissed the back of my neck. “You are homeschooling the girls.”
“Whatever you say, Kash.” I winked and watched him take off after Kennedy.
Marcy walked up next to me and handed me Kennedy’s forgotten clothes. “How do you keep that girl in these?”
“We haven’t figured out a way yet. Where’s Kira?”
“Sleeping in Rich’s arms.”
I turned until I spotted them, and smiled at my daughter and father-in-law. They were so cute together.
“Okay, well, I’m going to help Kash with Kennedy, be right back.”
Taking the clothes from her, I walked through the halls until I heard Kennedy’s belly laugh and found Kash blowing more raspberries on her stomach.
“I caught the monster.”
“Your mom collected all her clothes.”
After we got her dressed again, I lifted her onto my hip and walked out toward the living room. Marcy was waiting at the entrance of the hall and made grabby hands at Kennedy.
“Come back to Ya Ya, sweet girl, let’s go hang out with Poppi and Kira.”
Handing her over to Marcy, I giggled when Kash pulled us back into the hall and pressed us close as his mouth teased the sensitive spot behind my ear.
“I don’t think so, mister.”
“I can’t help it . . . this is the one time we’re not chasing after our girls and someone else is watching them. And, f**k, Rachel, you look so hot. Swear to God I’m keeping you pregnant all the time. We’re going to have a football team.”
I laughed and elbowed his stomach. “Whatever.”
“Don’t ‘whatever’ me, Sour Patch. You know you’re sexy as hell.”
I rolled my eyes and turned to kiss him before whispering against his lips, “Liar.”
“Never.”
He captured my lips and I moaned into his mouth when his tongue caressed mine.
“Naked baby!” Maddie called and I let my forehead drop onto Kash’s chest.
“Homeschooling those girls, woman.” He kissed me again before taking off after a squealing Kennedy.
I walked to the front of the hall and scooped up a tired-looking Kira as I enjoyed the view.
Maddie and Aaron were talking quietly in a corner. Close friends were gathered in clumps around the living room and kitchen—some talking to their group, others laughing at the circus that was my family. Richard and Mr. Gates were wiping back tears as they laughed over Mrs. Gates, Marcy, and Kash chasing after Kennedy and looking for her clothes. Soon Mason and this mystery girl would be here, and she would get the crash course in meeting everyone while we all individually interrogated her.
I loved my family, and I loved our life. Kash and I had gone through rough times at the beginning, but life was good and I prayed it would stay that way. There was never a dull moment—there were plenty of laughs, and plenty of happy and sad tears. He and I still fought like there was no tomorrow, and pancakes were made a few times a week . . . but we loved each other fiercely, and we helped each other through everything. Most importantly, there were never any lies.