Room for Just a Little Bit More (15 page)

We spent the next hour all alone at our little table for four, gorging on lobster, rosemary chicken, baby red garlic mashed potatoes, and green beans that were so fresh they squeaked in between your teeth.

It was time for our first dance, and I was beyond ready for it. The band played an amazing cover of Sara Evans’s song “I Could Not Ask for More” as Kacie and I swayed back and forth in each other’s arms.

“I can’t believe it’s half over already.” She sighed as she rested her head against my chest.

“It’s gone by so fast.”

“I know, but I can’t wait to get back and give you your gift.”

“Stop talking about my gift, or you’re going to have to stand in front of me for a while.”

Her laugh vibrated against my hand as it rested on her back. “I told you, it’s not
that
kind of gift, though that can probably be arranged too.”

Our song ended and I led Kacie to a chair near the end of the dance floor. Puzzled, she pulled her brows in tight and looked at me as I sat her down and kissed the top of her hand before walking away.

“Twinkies, would you please meet Brody out in the middle of the dance floor?” the lead singer bellowed into the microphone. My eyes scanned the barn quickly, not sure which direction they were going to come from. Off to my left, they appeared through the crowd from behind Kacie, walking out to the dance floor slowly with shy smiles on their faces.

Once they got to me, just like at Lauren’s wedding the year before, I motioned for them to each hop on one of my feet and hold on for dear life while the band played “Brown Eyed Girl.” All eyes were on us, but my eyes were only on them. I felt so lucky that I was gonna be able to watch these two grow up and hopefully, have a positive influence on who they’d eventually become. Kacie and Lauren sat next to each other, holding hands as I danced with my Twinkies.

Life was so fucking good.

We danced the night away for a few more hours until one by one, the guests started to trickle out. It was exhausting trying to make sure I talked to and thanked everyone, but so much fun at the same time. In all honesty, I was glad everyone was leaving. I couldn’t wait to be alone with my wife.

Kacie teared up as we hugged our parents and the girls good-bye before heading out to my condo in the city. We contemplated driving into the city in the morning to catch our flight to Hawaii, but decided that the extra hour of sleep would be more beneficial in the morning rather than at night.

“I love you guys, so much. Be good for Gigi, okay?” Kacie sniffled as she hugged Lucy and Piper for the tenth time.

“We will, Mama.” Lucy shut her eyes, squeezing them tight as she hugged her mom back.

“Will you bring us some seashells?” Piper asked as she clapped her tiny hands together.

I’ll bring you the whole damn ocean, kid.

“We’ll definitely bring you some shells, baby. Maybe a few presents too.” Kacie brushed a few wisps of Piper’s blonde hair from her forehead.

“Honey, you guys still have a couple hours in the car. You’d better get going,” Sophia warned. “We’ll be fine. Go ahead.”

“Okay.” Kacie stood up and sighed. She turned to her mom and wrapped her arms around her shoulders, sniffling again. “Thanks so much, Mom. For everything.”

“You are more than welcome, baby. You guys go, have the best honeymoon ever, and we’ll see you in a week.” Sophia winked at me over Kacie’s shoulder as she hugged her back. “Don’t let her stress about the girls too much.”

“I won’t.” I grinned, knowing that would be next to impossible.

“Congrats again,” Fred said firmly, extending his hand to me.

Looking down at his hand and back up at him, I raised one eyebrow. “Fred, you’re my father-in-law now. Hug me for Christ’s sake.” I grabbed his hand and pulled him toward me for a bear hug.

We pulled out of the driveway, and Kacie turned back for one more look out the back window. I reached over and put my hand on her thigh, squeezing gently. “I love you, Mrs. Murphy.”

Her eyes slid to mine, a soft, sexy haze filling them. “I love you more, Mr. Murphy.”

Kacie and I talked nonstop, recounting all of our favorite wedding moments for the rest of the ride to my condo. One of my favorites was the actual ride itself: being in my truck with her, alone, listening to her giggle about all the little things while she wore black yoga pants and a silver hoodie that said
Mrs. Murphy #30
on the back. Her hair was pulled into a messy ponytail and her new necklace hung from her neck, sparkling against the passing headlights.

After I was done checking her out, I noticed the black box on her lap. “Is that another photo album?” I asked hopefully.

Her head whipped toward me. “Oh my God, where
is
that?” Panic filled her voice.

“It’s in the back.” I laughed out loud at her terror-filled face.

“Thank goodness.” Her shoulders slumped in relief. “And no, it’s not another album. It’s the other half of your present.” She bit her lip nervously, tapping her fingers against the box as she stared down at her lap.

“What’s the matter?”

“I’m just nervous about this one.” She looked out the window, avoiding eye contact with me.

“Don’t sweat it. I’m sure I’ll love it.”

We pulled into my parking garage and slowly made our way upstairs. Our legs felt heavy, weighed down by all the dancing and fatigue.

“It’s weird coming in here without D running toward the door.” I sounded like a sad little kid without his dog.

“I know. He’ll have fun at your mom’s this week though.” She threw herself down on my—
our
—couch, her eyelids looking heavy.

“Okay. Gimmie that present so we can go consummate our marriage.” I wiggled my eyebrows up and down as I plopped down next to her on the couch.

“Wow. That was romantic,” she teased dryly.

I reached for the black box on the coffee table, barely lifting it before she slammed her hand down on the top, ripping it back toward her. “I’m not ready.”

“Yes, you are. Give it to me.” I laughed, lunging for it.

She held it out in the other direction, forgetting that my arms are longer than hers. I leapt toward her and tried to snatch the box out of her hand, accidentally knocking it to the floor instead. “Look. Now you made me drop it,” I joked as I walked around to pick up the piece of cloth that fell out of it. Kacie sat up straight on the couch, hugging her legs to her chest.

“What is this?” I twisted the Minnesota Wild jersey in my hand, trying to make sense of it as Kacie watched me like a hawk. I finally found the shoulders and held it out in front of me. It was in fact a Minnesota Wild jersey, the tiniest #30 I’d ever seen, with Murphy stitched onto the back.

Holy. Shit.

I lowered my hands and stared at Kacie as my heart started pounding like an engine roaring to a start, all pistons pumping.

“Is this what I think it is?”

She nodded as she covered her eyes with her hands, peeking out from in between her fingers.

“You’re—” I froze, unable to form any more words.

She nodded again, still hiding from me.

“When did you find out? How long have you known?” I held the little jersey up again, wondering how the hell anything could fit into it.

“I just found out last week. You don’t want to know what I had to pay to have that shipped so fast.” She was looking down at her lap, playing nervously with her new wedding band. Her eyes swept back up to me and she took a deep breath. “Are you okay?”

“Okay?” I roared, adrenaline coursing through my veins as I fist pumped the air. “I’m better than okay. I’m fucking fantastic!” I ran over to my window and raised it as high as I could, sticking my head out into the warm summer air. “I’m gonna be a dad!” I yelled at the top of my lungs. I was sure it would be in the morning papers that Brody Murphy lost his mind and was screaming out of high-rise windows, but I didn’t care. Turning around, I dove at Kacie, knocking her onto her back. I wrapped my arms around her and squeezed as hard as I could. “Oh, shit. I’m sorry.” I rested my hand on her belly. “Are you okay? I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

“No.” She laughed as a tear dripped from her eye.

“Why are you crying?” I shifted to my side and wiped the tear that was rolling down her temple.

“These are happy tears, Brody. I was worried you were going to be upset.”

I shook my head fast, moving my hand on top of hers. “I’m surprised, sure… but elated. After how much I love being a dad to the girls, I couldn’t wait to make a baby with you. This is the best wedding present ever.” I bent down and kissed the tip of her nose, the same cute nose I prayed our baby would have. “How do you feel? Are you okay?”

“I’ve actually felt really good, except for one annoying side effect.” She chewed on the side of her mouth, trying not to smile.

“What’s that?”

“Well, I have a lot of hormones going through my body right now, and I’ve been very…”—her eyes searched the room as she looked for her wording—“uh… needy.”

“Needy like horny?” I rejoiced, unable to keep the grin off my face.

“Mmhmm.” She nodded.

“I can totally help with that, like right now.” I stood up, reaching for her hands.

“Where are we going?” She sat up and unzipped her hoodie.

“In the bedroom. I’m not making love to my wife for the first time on the couch in my living room like some drunk, horny frat boy.”

She slipped her hoodie off her shoulders and dropped it on the couch as she took my hand, following me to the bedroom.

I closed the bedroom door behind us and she started giggling as she sat on the edge of the bed.

“What?” I looked around the room, trying to figure out what she was laughing at.

“You. You closed the door.”

“Yeah?”

“The girls aren’t here.” She bit her lip seductively, turning me on with just her sexy eyes. She’d had a sexy glow to her all night. I thought it was from the wedding, but now I realized there might be more to it.

“That’s right.” I whipped the door back open dramatically as I reached up and pulled my T-shirt over my head. Stalking across the room, I crawled over her as she scooted backward up the bed.

Gently resting my body weight to the side of her, I slid the strap of her tank top off her shoulder, kissing her smooth skin. “How does this work?” I asked in between kisses.

“Um… We’ve done it before. Have you forgotten?” She giggled again.

“No, I mean… is there anything special I need to do, or not do? Like, I don’t want to bump its head.”

Kacie’s belly bounced up and down as she laughed hard at me. “It doesn’t have a head yet. It’s about the size of a blueberry right now. And no, sex can’t hurt me. It’s actually good for me.”

“By all means, I want you to be as healthy as possible,” I teased as I slid the other strap of her tank top down, exposing her lacy white bra. Grabbing the hem of her tank top, I lifted it up and over her head in one swift motion while I took her bra off with my other hand.

My hand immediately went to her exposed breast, cupping and squeezing it as she closed her eyes.

“Does that feel good?” I asked, growing harder by the minute.

“Yeah.” She breathed heavily, lying back on the bed. “They’re very sensitive lately.”