Page 123 of Rescuing Mary

“I…okay,” she said softly. “I hate to admit it, because it makes me feel like a failure, but Billy has so much energy he sometimes makes me tired just looking at him. And Greta is so picky, I swear to God I spend most of my day pleading with her to eat something, anything, so she doesn’t blow away in a stiff wind. I sure as hell hope this one is a little more easygoing.” Rayne put a hand on her belly and rubbed.

Ghost leaned down and kissed her pregnant belly, then spun her around and gave her a gentle push toward the stairs. “Go on. Relax. I’ve got this. And tonight, if you’re up for it, I’ll give you a back rub.”

“Oooh.” Rayne turned back and her eyes lit up. “Just a backrub?”

“I’ll give you whatever you want, Princess. You know that.”

She stood up on tiptoes and untucked his shirt. Putting her hand on the small of his naked back, she whispered, “I’m so fucking horny, Ghost. I swear I don’t know how it’s possible when I’m this big, but I am.”

“I’ll take care of you.”

“I know you will. I’m gonna take a nap, but call me if you need me.”

“I’m not going to need you. I can survive one night with them.”

She nodded. “Make sure you wake me up when you get the kids put down for the night.”

“I will. Now go.”

Ghost watched as his wife waddled up the stairs toward their bedroom. The pregnancy had rounded her out once again, much to her chagrin. Ghost knew she’d worked really hard to get rid of the weight she’d gained when Greta was born, but he liked her this way. Lush and curvy. He wasn’t sure what the night would bring; sometimes Rayne only wanted to get off, with either his help or with her vibrator, and other times she wanted actual intercourse. But whatever she wanted and needed, Ghost was happy to provide. He was more than able to get himself off, and in fact, Rayne loved watching him masturbate in front of her.

Life certainly wasn’t easy or calm, but it was exactly what Ghost had dreamed about. He loved having a hectic life. Loved watching his kids grow up and explore the world. This was why he’d become a soldier. Why he’d joined Delta Force in the first place. To keep families safe and ignorant of the evils of the world.

When Greta screeched and came running into the living room, Ghost quickly scooped her up and flung her over his shoulder. Billy, who’d been tormenting his sister with his soapy hands, wanted in on the fun, and sat on his dad’s foot and wrapped his arms around his calf.

With two squirming kids hanging off him, Ghost smiled and made his way into the kitchen. He needed to get them fed, play with them for an hour or so, read them a story, put them to bed, and then he could take care of his wife.

His smile grew as he thought about what that entailed. He couldn’t wait.

Hollywood and Kassie, Seven years after the weddings.

* * *

“That kid’s a menace,” Hollywood groaned as he watched Fletch’s little boy chase Kate around the backyard. They were hanging out with their friends and watching the kids play.

“No, he’s not,” Kassie told her husband. “I bet he’s just like you were at that age. Besides, he likes her. That’s what kids do when they like someone else but don’t know how to tell them.”

“Kate is only seven!” Hollywood said in horror. “She’s too young to have a boyfriend.”

“Annie knew Frankie was the boy for her when she was seven,” Kassie said calmly.

“No. Just no,” Hollywood said, folding his arms across his chest.

Kassie giggled and turned into her husband and wrapped her arms around him.

Hollywood kept his eyes on his daughter and the little boy who seemed enamored with her, even as he hugged his wife to his chest. The kids had grown up together, spending a lot of time playing, but the thought of them liking each other hadn’t even dawned on him until right this moment.

Just then, Kate fell. She’d been running from Ethan and laughing and had tripped over something in the yard. Hollywood jerked and moved to go help her, but Kassie held him tightly.

“She’s fine,” she whispered.

Hollywood clenched his teeth and forced himself to not run to his daughter to make sure she was all right.

He watched as Annie went over to the children and made sure Kate was okay. She had the little girl laughing within seconds. Hollywood didn’t miss the way Ethan patted Kate on the shoulder lightly, as if comforting her.

“Fuck, I’m in deep shit, aren’t I?” he asked.

Kassie merely chuckled. “Yup. Are you seriously just noticing for the first time how pretty our daughter is?”