Her climax comes before mine but moments later when I come, I squeeze her hard and close when I empty myself deep inside her womb. “I love you too, L. Only you.”

9

Things have been surprisingly good between Jack Henry and me since our New Year’s confessional. Good isn’t the right word. Great is more like it. Who would’ve thought that telling one another our innermost thoughts would be so healthy? I like this newfound depth in our relationship so much that I may ask him if we can do it again.

Jack Henry asked me to have his baby. Becoming parents is something he began talking about before we were married, but it seems to be on his mind all the time now—which means it’s on mine constantly as well.

A baby. That’s what I’m thinking about as I stand in Margaret’s kitchen preparing the lasagna I’m making for Jack Henry’s birthday party tonight, per his request. My mother-in-law comes to me with a bowl of chocolate frosting. She’s baking his favorite cake, something she does for every member of the McLachlan family on their birthday. “I have extra. Want to help me clean the bowl?”

“Absolutely.” She passes me a spoon and I dig in. “Omigod. That is so good, Margaret.” And it is. I’ve never tasted frosting this delicious. I can see why this is my husband’s favorite but it makes me realize something. I’ve never seen him eat chocolate cake. Ever. I didn’t know Jack Henry liked it. I’m his wife so how could I not know that? I bet it’s this family history with the heart stuff. He exercises religiously and rarely indulges in things he considers unhealthy because he’s fearful of ending up like his father and uncle. I’d like to ask Margaret about it but I don’t want to introduce concerns if she hasn’t already considered them.

“Did they start work on your music studio yet?”

“They poured the concrete early this week and said we could expect it to be finished sometime in May.”

“I would think that’s soon considering all the equipment that’ll be installed.”

One can anticipate fast progress when she’s married to a man with money and high expectations. “You know Jack Henry. He sets the bar high and expects everyone else to as well.”

Margaret grins. “He gets that from his father. Henry is a hard worker. I’m not sure he would have ever retired if I hadn’t cut him off.”

“You cut him off of what?”

“Nookie.” I giggle because the word itself is funny but hearing her say it makes it even more so. “I’m going to give you some advice because you’re still a new wife—and because my son can be a little shit at times. I know; I’m his mum.” She looks around as though she’s about to reveal top-secret information. “Nookie equals power and there’s a reason he wants it from you all the time. It levels the playing field. Don’t like something he’s doing? Take the nookie away. Get the results you want. Need him to see things your way but he refuses? Withhold the nookie and he’ll make the fastest attitude adjustment you’ve ever seen. Want your husband to retire because he’s going to work himself into an early grave and miss his grandchildren growing up the way he missed his kids? Close the gates of nookie and get your husband home with you instead of burying him. That’s how you work it, darling. You use the power of the nookie to get the results you want.”

Oh, my. She’s a sly one. I could learn a lot from her.

Henry comes into the kitchen and opens the refrigerator. He bends down, searching for something, and Margaret sashays over to him. She whispers something in his ear and gives me a wink before returning to the sink of dirty dishes.

Henry grabs a bottle of water from the refrigerator and takes a big swig. “You girls have been standing in here on your feet for too long. Go rest a minute and I’ll wash these dirty dishes for you.”

Wow. What a sweet father-in-law. “Thank you, Henry.” I give him a kiss on the cheek as I pass by. “You’re so thoughtful.”

Margaret and I go into the living room and put our feet up. “Don’t be mistaken, Laurelyn. That was not the offer of a thoughtful man.”

“You used the power.”

“Yes, I did, and you want to know what’s so brilliant about it? I still love being with Henry after all these years so I’d have given it to him anyway. Hell, I’d probably have instigated it myself, so it’s win-win.”

“You are the master.” Margaret is so cool. I think I just fell in love with her a little more. “What time is everyone coming?”

“Seven.”

Perfect. That gives me plenty of time to go to the apartment and get ready. “Who should I expect?”

“It’s normally only family but we’re having extra guests tonight. Chloe is bringing the new guy in her life and three of Jack Henry’s mates will be joining us.”

“I didn’t realize Chloe was dating anyone.”

“It’s still new so we’ve not met him, either.”

Wow. A few weeks. I guess I’ve been too busy if I’ve missed something important like that. “That’s great.”

“I hope Jack Henry doesn’t try to shake him down too much. I may need to speak to him before the dinner—maybe ask him to take it easy since he can be hard on her fellas sometimes.”

I can see him being like that, but she’s an adult, the same age as me. “Why is he hard on them?”

“It’s how he is. He’s always been incredibly protective of her since the day she was born.” She laughs. “He wouldn’t even let Evan near her for the longest time.”

“I haven’t seen him be overly protective with her.”

“He’s lightened up since you came along.”

“I guess she’s glad of that.”

“I suspect she is,” Margaret agrees.

We sit with our feet propped and Margaret tells me stories about Jack Henry as a child. I can’t stop smiling because I’m picturing this beautiful boy with dark hair and bright blue eyes getting into the mischief she’s describing.

I wonder if our babies will have his eyes. I hope so.

“What are you giving Jack Henry for his birthday?” Margaret asks.

I’m still smiling but for a different reason and I can’t keep it from her. “I have a few things for him but one special gift. He asked for a baby and I’ve decided to give him one.”

“Oh, Laurelyn.” She cups her hands over her mouth to muffle a squeal. “A baby. That’s wonderful news. Have you told him yet?”