Chapter 53

The twins, now half a year old, were propped up, their eyes glued to Ollie and Goat as they played in the backyard. Maddie’s casting and braces had done their job, and her foot was now as normal as the other one.

Anelise had fretted for nothing, and Michael was quick to remind her of that before he gifted her new diamond earrings to celebrate.

Their life was hectic but incredibly fulfilling. Ollie was wrapping up first grade, and Henry was on the brink of turning two, his vocabulary expanding every day. Grace and Christopher had just shared the news that they were expecting.

Ashley was nearing the end of her sophomore year in college, and JJ and Emily were still single, much to Naomi’s disappointment. She adored her five grandkids and was thrilled about the sixth one on the way.

Michael, Anelise, Leslie, and Craig were planning a Disney World trip for the following summer when all the girls would be over a year old. They were excited, knowing this would be the first of many such trips.

Michael and Anelise were planning a road trip to Iowa to visit his family. The thought of driving that far with four kids made them a bit anxious. Michael came up with a new plan: they would start driving at night, hoping the kids would sleep most of the way.

Summer ended quietly, and Anelise was amazed that Ollie was about to start second grade! It was hard to believe she’d known them for over five years!

It felt like just yesterday they were on a plane to London for the summer. Ollie was such a wonderful little boy, and she loved him fiercely.

It had been over a year since Neil’s passing, and they hadn’t heard a word from Kim. Anelise had lost hope that she would come around, even after she’d left the message before giving birth.

Peg hadn’t heard much either. She said they weren’t really talking much, and all she knew was that Kim was still working and doing some volunteering. Anelise decided to let it go and focus on her life and her family.

The twins’ first birthday was a blast! While they weren’t identical, they looked very similar and were a perfect blend of both their parents, but their personalities were very different.

Sophie was quiet and loved babies and girly things. Maddie, on the other hand, was more adventurous and loved to get dirty. She and Henry could create a bigger mess in seconds than Anelise had ever seen, and they reveled in every moment of it.

Thanksgiving came and went, and Christmas was upon them again. Anelise went all out as usual, and the kids were thrilled as she brought out the decorations and decked the house.

Michael swept her into his arms after they’d set out Santa’s gifts and they danced at midnight to Frank Sinatra, a tradition they’d kept since they moved into their house and got engaged. It was Anelise’s favorite part of the holiday.

They were lost in each other, and all the holiday stress and pressure melted away as they remembered to enjoy the true meaning of the season.

Emily dropped a bit of a bombshell at Christmas dinner at Naomi and Johnathon’s. They were enjoying dessert and relaxing while the kids ran around and Christmas movies played on the big TV.

The doorbell rang, and Emily answered it, bringing in her guest, who turned out to be her partner, Sheila. Everyone but Naomi was surprised but welcomed her just as they did with everyone else’s significant other.

Sheila was a kind woman who worked as a pediatric nurse, and all the kids were drawn to her. Johnathan did ~not~ like sharing the spotlight.

He was a bit grumpy until dessert was served, and Maddie climbed onto his lap and gave him a messy kiss with her face smeared with chocolate mousse. “Love you, Papa!”

He couldn’t resist his granddaughters, especially Maddie, and hugged her back, melting as she looked at him. “Papa loves you too, Maddie.”

It was another wonderful holiday and a great start to the New Year.

--

The Disney World trip with their best friends was fantastic! Anelise had been worried about managing five young children, but everyone had a great time and way too many stuffed animals and princess dresses were bought by the dads.

Craig and Michael were hopeless when it came to their daughters and couldn’t deny them anything. And the three girls had to have every princess dress they saw. They were definitely girl dads.

Leslie announced that she was pregnant again and they were hoping for a boy this time. They’d just sold the townhouse that Craig had bought when he first moved to Nashville and bought a wonderful house not too far from Michael and Anelise.

It wasn’t nearly as big, but it was everything Leslie had wanted. Johnathan had finally convinced Craig to join the company, and Michael was thrilled to have his lunch buddy back. Well, Craig was just added to the group of Michael, JJ, and Christopher.

Their last night in Orlando, Michael collapsed into bed after finally getting Henry to sleep with his three new stuffed characters. Anelise giggled, then kissed his chest. “He finally gave in?”

“~Finally!~ That boy is relentless! He was still trying to get me to go back and get him the Lightning McQueen that he didn’t pick the other day!” Michael groaned.

Anelise traced her fingers up and down his chest. “He is just like you; he never gives up!”

“Oh, you think so?” He growled and flipped her so he was on top and kissed her deeply, leaving her breathless. He then moved down her jaw and neck to suck on the top of her full breasts that were not contained by the flimsy nighty she was wearing. Anelise had her hands in his hair and moaned.

Michael was enjoying his wife’s large pillowy breasts that he loved to lick and suck on and stopped dead in his movements when Anelise said, “I want another baby.”

He looked up at her, “What? Are you serious? You want another baby?”

She looked at him and smiled. “We have such amazing kids, and I thought one more would complete our family.”

“But what if it’s two?” he asked.

“Then we will be doubly blessed. I have been thinking about this, Michael, a lot. The girls are nineteen months old, Ollie is eight, and Henry is almost four. He will start kindergarten next year and I think this is a good time... What do you think?” she asked nervously.

He sat back on his heels, still between her legs. “I’m totally stunned, I’ll be honest.”

Anelise felt her heart sink a little. “So does that mean no?”

Michael looked up to the ceiling and thought for a minute. “Damn, why can I not say no to you?”

She gasped. “Really? Can we try?”

“Okay, okay. We can try for one more. But that’s it! We’re out of rooms! And I’m ~not~ moving again!” Michael finally gave in.

Anelise let out a squeal of delight and pulled him down for a kiss. “Thank you!!” she exclaimed, to which Michael responded with a laugh.

“So, when do you want to start trying?” he asked her.

“Well, I haven’t taken my pill yet, so how about now?” She flashed him a mischievous grin.

“Damn, you had this all planned out, didn’t you, you little brat!” Michael accused, but his tone was playful.

She grinned back at him, “Maybe... but we get to keep trying, and we’re pretty good at that, aren’t we?”

He returned her grin and ran his hand up her leg, discovering she was bare underneath her nighty. “Yes, we are!!”

Anelise arched her back as his fingers found her already wet core and began to rub. Michael kissed her deeply as he continued to finger her slowly, teasing her. She reached over and started rubbing his growing bulge.

He quickly removed her flimsy nighty, and she pushed down his shorts to free him. She loved his cock and would never forget the first time she saw it, touched it. It was hard yet soft, and she loved how it felt in her hands, mouth, and pussy.

Michael moaned as he felt her rubbing his head, smearing the liquid he was leaking. He loved when she did that. He leaned over and took a perfect nipple in his mouth, sucking and licking it.

He knew she loved that, and he was more than happy to oblige. They played until they couldn’t wait any longer, then he put her legs over his arms and thrust into her deeply.

He still loved that initial feeling of her when he entered, and if he could, he would be inside her all day, every day. Anelise urged him on, and soon the only sounds in the room were their panting, the slapping of skin, and the murmurs of pleasure until they both climaxed, one right after the other.

Michael kissed her again and laid next to her, pulling her close. “I do love you, Anelise Whitlock, more and more every day.”

“I love you too. Are you sure another baby is alright?”

He smiled. “Yeah, it’s fine. I actually thought about it a few months ago. So now we just have to focus on getting you pregnant!”

She laughed and then fell asleep on his chest, their last night of vacation ending on a high note.

Eleven months later, their last child, Archie, was born with red hair. He was the perfect ending to their family story.

With their family now complete, they watched as the other Rothschilds expanded their own families. Grace and Christopher had a boy and a girl, Leslie and Craig had another two girls, Emily and Sheila adopted a three-year-old boy, and Christopher finally married a wonderful woman with two boys from her first marriage. Only then did they feel truly complete.

The biggest surprise came when Ashley showed up at Naomi’s annual Fourth of July party with Matt Douglas on her arm. Leslie and Anelise were stunned.

Ashley confessed that she’d had a crush on him for years. They’d met at an event downtown, and the rest was history. They got married four months later and quickly had three children.

Naomi and Johnathon were overjoyed with their sixteen grandchildren and retired to spend time with them, spoiling them every day of their lives.

And every person in their family felt loved, accepted, and happy. That was all any of them could ask for.