Chapter 24: Clover Mae

SLOAN

After we get back to the new house, we lie in bed and try to decide what’s next. I can’t help but put my hand over my belly and get lost in my thoughts.

~I’m actually going to be a mom; a little girl, wow; and Kade, we’re getting married.~

~How did my whole life change so quickly?~

~Sure, I threw out the plan, but aside from the steps being out of order, I’m getting everything I’ve ever wanted.~

Kade rolls to look at me and runs his fingers through my hair. “So, baby, what’s first?”

“Everyone knows we’re engaged. I’m going to have to tell Marlene about the baby tomorrow, but we need to tell our families.”

“We could have dinner here tomorrow,” Kade suggests.

“Do you think it’s too late notice?”

“No, our families will come.”

“I guess we should call them now.”

After making a few calls, everyone agrees to come over tomorrow night under the pretense that we need to talk about the wedding.

“Okay, so this is happening,” I say.

“What should we make?”

“Keep it simple. Let’s do finger foods and let everyone pick; it will be easy and yummy.”

He smiles. “Okay, I can handle that.”

“I’m going to help.”

“You need to go to the office tomorrow and talk to Marlene,” he insists.

“Okay, but when I get home, I’m still helping.”

“You’re pregnant, you need to rest.”

“I’ve been fine this whole time,” I push.

“You know, the doctor said you need to gain more weight.”

“Ugh, I know. I already agreed to give up Pilates and, tomorrow, I’ll eat a plate full of cheese.”

“Okay, baby, I trust you. Then, after we tell them, what?”

“All the women will go crazy and throw us a shower.”

“Yeah, and you’ll let them, and then we’ll decorate the nursery down the hall,” Kade says. “Our little clover will be born, and a few weeks later, we’ll get married.”

“You’ve planned this all out?”

“No, I’m just flying by the seat of my pants but I’m saying it’s all possible to figure out.”

“Wait, Kade, what did you call her?”

He puts his hand on my belly. “Our little clover.”

“I love it.”

“Really?”

“Yes, Clover Lawson, it’s perfect. We just need to think of a middle name.”

“Whoa, Clover, our little Clover…” His face lights up. “You’re right, it is perfect for us.”

“Clover Mae Lawson.” When I say it out loud, it gives me tingles in my chest.

Kade leans down and kisses my belly. “I can’t wait to meet you, Clover Mae.”

“Aw, babe, you’re so sweet.”

“I love you and little Clover.”

“I love you too.”

Kade goes downstairs to make dinner while I unpack some of the things that he brought over for me. The closet is spacious and, even sharing with Kade, I have plenty of room for all of my things.

I can’t believe how good he was at picking out this house; it’s so perfect for us.

I wander down the hallway, realizing I still haven’t even seen it all, and there it is, the room that will be the nursery. It’s empty right now, but I can picture how perfect it will be.

Throwing out the plan was the best thing I ever did.

I make my way downstairs, where Kade has made his signature tomato soup and grilled cheese.

I smile. “You really know how to spoil me.”

“There’s enough for lunch tomorrow too. I thought ahead.”

“You’re the best.”

After we sit down and eat dinner together, we wind up back upstairs in bed. The day has been exhausting, and I know that tomorrow isn’t going to be any easier, so I decide to go to sleep.

***

The next morning when I wake up, Kade is already out of bed, but I’ve overslept, so I slip into the bathroom and into the shower.

Once the steam gets going, I start to wake up and am so happy that I start to sing in the shower. I’m startled when Kade joins in, singing in harmony.

“Oh, my God, sorry, babe,” I admit, feeling mortified.

“Why? I liked it.” He opens the shower door and steps in with me. “You look good enough to eat, and your singing voice is sexy as hell.”

He slides his hands down my sides and grips my hips. “What do you say? Have a few extra minutes to spare for your fiancé?”

“I could be persuaded.”

He leans in and kisses my neck where it meets my shoulder; he knows it drives me crazy, so I lull my head back, granting him access.

He pulls me closer, and I can feel his hard length pressed against my middle.

“Yes, Kade, please, I have time.”

He gives me a satisfied smirk and lifts me off the ground, pressing my back against the cool tile on the wall.

I arch into him at the sensation, and he growls under his breath, “I don’t know how you keep getting sexier every damn day. I can’t believe how lucky I am.”

He lines himself up with my entrance, and I sink down onto him.

“Damn, Sloan, you feel so good.”

I fist his hair and start to move my hips. He’s out of breath almost immediately, and I can tell he’s coming undone because his thrusts are needy and urgent.

“Mm, Kade, just like that.”

He’s hitting just the right spot at this angle, and the ecstasy is almost too much to handle. I clench down on him, and he gasps but he doesn’t stop, not for a second.

He woos me into submission, and before I know it, an earth-shattering orgasm overtakes me. While my body pulses and tenses, he spills into me with a sexy grunt.

He presses an intense, slow, and sexy kiss to my lips before he sets me on my feet.

“Wow, babe, that was incredible,” I whisper.

“You’re incredible. Gonna sing for me again?”

“Hmm, maybe, if you play your cards right.”

He pinches my butt before he gets the body wash, and we both finish our shower. When we get out, we stand side by side at the sink and get ready together.

I smile. “Wow, this is like our life now; we get to be together all the time.”

“I love it.”

“I love it too.”

“I was thinking that I’ll take you to work since you don’t have your car, but maybe we can meet for lunch so you can get your car and just come home when you’re done.”

“That should work.”

“I only have one meeting today. I’ll go shopping and get whatever we need for tonight,” he says.

“Do we have dishes?” I laugh.

“Yes, Sloan, I moved all my stuff here already; we just need to finish getting yours.”

“Yeah, I should probably call the leasing office about my place; I don’t need to stay there for any reason. I want to be with you.”

“Well, if you have time today, go ahead, but I’ll help you with anything you don’t get to.”

“Kade, you’re a dream.”