The Journey Home(79)
Author: Kelly Elliott

I threw my head back and laughed. “She definitely keeps us on our toes.” I smiled at Monica. “How are you feeling?” I touched her stomach and the baby decided to kick right at that moment. We both laughed.

“I’ve never in my life been so happy, Maddie. I know Jack and I thought the pregnancy with the twins was our miracle, but to be blessed with this baby as well? I just…I’m…I’m so happy.”

I pulled her into my arms and held her for a few minutes. “I’m so happy for you two. I really am.”

Monica wiped away her tears and rolled her eyes. “Oh, God. Pregnancy emotions.” She took a deep breath. “What about you, Maddie. Do you ever want another one? I mean I know Cale got his balls cut off and all.”

I slapped my best friend on the arm and laughed. “Shut up. He didn’t get his balls cut off. It was a small incision.”

“Uh-huh. He got his balls cut.”

I rolled my eyes. “No, Cale and I are happy with the girls. I couldn’t imagine my life any different.”

We both looked out and saw Evie, Lucy, and Craig all making mud pies. Lucy and Craig both had blonde hair and the bluest of blue eyes. Lucy favored Monica and Craig favored Jack, especially his personality.

“I think Evie has a crush on Craig.” I said, looking at my younger daughter. Her brown hair was pulled up into a ponytail. She looked so much like me—it was unreal. She even scrunched her nose like I did.

“Shut up!” Monica said. “Craig totally has a crush on Evie.”

Cale and Jack came over and I heard Cale gasp. I glanced over at them and Jack was smiling while nodding. “That’s my boy, nothing but a ladies man.”

Cale looked at me with nothing but pure horror in his eyes.

“No. Oh, hell no.”

Jack reached into the cooler and grabbed a water bottle before taking back off toward the soccer game. “Just think dude, we could be in-laws someday!”

Cale’s mouth dropped open as Monica and I busted out laughing. I watched as my husband slowly walked away, mumbling something about locking up his youngest spawn until she was twenty-one.

I giggled as Evie laughed at something Lucy was holding. Oh no. Not the camel.

I heard Cale yell out. I glanced over to see Cale and Lily both high-fiving each other—Lily had apparently scored a goal. I yelled, “Go Lily!”

Lily looked over at me and smiled as she gave me a thumbs-up.

Monica hit me in the arm and asked, “Hey, is that the camel Cale brought to the hospital the day the twins were born?”

Evie and Lucy were playing with the giant camel as Jack walked over to them. “Where did you guys get that?” he asked.

Lucy pointed to Cale and said, “Uncle Cale gave it to us!”

Jack spun around and took off running after Cale. “You bastard!”

Monica sighed. “Some things never change.”

I laughed and shook my head. “Nope. I wouldn’t want things any other way.”