Free Real Men Wear Pink (A Destined to Change Short Story) (Destined Series) by Lisa M. Harley Page B

bug! Mommy! Sammy’s throwing bugs at me.”
    “Am not. Quit being a baby,” Sammy said as he ran faster after her. Still holding what I can only assume was the bug in his hand. “It just wants to say hello, Mags. Come on…tell the friendly little bug hello.”
    That boy was gonna be the death of me. I said the same little prayer every day - Please God let this baby in my belly be a girl. I love Sammy with all my heart and soul, but I am just not sure that I could handle another one like him. With my luck I’ll have a girl and she’ll act just like her big brother. I can’t remember a month since Sammy has been in school that I haven’t had to visit the school because he’s gotten into trouble. Usually something little, but still. ALL THE TIME. That boy was gonna cause me to go gray before I hit thirty years old.
    “Hey, baby,” Jaxon said, wrapping his arm around my shoulder and pulling me close to his side. He kissed the side of my head. I’d never get tired of being close to him. Eric and Jaxon had a rough start, but they were talking more now and they were both really trying to become friends. I think they finally came to the conclusion that they needed to be friends, because Emma and I were best friends and always would be. Our men were going to be spending a lot of time together and it would be more enjoyable for them if they tried to get along.
    “How are you feeling, Lor?” Eric asked, gently rubbing his hand over my protruding belly. Now, I wouldn’t let just anybody touch my belly like that, but Eric had always been like a brother to me. “That little boy in there about ready to come out?”
    “Um, excuse me. God wouldn’t do that to me. I cannot handle anymore testosterone in my house. This baby is most assuredly a girl.”
    “Uh huh. Sure it is,” Jaxon laughed.
    I pulled away from him and punched him in the arm. I glared at him and he stepped away with his hands up in front of him. “Sorry. Whatever you say, baby. We’re having another daughter.”
    “You bet we are,” I responded.
    I hugged Eric and turned around to start back to the house to see if Emma needed help with dinner, when Jaxon asked, “I don’t get a hug?”
    Turning toward him, I placed my hands on my hips and pushed my ever growing chest out, which had the reaction I hoped for. His eyes bulged and I could see the fire burning deep in them . “Nope. Guess not.” Then I turned back around, and laughed to myself while I walked toward the house.
    Emma outdid herself with dinner. She made chicken piccata with herb roasted potatoes, asparagus with hollandaise sauce, and homemade crescent rolls. And as if that wasn’t awesome enough, for dessert she made my favorite: chocolate mayonnaise cake. She even used my family recipe. My grandma was an excellent cook and this cake was one of her specialties. “Emma, this cake is amazing! Your catering business is going to be awesome. You’ll have so many jobs, you won’t have time to help with my little wedding.”
    “Like that would happen, Lor. You know you’re stuck with me for the wedding and the baby shower, and every other party you have for the rest of your life,” she smiled and then pretty soon, everyone was laughing. Except for the kids, who were looking at us like we were nuts. I was used to that look, because as a mom, I got it all the time.
    “Seriously, Ems. I’m so proud of you.” I stood up and started to clear the table, but Eric and Jaxon insisted they take care of the dishes. “Are ya’ll sure?” I asked, but I was already walking toward the recliner in the living room.
    “Yeah, babe. Go put your feet up. Us men will take care of the dishes,” Jaxon said.
    “I say we let them have at it.” I linked my arm in Emma’s and said, “We better hurry up before they change their minds.”
    I fell down into the recliner and pushed back to pop the recliner out. It felt so good to have my feet up. But as all moms know, that relief didn’t last long.
    “Mags,