“I have missed you both so much.” She squeezed them tightly. They smooched her face wetly, then squirmed to get down.
“Jenna, you’re home.”
She glanced up to see Jake striding through the front door toward her. He grabbed her and hugged her close, dipping her into a deep kiss. Love swelled through her like a wellspring of warmth from deep in her soul.
Every day she had shared with him over these past few years, she thanked God for the joy he brought her. “And I have missed
you,”
he murmured.
“Mmm. Me, too.” She kissed him again, delighting in the pressure of his strong, masculine lips on hers, her thoughts straying to the other delights they would share after the boys went to bed tonight.
She’d only been gone three days and it felt like an eternity. Now that they’d combined their efforts to form a new company, writing fun, educational software for kids, they took turns when business trips arose.
Jake grabbed her suitcase from the trunk of the car. He slid his arm around her waist as he accompanied her into the house.
“Mommy, come play the new game Daddy got us.” Jeremy ran a few steps, then looked back to ensure she followed. “Yeah, Mommy, play it with us.” Robbie smiled, his eyes twinkling, knowing exactly what worked on Mommy.
“Boys, your mom has had a long flight.” Jake tousled Robbie’s hair. “She might want to relax for a little while first.” “Playing the game
is
relaxing, Daddy.” Jeremy pulled a box from the bookshelf at the end of the counter and plunked it on the kitchen table.
“Hey, buddy, how about we sit and watch the new movie together,” Jake suggested. “That might be more Mommy’s speed right now.”
Robbie ran to the living room door and yelled, “Daddy R! Mommy’s home and we’re gonna watch a movie.” He grabbed Jake’s hand and dragged him toward the living room. “Come on, Daddy J, let’s go.”
Jeremy picked up the game and took it back to the shelf. It always amazed Jenna how the kids fell into calling the men Daddy R or Daddy J when they were dealing with both of them, but just plain old Daddy the rest of the time. They didn’t question why they had two daddies. That would come soon enough and then they’d deal with it. “Jenna?” Ryan peered into the room and a broad smile spread across his face. He dodged out of the way as Jeremy flew past him into the living room.
A warm smile crept across her face as she stared, mesmerized, at his handsome face. He had relaxed so much over these past few years. Fatherhood became him. Any worries she’d had about Ryan not spending time with her and the kids had evaporated as soon as the boys were born. He certainly had followed through on his promise to treat the twins just like they were his own.
His face glowed when he looked at the boys. He loved spending time with them. He no longer worked all the time. In fact, he was the one who suggested the scheme where they alternated one of them watching the boys while the other two worked. One of the great advantages of working at home. Ryan strode toward her, opening his arms wide. “Welcome home.”
She stepped into his embrace, loving the feel of his strong arms around her. He tipped her head up and kissed her soundly. Love swelled through her again. His hand stroked lightly over her breast and her nipple peaked and snuggled into his palm. Yes, indeed, tonight she would be well loved.
He smiled down at her. “I’m glad you’re back. I’ve missed you.”
“Me, too.”
At first, she’d really wondered whether this relationship would work, the three of them together, but somehow they had made it work. Every day her love grew stronger. For Jake and for Ryan. And they both insisted they were just as much in love with her.
The three of them had formed a company together, using all of their strengths to the fullest. Ryan no longer felt a need to compete with Jake, probably because now they all worked to the same end: to create a successful company and, more so, to create a successful and happy home.
“Mommy. Daddy R. We’re
waiting.”
Jeremy’s voice rang out loud and clear from the other room.
She laughed. Ryan took her hand and they strolled into the living room.
As she sat down on the couch, Ryan on one side of her, Jake on the other, with the two kids piling on top of them, she realized they’d been successful in all respects. Joy filled this house like the warm autumn sunshine glowing in the picture windows.
She stroked Jeremy’s dark blond wavy hair as he stretched from Ryan’s lap to hers. Robbie snuggled into Jake’s lap and clicked the remote control to start the movie. Yes, indeed. A fantasy come true.