Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 125(@200wpm)___ 100(@250wpm)___ 83(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 125(@200wpm)___ 100(@250wpm)___ 83(@300wpm)
“Sure.” My oldest son stepped back to make room for Cameron, and I shot him a soft smile of gratitude.
“Alright, boys. Here’s what we’re going to do.” I showed them how to stretch the bacon lengthwise inside the pan, and then they took turns doing a few pieces each. “Now, remember, the oven is hot, so Mommy will put these inside.”
Nodding, they stayed put while I slipped an oven mitt on my hand and opened the oven door. “And even though the pan isn’t hot, I still have to be careful while I stick this in there, right?”
“Safety first,” Caden echoed the phrase I repeated every time they were in the kitchen with me.
Dempsey came through the front door just as I closed the oven. “I’m home!”
“Daddy!” the boys screeched.
“We’re in the kitchen,” I called out.
He made a beeline for me, dropping a quick kiss against my mouth before he murmured, “Morning, baby.”
Tilting my head back, I smiled up at him. “How was your workout?”
The house we bought in Long Island wasn’t far from several of his old teammates, and they got together at least once a week in the morning to exercise and catch up without little ears listening in since we all had kids. It was one of the only times they could swear without being glared at by one of the wives. “Really good.”
“I’m glad.”
He gave an exaggerated sniff as our sons tackled his legs, wrapping their little arms around his huge thighs. “What are you guys making?”
“Bacon,” Cameron cried.
“Eggs and toast, too. And Mommy said we get to use the special yummy jelly today,” Caden added.
“She did, huh?” They nodded enthusiastically.
Dempsey grinned down at them. “Even better.”
“Uh-huh,” Camden agreed with a nod.
The boys were adventurous eaters, and they enjoyed spicy foods. Which probably explained why I had craved curry when I was pregnant with them. So they loved the mornings when I brought out the raspberry jalapeño jelly.
Dempsey glanced at the oven. “How long until breakfast is ready?”
“Not long enough for you to take a shower unless you’re super-fast,” I answered. “The eggs and bacon will be ready in less than ten minutes.”
His gaze slid toward the empty stovetop and back to me again. “Umm, Are you sure?”
“Of course, I’m sure.” Pointing at my ample chest, I added, “I’m a chef, remember?”
“Ahh, yeah, baby. But…”
I took pity on him, knowing that he had to be very confused since a wrinkle had popped up in the middle of his brow. “I’m doing poached eggs in muffin tins and bacon on a cookie sheet, so everything is in the oven.”
“Not the toast, though.” Cameron tugged on the hem of my shirt. “Right, Mommy?”
“Right, sweetie. If you get the bread out of the pantry, Daddy can pull out the toaster. Then you guys can pop the slices in there.”
I normally used the toaster oven on the counter, but the slide down one was easier when the boys were helping me.
While they scampered over to the pantry closet, Dempsey asked, “Since when do you cook bacon and eggs in the oven?”
“When there are precious baby boys in the kitchen who I don’t want to get splattered by grease while they help me,” I explained.
“You’re such a good mom.” Leaning close, Dempsey’s breath was hot against my ear as he whispered, “The smell isn’t too much for you?”
“So far, so good.” I hadn’t experienced morning sickness with the twins, but I hadn’t been so lucky this time around. Which had made it difficult to keep the news from the boys, but we had wanted to wait until the end of the first trimester. We only had another week to go, and then we had a whole announcement planned for them, with special T-shirts announcing they would have a little sister soon.
“Good.” He cupped his hand over the slight swell of my belly for a moment before shifting his attention to the boys as they raced back over to us. “Are you guys being good for Mommy?”
“Always,” they chirped in unison.
At six years old, they could be rambunctious at times, but they really did tend to be on their best behavior for me. They saved most of their rowdiness for their daddy, just like he’d taught them. We’d waited so long to get pregnant again because we’d had our hands full with them and opening the community centers. But now that they were established and running like a well-oiled machine, it was time for us to add to our little family. I couldn’t wait to see them dote on their little sister when she was born, just like their daddy was sure to do.