Stalemate (11 page)

“I won’t if you won’t.”

Ashley squirmed in Bryce’s arms and they did a quick change off so she could nurse her daughter. Hearing his sister’s cries, Avery began to fuss as well. Isa and Bryce looked at each other helplessly before grins spread across their faces. This would be their life from now on. Trying to keep up with twins and living a hectic life between his work and the rest of her time in the Navy.  Isa had no doubt that they’d meet any challenges head-on together. When you found the person who became your other half, the person who you loved more than anything in the world, it made the obstacles that looked like mountains as easy to climb as rolling hills.

* * * *

S
even weeks later, Isa was looking out across the crystal blue water of Monaco from the bedroom balcony. She had a few more weeks of maternity leave left, but she tried not to think about it. Soon, she would be back to her nine-to-five and the twins would be with a nanny all day while she and Bryce were at work. She hated the thought of leaving them, but her sense of duty, her commission with the military, was also important to her. Bryce understood and he promised to go home as many times in the day as he could when that time came. He understood what it meant to be a military husband.

Isa smiled at the word husband. It was one of the first things they’d done when they arrived in Monaco. Meeting Tawny—who was now officially Tricia—there, and Bryce’s father, they stood as their witness while she and Bryce became man and wife.

His father was an older version of Bryce with laughing blue eyes and salt and pepper hair. He’d charmed Isa instantly and told her she was the best kind of woman for Bryce. He fell instantly in love with Avery and Ashley, and honestly, who didn’t?

She and Bryce watched them while they were asleep and when they were awake, marveling that these were their children. Tawny kept buying them clothes and toys each time she came to watch them so the new parents could take a break. They came home to the twins dressed in matching boy/girl outfits.

They could already tell the personalities of both babies. Avery tended to be more fussy and angry when he wasn’t fed or changed in time. He hated bath time and was always trying to scoot away in the double basinet using his feet. Ashley was more laid back. Isa swore that she looked at her brother with an expression of “really?” on her face every time he fussed. She seemed to take everything in stride and looked at everyone with interest. That included her father, because even asleep, she could recognize his voice and her eyes would pop open. That was the only time she fussed really, when she heard Daddy and he didn’t come pick her up.

“You seem deep in thought,” Bryce said as he came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

“Tricia has the twins in the garden and your father is making crepes in the kitchen,” Isa said.

“I’m still trying to get used to calling her that and not Tawny,” Bryce said.

“Did you know she invited Dr. Ben Allary here for a week before she goes back to Italy?”

“Really, the good doctor is making house calls and not for us,” he said, and kissed her neck. “Maybe we should give him something to work on.”

Isa laughed huskily. “Oh no, sir. Any of those activities are just for pleasure. We have six-week-old twins and I go back to work—”

“Shhhh, don’t think about it yet. It makes you cry.” Bryce hugged her tight. “I know it’s hard for you to have to choose between your military career and our kids. You are not really choosing, you know. You get to come home every night and see them.”

“I know.” She sighed. “I keep telling myself at least my MOS is not on a ship like before and I don’t have any deployments in my future like others who have to leave their families. That’s a blessing, but new mom syndrome.”

“New dad syndrome as well. I have to convince myself not to work at home,” Bryce replied.

“It’s just because we love them so much.” Isa pressed her face against the crisp material of his white cotton shirt. “In any case, we have the morning free since Tricia won’t give me our babies back.”

“Instead of going out, maybe we can stay in and...” Bryce left the world hanging, but his implications were very clear. “You’ve been given the all clear and your birth control has been placed...”

“Are you saying you want my body, Mr. Forte?” Isa purred. “The sun of Monaco caressing your skin makes it glisten like bronze and I want to kiss every square inch,” Bryce said huskily. “Did I mention how much I love you today?”

“Honey, you had me from the time you said we can stay in.” Isa unbuttoned her sundress as she walked away from the window to the bed. “I just pumped and you can play with the ladies.”

“Mmmm, yay me.” Bryce stripped off his shirt and pulled her into his arms. “I love you, Isa Forte.”

“Petty Officer Third Class, Isa Forte,” she reminded him. “Don’t make me pull rank on you.”

“I love when you pull rank,” Bryce growled.

“I love you too, Bryce. Thank you for giving me what I always wanted, a family and a home,” Isa said earnestly. “You made my dreams come true.”

“No, you made my dreams come true. You make my house a home.”

When their lips met again, Isa succumbed to the passion that he always built within her. Soon, they’d have their children in their arms and they’d spend the day with family, surrounded by love. But right at that very moment, their time of passion was theirs alone.

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The End