Page 102 of Rising Star

My wife-to-be clapped her hands. “I’d like that. My teaching-kids-on-tour business is running smoothly. I’m ready to add another challenge to my professional life. Once the baby is old enough for me to resume work full-time, I really wanna help you guys. Be a part of it. Your foundation is doing something meaningful for young artists, and I really appreciate you two including me.”

I kissed her temple.

“They will be lucky to have you, babe. Please don’t spread yourself too thin, though.”

“Yes,” April agreed. “We’ll be happy to have you onboard, Maddie, but don’t overdo it. I know how exhausting raising a house full of kids can be. Come on, let me help you out.”

They both disappeared toward the kitchen.

“Congrats,” Carter said with a smirk. “If only I had predicted it years ago, right?”

I backhanded his chest. “Yeah, yeah, yeah. Throw yourself some flowers, man.”

“Are you happy, Stevens? You look happy.”

My eyes caught sight of my woman, laughing with the girls about something Justine said. “Like I’ve never been before. I have everything I ever wished for in my life.”

* * *

“Did you put the girls up to this?” my soon-to-be wife asked as she exited the shower, enveloped in only a towel.

I neared her, Austin now deep asleep in my arms, sucking on his pacifier, one tiny fist around my finger, and his dark locks brushed to the side.

“No. It’s all their doing. They said it took us too long to make a move, so they decided to take matters into their own hands. I couldn’t be prouder right now.”

Madison rose to her tiptoes. “I never knew how much it meant to me until they asked me. I love our family. It’s unique. It’s us. We’re perfect.”

“No, you’re perfect.”

The towel pooled on the floor at her feet, and she grinned at me. The scar across her hip was still visible. Madison had undergone one round of plastic surgery before deciding she loved her scars because they reminded her of never losing hope and fighting for what you desire the most. The ones along her leg had healed better and faded with time. They were daily reminders that life could be unpredictable and that we should love with all our hearts when given the chance. “You and I, we haven’t celebrated yet. Care to love me, future husband?” she asked, her sultry voice sending electricity up and down my spine and waking up my dick.

“Oh, you won’t need to ask me twice. Let me put this little man in his crib, and I’ll be right back.” I did a quick tour, making sure all three kids were deep asleep before going back to our bedroom. I almost tripped over my own feet in my hurry to bury myself in my wife-to-be.

I locked the door behind me and prowled in her direction, ditching all my clothes in the process.

“I like it when you’re happy to see me,” she said as I moved closer, my throbbing hard-on now pressed between us.

I kissed the woman I loved with everything I had and lay on my back on the mattress.

God, she was beautiful.

A chime on my phone broke the silence of our rushed breathing. Who would contact me at this late hour? Gesturing one second with a finger and kissing her lips, I twisted my body to fetch my device from the nightstand. I blinked. And re-read every line to make sure I got it right the first time.

“Everything okay?” Madison asked, propped on her elbow and spreading kisses in the crook of my neck. “Sam, you have your business face on. Something’s wrong. I can tell. Who is it?”

“It’s Kiera and Edward.”

She frowned. “What happened? Are they safe and sound?”

Eight months ago, we had fostered seven-year-old twins, whose mother had gone to rehab and father was unknown, for five months. A way for us to help children like Madison and Emily who’d suffered from their parents’ neglect. Kiera and Edward had fit right in with our children. It was a tough adjustment at first, but we made it work, and it was one thing Madison and I were really proud of. That we brought some light and hope into those children’s lives.

“Yes and no. Their mother. She relapsed and ODed. The social worker is searching for a home for them. Asked if we’re willing to take them in since they know and trust us. They’re affected. They found her unconscious and called nine-one-one themselves.”

“Ohmygod. That’s terrible.”

“Yep. She said it will be an even bigger challenge this time around.”

“Poor babies. Where are they now? I’d never let them go to a stranger’s house. They need stability. A loving environment. I want them home, Sam. With us.”