Book 16 preview :)

Here is a little preview from “A Father’s Heart”

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Mike and Jade walked into their apartment after helping the family. Mike knew she was exhausted, and he was, too. He was also thrilled she suggested they pick up a pizza and it was such a simple request, but one he knew was a big step in her comfort level.

“What do you want to do? Eat or sleep?” he asked with a smile.

“Can we eat in bed?” she smiled.

“That would be the best thing ever,” he went and grabbed some plates and napkins while she got some bottled water. They went into the bedroom and he put everything down on the bed. She pulled her shoes and socks off and they sat down, both digging in.

“Hello! Hello! Love you!” Peeps called out from the other room.

“Someone is feeling left out,” Mike said. “Can I bring her in and let her sit on her perch?”

Jade nodded. “Of course. You don’t have to ask me,” she said and took a drink.

He shrugged and went to say something, but stopped. He went into the other room and came back with a happy little bird who hopped onto her perch.

Mike went and washed his hands and joined her again. He was quiet as he realized just how much he had always wanted moments like this.

“Mike? Are you okay?”

He blushed and smiled.

“Sorry,” he sighed. “I was just thinking about how much I love you.”

She raised her eyebrows and smiled.

“Well, I love you, too.”

He leaned over and kissed her softly and she pressed her forehead to his.

“Your children are having a party,” she said. “Or maybe a soccer match.”

He watched as she sat back and put his hand on her stomach. He had been trying for the past few weeks, but he still couldn’t feel them. She watched his face and her eyes filled.

“You’ll feel them soon, I know it.”

He nodded and kissed her belly.

“I hope they know I’m here and that I love them.”

She nodded. “They do because I do.”

Mike cleaned up the food and put the plates in the kitchen and when he came back, she was sitting in the same position.

“I thought you were going to change,” he said as he began to take his shirt off.

“Can I ask you something?”

He stopped unbuttoning his shirt and sat down, a little concerned.

“Of course.”

“How come I can’t call you Michael?”

That wasn’t what he expected.

“I never said you couldn’t do that, did I?”

She stood up and paced a little.

“Well, it was when you were angry with me, or really, when I was being a complete tool. I was in the hospital and I was struggling with my weight and I called you Michael and you told me never to call you that. I didn’t say anything, but it’s been bothering me. You let your mother call you that and I wondered if it was maybe something you only wanted special people to call you. I was writing my vows and it occurred to me that I don’t know if I can say that. I don’t want to do something that will upset you.”

He walked to her and stood so she faced him.

“There is never a time I want you to be afraid to upset me. If we disagree or argue, it’s okay. I know we will work things out because our love is that strong.”

She nodded.

“I mean it,” he reiterated. “I don’t think I could stand it if you were afraid of me.”

“I didn’t mean that, Mike. I’m not afraid. I just wanted to know what you wanted.”

“Come sit,” he said and walked to the bed, reaching for her. She joined him and he looked at his hands.

“I don’t know if you ever noticed, but Rebecca always called me Michael. She used it in a way to let me know when she was angry, which was most of the time. I think I reacted the way I did when you said it, because you were asking me to leave. Your anger got to me and it reminded me of how Rebecca made me feel so small. My mom has always called me Michael and I guess I didn’t equate it the same way. I’m sorry if I upset you.”

She blinked and her tears spilled over her cheeks.

“Don’t cry,” he said and wiped her cheek. “It’s not that big of a deal. You can call me whatever you want. You can make up a name if it makes you happy.”

She chuckled at that and looked at him.

“I’m so sorry I did that. I never want to remind you of the pain you lived through. It was incredibly insensitive of me to do that and I shouldn’t have. I’m really sorry.”

“Jade, it’s nothing to be sorry about. You didn’t do anything wrong and to be honest, I probably needed to hear that to realize just how different my life is now. I adore you and nothing you have ever done reminds me of that life.”

“Okay,” she nodded and wiped her eyes. “Thank you for being honest with me.”

“I mean it, okay? I don’t want you to be upset about this or anything. Our wedding is two days away and I want you to be totally sure about being with me.”

“Like that would change,” she said and smiled. “Mike, I can’t wait to be your wife. I hate that we’ve had to wait so long already. I just want to be Mrs. Stein.”

“That will be an amazing thing,” he said. “You’ll be the first,” he shrugged. “Aside from my mom.”

“She didn’t take your name?”

“No,” he said and shrugged. “And I was glad. She didn’t deserve to be a part of my family legacy.”

Jade moved to his shirt and slipped her hands under the fabric.

“I can’t wait until the wedding night,” she said softly. “It’s been a month since we’ve made love.”

He raised his eyebrows at her. “Why can’t we fix that right now?”

“Because now it will be that much more amazing,” she pushed his shirt off.

“I have some things to show you and I think that deserves to be on our wedding night.”

“Is that right?” he leaned in and nibbled on her neck.

“Oh yes,” she smiled and moved to stand up, taking her clothes off and grabbing a nightshirt.

“You’re a cruel woman,” he said as he watched her.

“You have no idea,” she winked and they both laughed.

“Michael! Michael!” Peeps yelled.

They both looked at the little bird who bobbed her head.

“Now that was a first,” he said and Jade grinned. He walked to her and wrapped his hands around her waist.

“Now I want to hear you say it,” he said.

“I don’t know. It’s really not necessary,” she said and he pressed his mouth to hers, kissing her deeply.

“I want to hear you say my name,” he said in a deep and husky voice. She felt her knees go weak as he nibbled on her neck.

“I love you, Michael,” she said softly.

He felt her words down to his toes and he pressed her body to his.

“That sounds incredible,” he murmured.

“Michael,” she said again. “My husband.”

He held her face in his hands and felt his own emotions building.

“That sounds even better.”

She moved her hands over his chest.

“Soon,” she said as she kissed him again.