"That's the last of the boxes Mrs Ford,"

I turned around to face the blonde man from the mover's company with a smile. "Thank you,"

I sighed in content and just took a moment to appreciate the sight before me. I was currently staring at our new forever home that we had just bought, the home where we'd watch our family grow.

I was suddenly broken out of my thoughts as a pair of muscular arms wrapped around my torso, now surrounded with the all so familiar smell I knew and loved. "What are you thinking about sweetheart?"

I looked up to my handsome as ever husband, gazing into his Nutella coloured eyes with a smile as he planted a soft kiss at the side of my head. "I'm just so happy. We finally have our dream home,"

"I know," He mused. "I told you I'd do anything to keep that beautiful smile of yours on your face,"

"Oh yeah?" I smirked.

Nixon bent his head down to plant kisses on my neck. "Definitely,"

"Well how about an extra big tub of chocolate chip ice cream? Your baby needs feeding," I patted my three month pregnant belly as I laughed.

My husband shook his head in amusement as I gave him a sheepish smile. "Speaking of my babies, where are Alma and Mason?"

"They're in the house with Ethan and Kay," I replied.

As soon as I said it out loud, we both shared a look that meant 'we should check to see if our children are still alive'.

Don't get me wrong, the pair were great with kids, granted they kept their hands off each other. You'd think that they were still a couple of newlyweds with the way they acted sometimes, though I had to admit it was sweet. They were just a couple of fools madly in love but really guys, there's a time and place for sexy time.

We made our way into the house hand in hand and I nearly aww'd out loud at the scene before me.

My two babies were sat side by side as their eyes were glued onto the flat screen in front of them. It made me sad thinking about how they weren't exactly babies anymore, but to me they always will be.

Alma, named after my mom, was now five years old. Though Nixon always said our baby girl was five going on fifteen. I fell pregnant a couple of years after we had gotten married. Nixon still had a year of his residency to go so it wasn't planned, but we couldn't have been happier when we found out. Our baby girl was a huge blessing for us and for our families. Mason was born three years later, being a pregnancy that was planned. Becoming parents came so natural for Nixon and I, we loved every second of it. He was the best hands on dad and seeing him adapt into the role of fatherhood made me fall in love with him all over again.

After high school we enrolled into our local college, me pursuing law school and Nixon with medical school. And if you were wondering, I scored a 1400 on my SATs and Nixon beat me by two points. But of course I forgave him.

He proposed to me in the most perfect way at my college graduation, and we married shortly after.I had my dream wedding, Nixon and my dad made sure of it. It was one of the best days of my life.

With both of us having demanding careers it was hard to find the right balance at first but we managed to figure it out. Once I fell pregnant and we had a family to look after, I made the decision to work part time leaving Aiden to manage Ellsworth law. It definitely came in handy that he ended up majoring in law too, being able to help me with our family's business after dad's retirement.

My brother's had their own little families too now. Jake and Emily aren't married but they've been together for ten years, sharing a nine year old son Christopher who was just the sweetest kid ever. Aiden had gotten married to Lisa who he had met at college. She definitely kept my brother grounded, and between you and me, hella whipped. They had no kids yet, but I knew that they were trying.

From the corner of my eye, I spotted Ethan walking into the room looking sheepishly at us like we had caught him doing something wrong. And of course, his wife was right behind him sporting the same expression.

Finally, after a while Ethan and Kayla got together. They've been married for three years now and were happy as ever. Izzy on the other hand, was enjoying the single life. We recently got sent a postcard from her, I think she was in Vietnam. Or was it South Africa? I don't even remember.

"You were supposed to be watching our kids," Nixon folded his arms across his chest, going into protective dad mode as he narrowed his eyes at his best friend.

"Sorry Doc, but they're perfectly fine see? Nothing a little TV can't fix," Ethan grinned at him like he always does when he knows he's in trouble.

Ignoring the pair, I turned my attention to my daughter who got up and ran towards me. "Mommy!"

I laughed as she ran straight into my legs and hugged me tight.

"Sweetie be careful, you don't want to hurt mommy's belly," Nixon smiled down at Alma.

Her big brown eyes looked up at me apologetically. "I'm sorry,"

I bent down so I was at eye level with my mini me. "It's okay baby, your daddy just worries too much," I kissed her cheek. "After all it is his fault that I'm in this situation right now," I smiled up at my husband innocently at that last part.

He smirked. "We did compromise on three remember?"

I rolled my eyes playfully as I smiled. "Yeah yeah, don't remind me Ford,"

"What do you mean it's daddy's fault?" Alma looked at me with her cute face that was contorted in confusion.

I looked at my daughter in amusement. "Nothing honey. Maybe you should save that question for ten years from now,"

"Stop corrupting my daughter's innocent mind," Nixon picked up Alma into his arms and started to tickle her as she squealed in giggles.

I looked at the pair in awe. Alma was definitely a daddy's girl just like I had been with my dad. But it was okay, I had my Mason.

"Mama? I'm tired," Mason made his way over rubbing his eyes as I picked him up easily into my arms. Resting his head onto my shoulder I gently stroked the back of his silky hair.

I loved my baby boy's cuddles, they were the best.

"Okay honey let's go for a nap, Mama's tired too. I forgot how tiring pregnancy is,"

Nixon planted a soft kiss on my lips. "Don't worry about the house. Ethan and I will bring in the remaining boxes,"

"Okay," I replied kissing him back. "Please don't break anything Ross," I looked over at him pointedly.

He saluted me. "Yes ma'am."

****

By the time I woke up it had gotten dark outside.

I checked the time to see that it six in the evening and I groaned. Looking to my right, the bed was empty as Mason was nowhere to be found. Instead in his place was a note that read 'Mase woke up so I brought him downstairs. Rest up baby, you need it.'

Recognising Nixon's handwriting immediately brought a smile to my face. Twelve years in and he was still the sweetest ever. Freshening up, I made my way downstairs being careful to avoid all the cardboard boxes and followed the noise into the dining room.

I leaned against the doorway taking in the scene before me.

Nixon was at the head of the table, helping Mason with his food who was situated in his high chair. Alma was by his right, chatting away to her Aunt Nova who was sat opposite her.

Nova was now in college. I know, I couldn't believe it myself sometimes. She had grown up to be a beautiful young lady, her blonde locks were in their usual curls and her big brown eyes were as warm as ever. The older she got the more like her mom, Sofia, she looked.

As soon as she caught my eye, she grinned and shot up from her seat running over to me. We engulfed each other into a longing hug as she spoke. "Oh Mara! I missed you,"

"I had no idea you were back missy! We missed you too. How are you?" I asked smiling as she stepped back.

"I met a guy," Her eyes glistened with happiness.

"Excuse me?" Nixon's fork clattered against his plate.

Nova looked sheepish towards her brother. "I wanted to wait for Mara to get here before I said anything,"

"You know she can't protect you from this one," Nixon narrowed his eyes.

"Ignore your brother," I looked over at him pointedly silently telling him to back off. "Let's sit. I need to know everything," I grinned at Nova as we sat at the table.

We ignored Nixon's scrutinizing gaze as we spoke.

"His name is Peter and he's just the sweetest Mara," She gushed.

I swooned. "Peter,"

My husband snorted. "What's so interesting about the name Peter?"

I turned to him whining. "Hey, Nova is my only source of gossip now so let me have my moment,"

"Ugh you two are exactly what I want,"

I smiled warmly and placed my hand on top of Nova's. "It'll happen. Just don't settle for anything less,"

"Or don't settle for anything at all," Nixon muttered under his breath as we both laughed at him.

"How are you going to be when Alma brings home a boy one day?" I raised a questioning eyebrow.

"I won't be anything because it's not happening," Nixon shrugged casually as he continued with his food.

"But daddy I want to meet a boy," Alma whined and gave her dad the puppy dog face that he couldn't resist. Nova and I failed miserably at trying to hold in our laughs as he froze.

It was later on in the night, the kids had been bathed and tucked into bed. Nova was currently in the guest room as Nixon and I were cuddled in bed watching TV.

I was peering up at my husband's face. He was still as handsome as he was at seventeen. If anything, age has made him even more hotter with his stubble and more manly features.

"You're staring," Nixon mused without taking away his gaze from the screen.

"So? Am I not allowed to stare at my husband?"

He bore his eyes into mine. "Of course you are but you know what it does to me," His voice was now hoarse as his eyes deepened. We smiled knowingly at each other before his lips found mine.

I found the love of my life and I couldn't be happier.

The bad boy really did like me after all.

😢

❤️