Love Unexpected (Navy Love Series Book 2) (30 page)

This is an easy decision. I want it, and he’s offering it to me.

“Well? What’d you say? You in?”

I fight hard against it, but lose the battle to keep the smile hidden.

“I’m in, Charlie. Always in with you.”

Tegan

When Charlie sets his mind to something, he accomplishes his goal in record timing. It’s been a little over a month since I agreed to move in with him, and here were are, unpacking all of our stuff now in our new place.

He had showings set up the following week after that night we babysat Tessa’s kids. Within three weeks we found our perfect place.

My spare bedroom has been used for storage for the past month; Charlie wasted no time in boxing up his apartment and moving into mine.

I tried convincing him that we could just stay in this apartment, but he argued that we needed a third bedroom; one to be used as a guest room and set up especially for Sawyer and the twins.

The new apartment is very spacious and centrally located to all of our important places. Tessa’s house and the base are a short fifteen-minute drive and my work and school are only twenty minutes away.

Honestly, I would have been intent on staying in Tessa’s old apartment longer; t’s bittersweet to walk away from it, so many memories were made there. Tessa’s memories like it being her first place outside of the barracks, her friendships growing with this group of people, and the start of her and Hunter. And then there are mine: me moving here, sneaking around with Reed, and the beginning of us.

We’ve spent the whole weekend getting things unpacked and organized. I, unfortunately, am in class this morning and Charlie is working the night check, so we won’t see each other until well after midnight tonight.

When I arrive home that afternoon to an empty house, I’m shocked by the amount of work Charlie was able to complete. The living room looks livable now. My kitchen is completely unpacked and cabinets are filled with clean dishes.

I walk into our master bedroom with the intention of changing clothes and continuing the unpacking process, but to my surprise, even the bedroom looks put together. Our bed is not only put together—this morning we woke up on the mattress on the floor—but the sheets and comforter are on it as well. Peeking in the closet, I see all of our clothes are hung. The bathroom cabinets are stocked with all of our toiletries too.

Charlie has out done himself today.

Making my way back down the hall, I stop in each of the two spare rooms. The guestroom and office now has the small desk set up along one wall and a futon assembled on along another.

The biggest surprise comes when I open the door to what we decided will be designated for my nieces and nephew. I’m blown away yet again by everything Charlie has done.

There is a daybed along one wall, and a toy box that’s already halfway full. A small table sits in one corner with all of Sawyer’s crayons and coloring books stacked nicely on top. Sitting inside the closet are two brand new pack n’ plays.

He’s done all of this to ensure my sister would be comfortable with the kids staying over and that they would have a good time while they’re here.

We’ve already made arrangements for Sawyer to spend a night with us next weekend. I tried telling her we needed time to get everything situated here, but she won Charlie over with her persistence.

“I neeeed to stay wif y’all. Parker and Maddie gib me a headache now, and they cwry alllll the time. I need a baycation.”

One sad look in Charlie’s direction, and he caved—if that girl has one of these men wrapped around her finger, she’s got them all. With all the work he’s accomplished today, our home should be more than ready to have my niece over this weekend.

With that thought, I head back into the living room to finish those few boxes left boxed up.

Three hours later, with music blaring and a couple glasses of wine in me, the last box is finally emptied.

We’re officially moved in.

Having Sawyer over just reaffirmed how wonderful of a father I think Charlie will be. He’s kept her entertained the entire time.

And here I thought Marshall was my only competition with these kids, now I’ve gotta worry about my boyfriend too! Charlie not only did the typical things with her, like coloring and watching movies, he also went above and beyond by cooking a homemade pizza with her and baked and decorated cupcakes.

I think in a twenty-four-hour period, he may have jeopardized both Marshall’s and my high-ranking positions in Sawyer’s eyes.

“Well,” Charlie says sitting down on the couch next to me after he locked the door behind my sister and Sawyer. “I don’t know about you, but I’m wore out. That girl has way too much energy.”

I chuckle. “Just wait until the twins are her age. Then we’ll have two rambunctious five year olds and a ten-year-old drama queen coming over for visits.”

“Maybe we’ll have our own then too,” he says as he lightly rubs his hand along my thigh.

“Are you serious?”

He looks up to me. “I was serious when I said I want kids and marriage with you.”

I look down at his hand, my eyes following the trail his hand makes. His other hand lifts my chin back to eye level with his face.

“I meant it, Tegan. I’ll wait until you’re ready, but know that those are the ultimate goals I see for us.”

It’s somewhat of a dream come true to hear him say he wants the same things I want. As much as I want them too, I don’t want us to miss out on activities for just the two of us first.

“I know; I want all of it too. I just want us to take our time and enjoy being just the two of us first.”

“Babe, we’ve got all the time in the world. It took me forever to figure out I wanted you, now that I have you, I’m not letting you go. Just know that eventually, you will be Tegan Reed, barefoot and pregnant in our kitchen.”

I can’t say that image doesn’t sit perfectly well with me.

We get up and tidy up the last of the mess left by their baking adventure then head to our room and curl up in bed together with a movie on.

I hear Charlie’s snores before the previews end. I smile and snuggle myself closer to his side.

Reed

5 weeks later

Our apartment is filled with friends and family alike.

I surprised Tegan with not only her parents coming to visit, but mine as well. Everyone we love is here to celebrate her twenty-second birthday.

Well, almost everyone—J.C. is still deployed, and Jo is on another visit home to California. Seems her mom’s health is getting worse.

Tegan’s birthday happened to fall close to Easter this year, so the timing worked out perfectly for the time her parents to come up for another visit and Tanner happened to be on a break from school at the same time.

She knew her parents were coming—we actually had dinner at Tessa’s house with everyone—but mine are surprising her.

Tegan and my mom have stayed in touch since our visit to Michigan through texting and phone calls.

We’re sitting on the couch watching a marathon of
Modern Family
when the doorbell rings. She looks at me expectantly, and I shrug my shoulders, appearing to be clueless.

Tegan gets up and crosses the room. I can’t help but smile at how adorable she looks in her flannel-print pajama pants and spaghetti-strap tank top. She peers through the peephole and jerks her head back in my direction with a suspicious glare before opening the door.

She and my mom both squeal in delight when they catch sight of each other and wrap their arms around the other.

I sneak around them and grab my dad and Tanner for a hug then help them with the luggage. Mom and Tegan are already inside on the couch catching up when we finish bringing everything inside.

“I cannot believe y’all are here!” Tegan comes up and hugs both my dad and brother.

“It was Reed’s idea. He’s been trying to get us to come out for a visit forever.” He nods his head in Ma’s direction. “Someone didn’t ever seem too interested in getting on a plane until she heard it was a surprise for your birthday.”

I walk over and wrap an arm around Ma’s shoulder.

“That true? I had to get a woman to live with me for you to come visit?”

“Oh hush.” She swats my stomach.

We help get my family settled in after giving them a tour of our new home. Although nothing is said, I can tell my parents are happy for us.

Shortly after, we all settle into our beds. Tomorrow is going to be a long day celebrating Tegan’s birthday.

I woke up early to the smell of bacon being cooked in the kitchen. I figured my mom would be spending the entire weekend in the kitchen; it’s somewhat of her comfort zone.

It actually works out perfectly because Tegan’s mom is the same way. By noon, Tegan’s whole family has arrived at our apartment and the mothers have become instant friends and co-chefs for lunch tomorrow.

Hunter and I made appointments for Tessa and Tegan at the spa this afternoon. They’re going to enjoy massages and pedicures while we entertain the kids and both sets of parents. It’s times like this that I’m thankful I put the extra money into that kid’s room.

About an hour after the girls left, the mothers emerge from the kitchen and suggest Hunter and I take Tanner out for some fun.

All of the parents agree to us getting away for a bit, so I shoot a text to Marshall inviting him to meet us at a local paintball park we’ve gone to a few times.

Thirty minutes later, we’re decked out in our rented gear with guns loaded. The Stevenson brothers versus the Reed brothers. A grueling paintball match ensues, with both teams claiming victory at the end.

We all secretly know Tanner and I kicked their asses.

We arrive back at the apartment to two sleeping babies, both moms back in the kitchen prepping for tomorrow, and both dads sitting on the couch with Sawyer in the middle.

Tomorrow we’re celebrating Easter and the women will be in the kitchen most of the day, so after a vote, we decide dinner out is a better option. Sawyer nominated Chuck E. Cheese, but we persuaded her to save that for her birthday instead of Auntie Tegan’s. Instead, we’re all going to a Hibachi restaurant that Tegan loves.