After the Storm (KGI #8)(128)

Everything was . . . perfect. No more waiting for the other shoe to drop. No fears of it all falling apart. His family was together. KGI was flourishing, even with Donovan in a more administrative role lately.

Eventually he’d go back to full time. But he was in no hurry, because for the first time in his life, he had something that took priority over his career.

For now? He was perfectly content to allow others to take the lead so he could spend time on what mattered to him most. Eve. And their children.

He pulled Eve to him, squishing Cammie and Charlotte between them. He hugged her into his side and pressed a kiss to her temple.

“I love you,” he murmured.

She smiled, her entire face lighting up.

“I love you too, Donovan.”

“Look at our boy,” he said, pride reflected in his voice.

“I know,” Eve said, her smile as broad as his own. “This is where he belongs. In school. Doing what other teenage boys do. Playing sports. Not worrying about anything other than making good grades. It’s what I always wanted for him.”

Donovan smiled at the wistfulness in her tone and squeezed her again, despite complaints from the girls that he was “squishing” them.

“Where he belongs is with us, honey. We’re a family now. And though I one day hope to have more children with you, in my heart, Travis and Cammie will always be our first.”

“I want that too,” she whispered, her eyes shining with love. “I want a lot of children, Donovan. I hope you don’t mind. I want a houseful. I want to give them everything I never had. What Travis and Cammie never had until now.”

“No complaints from me,” Donovan said, satisfaction gripping him. “I want as many as you’re willing to have. I’m going to warn you now, the picture of you pregnant and swollen with my child? Pretty heady stuff. If I have my way, you’ll be nothing but barefoot and pregnant for the next ten years or so.”

She laughed, the sound warm and vibrant, carrying through the stands. Other members of his family glanced down, delighted smiles on their faces. Their gazes were filled with love and understanding. They knew all too well the winding road she’d traveled to where she was now. And they were all as thrilled and overjoyed as he was that she was happy. Safe. Loved.

His mom looked at him then, tears glittering in her eyes. With all the love of a mother. She told him without words, with just a look, how happy she was that he’d found the love of his life.

“I don’t know about the next ten years,” Eve said cautiously, her lips still turned up in a grin. “But I wouldn’t say no to the next five at least. Think we could manage as many as your mom and dad did?”

“As long as you promise to give me girls,” Donovan said, contentment filling his heart as he imagined a houseful of daughters with Eve’s beauty and smile.

“I’m beginning to see why y’all built a compound,” Eve said in amusement as she directed her gaze once more to the playing field.

The crowd erupted in cheers when Travis carried the ball into the end zone. The Kellys high-fived all around and Eve was slapped on the back by more than one of Donovan’s brothers.

“That’s my boy!” Donovan shouted, pride filling every corner of his heart. “Our boy,” he added, hugging Eve to his side.

Eve’s eyes filled with tears. She looked so happy she could burst.

As they retook their seats, Donovan glanced over. “What did you mean about the compound?”

She laughed, her eyes lighting with mischief. “With all the girls you and your brothers are producing, or plan to produce, you’re going to need a high-security complex to protect them from all the boys!”

Donovan’s scowl was instantaneous. “Damn right,” he growled. “No way in hell some snot-nosed punk is going to come around my daughters.”

Eve grinned and then leaned into Donovan’s side, emitting a contented sigh as he wrapped his arm around her.

“I’m so happy, Donovan,” she said in a low voice he almost didn’t hear.

He kissed the top of her head and squeezed her a little tighter.

“I’m happy that you’re happy, honey. More than I can ever tell you. You mean the world to me. You, Travis and Cammie. I hope you know that.”

She turned, tilting her head up so she could stare into his eyes.

“I do know. I love you so much. I never dreamed I’d find such happiness. Such a home.”

The yearning in her voice nearly undid him. He wanted so much to wrap her in his arms, take her home and make love to her the entire night. But for now he contented himself with being here, with his entire family, watching his son excel on the football field.

“You’ll always be home with me. And home for me is wherever you are. No matter where life takes us, as long as we’re together, it’s all I’ll ever ask for.”

She leaned up and kissed him. A soft kiss that contained all the sweetness that was her. He closed his eyes, savoring this moment, one of the many to come in their lifetimes.

Everything he’d ever wished for. Had dreamed of, wanted, yearned for. It was all in his arms.

No longer did he envy his brothers all they had, because Donovan had everything he could ever hope for. A beautiful, loving wife. Children. The hope of more in the future. It was all his.

He glanced down the bleachers at all of his family gathered to support Travis. He caught Joe’s gaze and grinned evilly. Joe rolled his eyes because he well knew what that look was for. With Donovan firmly ensnared, Joe was the only remaining Kelly-born brother who was still single. And that made him a wanted man. His mother had already pinned him down and pointed out that he was the only son not to give her a daughter-in-law and grandchildren.