Ever since that night when we had crazy, beautiful, and delicious angry sex, things have been great. Jace and I have been ‘expressing’ our love and it has been the best. I don’t know why I ran from it for so long. It feels like home more than anywhere in my life ever has; and I now know what my sister was trying to explain to me about Hamm.
Today is a very exciting day. Jace and I have a doctor’s appointment for our first scan. I could not be happier, being able to go through this with the love of my life. I am in the shower trying to get ready, because of mister too hard to resist (pun intended). He made me late by distracting me with his magical mouth and the dick I love. Now I must hurry and get ready.
Luckily, he is getting the babies ready for his mom. Deb is on her way over to watch them, while we ‘run out’. It was awkward coming up with a lie for her to watch them. It had to be for both of us to leave, because we are not yet ready to tell everyone. The best we could do is ‘grocery shopping’. Lame I know. But.
Walking downstairs, I hear Deb and Jace talking and though I know it is wrong to eavesdrop, I find myself doing that.
“So. You and Penny seem to have come to some sort of understanding, huh? How long is she staying?”
“Mom. Stop meddling.”
“I am not meddling. You are my son and I hate to see you hurt. No matter how grown you are. You don’t think any of us noticed, how you have changed since the last time she was here, when Rosy fell ill. Well, we did. We all know she is your soul-mate. Your one. But, unless she decides she wants this life, there is nothing you can do.”
The tears are free-falling now. Hearing his mom express her concern about my intentions, as far as he is concerned hurts, but I get it. I hurt him. And they all know it. The old me would run right now, but this man and this family…. all of them…are my future. I need to show them, I accept the gift I have been given.
“I hear yah Mom. And I love you. But no need to worry. I am not letting her get away again.”
“That’s my boy. So, when is the wedding? How long do I have to plan it?” I cover my mouth to stop the gasp and the need to shout it is premature. But then, I almost choke on the words when Jace responds.
“You will have less time than the others gave their women. I can promise you seven days from the countdown.”
“When the hell is the countdown?” She asks.
“Trust me mom. You’ll know.”
Well hell. I want to know when the countdown is too. He hasn’t even asked me.
Deciding I have snooped enough, I head towards Deb first. As usual, she gives me a big motherly hug and kiss. But this time, she pulls back from me, while holding my arms and studying me. I try to maintain eye contact and not squirm under the scrutiny, but it’s hard. This woman could have been a secret weapon for the federal government.
“Penny. You look…well. Been tanning lately?” Oh shit. She cannot know. Right? I mean, I am not showing so…. oh hell.
“Why thanks Deb. No. No tanning. I guess you could say, love looks good on me.” I say making my way to Jace who pulls me into his arms and kisses me like we are alone. When his tongue demands entry, though I know his mom is there, I open and melt into the man of my dreams. When he is finally done ravishing my mouth, we both pull apart panting and worked up. He lays his forehead on mine and whispers, “Ready?”
I look him in the eye, so he knows I mean this in more than one way and say, “I’m ready for everything.” His eyes search mine for a bit longer before he nods his head, smiles, and kisses my forehead.
“Ok Mom. We are heading out. We should back in a couple of hours. You need anything?”
“No boy. I got this. Go.” We each kiss her on the cheek, kiss the little angels, and leave.
We get to the doctor and check in. Before you know it, we are in the back and I am up on the table. While we are waiting for the doctor, I figure this would be the perfect time to gauge how he really feels about this.
“Are you nervous, babe?” He looks at me as if I should know better.
“Hell no. Not in the way you think. Ever since I met you, I have been thinking about you, having my kids, and us being a family. But, ever since Rosy was in that comma, I am more afraid of something happening to you, while bringing our child into the world. For the first time, I get exactly how Max has been feeling and why he said what he did.” He walks over to me with a loving serious look on his face. His forehead is creased, and I want nothing more than to kiss the worry off his face. But I can sense he has something to say.
“I love you so much Penny. I love you so fucking much. I don’t know what I would do if something happened to you. I finally have you where I want you and now the thought I could lose you is killing me.” My sweet, beautiful man.
“Jace. I am sorry I made you wait so long. But I needed to be ready. I had to be OK with my destiny. But, I am here now. And I am not going anywhere. What happened to Rosy is not normal. I will be fine. I promise.” He looks at me like he wants to believe me, and I figure the only way to get his mind off of it is to distract him, but the door opens before I can.
“Hello kids. I am doctor Jorgensen. Jace. Nice to see you again my boy. How is your sister in-law doing?” He asks.
“She is doing better. Thanks for asking. How is Lanie and Brick doing. When is she due again?”
“Any day now actually. We are circling the wagon now. Speaking of kid…let’s look at yours. You say you think your about eight weeks give or take?”
“Yea. That sounds about right.”
“Ok. You’re not far enough along to do a regular ultrasound, so I am going to insert this scope into your vagina, letting us see and hear your baby. Sound good?”
I look at Jace and burst out laughing. The look on his face when the Doctor said he was going to insert something inside of me is priceless. Holding his hand and squeezing it to calm down, I tell the doc to go for it.
A little uncomfortableness, a few keystrokes later, and Jace and I are looking at our little bundle on the screen. I didn’t realize tears are running down my face, until Jace wipes kisses them away and hugs me. Looking into his eyes, which is my favorite pastime as of late I say, “See what we did.”
Suddenly, the room sounds like we are underwater and when the doc announces, that is our baby’s strong heartbeat I sigh in relief.
A pamphlet, some prenatal vitamins, and a new appointment for later. We are out the door.
“Ok little mama, what do you have planned today?” I like ‘little mama’. Hearing him say it makes me feel all warm and loved inside. Leaning into him, I tell him about the crazy day ahead.
Well, the girls are coming over with Kitty and bringing a new girl named Carrie Ann, I think. She has a one-year old son named DJ. I think she might be Els little sister if I heard Ava right. Then, I am taking the little ones to see their mama and papa for some more bonding time. What about you?”
“I am going to be around the house today. I forgot to tell you, but Rosy is being discharged on Friday and we are throwing a welcome home BBQ on Saturday. There is some stuff to get done around their house for them. Especially when it is only three days away.”
Hearing that Rosy is going to be home is a blessing, but I am going to miss being with those three little monsters every day. On the other hand, it will be great to finally be alone with Jace in what is going to be our home and start our lives together.
By the time we make it back to the cabin, I barely have enough time to throw together lunch before the girls get here. As usual I am happy to see everyone. I have only met Kitty a handful of times and it is always a pleasure to see her and her not so small baby bump.
However, I notice the new girl amongst us and she is so beautiful. She has exotic olive skin and dark features. Immediately I am trying to figure out, how in the world can she be Els sister looking like that? I have not met his parents, but seriously looking at him…. hmmmm….
The other thing I notice is she has a significant number of tattoos. I don’t have a problem with tattoos and such, I just don’t think I am brave enough to do it myself.
Her little boy is freaking adorable. He is a tiny little thing who is shy by the way he clings to his mama.
“Well hello little man. My name is Penny. What’s yours?” He gives me a slight smirk, but immediately turns away.
“Hi, my name is Carrie Ann, but my friends call me Carrie. I think you know my brother El?”
“I do. He is Hamm’s best friend, right?”
“Yep.” Says Ava.
“Welcome to Rosy and Max’s place, Carrie and DJ. You can head on in. The other three are already having some tummy time.”
Carrie walks away, and I finally turn my attention to my nephew and niece. “Ezra, Abby….Hi.” I say as I grab my niece. As usual when she sees me, she coos and blabs with copious amounts of drool coming out of her mouth. I don’t care. I love these little babies. Leaning over to kiss Isa and Regan, I follow everyone inside.
As usual, the conversation starts off with the progress of Rosy and how everyone is happy to have her coming home. My curiosity gets the best of me and I ask the question I have been dying to know.
“Carrie. Tell me about yourself. Who is your partner? I don’t know many people around here, but it is a small little community. Even if you live in Bleak.” She starts chewing her lip and I feel like I have somehow stepped in it.
I am about to apologize when she says, “I am a single mom. I got blessed with DJ one night of amazing sex and then poof, pregnant.”
“Are you telling me the asshole didn’t want to help you? Cause I cannot believe El let that slide.”
“It was literally a one-night stand. I met this guy at a tattoo party at a frat house. He inked me, took my V-card and I left in the middle of the night. I never got his last name, nothing. But it never crossed my mind to not keep my baby.”
“Wow.” I feel even more lucky now.
Two hours, a few sandwiches later, and they are leaving. I get the three little bundles ready to go see Rosy and Max.
But my mind is still on Carrie.
She is definitely braver than me. But I swear I have seen the eyes, DJ has before.