A Year and a Half Later

 

The late afternoon sun felt so good on my face. It was a beautiful December day. There was just enough of a cool breeze coming off the Llano River to make me wish I had grabbed a light sweater. The peacefulness of being out here was so nice, and it finally felt like things were starting to settle in. The house was finally done, and we were all moved in. I absolutely loved the way it turned out, and I loved it even more knowing Gunner designed it from top to bottom.

He worked so hard the last year on that house while also trying to learn everything about running the ranch. Garrett was so wonderful; he never pushed Gunner into it too fast. He knew how important the house was to Gunner and me. Thank God, it was finished now and at just the right time.

The firm that Gunner interned for in college, and still did some part-time work for, loved the house so much they asked if they could feature it on their website. I was so proud of him. I had to smile thinking about when they called and asked to come out and take pictures of the finished house. He was so proud.

It was a two-story ranch-style house with a full wraparound porch on the first floor. The kitchen was amazing with tons of cabinet and counter space, double ovens, and a huge six-burner range. The breakfast nook was nothing but windows. Hell, the whole house was nothing but windows. Gunner insisted it be that way. He wanted to make it seem like you were outside even when you were standing in the house.

We built the house right near our oak tree that was now in our massive backyard. Gunner had put up a four-board black plank fence all around the house and the oak tree. The front and backyard probably totaled an acre of land. He said he wanted to make sure his kids had a manure-free yard to play in someday.

We had a small but functional formal dining room. There was a huge living room for Gunner and Jeff to watch football games and to entertain. The main living area was all an open floor plan so that if you were in the kitchen you could see into the living room and breakfast nook. The master bedroom was downstairs and four bedrooms were upstairs. There was a huge game room also upstairs that was built over the three-car garage. Gunner insisted we needed it. Someday when we had kids, he wanted their toys up there and nowhere near his big screen TV.

I had to smile at how much of a kid that man was when it came to boys’ toys. Tractors or TVs, it didn’t matter. He was the only person I knew who had to open the box of something he just bought to start playing with it. Even the new camera we bought yesterday. He made me drive so he could take it out and start seeing how it worked.

Just then I heard his truck. My stomach started doing flip flops. Just the thought of seeing him still had me all giddy after a year and a half of marriage.

I thought about last night and how wonderful it had been. Gunner making such sweet, slow passionate love to me was my favorite thing in the world. I smiled thinking about all the sweet things he whispered in my ear.

I felt his hands wrap around me. He picked me up and spun me around slowly. Then he kissed me . . . Good God, he kissed me with so much passion my knees almost buckled. He kept a strong but gentle grip on me.

He leaned in and whispered against my ear.

“Shit, sweetheart, you look so fucking sexy walking along this river. I want to make love to you right now, Ells. I think we better, baby. I might die right now if I cannot feel myself inside your warm body.”

I threw my head back and laughed at him. I turned around to look at him and gasped. He looked amazing. He was taking off his boots. His gray shirt showed off his muscular chest and arms. I smiled at the sight of my husband. He was so damn sexy. He picked up a stick and gave it a toss and Gus took off after it. Crazy dog had been at my side all damn day.

He looked at me and smiled as I smiled back at him. Hmmm, I wonder if we could have sex here?

Why did it feel like I was having a déjà vu?

Oh my God, my dream. This was the dream I had that first night I spent with Gunner after the whole Ryan thing! Oh my God, I was trying to remember that fucking dream! Something happened in it that caused me to wake up so upset.

What was it?

Gunner walked away from me. He left me . . .

Oh God, I couldn’t get any air. I bent over and put my hands on my knees. I needed air.

Gunner looked at me and jumped up and ran over to me.

“Ellie, sweetheart, what’s wrong? Ellie, what is it, baby? Talk to me, Ellie, you’re scaring me.”

I looked up at him. I couldn’t talk. Touch me, touch me, Gunner, I need you! I tried to talk but I couldn’t.

Gunner ran back over and threw his boots back on. He picked me up and started walking to his truck. I buried my face into him. Oh God, it felt so good to be in his arms and his smell just flooded my nose. I took a deep breath in and then another one. Thank God, it was passing. This had not happened since the day we got married.

Gunner pulled down his tailgate and set me on it. Gus was now jumping up at me and Gunner yelled for him to get down.

“Baby, is something wrong? Are you in pain?”

I started to laugh at his panicked face. He looked so confused.

“I’m okay, Gunner. I’m sorry, baby; I didn’t mean to scare you. It’s just I couldn’t get any air in, and it was just like the day of our wedding. I just needed you to touch me for me to calm down.”

Gunner visibly relaxed. He jumped up and sat next to me on the tailgate.

“Fuck, Ellie, I thought something was wrong with you or the baby!”

I smiled at him and put my hands on my very big and round nine-month pregnant belly. Right then I felt the baby kick. I grabbed Gunner’s hand and placed it on my belly.

“Whoa! That was a big kick from Little Bear.”

I just smiled and rolled my eyes at him. Gunner had been calling the baby Little Bear ever since we argued over buying a bear or a moose for the crib. I wanted the moose and he wanted the bear. I ended up getting my way, but ever since then he called the baby Little Bear. I secretly loved it, but rolled my eyes every time he said it.

“Yep, she has been moving around a lot today.”

“Oh, today it’s a she, huh? Yesterday it was a he. What will your flavor be tomorrow?”

I hit him in the shoulder. We decided not to find out the sex of the baby. I was counting down until Little Bear joined us. The baby room was finished and just waiting. Gunner worked so hard on it. Josh made the baby crib and it was breathtaking. His custom furniture business in Austin was a huge success, so for him to make such a large and beautiful piece of furniture for Little Bear meant so much to both Gunner and me.

Gunner placed his hand on my stomach, and Little Bear did a roll and gave a good kick. Gunner leaned down and started to sing to the baby. His voice was beautiful, and the baby must have loved it as well because every time he sung to Little Bear she would go crazy.

Gus started to bark. I let out a laugh as Gunner looked down at Gus.

“What’s he barking on about?”

“I’m not sure. He has been by my side all day today. I actually got up and sneaked away from him earlier when he was asleep just to walk around the house without him under my feet!”

Gunner threw his head back and laughed.

Ouch! That one hurt!

“Holy shit! That one was a strong kick,” Gunner said with a laugh. “Little Bear just might be a boy . . . That felt like a pretty hard kick.”

“I don’t know, could also be a girl. Soccer player maybe?”

“Hmm, that’s true.”

“I don’t really care if it’s a boy or girl, I just want her to be healthy and have my nose.”

Gunner laughed and reached over and pulled my mouth to his.

This man’s kisses were my weakness. I let out a small moan as I felt the baby move. She sure was active.

“Gunner, do you remember that first night I stayed at y’all’s house? The night we watched Cars?”

“KA-CHOW! You bet I do!”

I let out a giggle. “Do you remember when I woke up from a bad dream?”

“Yeah, I do remember that. You were calling out my name.”

“Well, that dream, I remembered it just a little bit ago. In the dream I was walking along a river and you walked up to me. You kissed me, but then you dropped my hand and you walked away from me. You were leaving me. I think I just freaked out a little bit. You know, all those old insecurities creeping back.”

Gunner jumped off the truck of the bed and grabbed my face and kissed the shit out of me. Holy hell . . .

“Mrs. Mathews, I love you more than life itself and I will never leave you. Now let me take you home so I can make love to you.”

I smiled at him. This man had made all of my dreams come true. I loved him so much.

What? What the hell?

“Mr. Mathews, um, I would love for you to take me home and make love to me, but . . .”

Gunner looked at me confused and shook his head.

“But? There are no buts, Mrs. Mathews. Come on, let me help you down, sweetheart. I want to give you at least three orgasms this time.”

“I don’t think we’re going to be able to do that, Drew.”

Gunner stopped dead in his tracks.

“Why?”

I smiled at him.

“My water just broke.”