Camryn
Bora Bora? Seriously? I throw the wadded-up clothes on the floor in disgust before flopping back onto the bed. What the hell was I thinking when I agreed to go on this trip? I want to be cuddled up on my couch watching sappy Christmas movies and crying at commercials, not traipsing off to the warm beaches and ocean. Good grief, I’m going to look like a whale. In the past three weeks, my boobs seem like they have quadrupled in size and none of my pants fit. It’s like my body said, “Hey, you know about this baby, so now it’s time to show it.” After rejecting my entire summer wardrobe for being too small, it’s time to call in reinforcements.
“Hey, sugar. What’s up?” Sarah’s soft southern drawl sounds in my ear.
“I have an emergency!” I cry into the phone,
“Wait, hold up. Calm your tits.”
“That’s hard to do these days,” I mutter.
“What’s the emergency?”
“We’re supposed to be leaving for Bora Bora tomorrow and none of the clothes I bought for the trip fit! Where the hell am I going to get a swimsuit in December!” I wail, tears rolling down my cheeks.
“Okay, give me an hour. I’ll round up some stuff and bring it over. You don’t mind borrowing a swimsuit, do you?”
“At this point, I’ll take anything!”
Pacing the living room, I nibble my nail down to the nub while watching the clock, my feet burning a bigger hole with each minute that passes. Will she get here already! As soon as the thought crosses my mind, there’s a thud at the door.
Hurrying over, I look through the peephole, seeing Sarah, her hands full of bags as she kicks the door again. I twist the knob, pull it open, and she drops some of the bags with a huff.
“Damn, those were heavier than I thought,” she says, wiping her hand across her forehead.
“You are a lifesaver,” I breathe out, picking up one of the bags bulging with assorted color fabrics.
“Well, let’s see what will work before you make that statement. I dragged out all my summer clothes. I’m not sure any of my shorts will be long enough for you since you’re so damn tall.”
After two hours of trying on various clothes, we finally come up with enough outfits for the trip. The swimsuits, on the other hand…well, there’s only so much you can do. Every single top she had barely contained the girls. One wrong move, and it’s a nip slip.
“Just wear a cover-up,” Sarah says, eyeing my cleavage. “You know, even though your pants don’t fit right now, you don’t have much of a pooch for being four months along.”
“Don’t jinx me. I’ll wake tomorrow with a damn basketball in my belly,” I moan, just picturing nothing fitting all over again.
“I’m not jinxing you. Let’s get all these clothes washed and packed. What time do you have to be at the airport in the morning?”
“Too damn early,” I grumble. No longer am I a morning person. I hit my snooze at least three times before I crawl out of bed. “It’s like this baby is sucking all the energy out of me. And I miss coffee.”
“You’re still working too hard,” she complains.
“I’ve cut back,” I retort.
“You’re still working ten hours a day,” she argues.
“We had to get all of the research done before the end of the year. Especially since I’m flying halfway across the world for Christmas.”
“You need a vacation, Camryn. Is Isaac going to be there?” She side-eyes me. Her innocent question makes my heart stutter in my chest. Ever since the week of Thanksgiving, Isaac and I have been playing phone tag, and when we do speak, our conversation is stilted, afraid to say anything that may crumble the tenuous relationship we’ve built.
“The whole band and some family members will be there,” I reply, smoothing the blanket on the bed.
“Have you at least told Mallory and Kristen about the baby?” she asks, rolling her eyes at my evasion.
I cringe at the question. “No, I haven’t. I didn’t want them to have to keep a secret from Isaac. They’re his friends too.”
“But their loyalty lies with you, right?”
“Of course, but I figured it would be better this way. For all of us. Isaac doesn’t deserve to hear the news from anyone but me. And it would be my luck that one of them would spill the beans.”
“Uh huh.” She snorts.
“What is that supposed to mean?” I question, hands on my hips.
“Girl, you are swimming in the river of denial.”
“Denial? What are you talking about?”
“Maybe it’s not denial. Perhaps you’re just scared of what will happen when they find out.”
“Scared? Scared of what?” I scoff.
“Them judging you?” she throws out, circling her hand at me. “Look, I’m not saying they are going to judge you. If they’re really your friends, they won’t, but maybe, subconsciously, you’re worried about what they’ll think.”
“I…well hell, I don’t know. Maybe that does have something to with why I’ve been reluctant to tell them. I mean, only my brother and you know.”
“And I count myself lucky,” she says before wrapping her arms around me. “How are you getting to the airport in the morning?”
“I’m going to call a cab.”
“How about I take you?”
“That would be great. How about you just stay the night and we can pig out on junk food?”
“Slumber paarrttaayyy!” she shouts, doing an impromptu dance around the bed. “Hell yeah, that sounds like fun. Let’s order some pizza, watch some chick flicks, and drool over the hot men.”
“You’ve got yourself a deal,” I laugh out. “You start finding the movies, and I’ll get the pizza ordered.”
As I reach for the phone, she calls out, “Dessert, too, right?”
“Hello, pregnant woman here. Of course, we’re getting dessert.” I shake my head as she walks out of the room.
In the middle of watching Sweet Home Alabama, my phone dings from the coffee table. Pushing aside the pizza boxes, I swipe the icon, and my breath catches in my chest.
Isaac: Need me to pick you up in the morning?
It would be the perfect time for me to tell him…but what if he gets distracted when I blurt out the news and it causes him to wreck? Or he gets so mad, he throws me out of the car? No, that’s not the time to reveal the secret that will change his life forever.
Me: Thanks for the offer, but Sarah is giving me a ride.
Isaac: Okay. See you in the morning
Just the thought of seeing him brings a smile to my face and warmth in my chest.
Isaac
Wheeling my carry-on through the terminal, I search for our gate number when the high-pitched squeals lead me in the direction of my friends. As I walk up to Derek and Jason, I see the girls jumping around and acting all excited about our upcoming trip. Camryn’s hair draws me like a beacon in the night. Her smile lights up her whole face. I was beginning to wonder if I would ever see it again. Now, if I could only get her to direct it at me. When her eyes meet mine, they sparkle.
“Are they going to do this the whole trip?” I ask when I reach the guys.
“I bet they will. Mallory woke me up at five this morning. Hell, we didn’t go to sleep until after one. I don’t know where she has the energy.” Jason glances over at Mallory with a goofy grin on his face. I can guess what kept them up so late. Lucky bastard.
“I don’t know what time Kristen got up. I woke up at six, and she had everything packed, breakfast made, and was ready to walk out the door,” Derek chimes in.
“We got good seats, right? We’re not stuck in economy, are we?” I can’t keep the whiney tone out of my voice. It’s too fucking early.
“No, we’re all in business class. I think we took up the whole section,” Derek replies, and I swear he’s trying not to roll his eyes at me.
“Derek, have you met her parents before now?” Jason asks.
“In person? No. We’ve Skyped when they’ve been available. They aren’t stateside very often.”
“What is it her father does again?” For the life of me, I can’t remember. I know I’ve probably been told, but I just know they’re always off traipsing around the world.
“He’s an ecological scientist working with Yale. He travels to foreign countries to study the land—how pollution and global warming are affecting the environment.”
“Way smarter than the rest of us then,” I laugh.
“Isaac, are your parents coming?” Jason inquires.
“No, they’re not going to be able to make it. If they can’t drive, they won’t go. Both are terrified of flying. They headed up to my brother’s in Washington.”
“Would you have rather gone up there?”
“And miss the sunshine, beaches, and hot chicks in bikinis?” I chuckle. “Hell no.”
“Is that the only reason? Or one particular hot chick?”
“No, it’s not the only reason. But that’s a situation I don’t know what to do about,” I respond, glancing over at the girls. A soft smile graces Camryn’s face as she reaches up and tucks some of her hair behind her ear and I find myself wishing that it was me just so I could be close to her.
“What’s the issue?” Derek asks, eyebrow arched.
“Besides her not giving me the time of day?” I watch the guys wince.
“That is a big problem,” Jason says, rubbing his chin. “Maybe this little vacation will force Camryn to spend some time with you,” he states with a pointed look in my direction.
“What’s her deal? Usually, the chicks are falling all over you,” Derek inquires.
“That’s her deal. My past is coming back to bite me in the ass. She doubts I’m telling her the truth about just wanting to be with her.”
“All you can do is be the man you want to be for her. Not the man she wants. Don’t change yourself for her, do it for you. If you mean no more groupies or random sex, you need to show her. Not just tell her.”
“How can I show her when she won’t even stay in the damn room with me?”
“Maybe this trip will be the opportunity you need.”
“God, I hope so. I’m tired of her running. All I want is the chance to prove I’m the man for her. Is that too much to ask?” Even I hear the desperation in my voice. Looking over, I see the girls are staring in our direction, their eyes narrowed.
“Hey, ladies, I’m going to hit the store for some snacks. Anything y’all would like? It’s a long ass flight.” Jason points his thumb over his shoulder.
As Derek and Jason walk away from the terminal after gathering the girl’s orders, I wander closer to the women, the tinkle of their laughter barely heard over the hustle of the airport.
“Morning, ladies. You sure are chipper for how early it is.”
“Of course, we are,” Mallory fires back. “We’re ready for sun and fun, right, girls?”
Both girls nod their assent, the grin on Kristen’s face is contagious, and I find myself smiling back as she bounces on the balls of her feet. Glancing at Red, her hands are fidgeting like she doesn’t know how to act. Like I make her nervous. But a good nervous or bad?
By the time the guys return, it’s time to board the plane. I luck out when I see Red and I are seated together. Relieving her of her carry-on, I shove it in the overhead before adding mine.
“Thank you,” she murmurs.
“No problem. You want the window or aisle seat?”
“I’ll take the aisle,” she responds before looking at me. “If it’s okay with you?”
“That’s fine,” I reply before sliding in toward the window. When she sits beside me, I regret the fact that we’re not squeezed into the smaller seats in economy.
After the flight attendant runs through the spiel of the exits and water landings, we finally take off. As soon as the seatbelt light dims, I unlatch the buckle and situate myself, so I’m angled toward Camryn. Her fiery red hair lays softly on her shoulders as her head rests on the seat, eyes closed, a pinched look on her face.
“What’s the matter?” I ask, concerned she may be sick.
“I’m not crazy about flying.” She offers a weak smile.
“It’s a long flight if you don’t like flying, Red.” Reaching over, I wrap her delicate hand in mine and give it a squeeze.
“Once we’re in the air, I’m fine. It’s the takeoff and landing that get to me.”
“Want to watch a movie to kill time?”
At her slight nod, I drag my iPad out of my backpack and pick one of the moves I downloaded earlier. “We’ll have to share my ears buds,” I say, thinking quickly and not pulling out my Bluetooth headphones. “I forgot the wireless ones.”
“That’s fine.” Handing her the blue wire, her body shifts toward mine, the floral smell of her shampoo filling my nose. Being this close to her brings me a sense of peace I didn’t know existed. If she thinks I’m going to let her go without a fight, she has another thing coming.
She stirs against me where she fell asleep on my shoulder a couple hours ago, her hair tickling against my neck.
“Hey, sleepyhead, we’re landing in about fifteen minutes.”
“How long have I been asleep?” she asks, a yawn stretching her mouth wide before she covers it with her hand.
“A couple hours.”
“Sorry, that makes for a sucky travel companion. No one to talk to.”
“I just watched movies. You still working too hard? I’ve never known you to take more than a twenty-minute cat nap.”
“Something like that,” she answers, looking down at her lap. “We’ve had to put in a lot of hours for the past few months. I guess it’s catching up with me.”
The captain’s voice comes over the intercom, announcing we’ll be landing soon and interrupting our conversation.
“What do you mean my room’s not going to be ready? Like, in the next couple hours, or at all?” Camryn’s voice carries over the group, and I do my best to hide my grin. Luckily, I made it into the hotel first and paid off the hotel manager to put Camryn’s room out of commission permanently for the rest of this trip and…whoops, there are no other vacancies.
“I’m sorry, miss, but a pipe burst in your room last night, and we have not yet been able to repair it. Unfortunately, the repairs require items not readily available on the island and will not be able to be here until tomorrow at the earliest. Then the carpet and tiles will have to be deep cleaned before the room is able to be used.”
“So, where the hell am I going to sleep? On the beach?” she asks, frustration clear in her voice.
I walk up behind her and place my hands on her shoulders. Shooting, the manager a wink, I apply pressure to get her attention.
“What’s the matter, Red?”
“Apparently something happened to my room last night, and it’s uninhabitable. And there are no other open rooms available.”
“I have two bedrooms in mine. You can stay there if you want.” I hold my breath, waiting for her answer. Out the corner of my eye, I see Jason’s smirk and the small shake of his head, as if he knows exactly what I’m up to.
“Miss, there are rooms available at another hotel, but they’re not nearly as nice, and they are a couple miles away.”
“Stay with me, Red. You’ll be right here with the rest of us and won’t have to worry about going back and forth.”
“Are you sure you don’t mind?” She looks up at me while chewing on her bottom lip.
I want to slap myself across the forehead when she asks me that question, and the insecurity laced in her tone makes me want to hit something. Reaching my thumb out, I pull her lip out from between her teeth and trace the redness. “You don’t even have to ask. You’re always welcome wherever I am.”
Her small hand wraps around my wrist before she presses her cheek into my hand. She takes a deep breath, closing her eyes and when they open, their golden brown depths sparkle. “Okay, I’ll stay with you.”
Step one of getting Camryn back completed.
Now, for step two.
Making our way down the wooden pier to our villa, I watch the sway of Camryn’s hips as she walks in front of me. Finding the door, I usher her inside.
“It sure is getting warm out there,” she states, lifting her hair away from her neck to let the breeze cool her. It’s getting warm in here too. “I think I’m going to change. Which room do you want?” She gestures to each of the doors.
“Take your pick, Red.” With a quick once-over of my body, she licks her lower lip. As if sensing what she did, she startles and grabs her bag out of my hand. “I’ll…uh, I’ll take this one over here,” she stutters before hurrying off, rollers clacking on the wooden floor.
Hurrying into my room, I remove my jeans and Henley before throwing on a pair of low-riding basketball shorts she loves. As soon as I’m changed, I head out onto the deck and look out over the turquoise water while taking in the island in the distance.
Time for Operation Seduction to be set into motion. Instead of the usual deck chairs or loungers, there’s a sunbed. Perfect. The umbrella is placed just so to keep the tropical sun from blazing down on her sensitive skin. Remembering the manager was supposed to have some champagne and orange juice delivered to the room before we arrived, I walk back inside to retrieve them along with two flutes. As I get the items situated on the small table, I hear the near silent opening of her door. Standing in the middle of the open balcony doors, I reach up and grab the framing, trying to tempt her into looking. As she walks out of her room, her white top billowing around her, I can help but notice how she glows.
“Hey, why don’t you come out here and check out this view,” I say, catching her attention. When her breath hitches as her molten gaze rakes over me, I can’t help but preen.
“Nice view?”
“Not as gorgeous as the one I’m looking at right now.” I chuckle at the blush taking over her face. Reaching out, I leave my palm face up, waiting for her to put her hand in mine. As soon as our skin touches, the rightness of it settles in my soul. “Come on.”
The breeze catches her hair, and when she raises her hand to wipe it out of her face, the white material of her top pulls taut against her chest. And holy shit, are her tits bigger? Maybe it’s just my imagination since I haven’t seen them in months. Breaking my stare, I gesture over to the sunbed while checking to make sure I haven’t started drooling.
“Sit down. Relax.”
She balks slightly, then climbs up and nestles against the pillows.
“You need anything?” When she shakes her head, I climb up beside her, close, but not quite touching. “Thirsty?” I indicate the champagne and juice.
“Please. Just the juice, though.”
“I thought you loved Mimosas.”
“I do, you’re right, but if I drink alcohol, I’m libel to pass out.”
I pour two glasses of juice, then hand her one before settling back against the pillows. Sitting there, we talk about safe things—her work and the big case they have going on, my working with Keith and writing some songs while we’re on break.
“Do you enjoy it? The writing part, I mean?” she asks, her eyelids drifting closed.
“I really do. And I’ll be able to help Keith get more of his work out there too. He already has two songs written that we may put on the next album.”
“When are y’all going back on tour?” Her head becomes heavier, and I place my arm around her shoulder as she curls up next to me like a kitten.
“Nothing’s set in stone right now. I think we all needed this break. It seems like we’ve been touring nonstop since Brian discovered us.”
“Just be home in May, okay?” she murmurs before she falls asleep.
Placing a kiss on top of her head, I reply, “I’ll be home whenever you need me to be, love.”
This is what I want—everything right here in my arms.
Camryn
After sleeping so well on the flight and most of yesterday, one would think I would be raring to go today, but with the sun beaming down, warming my skin, I just want to close my eyes and sleep some more. This baby is sucking all my energy. Mallory has been fidgeting in her chair for the last few minutes, as if she’s antsy to do something, while the hot waiter refills our drinks and flirts with us. Yeah, he’s working on a big tip.
“Are we ready to get in the ocean? It’ll be a shame if we let this beautiful water go to waste,” Mallory says before taking a sip of her drink.
“Hell yeah. We have about an hour before we need to head up to the spa for our makeovers,” Kris replies as she stands, removing her hat and throwing it on the lounger.
“Makeovers? I thought we were doing massages and facials?” Mallory asks as she and Kristen walk toward the water. “Camryn, are you coming?”
“Uh…yeah. Just give me a second.” Looking down, I try to decide whether to take off my cover-up, delaying the inevitable. Maybe they’ll be so wrapped up in the water and makeovers, they won’t notice how massive my breasts are. And pigs will fly out of my butt.
“Okay, as soon as Cam moves her ass!” Kristen’s voice carries over the sound of the wave, drawing me out of my reverie. “And take off the cover-up. You won’t have anything dry to put back on.
“Fine.” I begin to pull the white material over my head before checking to make sure the swim top is still containing the girls. Jesus, one strong wave and I’ll be flashing the whole damn beach. I make my way into the water, both staring at my chest. There goes any chance of sinking beneath the water before they notice.
“Camryn, is there something you want to tell us?” Mallory asks, mesmerized.
I look over the beach, wondering what I can use to distract them. Damn, where’s a hot lifeguard when you need one?
“Because your boobs are huge!” Kris blurts out.
“Subtle, Kris. Yea, Cam, we have noticed you’re a little bustier than usual.”
Under my breath, I murmur, “That’s the understatement of the year.”
“Cam, look at us. What's going on with you?” The concern written on their face breaks the dam of my emotions. Freaking pregnancy hormones.
“I’m pregnant.” Tears flow down my cheeks while they stare at me in disbelief. A heartbeat passes before they surround me, arms wrapped tightly, holding me together when all I want to do is fall apart.
“Camryn, it will be okay. We'll get through this together. Have you told Isaac?”
“Why would I tell him?” The words slip out of my mouth without thought.
“Because he’s the father?” The confusion in Mallory’s voice makes me cry harder.
“And then what? Huh?” I cross my arms over my stomach as if to protect the baby. “He runs in the other direction. That’s what.”
“You can’t keep this from him,” Mallory reasons with me. “And if he does puss out, we’ll still be here.” Reaching out, she places her hand on the slight curve of my belly. “I can’t wait to be an aunt.”
“Me either, Cam. That baby is going to be spoiled rotten. As for Isaac, he may surprise you. You just have to give him a chance,” Kristen pipes in.
“After the trip, I’ll tell him.” I wipe the tears from my face.
“Why wait? Tell him this weekend. That way y'all can talk without everyday life getting in the way,” Mallory encourages.
“I don't want to take away from Kristen's weekend since I’m pretty sure we aren’t just here for a vacation.” I cast a quick look over at Kristen as a blinding smile lights her face.
“Spill. It,” Mallory orders.
“Derek and I are getting married!” she squeals, happiness radiating from her.
“Congratulations! So, this whole trip is to celebrate?” I inquire.
“No, we’re getting married here. Tonight. That’s why we’re getting makeovers.”
“Holy shit, Kris. That’s awesome,” Mallory cries out.
“Now that it’s out of the bag, let’s talk about that rock on your finger, Mallory,” I say, the light catching the stone.
“Jason asked me to marry him last night!”
“Oh. My. God!” I cry out in shock.
“It was so perfect. He did it at sunset on the beach. There were candles everywhere and champagne. I’ve never been so happy. But I think it freaked him out when I started to cry.”
“I would have loved to see the look on his face before you put him out of his misery,” Kristen laughs.
Laughing back, Mallory tells her, “Damn, you’re mean.”
Seems like we’re all full of surprises today. I just pray mine has the same happy ending as my friends.
Isaac
We’re all standing on the beach, waiting for the girls to make their appearance. Derek can’t seem to keep the shit-eating grin off his face. When the music starts, my eyes are drawn to the end of the makeshift aisle where Camryn is starting to make her way between the rows of chairs. My jaw drops at the sight of her. The setting sun turns her porcelain skin golden and the dress she’s wearing flutters around her in the gentle breeze. Her hair is pulled away from her face, but one fat curl is laying over her shoulder, teasing her chest where her tits are about to pop over the top of the material. The ceremony is over before I even realize it started, my eyes never leaving Camryn. As we make our way back up the aisle trailing behind Mallory and Jason, she glances up at me from under her lashes and smiles.
The party after the ceremony is set on the beach under a pavilion, where the food and drinks are flowing freely. The only glitch in the night may be how hard Brett is hitting the bar, but it’s understandable seeing how his best friend just married the only woman he loved. He may be more accepting of their relationship, but it still has to hurt. I can only imagine how much it would suck to see Camryn with someone else, much less someone I think of like a brother.
Keeping an eye on Brett as he waltzes over to the table from the bar, I cringe when he taps a knife on a glass he swipes from a table. I scoot my chair back and place my napkin by my plate just in case I need to run interference.
Casting a quick glance at Jason, I see he’s ready too if Brett makes an ass out of himself. When he starts to speak, I sigh, knowing our worries were for nothing.
“Tonight, we celebrate the marriage of my best friend to a woman who will always hold a special place in my heart.” He pauses to clear his throat. “I have known Derek since high school. He is the closest thing I have to a brother. His family is my family…” he trails off and looks over to Kristen. “Kristen has been in my life for six or so years. And for the most part, it was the happiest time of my life. But I screwed up and lost that happiness. Fortunately, that happiness was again found by Derek and Kristen. I wish you both years of happiness and love. If I had to relinquish her heart to someone, I could not think of a man more deserving than my brother. I know the past few months have been rough between us, but we will always be brothers. Always,” he directs at Derek. “Now, raise your glasses and let’s toast to this happy occasion. To Derek and Kristen.”
“To Derek and Kristen,” the crowd intones, glasses raised. I down the last of my champagne and direct my attention to Camryn. She’s been sitting beside me most of the night, picking at the food on her plate.
“You don’t like the shrimp?” I ask, knowing it’s one of her favorite things to eat. She’s been acting strange ever since the ceremony.
“No, it just tastes off.” She wrinkles her nose.
Spearing one of her shrimps, I pop it in my mouth and don’t notice anything wrong. “Tastes fine to me. Want to try my fish?” As soon as I mention it, she looks a little green. “Are you okay?”
“I’ll be fine. Just an upset stomach.”
“Food poisoning?”
“No. I’m fine, Isaac. I just need a Sprite or something.”
“Did you get too much sun today?”
“No…”
“Something is going on with you. What the hell is it?” I huff out, throwing my napkin on the table.
“I’m pregnant, you dipshit!” she blurts out, then freezes in shock. Which makes two of us. Before I can utter a word, she’s walking across the room and out onto the beach. I stand to go after her, but my feet don’t move.
“Go after her!” Mallory magically appears at my side.
“Did she say what I think she said?”
“Yes. You’re going to be a daddy. Now, man the fuck up and get out there. Her biggest fear is you would run. If you want to be with her, don’t prove her right.”
Run? Hell no. Running was never even a thought. She’s just tied herself to me for the rest of our lives. Now, more than ever, I must show her we’re meant to be together.
My feet are moving before my mind catches up. I see her walking on the beach, the moonlight caressing her like a lover. Her head is bowed, arms wrapped around her waist as if trying to protect herself. The sand slows me down as I run to her.
“Camryn, stop!” I call out when I’m a couple feet behind her. “Please.” Reaching out, I place my hand on her upper arm, drawing her to a halt.
“I’m sorry,” she says, her voice watery. My stomach sinks at the thought of her crying.
“Sorry for what? Sweetheart, look at me.”
Her head rises, and the moonlight shimmers off the tear tracks on her cheeks. “I didn’t want to just blurt it out like that.”
Gathering her into my arms, I hug her to my chest as her tears soak my shirt. “Why did you wait so long to tell me, Red?”
“I just found out last month.”
“Last month?”
“Yeah. I passed out at work, and it freaked Sarah out. Called an ambulance and had me sent to the ER.”
“ER? Is everything okay? With you? The baby?” I ask, gripping her arms and staring down into her glistening eyes.
“I was just dehydrated. I’m fine. We’re fine.”
“If you just found out last month…” I ask as my math finally adds up. “Red, is this baby mine?”
Please say yes. Please say yes, I chant in my head. It will tie her to me forever. A little piece of me and her.
“What?” Shock is written on her features.
“If it’s not, it’s okay. I’ll still take care of you,” I assure her as she twists out of my arms.
“How can you even ask me that?” she yells, planting her hands on her hips.
“You said you just found out. Don’t women usually know the next month when they don’t have their period?” I run my hand across the back of my neck.
“Jesus, Isaac. It does happen that way, but the birth control I was on stopped my periods a long time ago. I didn’t have one to miss because that’s normal for me.”
“How far along are you?”
“Around four months.” Four freaking months. Since the last time we were together was in August, it makes sense.
“That makes you due in…” My math skills desert me as I try to subtract.
“May.”
“That makes sense.”
“What does?”
“You asked me to be home in May yesterday.”
“I did? I don’t remember that.” Her brow furrows as she tries to remember.
“It was right before you fell asleep on me yesterday.” Kneeling in front of her, I place my hand on her lower abdomen. “Hey there, little one. I’m your daddy. I can’t wait to meet you.” My lips brush the slight swell of her belly, and Camryn’s hands clutch my hair as a sob breaks free.
Standing up, I grip her arms. “What? Did I hurt you?”
As she shakes her head no, I draw her to me, her head resting on my chest.
“I’m so stupid, Isaac. I’ve been scared to death to tell you, thinking the worst, and here you are, being like this.”
“Like what?”
“Just taking it in stride. Not getting pissed off or thinking I did this on purpose.”
Placing my hands on either side of her face, I raise her gaze to mine. “This baby ties you to me for the rest of my life, Red. How in the world could I be mad about that? There is a piece of you and me growing safely inside you.” Lowering my mouth, my lips brush across hers.
“You want to see a picture?” She smiles up at me.
“A picture, really?”
“It’s the sonogram I had in the hospital. Come on, it’s in my purse back in my room.” She tugs my hand as she heads toward our villa.
“Camryn, now may not be the time, but where does this leave us?” I sidle up beside her, and she wraps her arm around mine before twining our fingers. The sound of the ocean lapping at the beach and the distant music in the background fill the silence between us.
“I’m still scared, Isaac.” Her voice is so soft, it’s nearly carried away on the breeze. “But I want to try. I’ve missed you so much.” When she looks up at me, one fat tear spills over her lower lashes, creating a silvery track down her face.
“Don’t cry. I’ve missed you too.”
“It’s these damn hormones. I cry at the drop of a hat.”
I wipe the tear away with my thumb. “Come on. We’ll talk later. I want to see my baby.” I can’t contain the excitement in my voice.
Lying in her bed, Camryn is asleep on my chest, our legs tangled together, while I stare at the black and white print out of our baby. Our baby. I’ll never say that enough. I keep expecting to wake up and find out all of it is a dream. Well, if it is, please, Lord, don’t let me wake up.