by Lea Coll
Lucy: Dinner? My mind scrambled with what I’d need to do to get the cottage in order and to make dinner for him.
Wyatt: Yes, we have a lot to talk about.
I stood checking in the mirror to make sure nothing I felt showed on my face. Then I unlocked and opened the door, startled to find Jack sitting on my bed waiting patiently for me.
“Are you okay?” Jack asked, standing.
My hand went to my heart which was beating rapidly. “Don’t scare me like that. What are you doing in my bedroom?”
“I thought what Luke said might have upset you.”
“I’m fine.” I smiled to show him that, and made a move to leave the bedroom.
He grabbed my elbow. “You’re not fine.”
“Okay, I wasn’t fine. It was good that he said that.”
“Yeah?” He arched a brow.
“Yeah, it helped me see things clearly.”
He nodded, satisfied. “Good. Let’s get some pizza, I’m hungry.” Then he gestured for me to precede him out the door.
I led the way down the hall to the kitchen. As annoying as it was to have my brother in my business, it also was nice to have someone worried about me. In Baltimore, no one cared how I truly felt. If something was wrong. If I had a place to live.
“It’s so weird to be here when Stella isn’t,” Samantha said.
Entering the kitchen, Emma, Samantha, and Luke stood around the island counter where the pizza boxes were stacked.
“Hi guys. I hope you’re hungry. Luke wanted me to order four pizzas.” I opened the boxes so everyone could serve themselves.
“Two guys and a pregnant woman eat a lot,” Luke said, pulling out several slices and dropping them onto his plate.
“Hey! I don’t eat that much,” I said.
“Enjoy it while you’re pregnant. Remember, you’re eating for two,” Emma said.
And it was a good reminder. Not only was I eating for two, I was thinking for two.
As we sat in the living room on the floor and the couch, it was good to be back. I had friends here and family who’d helped me move when I needed them, who cared about me enough to call me out when I was wrong, who were there for me. Even if Wyatt didn’t take me back, I’d be okay here with friends and my family close by.
After everyone left that night, I went back to the bedrooms, standing in the doorway of the smallest room, which was empty. I couldn’t wait to fill it with a crib, a dresser, and a rocker. I’d get some baby books and a shelf. There was a lot of yellow in this house, so maybe green or gray for the walls would be better since I didn’t know the gender, and a border or wainscoting in white. The window in the nursery faced the small fenced-in backyard, which would be quiet for the baby. I closed my eyes imagining rocking a baby wrapped in a blue blanket. My eyes flew open. I’d never imagined the baby as a particular gender before. I’d never even dreamt it. An overwhelming emotion filled my chest at the thought of a little boy with reddish-brown hair. I pressed one hand to my chest as if I could contain all of the love inside with that hand and one to my belly. “We’ll be okay, baby,” I whispered, because we had to be.
I turned off the light and walked into my bedroom. I quickly unpacked my clothing into the childhood dresser Jack moved from our parents’ house, and hung my work clothes in the closet. Then I made up my bed with sheets and put on my comforter. The house was small and quaint—it had everything I needed. Exhausted from the move, I finally settled on the bed with my laptop. The tension I’d been carrying between my shoulders loosened for the first time since my fight with Wyatt. I had a place to live, a job, and benefits—this baby would be safe.
I opened my laptop and researched event planning businesses in small towns and outlined a business plan. I was in my element, creating spreadsheets, crunching numbers. The more I worked, the more excited I got. This was doable. There was a need for something like this in Chestertown. As a graphic designer I could easily create a website and a brand. The hard part would be getting that first client. Kristen was right—it was so much sweeter when you worked for yourself.
Wyatt
We planned on meeting for dinner, but I knew she was living in Stella’s home. Ever since she had texted to say she was moving back home, I had to know why. I couldn’t sleep wondering if she was home for good. If she wanted me back. If she was still in love with me. I held my hand up to the door remembering how she said she wanted me to come after her in high school after we’d broken up.
I wanted to give her space. She needed time to explore this job and see if living in the city was what she wanted. I planned to talk to her before the baby was born, and if she wanted to stay in the city I intended to join her. I’d researched job possibilities in the area but hadn’t mentioned anything to my employer. I still hoped she’d realize it wasn’t for her and she’d come back to our hometown—come back to me.
I knocked and not hearing any movement in the house, I knocked again louder. She was probably asleep. It was early, but I couldn’t wait another minute to talk to her.
The door finally opened, Lucy stood there, her hair in a messy bun, yoga pants and a T-shirt. “Wyatt? What are you doing here?” She blinked and raised a hand to shield her eyes from the sun.
All the stress and worry had built inside so that my words came out in a rush. “I couldn’t wait any longer. I had to know if you’re back for good.”
“We were supposed to have dinner.” She had this adorably confused look on her face. “I had this whole plan. I was going to unpack, make this amazing dinner, and apologize. I haven’t even texted you a time yet.”
I tilted my head. “Uh, you don’t cook.”
“Exactly, I needed to research an easy peasy recipe that would impress, pick up groceries, and grab dessert from Samantha.”
Relief flooded my body—she was making an effort for me. “We can do that together. Can I come in?”
She stepped back so I could enter.
“Are you mad?” she asked, looking worried for the first time.
“No. I just want to know what’s going on. I want to know where I stand in all of these plans I hear you’re making.”
Her forehead wrinkled. “I’m sorry. I wanted to tell you before the town gossip mill got to you. Let’s sit.”
She settled onto the couch, but I stood in the living room doorway, reluctant to enter. I wouldn’t be comfortable until I heard what she had to say and maybe not even then.
She gestured around the small room. “I live here, as you can see.”
Boxes were stacked in the corners, the shelves behind the couch were empty, and my gaze caught on a framed picture above the fireplace. It was the picture I’d asked her to frame for me—the dock in Assateague. It was more beautiful than it looked on her camera screen. I cleared my throat and looked away. “I heard. Are you back for good?”
“I am.” She took a deep breath, eyeing me cautiously. “I know my words mean nothing to you when I’ve left twice before but I want to prove to you that I’m here to stay. I’m serious about making a life here. I want all three of us to be a family—you, me, and the baby.” She gestured from me to her and her belly.
She was right. As much as I wanted to go to her, hug her, and touch her belly, I wasn’t sure I could trust that she’d stay. Would she change her mind once the baby arrived and realize she couldn’t be confined to our small town?
“I understand if you don’t trust me, but I plan to show you I’m serious. I’m making a home for myself and the baby—” She placed my hand on her baby bump.
“Our baby,” I said gruffly.
I nodded. “Our baby. I’m working remotely for Planit and I plan on starting my own event planning business.”
The tension in my chest eased at her words. “What changed? Why are you here? I thought your dream was to work in the city?”
“It was. But I wasn’t happy in the director position. I couldn’t imagine myself raising a child in the city. I wanted to give it a shot and it didn’t work out. I have time to
get my business up and running before the baby comes. And my family said they’d help out too.”
She stood, walked over to me, and placed a hand on my chest. I was sure she could feel my heart beating.
I had a difficult time getting air waiting for what she planned to do. Kiss me? Tell me we’d remain friends?
“I can’t explain it, but I needed to do this. To see if it would work and it didn’t. I was miserable as soon as I got there. I never looked for an apartment. I lived in a hotel for a month. It was lonely. I was lonely. I lived for your texts and calls from Jack, checking in. I wanted to be here.”
She pressed lightly on my chest, and the warmth of her hand seeped through my shirt. I wanted to pull her in closer and breathe in the scent of her, but I couldn’t—not yet. I backed away and her hand dropped. “So, that’s it?”
“I want my child to grow up like we did—riding our bikes through town, running through cornfields, and playing with other kids. That’s what you were showing me when you took me to the movie theater, the beach, and our swimming hole. I broke your trust twice. I have to earn that back. I know that, but I love you, Wyatt. I want us to be a family more than anything, but I need you to trust that I’m not going to walk away again. I’m in this for the long haul. So as much as I want to jump into your arms right now, I’m prepared to play the long game.”
I’d tried to distance myself from her as she poured her heart out to me, but I couldn’t anymore. “Yeah? What’s the long game?”
Her eyes filled with longing and desire. “You. You’re the long game. It’s always been you.”
All of the air in my lungs seemed to whoosh out in one long breath. “Christ. I thought I was stronger—that I’d come here this morning demanding answers. That I could resist you, but I can’t. I never could, because I love you. And I’d love you whether or not you were carrying my baby. It will always be you. It’s only ever going to be you. And I believe you. I believe you’re back for good.”
Her eyes blurred with tears. “I’m so sorry. I completely screwed up.”
“No, I understand why you needed to explore the promotion—to see if it’s what you wanted. That you’d always wonder what-if, if not. I only have one question.”
She wiped her eyes. “What is it?”
Her face was red and swollen with tears, but she’d never looked more beautiful. “Will you stay with me? Here, in our hometown? In this house—my house, it doesn’t matter. Just stay with me.”
“Yes.”
I fell to the floor, tugging her down with me to straddle my lap. “We were meant to be together, Lucy. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. You—this baby.” I touched her stomach, so much rounder than when she left.
Her face lit with a sweet smile as her hand cupped my jaw. “I know. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me too.”
“Remember when you walked away from me in high school? I said you were—”
“walking away from the best thing that ever happened to me and you were right.”
“We were young. We had a lot to learn. Now when we come together, we have all of those life experiences to guide us as a couple, as new parents.” My hand covered her belly. “I love you.”
“I love you and I’m never leaving again.”
I lifted her fingers, kissing the crescent moon tattoo, which represented our past and now our future. When I touched my lips to hers, she pulled back and covered my mouth with her hand.
“We are not kissing before I’ve brushed my teeth.”
I easily pulled her hand down and she ducked her head away from me. “You better brush your teeth quickly then. I have plans for you today.”
Lucy jumped up from my lap, running down the hall as I walked to the kitchen to start coffee. I was thrilled she’d changed her mind and was back for good. That she understood the depth of my fear she’d leave. That she intended to wait forever if she had to.
I prepared the beans and water when I heard Lucy pad back into the kitchen.
“I know I said I only had one question, but I do have another.”
“Oh yeah, what’s that?”
I turned to find Lucy leaning with one hip against the island counter watching me. Her face looked freshly washed and her hair brushed. “How long do you plan to live by yourself?”
“Um, I’m not sure,” she teased.
“How long?” I abandoned the coffeemaker and stalked toward her.
“I don’t know. Until the baby comes?” She caught the look on my face and asked, “Too long?”
My hands gripped her hips tugging her toward me. “Try again.”
“A month?” Her eyes sparkled with humor.
I shook my head.
She went up on tiptoes kissing my neck, the underside of my jaw, but I kept my chin lifted so she couldn’t reach my lips. Not until she said the words I wanted to hear. “A week?”
“Nope.”
Then her hands drifted down my chest, my stomach, to the top of my athletic pants. “Just today?”
I cupped the back of her head, tilting her to gain access to her neck, placing light kisses along the column of her throat. “That sounds better. Are you sorry you left me?” I teased, tugging her ear with my teeth.
“Very sorry,” she whispered.
“How are you going to make it up to me?” I whispered directly into her ear.
When she tried to slide to her knees, I lifted her back up. “I’m not letting my pregnant girlfriend get on her knees for me.”
“Well, what can I do for you then?” Her hand cupped my cock through my pants, then she tugged them down.
I kicked them off while she pulled my shirt up.
I kissed her chin, her cheek, the corner of her mouth, while her hands explored my chest. I wanted her hands lower.
“Kiss me, Wyatt.”
“I thought you’d never ask.” My tongue slid between her lips exploring, taking, making her mine.
Lucy
God, I loved this man so much. My body couldn’t even hold all of the love I felt for him in this moment. I didn’t bother holding it in. It was bigger than us—bigger than everything.
“I want to take my time with you.” His mouth hovered over mine.
“Don’t. I need you now.” I looked up at him, seeing the same desire reflected in his eyes.
Then he was moving, tugging my leggings and panties down my legs before he lifted me on to the counter, spreading my legs as he stepped between them, his cock nudging my entrance.
“Please, Wyatt. I need you.”
“Take off your shirt.” I pulled the shirt over my head, throwing it to the side and unsnapping my bra. No sooner had it fallen down my shoulders than Wyatt’s cock was inside me, filling me, and his head dipped as he sucked my nipple into his mouth.
“Oh, shit.” My nipples were so sensitive that a zing went directly from his mouth to my pussy. The feel of him filling me up, his hot wet mouth on my nipples, his fingers digging into the skin on my hips, had the orgasm crashing into me hard. I cried out his name over and over again. Still trembling from the aftershocks, I leaned back on to the counter on my elbows and he scooted me closer to the edge of the counter, the granite cool underneath me as he tilted my hips with a tight grip, and he used long and hard strokes. It was rough and frantic, but I wanted it harder. I wanted to feel every slap of our skin meeting, each tightening of his grip, hear every moan. I didn’t want it to end. When he thrust quicker and groaned into my ear, I knew I’d never get enough of him.
“Fuck baby. Was that too rough?” His arms went around my back, holding me to him. “I forgot you were pregnant for a second there.”
“No, it was fine. We’re allowed to have sex.” My hand played with the hair on the back of his head and I placed a kiss on his shoulder. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” He kissed me, then he leaned behind me grabbing a paper towel to clean me. He threw it in the trash, and then his hands covered my baby bump, and he placed soft kis
ses there as my fingers sifted through his hair.
“I’m so sorry I hurt you.”
“No. Don’t. We love each other. We’re making a life together. No more apologies, okay? Nothing else between us except for our child.” His large hand covered my small baby bump, saying without words that he’d protect our child, me, our relationship no matter what. “Okay?”
“Okay,” I agreed softly.
He lifted me into his arms and carried me to bed.
Laying on top of me, he said, “We’re not leaving here today. I have plans for you.”
I smiled. “I have no intentions of leaving.” This bed, this house, Wyatt. “You’re stuck with me now.”
“Good.” Then he slid his cock inside me again.
It had never felt so good to be home—to stay.
Lucy
Wyatt was right—I stayed at his house or he was at mine every night. We were together forever now, and I didn’t want it any other way. I wanted him there when I reached for him at night. I wanted to drink coffee with him in the morning. I wanted to be together in the evenings watching the water lap onto the dock. I wanted every moment with him—the big, the small, the in between. I was never letting this man get away from me again.
I waited on his porch Friday night for him to come home from work. I heard his truck on the gravel of the driveway before his heavy boots were crunching the pavers. By the time he stepped onto the porch, I had a big smile on my face as I stood to greet him. My arms wrapped around his neck and I pulled him down for a kiss.
“I could get used to coming home to you.”
“You’d better because I’m not going anywhere.”
He sat on the chair and tugged me into his lap until I was straddling him.
“You know I won’t be able to sit like this comfortably much longer.”
Wyatt’s eyes dropped to my stomach. “I’ll have to enjoy it long as we have then.”
My hand cupped the scruff of his jaw, the love for him pouring out of me, with each touch, each kiss. “Are you going to ask me to marry you?” I kissed his mouth, his cheeks, his neck. “Now? Soon?” Then, sitting up straight, my arms looped around his neck, I ground down on his hard cock. “I’m ready for it, you know. You won’t scare me.”
