Road to Forever

by Piper Davenport

  “There’s the spirit,” I said.

  In the end, Tillie won, but I was pretty sure Dad threw the game, so I’d be out ten bucks. It was well worth it, though. Tillie was floating on air by the time I took Lily home.

  “I thought your dad was going to kill me,” Lily said as we climbed into bed.

  “Why?”

  “I don’t know... Maybe because I’m the little hussy who let his son knock her up.”

  I frowned. “Baby, don’t ever think of yourself like that. Dad wanted to make sure we were okay and get my opinion on putting another recruit on you. My parents love you, and need I remind you, Mom had me when she was a teenager. No one’s thinking of you as a hussy... except maybe me, but I’m forever grateful for that part. They always say to marry a woman who’s a maiden in the kitchen and a whore in the bedroom.”

  Lily giggled. “I’m not quite at the maiden in the kitchen status, but I’m glad I’m your whore in the bedroom. You’re a damn good gigolo, I must say.”

  I pulled her against my chest and kissed her temple. “I’ve worked hard to get there, so it’s nice you notice my effort.”

  “Are you sure they’re okay with this?”

  “Yes, Lil, I’m sure. But if they weren’t, it wouldn’t make a difference. I’m all in, baby doll. You’re it for me.”

  She sighed and gave me a gentle squeeze. “Me too.”

  “Stop worrying, honey. It’s a total Lily love fest. Liverick is back at the top of the charts in regards to the ‘it’ couple.”

  Lily smiled. “Okay, I’m done.”

  “Wanna do it?”

  “O.M.G., like, I totally wanna do it,” she retorted in a total Valley Girl accent.

  I laughed as I kissed her, and then I spent time gently making love to her before she snuggled up to me and fell asleep. It took me longer to fully relax, choosing to hold my woman a while longer. I knew it was going to take me a minute not to worry. I needed the fucking threat to be annihilated. Until that happened, however, I wouldn’t stop my diligence. Tucking Lily tighter to my body, I kissed her gently and hoped we’d have some sort of resolution soon.

  Lily

  Two weeks later...

  SO... PREGNANCY SUCKED. Big time. I could barely stay awake, even if I’d slept for what felt like forty-two hours. I couldn’t keep anything down, but I couldn’t take the anti-nausea drugs the doctor prescribed while I was on shift because they made me sleepy.

  I was also grumpy as hell, and I was pretty sure I was pushing Maverick to the brink of insanity. It was about two weeks away from our wedding day, and I didn’t think I’d make it that far into the future. The world knew we were pregnant now, and if I thought my protection detail was stifling before, it was downright claustrophobic now. Flea, I could handle. Flea and Train were a pain in the butt.

  “You doin’ okay, chickie?” Alana asked, and I bit back a yawn.

  “Yep, I’m great.”

  She giggled. “You look like shit.”

  “Thanks?”

  “Are you interested in getting off the night shift?”

  “Is that an option?” I asked, hopefully.

  “Day shift just opened up in labor and delivery, but it’s only two days on five off, so you’ll take a major hit to your paycheck.”

  “Yeah, that might be a little tough. Let me talk to Maverick. Can I let you know next shift?”

  “Sure. But I can’t wait any longer than that.”

  “Thanks, Alana. I really appreciate you looking out for me.”

  “You’re a great nurse, Lily. They’d be lucky to have you.”

  I burst into tears.

  “What did I say?” she asked, her face falling.

  “Nothing. I’m just hormonal, and that was really sweet.”

  Alana giggled. “Oh, honey, it gets better. I promise.”

  “I hope so.” I grabbed a tissue and blew my nose. “Because if it doesn’t, I’m never getting pregnant again.”

  Alana hugged me... then we were back in the thick of an emergency. By the time Maverick picked me up, two days a week sounded like a vacation.

  “How are you feeling, baby doll?” Maverick asked as we drove.

  “I feel great,” I deadpanned. “Like I could run a marathon.”

  He lifted my hand to his mouth and kissed the palm. “Sorry, honey. I’ll rub your feet when we get home.”

  “Thanks, Möosh.”

  We arrived home, and I discussed the option of working part-time with him while he did incredible things to my feet. I swear it was almost better than sex... almost.

  “I think it’s a good idea, Lil.”

  I licked my lips, suddenly thirsty. I grabbed my bottle of water next to me. “But it means we’re going to have to wait to move.”

  “We’re going to have to wait to move anyway,” Maverick said. “Until there’s no threat, we’re staying put... and it’s working, right?”

  “Yes, it’s working. I just want to be a little more independent.”

  Maverick chuckled. “Even if we weren’t living in the basement of your parents’ house, we’d still be here every day. We probably wouldn’t really be more independent; we’d just be paying more rent for the illusion of it.”

  I sat up, crossing my legs in front of me so I could scoot closer to him. “Is this okay?”

  “Is what okay?”

  “All of this.” I waved my hand around the small apartment. “Most days, I feel like I’m an imposter... like I’m still a little kid, and I can’t possibly be someone’s mom. Other days, I feel like I have everything figured out and will rock the hell out of it... but those are less. And then I worry that I’m not giving you everything I—”

  “Enough,” Maverick said gently and pulled me onto his lap. “I love you.”

  “I love you too, but—”

  “Babe,” he admonished. “Stop. You’re perfect, Lil. You give me everything and more, and you’re going to be the best mom on the planet. Give yourself a break.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah, baby doll, I’m sure. Now, text Alana and tell her you’ll take the new schedule.” He stroked my cheek. “If we could afford for you to quit entirely, I’d want you to. Baby steps.” He smiled. “Pun intended.”

  I sighed and buried my face in his neck. “Thanks, Möosh.”

  “You’re welcome. Now, off to bed with you.” He stood with me in his arms and carried me to the bedroom, settling me on the mattress. After making me take my nausea meds, he kissed me gently and said, “I have to get to work, but I love you.”

  “Love you, too. Have a good day.”

  “I’ll set an alarm so you can keep your sleeping schedule.”

  “Okay, baby, thank you.”

  He kissed me again and then closed me in the dark.

  * * *

  I woke before my alarm and felt amazing—better than I had in weeks—so I showered and put on a little makeup before heading upstairs to see what my family was doing. They were all in the family room watching some football game.

  “Hey, baby girl,” Dad said, craning his neck to smile up at me.

  “Hey.”

  “Are you hungry?” Mom asked, scooting away from Dad, but he pulled her back.

  “I’m good, Mom, thanks. I had some saltines, and that’s about all I can handle.”

  “Take a load off,” Dad ordered.

  I flopped onto the sofa, purposely jostling Hunter who raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment. It didn’t matter that I was carrying a baby; I was still a big sister driven to irk her little brother.

  Rex jumped on the sofa beside me and laid his head on my lap. When the commercials came on, Dad muted the television (he didn’t believe in DVRing games of any kind). “How are you feelin’? Really?”

  “I’m good... right now,” I said and smiled. “I was offered a lighter schedule, actually.”

  “That’s great,” Mom said and I nodded. “It’s not great?”

  “How old is too old to be living in y
our parents’ basement?”

  “Forty,” Dad said, at the same time, Mom said, “Fifty.”

  I giggled. “Okay, so you’re both okay with me and Mav living in the basement a little while longer?”

  “Yes,” Mom said at the same time Dad said, “Absolutely.”

  “Glad we had this talk.”

  When the game came back on, Dad un-muted the television, and I relaxed into the sofa, enjoying some much-needed family time.

  * * *

  Soft lips and a scruffy chin had me blinking my eyes open, and I smiled up at Maverick who had a freaked expression on his face. “Hi. Are you okay?”

  “Not really.”

  Rex growled, and I scratched his head and asked, “What’s wrong?”

  “My pregnant woman wasn’t where I left her, but it’s weird because I didn’t get a text saying she wouldn’t be where I left her.”

  “Ohmigod.” I bit my lip. “I’m so sorry, Möosh. I totally planned to, but I must have fallen asleep.” I glanced around and noticed the family room was empty, even though the television was still on.

  Maverick sighed, pulling me up off the sofa. “Come on. We’ll talk about it downstairs.”

  I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and followed him to the apartment. He closed us in and grabbed a beer, heading to our sofa and settling his body on it. I was still standing by the door and trying not to freak out by the rage pouring off him. He turned so he could stare at me over the couch.

  “Technically, I didn’t go anywhere,” I rushed to say. “I just went upstairs.”

  “I know. I texted Hawk.”

  I threw my hands in the air. “Then why are you so mad?”

  “Because you didn’t tell me you were leaving the apartment... or have your phone, Lily! I couldn’t find you.”

  “For how long?”

  “What?”

  “How long until you texted Dad once you couldn’t get a hold of me?”

  “Not the point,” he ground out.

  I crossed my arms. “How long, Maverick?”

  “Three minutes,” he grumbled and took a swig of his beer.

  I shook my head. I could argue—I could tell him he was being ridiculous—but I could also put myself in his shoes. His pregnant woman was missing, albeit for three minutes, but enough to worry him, and I was sorry for that. “I’m sorry I didn’t text you. I should have. My only excuse is pregnancy brain, but I totally get why you were worried. I will be better about keeping my phone with me in the future.”

  He held his hand out to me, and I made my way to him, letting him pull me gently onto his lap. “I’m sorry I busted your chops, baby.”

  “Thank you.” I cupped his face. “Now, how was your day?”

  He smiled... the first real smile I’d seen since he got home. “It was good.”

  “I didn’t plan for dinner.” I grimaced. “I kind of fell asleep.”

  He chuckled. “I’ll cook.”

  “That’d be great. I’m starving.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Yeah?”

  “Yeah.”

  “That’s great, baby. Let’s get you fed. You need to fit in your wedding dress.”

  “Sounds good.” I’d lost weight over the past few weeks—not a huge amount but enough to concern Maverick. If I didn’t gain some of it back, I would have to have my wedding dress altered. Lucky for me, my grandma could sew like a boss, so she was ready should we have to go there.

  Maverick slid my hair away from my face and kissed me gently. “I love you, baby doll. I’m glad you’re feeling better.”

  “Love you, too.” I smiled. “Now, rustle up some grub for your woman and baby.”

  He left me on the couch and rustled me up some grub.

  * * *

  The morning of our wedding arrived, and I was strangely calm. Possibly, because Mom had kept to all of my rules and we were keeping the ceremony small.

  I woke up feeling really good as well, which I think added to my Zen-like calm. The doctor had switched my nausea meds, and not only could I stomach more food, but they didn’t make me sleepy. My only disappointment was I woke up without Maverick... in my old bed. Maverick had been the one to set this edict, weirdly enough. He wanted to keep to some traditions, the biggest one being we didn’t sleep together the night before the wedding or see each other until I walked down the aisle. I felt this was ridiculous—the man had already knocked me up, for Pete’s sake—but he wouldn’t bend.

  I showered and dressed in my “bride” sweats that Poppy and Mom had purchased and headed downstairs to the kitchen.

  “Bride comin’ through,” Dad announced.

  I giggled. “What gave it away? The white velour or the title covering my butt?” I doubted I’d ever wear these pants again in public, but man, they were comfy, so around the house was pretty much a given.

  “I’m gonna go with the white, baby girl. Not in the habit of lookin’ at your ass.” He pulled me in for a hug. “How are you feelin’?”

  “I’m good, Daddy.”

  “Baby good?”

  I nodded. “Really good.”

  He studied me for a few seconds before letting me go. My dad had this incredible ability to say everything with a look. Mom said it was one of the reasons she didn’t need him to verbalize his thoughts. He told her just how he felt about her without saying a word.

  “Lily!” Mom called.

  “In the kitchen,” I called back.

  “Maverick’s heading to the church. He wants you to stay put.”

  “He’s not the boss of me,” I retorted.

  “Don’t make this a thing, Lil,” Maverick joked.

  I rushed to try to see him—he was so close—but Dad grabbed my arm. “Nope.”

  “Gah! This is the dumbest tradition.” I heard the alarm beep and the door close, and I sighed, leaning against the kitchen counter.

  The toast popped up, and Dad slathered it with peanut butter and handed it to me. “Eat.”

  “Thanks.”

  “You ready?”

  “More than ready.” I smiled. “Are you worried?”

  “Always.” He chuckled. “But I know he’ll take care of you.”

  “And I’ll take care of him.”

  “No doubt.” Dad sipped his coffee. “Proud of you, baby girl.”

  “Thanks, Daddy.” I took another bite of my toast.

  Mom walked into the kitchen and smiled. She looked gorgeous... funny but gorgeous. Her long, dark hair was in rollers, and she was wearing her fluffy white robe.

  “You just need a rolling pin, and your ensemble would be complete,” I said.

  Mom chuckled. “Some of us aren’t blessed with beautiful blond curls that provide natural body.”

  “I happen to love your hair, baby,” Dad cut in, wrapping an arm around her waist and kissing her temple.

  “Thanks, handsome.” Mom focused back on me. “You ready to get pampered? Kim and Darien are already upstairs.”

  I nodded. Kim and Darien were my hair and makeup people. We only had about two hours before the ceremony, so we needed to hustle.

  I followed Mom upstairs and hugged my beauty team; admittedly, I was a little excited now that my family surrounded me. I missed Maverick, but I had the rest of my life to act out my co-dependence.

  * * *

  “You may now kiss the bride,” Crow announced.

  Amid hoots and hollers from the Dogs, Maverick kissed me quite thoroughly. I smiled against his lips, and he kissed me one more time before facing the crowd and lifting me in his arms to carry me back down the aisle.

  I squeaked in surprise and then settled in, looping my arms around his neck, as we rushed down the aisle and out to the lobby. We’d been married in the church where Sadie used to be a nun. She’d set it up so Crow could marry Maverick and me... and everything had been perfect.

  Maverick couldn’t control his tears as Dad walked me down the aisle, and I knew I’d nailed the dress, which fit perfectly. No alterations needed since I’
d managed to gain back a little of the weight I’d lost.

  Maverick set me gently on my feet and kissed me again. “You’re beautiful.”

  “So are you, Möosh.” I grinned up at him. And he was. He wore a black tuxedo with his cut underneath and a pair of motorcycle boots. Delicious.

  He grinned, pulling me close. “Can’t wait to get you to the hotel so I can start by kissing every inch of your body then I’m gonna—”

  He didn’t get to list anything else he planned to do to me because our family suddenly surrounded us.

  Maverick kissed me gently. “We’ll put a pin in that.”

  I smiled with a nod.

  The rest of the day went by in a blur... a really fun blur, but a blur, nonetheless. By the time Maverick decided he’d had enough, I could barely keep my eyes open, so he loaded me in his truck, and we drove to the Monaco hotel where we’d be staying for a couple of days. We didn’t have the time (or the money) to take an actual honeymoon, but Knight had given Maverick Monday off, and I didn’t start my next shift until Tuesday, so we were making the most of it. Charleston would have to wait, but we’d made a commitment that we would go as soon as I felt comfortable enough to leave the baby for a few days.

  Arriving at the hotel, Maverick guided me up to our room (he’d already checked in and dropped our bags off earlier that morning). He helped me out of my dress, kissing my neck as he undid the pearl buttons at the back. He stripped me down to just my panties... then he forced me into bed.

  I gasped. “But—”

  “Sleep, Lil. We’ll consummate our marriage when you wake up.”

  “Honey—”

  “Don’t make this a thing.”

  I rolled my eyes. “I will sleep because I’m exhausted, but promise me something...”

  He stroked my cheek. “Anything.”

  “Don’t ever use the word consummate in reference to our love life again.”

  He chuckled. “Got it.”

  I bit back a yawn.

  “Time for bed,” he said, throwing back the covers and lifting me onto the mattress.

  I bit my lip and watched as he stripped down to nothing and joined me, pulling me close and kissing my forehead. “How are you feeling, wife?”

  I chuckled, kissing his chest. “I feel amazing, husband.”