Take Me Completely (Cockpit Series Book 4)

by C. Lesbirel

  “It’s lovely to meet you, Hope. Sully here, has never brought a girl home before, so this is quite a surprise for us all.” Thanks for that, Mom.

  “It’s a surprise for me too,” Hope admits.

  Everyone looks at her like she’s a total weirdo, and she senses it, quickly correcting herself.

  “Sorry, what I meant was that I never thought I’d be in this position. Meeting someone’s family. Sullivan has come to mean a lot to me in a short time.” Her cheeks blush a little when she speaks, and I love that for someone who lives her life in the public eye, she’s so private when it comes to her feelings.

  “That’s nice to hear. Good to hear his real name for a change too,” Mom adds.

  “We all call him Sully after the big friendly monster from Monsters Inc. Have you seen it?”

  “Yeah, of course. Does that make you Mike Wazowski?” she asks Shiloh, causing her to scowl and me to chuckle.

  “Thank you!” Mason throws his hands in the air and walks backwards like she just dropped a bombshell and it’s about to explode. “I’ve been saying that for years. How did you find this chick, Sully? She’s a definite keeper.”

  “Hope, Mason. Mason, Hope. I knew you two would get along.” I gesture between them, and Mason throws her a friendly wink.

  “It’s certainly good to have someone around here who speaks their mind.” Dad nods his head towards Hope in approval.

  “You must be exhausted from all the traveling, Hope. Come and settle down, and please grab something to eat. We have a strict rule in the Parker household that no food goes to waste.”

  “It all looks so good.” She smiles at everyone and politely tries to ignore the fact that almost all of my family members are now eyeing her with unashamed suspicion.

  Following my lead to the end of the counter, we collect china plates from the end of the spread. As I reach forward to grab a roll of freshly baked bread and butter, I feel a slight tug on my arm.

  Before I can do a single thing about it, Hope collapses, and I catch her in my arms just in time to keep her from banging her head on the countertop.

  “Oh my God!” my sister shrieks, rushing around the counter to check what’s going on. “Is she breathing?”

  “Should I call an ambulance?” my Dad asks, eyeing me with concern as I scoop up Hope’s unconscious body and scan the room for somewhere I can lay her down.

  “No. She’ll be fine. Just give her a minute,” I try to reassure them without sounding too panicked. “I think it’s just stuffy in here, and all the food…”

  “What’s wrong with the food? Does she have an allergy? Are you sure we shouldn’t at least call Dr. Beade?” my mom asks, running a cloth under the tap to cool it and handing it to me as I lay Hope down on the sofa.

  “There’s nothing wrong with the food, it’s just…”

  “What, what is it, Sully? Is she sick?” Jaxon asks, his voice sounding tense and strained.

  “She’s not sick. She’s pregnant,” I blurt out and everyone falls silent.

  “It’s okay, Sully,” Shiloh whispers, her eyes burn into mine, trying to offer some reassurance.

  “That’s why we’re here. We wanted to tell you together,” I address everyone else in the room. I know it’s happened fast, and believe me, it’s caught us both off guard, but it is what it is, and I honestly believe that this is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Dad always said when you know, you know, and I feel like I know with this woman.”

  Hope lets out a small cough as her eyes begin to flicker open.

  “Hope,” I murmur, dabbing her forehead with the cool cloth as she comes back to.

  “Turn the light off,” Shiloh orders. “It’s too bright for her in here.”

  “Just give her some breathing space,” Mom demands, waving her arms to shoo us away as she gently strokes her hair.

  “Shit, did I faint?” she whispers, her hazel eyes meeting my blues in confusion.

  “Yeah,” I confirm.

  “You fell hard, sweetheart. I don’t think you banged anything. Sullivan caught you on your way down.”

  She looks back to me almost apologetically. As though she could help passing out or something.

  “Now, when you’re ready, you need to sit up and have some water. That grandchild of mine will need to stay hydrated with all the flying you’ve been doing…”

  “Grandchild,” she whispers.

  “Can we have a minute alone please, Mom?”

  “Of course. But before you do, are you awake properly, Hope?”

  “Hmmm.” She nods her head looking dazed but worried.

  “I want you to know that while I’m not in love with this situation, that doesn’t mean that I won’t ensure my grandchild is loved and supported. Sullivan obviously cares about you deeply, but my boy has always worn his heart on his sleeve.”

  “Mom,” I warn her. “I’m sitting right here.”

  “I know, Sully, but she’s technically part of the family now, so I’m going to say what I’ve got to say whether you’re listening or not. I want you to know that whatever happens between you and Sully, you can always come to me. Okay? Whatever you need, you only have to ask.”

  “Thanks, I’m sorry if I scared you.”

  “You don’t have anything to say sorry for. Just drink this, and take it easy,” I say and pull her up a bit so she can sip some cool water.

  “I was so nervous to meet all of you,” Hope admits.

  “Oh, don’t be silly. We only bite on Tuesdays, so you’re good,” my mom teases.

  “Thanks. I just know how I’d feel if my youngest son brought home someone so much older than him. Especially when they’re pregnant. I know exactly what this looks like, and I wouldn’t blame you for freaking out.”

  “Darling, one thing you should know about this family is that Parkers never freak out. Getting flustered is not our style and right now your age is the last thing I’d be concerned about.”

  “Unless it’s about me, then apparently that rule doesn’t apply,” Shiloh rolls her eyes dramatically, and I catch her throwing Hope a playful wink.

  “Is this the part where I say I told you so?” I say to Hope, and this time she rolls her eyes, and it’s good to see her becoming herself again.

  “We’ll give you two some space,” Mom says, jerking her head in a way that has everyone scampering toward the kitchen and leaving Hope and me alone.

  34

  Hope

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t have much choice other than to say something. Shiloh thought you were dead, and my mom looked as white as a ghost, for fuck’s sake.”

  “It’s okay. It’s not like we weren’t going to tell them anyway.”

  “I know. But, not like that. I’m surprised I didn’t give my mom a heart attack with the way I just blurted it out.”

  “Was she okay? She seems so lovely.”

  “She’s a gem. She’ll be fine once it sets in. Shiloh’s only just shared her baby news with everyone, so they are still warming up to the idea of Parker babies, and now there’s another one thrown into the mix.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “You’re the one who just fainted, goofball. I’m fine. More than fine, except for worrying about you. Are you feeling okay?”

  “Yeah. It literally comes on so quickly. Before I know what’s happening, I’m gone, and the next thing I know I’m waking up. Last time I fainted, I found out I was pregnant. At least this time, there’s no hidden surprises when I wake up.”

  “Well, actually…”

  My eyes widen in shock as Sullivan pulls a small sparkling silver box from his pocket, and I feel nauseous all over again.

  “Sullivan?” Surely to shit he’s not going to propose to me now. Like this? We’ve just agreed on being boyfriend and girlfriend, and even that’s something we haven’t talked through properly.

  “Don’t freak out. It’s not what you think.”

  He opens the lid of the box to reveal a charm bracelet with a
tiny windmill hanging from it.

  “What is this? It’s gorgeous.” I smile and wiggle up to a sitting position.

  “It’s my proposal.”

  “You’re what?” I croak out, my voice barely a hoarse whisper. “I don’t mean to disappoint you, Sully, but I’m not in love with you.”

  “You’re not?”

  “No. There’s something wrong with me. I warned you when we first met, I don’t do relationships, I never have.”

  “But you do love being with me?”

  “Of course, I love being with you. You’ve turned my entire life upside down in the best possible way.”

  “And you’re attracted to me?”

  “Stop digging for compliments, you know exactly how hot you are, it’s not that.”

  “And how do you feel when I do this?”

  He leans towards me and lifts my chin to his, so our lips are almost touching and leans forward to land the softest of kisses on my nose.

  In a single skipped heartbeat, the conversation dissolves along with the rest of the world.

  I couldn’t?

  I don’t?

  At least I don’t think I…

  Another kiss invades my thoughts, this time on my forehead, and finally his lips land on mine with a careful, gentle kiss that demands more, even if he doesn’t and wouldn’t given the circumstances.

  My body starts to react. Tingling and coming alive in the same way it always does when he kisses me.

  Wanting him too.

  Loving him too.

  When he pulls back, his eyes burn into mine, and the only contact between us is the pad of his thumb swiping across my cheek as a single tear escapes.

  “You’re in love with me, Hope. This is it. We’re the real fucking deal, and no matter how much you try to deny it, it’s written all over your face every time you look at me.

  “It is?”

  “Clear as day. In fact, I think you’re the only one who can’t see it.”

  “Maybe I’m not so fucked up after all.” I shrug.

  “I don’t know about that.” He arches a brow, and I go to laugh but a cough comes out instead.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “I’m more than okay.”

  “Yeah?”

  I take hold of his cheeks, so I’m looking him into his dark blue eyes.

  “I’m hopelessly, outrageously and completely in love with you.”

  “I know.” He smirks. “But it sure as shit is good to hear you say it.” A full wattage smile lights up his face and mine as well.

  All the doubt and second guessing dispels, and all that’s left is the two of us. Just two people who had no idea that this journey was the one they were meant to be on. This baby is not the only thing that’s taken me by surprise, and I love that suddenly it doesn’t matter that any of this wasn’t in my carefully created plans because this is so much better.

  What I feel for this man is unbelievably more than I ever thought possible, and I don’t care what I have to do to figure out a way so that we can be together in one place long enough to be a proper couple and raise our baby right. I’m going to make it happen.

  “You’re not going to like this.”

  “Then don’t say it.”

  “It’s just that it’s a bit too soon. I genuinely think I might pass out again if you propose.”

  His brow furrows as though warning me that I better not.

  “Like I said, it’s not what you think. Okay.” He takes the bracelet from the box and fastens it around my wrist. “This is the Netherlands. I’m thinking, after we have the baby, we go back there and visit.”

  “That’d be amazing. I’d love to.”

  “Wait,” he interrupts me. “Then, I’m going to take you all around Europe or anywhere else in the world you want to go. I’ll buy a new charm for your bracelet wherever we go. We’ll both take a year off to travel and see all the things you never got to when you were busy hiding out in hotel rooms.”

  “What about the baby?”

  “What about the baby? The baby will be with us of course. It’ll be the three of us seeing the world. If anyone can make traveling with a baby work, it’s us. I can even build a nursery on board of one of our planes if it makes you feel better?”

  “You’re going to take an entire year off, just to spend with me?”

  “Hope, I’d take an entire lifetime off to spend with you. I’m in love with you.”

  “What about my music?”

  “I told you, our legal team will look into it, but it doesn’t stop you from making music in the meantime. Even if you can’t put it out there yet, you can still create new material. No one can stop you from doing that.”

  “Sullivan.”

  “Hmmm.”

  “I really hope you know how much I’m in love with you too.”

  Epilogue

  3 DAYS LATER

  SULLIVAN

  “Are you sure there’s no way you can get out of it?” I ask as Shiloh explains about the meeting taking place this afternoon. It sounds like a huge deal, and with Liam sick with the stomach flu, Jax out of town, Mason midway to Dominican Republic and Mom and Dad on vacation, it only leaves Warren or me, and Warren's signal isn’t great on the boat.

  I could do it myself, but it’s ultrasound day, and there’s no way I’m missing out on being there to see my baby for the first time.

  “No, they said for the deal to finalize on time the meeting needs to go ahead as planned, but I swear it wasn’t in the planner. God, I miss my old job; I’m not cut out for this, Sully,” she complains as I picture her cooped up in Parker headquarters and smile in spite of myself. Shiloh, with her free spirit-hippy loving heart was not made for life in a regular nine-to-five job any more than I was, but there needs to be some pretty big changes in our lives. I have a feeling life as we know it is only going to be turned completely upside down when the babies are born.

  “You know I would, but it’s Hope’s appointment today.”

  “Of course. Oh my god, I totally forgot. Sorry, Sully. I shouldn’t even be bothering you with this. I’m just going to go. Call me as soon as you’re done.”

  “It’s okay. You know I will. Talk later,” I reassure her, hanging up and turning my attention back to Hope who’s sitting in my passenger seat looking nervous as hell.

  “You look a little pale. You’re not gonna faint on me again, are you?”

  “I don’t think so. I just want to know everything’s okay with the baby. The guy at the first hospital said I’m high risk, and with me fainting again, I can’t help worrying.”

  “That’s why we’re doing this. Whatever you need to feel good about this pregnancy, I’m here for it. I’ll have the midwife scan you every day if you want. Shit, I’ll have her move in with us if it helps you feel better.”

  She chuckles a light, sweet laugh that lets me know she’s okay, and I squeeze her thigh before opening the car door.

  “You say move in with us like we have somewhere to move in to,” she says as she opens her door and steps out into the parking lot.

  “I’ve told you, if you want me to rent us somewhere, I can.”

  “I just don’t see the point if we’re going to travel right after the baby arrives, then we might as well stay where we are.”

  “Unless my mom is driving you crazy? I know how intense my parents can be sometimes. If it’s too much, then just say the word.”

  “Honestly, I like having your mom around. I think staying with them is going to be the best thing for all three of us for now.”

  I lock the car and take her hand as we walk into the reception area of the midwife's office.

  We’re welcomed by a friendly looking older lady, and she’s all smiles when she introduces us to the midwife a short while later.

  When we get inside, Hope lies on the bed flat on her back and the midwife waves what can only be described as a gear stick in the air.

  “Nothing to worry about.” She smiles at me and must
detect the fact that the thing she’s got in her hand scares the shit out of me. “As you’re only a few weeks along, we are going to have to do an internal examination to get a good view of the baby. Okay?”

  “Okay.” I gulp down hard on the thick lump in my throat. That thing is fucking gigantic, and she’s just expected to lie there while this woman shoves it inside her? “Actually, can I have a minute?”

  The midwife looks to Hope, who has a goofy looking grin on her face that makes it clear she finds this whole thing amusing in some sadistic way.

  “Sure, take as long as you need. We’ll be here checking on your baby when you’re ready to join us.”

  Holy crap. The screen turns black and white before I can respond, and she’s down there changing gears or whatever it is she does with her scanner stick. Hope is wearing a relaxed small smile and doesn’t seem a bit bothered by the whole atrocity.

  For a moment, the midwife looks concerned, and I have no idea why as I can’t make anything on the monochrome screen out, but she seems to be able to. Please God, don’t let this be bad news. I’ve just got my head wrapped around the fact that we’re doing this; I don’t think I could take it if something went wrong.

  Although, having babies of our own was never the plan for me or my sister, it’s become the only plan that matters for us both.

  “Are you ready to see your baby now?”

  We both nod, and she zooms in on a tiny peanut shape on the screen.

  “There he or she is.” She circles around the odd little blob shape with her finger. “And then if you look here, that’s baby number two.”

  “I’m sorry, what?”

  Hope looks like she’s going to pass out again, and I feel like I might go down with her.

  “You’re expecting twins,” she confirms as I take a step backward and run my hands through my hair.

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’m one hundred percent certain, Mr. Parker. That’s your two babies right there.”