Embracing Series Box Set #1-6

by Delisa Lynn

  I hug her tight. She wraps her small arms around me and sniffles.

  “Ugh, fine. I just wanted to be alone for a few days just to think. I’m sure Liam wants a divorce,” she says, wiping tears from her face.

  I lean over and kiss her temple. “Why would you think that? That man loves you more than anything. I’m going to send him up here, okay?”

  “Thanks, Ashton. I’m glad you don’t think I’m a whore.”

  “Anytime, babe. And I would never think that about you. We go back a long time and I will always be here for you. Never forget that. Don’t take my son again, or I’ll have to tickle you ’til you piss yourself,” I say, laughing.

  “Oh shut up. You know I have a weak bladder,” she retorts.

  I leave the room to go send Liam up to his very confused wife. I’m not sure what happened between them, but she was definitely confused about everything. I personally just need to go to sleep.

  “Liam, she’s up in her room. I told her I was sending you up. Do you all want to just stay here and get a few hours of sleep?” I ask. Kade and Megan are pretty comfortable with each other.

  “That’s fine, I’m pretty tired myself. As long as Megan is okay with it, the three of us can share a room. I promise to be on my best behavior,” Kade says as he throws his head back, laughing.

  “I’m okay with that. I trust that you two won’t hurt me. I just need sleep,” Megan says.

  “Okay. Liam, you go to your wife. She’s in room five-thirty-two. I’ll get the three of us a room.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Lila

  I can’t believe they came looking for me. I just needed to get away and this was the closest place that I could think of where the kids would have fun. Hell, I was ready to enjoy my Disney time, too. Who doesn’t love Pooh Bear?

  I prepare myself because I know Liam. He’s going to come running through that door, apologizing. He shouldn’t have to, though, if that’s the way he felt. I ask Kaylin to switch rooms with me, so I take all my stuff to hers. She’d agreed to stay in my room, but I got an extra room just in case the kids became too hard for her to handle. She and I have become really close lately. Hell, she and Megan are the only friends I have here.

  Damn, I can’t believe Megan came here with the guys and gave them my BlackBerry info. I bet she wants Ashton or Kade or hell, both. She’s a sucker for hot, tattooed men and they both are.

  After setting all my toiletries out, I make sure my hair looks okay and I throw a little makeup on so Liam can’t see the tiredness in my eyes. I’m so tired, but I don’t want him to know that. Hell, he may use it against me. I stand outside, between the two hotel doors. Seconds later, Liam runs down the hall and falls to his knees when he reaches me. He grabs my waist and starts crying, hugging me, and talking to baby bean.

  I should let his ass plead a little. I know I’m being a bitch, but he hurt my feelings. I know I deserved it, but who the hell pisses a six month pregnant chick off? Yep, my wonderful husband. I’m not being sarcastic; he really is wonderful. I’ve never met a man more amazing than him. Seeing him break down and cry like a bitch is breaking me. I’m the one that caused all of this.

  “Lila, I’m so sorry. Please forgive me. I didn’t mean any of that stuff I said. You’ll never shame our name. No matter what, I’m your husband. I want no one but you. Always and forever. Baby, look at me. Where have you been and what were you thinking, leaving and taking the kids?”

  “I’m not sure what I was thinking. You hurt my feelings badly and I was confused. It seemed like you didn’t want me or baby bean to be a part of your life, so I left. I visited Ads and went shopping. Then I wanted to leave, so I got the kids and came here.”

  “Beautiful, I will always want you and baby bean. Don’t. You. Ever. Think. Otherwise.”

  “I just feel like I’m nothing. I’m a whore, Liam, a fucking whore who doesn’t know who her baby’s father is.”

  “You are fucking perfect. You hear me? Don’t you ever say that shit again! I love you so much. You know that, right? Please, never let what happened today ever happen again. Talk to me. Don’t run from me. We’re in this together. That’s my baby. You hear me? Mine.”

  “I love you so much. I don’t know what I was thinking. I was scared and hurt, so I left. The girls are fine. They and AJ are all asleep.” I hug him. “I’m sorry. I know you all were worried about me, but I wasn’t thinking clearly. Can we snuggle? I need you to hold me so bad.”

  “Anything you want. I’m going to shower first. Go ahead and call room service. Have them bring me a turkey club sandwich and a beer. You can order whatever you want. Will you see if anyone else wants anything? Megan and the guys may be hungry too.”

  “Of course I will. Go shower. There is body wash and shampoo already in there.”

  “Ahh, I get to smell like sweet peas and sugar.”

  “Shut up and go wash that sexy body so I can snuggle up to it all night. I missed you holding me last night. The kids are with Kaylin in the next room.”

  I call Ashton and he says they will order their own food. He wants Liam and me to work things out because he hates seeing us like this. He has changed so much. I think this is a start to a new friendship with Ashton.

  ***

  “Liam, everything okay? Why aren’t you sleeping?” I ask as I run my hand down his chest.

  “I’m okay, just watching you sleep. You know I love looking at you and watching you make that little purr noise while you sleep. It’s so damn cute. Something is on my mind and I know we aren’t going to hold anything back anymore, so I’ll just get it out. Are you going to or have you told Nikki that baby bean may be Evan’s?”

  “No, I haven’t said anything to her about being pregnant. She doesn’t know that Evan and I slept together unless he told her. She knows I was going to talk to him that night. I called her for the number. She didn’t want to give it to me. Hell, maybe I should have listened to her. Then none of this would be happening. Should I tell her? She is my best friend, but you are my husband and if you don’t want me to, then I won’t.”

  “Babe, if you want to tell her, then that’s your choice. Please don’t think I would want you to keep secrets. Hell, everyone will know you have a baby at the wedding, and if they all put it together, then they will figure it out. I don’t want Evan to know, but I would hope Nikki wouldn’t tell him. She’s your best friend, not his. This weekend, if she mentions it, then just tell her the truth.”

  “I trust her, but what if she tells Brody and he tells Evan? I don’t want him to know. Are we doing the right thing? Liam, what if the tables were turned and I was with him. Wouldn’t you want to know that I may be carrying your child? Isn’t this wrong of us?”

  “It is wrong, Li, but I can’t let him take you and the baby away from me. I won’t let him. That’s my baby, regardless. What if we wait until after he’s born? Then you can tell him. Would you want to do that?”

  “I’m so confused. I don’t know what to do. I know you will love this baby no matter what, but I feel like he should know. You know I want you to be the father and it will kill me if you aren’t, but telling him is the right thing to do. I’ll wait ’til the baby is born to test you.”

  “That’s fine. Whatever you think is best is what we’ll do. Now get some sleep. You’re going to be so tired in the morning. I’m going to take a bath and see if it will help me relax. I love you,” Liam says.

  Chapter Twelve

  Lila

  We all spent the next day at the park. The kids had a blast and so did the adults. I was the only one who couldn’t ride the rides. We were all so tired, we stayed another night.

  We checked out of the hotel this morning. Now we’re heading home.

  I’m so glad to see that Megan and Kade are getting along so well. They would make a cute couple. She always talks about cowboys. Well, Kade fits the bill. He’s a private investigator and a Marine. Even better, he’s an Ellis. All Ellis men are good men, including my new best fri
end, Ashton. Now I need to find Ashton a new woman. Christa is on drugs; I know she is. That bitch is crazy. I still haven’t told Ashton about the money she asked to borrow.

  After the conversation Liam and I had last night, I’m still confused. I know he doesn’t want Evan to know, but it’s not fair to him or baby bean if he is Evan’s. I’m going to think about it for a few days and get Nikki’s opinion. She will be completely honest with me and that’s what I need. The baby will be a month old when she gets married. I really hope we all can get through this and remain civil. I know Liam doesn’t want me to communicate with Evan, but he moved on, and I can’t just forget about him and everything we shared.

  I’m putting him in my past. Hell, I did it for three years. I thought about him daily all three years, but now I know my place is with Liam. Evan is a friend and will remain a friend no matter what happens with all of us. He saved me when I lost Liam, and I will forever be grateful for him and his friendship.

  I’d hoped that once we found Liam, my feelings for Evan would just fade away. Ha, who the hell was I kidding? I spent so much time thinking about him that I think my feelings got even stronger. I missed what was right in front of me. My husband, the man of my life, swept me off my feet so long ago. He’s the man who would give his life for mine. I should have been thinking about him.

  ***

  While waiting for Nikki in the lobby of the San Francisco International Airport, all the memories of waiting for Liam or flying home from New York come flooding back. A single tear streams down my cheek. I was so lost in thought, I didn’t even see Nikki approaching me.

  “Lila, Hello…? What are you daydreaming about?”

  “Nikki! Oh God, I’m so happy to see you. I’ve missed you so much.”

  I hug her tightly. I loved hanging out with her and shopping. She’s the only person, other than Addison, that ever really clicked with me. I had other friends, but not like the two of them.

  “You’re pregnant? When in the hell were you going to tell me? I just saw you, like, three months ago. We talk every day and you didn’t tell me?”

  “Let’s go and I’ll explain. Whatever I tell you has to stay between the two of us. Please do not tell Brody.”

  “Umm…Okay. Just fill me in on what the hell is going on. I will wait ’til we are someplace sitting down. Why the hell did you run away?”

  “There is a lot we need to talk about. You want to go see your nieces first or go someplace and talk?”

  I hope she says talk because I’m ready to get this all out and I know she’s ready to hear it.

  “As much as I love the twins, I need to know what the hell is going on with my best friend.”

  “Okay, let’s grab lunch. I’m starved. Baby bean is giving me all these weird ass cravings. You in the mood for some Coney Dogs?” She looks at me and bursts out laughing “Okay, quit laughing. It’s either that or Japanese noodles. So which is it?”

  “It doesn’t matter, sweets. Whatever you and baby bean want.”

  “Yep, that’s what we are calling him for now. We haven’t decided on a name yet, so he is just baby bean.”

  “How far along are you, anyway? You can’t just be a couple months.”

  “Nope, I’m six months, almost seven. He will be a month old when you get married. Hopefully I will have my figure back by then.”

  “You should have it back. We will just get your dress in your regular size and we can always have it altered if needed, but I’m sure you will go back to your sexy body.” She laughs.

  “Ha ha, thanks, doll. So, Coney’s?”

  “Yes, hot dogs are fine…blah.”

  “You just made me the happiest pregnant woman ever. Baby bean thanks you, too.”

  I drive to the restaurant. I can tell she has all sorts of questions running through her mind. I’m ready to answer them; I haven’t talked about this with anyone other than Liam, so this will help me and my decisions a lot. We pull into the restaurant parking lot. She looks at me and smiles before getting out.

  Once inside, we take a booth in the corner, away from everyone else. The waitress comes and takes our drink orders. I need a sweet tea. I know I shouldn’t, but I order one anyways. Just a little caffeine won’t hurt.

  After we order our food, I look at my friend and, in one breath, blurt, “I slept with Evan when I was in New York. The baby may be his.” I sigh. “Let the drilling begin.”

  “Okay, my first question is, why did you sleep with Evan unprotected? Or at all? When I told you to be careful, I didn’t mean that you should go have an unprotected sex-filled weekend with your ex. Does Liam know?” she asks as she takes a huge gulp of her diet Coke.

  “I’ve told Liam everything. He knows about Evan from day one. I don’t know what I was thinking. I saw Evan and, well, I needed him. I love Liam with everything I am, but I loved Evan also. I say loved because I’ve put him in my past now and that’s where he will stay.”

  “Is the baby Evan’s?”

  “Not sure. I’m not going to have the test done. He is Liam’s; I can feel it.”

  I don’t want her to know that Liam is the one who doesn’t want me to take the test.

  “If the baby is Evan’s, he will want to know. You can’t keep it from him. Were you not taking your pills?”

  “I know, but I can’t tell him right now. No, I stopped taking them because Liam wanted another baby. Well, we both wanted another one, and when I had sex with Evan twice that weekend, I forgot all about not being on the pill.”

  “Twice? Jesus, Lila…”

  “Nik, I know. I saw him and all the old memories came flooding back. I couldn’t help myself. I was drinking and I danced with him and inhaled his scent. He sang to me, and that made everything in me want him even more. I needed him, and I knew it was wrong. I can honestly say, at that moment, I was only thinking about fucking him and nothing else mattered. I’m over him for good this time. I’ll talk to him when I see him, but that’s it. Nothing more.”

  “I hope you have learned your lesson. You know I’m on your side, no matter what. I’m not sure what to say. I can’t believe you, of all people, aren’t sure who your baby daddy is. These two men have turned you around completely.”

  “I know. I never thought I would be in this position, but I did what I did and now I have to deal with the consequences. Now, let’s talk about the wedding.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Nikki

  I can’t believe what my best friend just told me. Lila is my best friend and I would do anything for her, but she is asking me to keep a secret from my fiancé’s best friend as well. This baby has to be Liam’s; hearts will be broken and lives changed if the baby isn’t. Evan is happy with Tatum. He finally moved on after Lila crushed him. Brody and I were always worried about him. Now he’s finally happy and this could hurt them all.

  “Okay, my friend, let’s go look at dresses. I hope I find something I like. My mother and I have looked in every bridal shop in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. I haven’t had any luck.”

  “New York?” Lila asks. “When did you go there?”

  Shit, do I tell her about Evan? Well, I guess I might as well just get it all out. She says she doesn’t care what he is doing and she’s married, so it shouldn’t bother her.

  “Brody and I spent a week with Evan and Tatum last month. She’s Zander’s sister and Evan’s fiancée. Super sweet lady. She’s been through a lot; she’s always been in love with Evan, but she was in a bad relationship with some psycho.”

  “I know who she is. She’s Audrey’s best friend. I’ve seen pictures of her. I’m really glad he’s happy now. Let’s go to the dress shop, shall we?”

  ***

  Damn it, she’s pissed. I can tell by her demeanor that she doesn’t like that he moved on. I can’t stand either one of them right now. I’m stuck in this awkward position. I have enough problems of my own without having to deal with theirs. But they’re my friends and that’s what friends do, right? We let our shit go
to help them. I need to tell her what’s going on with me, but I can’t right now. She can’t handle it.

  Brody and I have been trying to get pregnant and aren’t having any luck. We’ve both been tested to see if his sperm count is good and if I am ovulating regularly. I need to have more tests done. He checked out fine, but I, on the other hand, have some abnormal test results. We will overcome it, just like we have everything else. He is my knight in shining armor or leather, I should say.

  I met Brody when Lila and I were studying at NYU. He and Evan are best friends. I really liked Brody and he was a blast to hang out with, but I still had feelings for my ex-boyfriend, Cam. He was my first love. We broke up when I moved to New York, and I was okay with that. I knew I would meet other people and he would as well. We hadn’t spoken to each other for months and I missed him a lot, but I had already started seeing Brody.

  The time I’d spent with Brody was great, and he was amazing in bed. The things he did to me made my toes curl. Sex had never felt that great with anyone before, not with even Cam. The closer Brody and I got, the less I thought of Cam. Then he started calling more and flew out to visit. That made me miss us.

  My mother was having a hard time paying for my tuition, and I saw that as my ticket back home and back into Cam’s life. I ran. I left poor Brody. He had no clue it was for Cam, though. I know I went about it the wrong way. It was childish and selfish. I should have just been honest with Brody. He’s always been honest with me.

  I’d been back in Ohio for several months and Cam and I were back together, going strong. We were both attending OSU. I lived at home and we spent whatever time we could together. I would text and talk to Brody here and there, but I never mentioned Cam. Well, one weekend Brody decided to surprise me with a little visit, but he was the one who got the surprise when he caught me with Cam.