by Delisa Lynn
“Hey, you. Quit hogging my baby boy and let his momma love him,” Lila says. “Isn’t he the cutest little boy you’ve ever seen?”
“I hope you slept well. The girls are with Meg, shopping. They are going to bankrupt me before they’re twenty.” I laugh.
“We sure are in for a bumpy ride. Good thing they have a little brother to keep them in line. Oh, and I’m sure AJ will be right there with Greyson, protecting them and running all of their boyfriends off. Did Eric call you? He wants to know something about a guy Kaylin used to hang out with. I think he wants you to use some of your P.I. skills.”
“Yeah, we talked. I’m actually working on it now. I just put the laptop down so I could hold my precious baby boy. I can’t believe how much he looks like me. The girls have always looked like you, so looking at him and seeing me still amazes me.”
“He is going to break all kinds of hearts with those eyes of his. I can’t believe he will be two weeks old tomorrow. It doesn’t seem like we have been home that long. You ready for the baby shower tomorrow?”
“Yes, ma’am. I think Megs and Nikki have pretty much covered everything. Hell, it’s not like we need any gifts. I think, between the two of us and our mothers, we have everything.”
“Yeah, we do. But it’s about showing this little guy off and spending time with family and friends. I think Nikki and Brody are going to stay in California until after the wedding. She shouldn’t be traveling much since she’s pregnant. She mentioned staying at the hotel on the boulevard, so they’ll be close to here.”
“That’ll be good. That gives you ladies plenty of time to finish getting everything together. And that gives you some girl time and me and Greyson some man time.” I wink at my beautiful wife.
“Speaking of girl time, I need to get out of this house. Take me out today, or I can see if Megs wants to hang out. I just need to get some fresh air and maybe shop a little.”
“You just had a baby. You need to relax and get some rest. The next couple of weeks will be busy enough for you. How about I cook you lunch, and you do some online shopping? Sound fair enough.”
“I guess. Don’t cook, though. Order Chinese. Sweet and sour chicken from Hunan. They deliver here, don’t they? I think I will do some online shopping.” She tosses a pillow at me. “Oh, and I’ll be getting that tattoo I wanted. I was thinking I would get it after Nikki’s wedding. You getting one too?”
“You still want one? I thought the whole tattoo thing was a pregnancy hormone. Of course I’ll get one. You aren’t getting one alone. You know, you should let Ash do it. He is really good. He had a client last week and I stopped by and watched him. I think he found his calling.”
“No way in hell is he coming toward me with a needle. You can let him give you yours, but he isn’t touching my wrist.”
“Okay, fine, have it your way. I will let him do mine, though. I trust him.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Lila
I’ve never seen Liam cry as hard as he did when they gave us the results. They were happy tears, of course, but you would have thought he just won the lottery. I could see the joy in Evan’s face when they said Greyson was Liam’s. Not that Evan didn’t want him, but it wasn’t meant to be.
Evan and I never belonged together. My heart was always Liam’s and his was always Tatum’s. We see that now. He told me he would always love me, but he could never love anyone the way he loves her. I have to admit, she is a wonderful girl. I never thought I would like her, let alone be friends with her.
Some may find it odd, hanging out with their ex-fiancé’s new fiancée, but we are okay with it. She knows Evan and I are finished and she has his heart and soul. Nikki is happy about Tatum and me becoming friends because the two of them have become really close. She felt like she was betraying me by being her friend. At first I was pissed, but after meeting and getting to know her, I think their friendship is great.
Today is our baby shower, and I’m so excited to finally show Greyson off to everyone. Nikki and Megan have been planning this huge event for weeks. I’m okay with that because I’m planning Nikki’s bachelorette party. Watch out ladies, there will be strippers and penis decorations everywhere. I’m evil sometimes. They will thank me later.
“Lila, where are you. You ready to go pick up the cake?” Nikki yells through the house.
“Hey, sweets. I’m in the nursery.”
I’m holding my beautiful son and looking into his eyes. I see his daddy in him. He is going to be a heart breaker, just like Liam.
“You know, you could let someone else dote on that handsome fellow every now and then. Like his Aunt Nik,” she says as she sanitizes her hands and takes him from me.
“Trust me, you will be the same way when you have your baby. I just wish you didn’t live so far away. Why can’t you guys move here and work? Brody can get a job at the firm I’m at. The benefits and salary are amazing. Then you can buy the house down the street, and we can be neighbors.”
“As great as all the sounds, we can’t. Brody has already signed on with the guys. He really wants to do this, and our house is being built.”
“I know, I know. Let’s get ready. Megs should be here soon. Rosa is going to watch Greyson. This is the first time we’ve left him alone. My mom will be here after she gets off work.”
***
After we pick up cake and all the decorations, we come back to all the guys drinking on the deck, listening to music. I don’t see the kids or our mothers anywhere. Liam looks so happy sitting there with a beer in his hand, just laughing and talking with the guys. I’ve realized I need to count my blessings every day. I am very thankful that Liam didn’t leave me.
I walk to the family room and see my mom, Sofia, and Rosa with all four kids. Whatever video game the kids are playing sure does have all of their attention. Greyson is in my mom’s arms, asleep. He looks so peaceful and she looks so proud holding him.
They all look so cute. I kiss all my babies, including AJ, and go back to my friends. They have already started decorating and making the food platters. I love that Nikki and Megan get along so well. The only person missing is Addison. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss that girl.
“Where is that proud momma at?” I hear a familiar voice say. I turn and see the voice belongs to my baby brother.
“Eric, come here. I didn’t think you guys could make it. You’re always so damn busy. The girls forgot they had an Uncle Eric,” I say, laughing.
“That’s why I come bearing gifts. Hopefully they will forgive me. My residency will be over in a year. Then my schedule will be even crazier. I’ve heard the hard part hasn’t even started, but I wouldn’t give it up for anything. Being able to help save lives is what I do best. Got to make them proud of me, you know.”
He points up. I knew exactly who he is referring to.
“Well, the kids will definitely appreciate that. Aww, you got AJ something too? That was nice of you.” I hug him and whisper in his ear, “And you know that Ads and Dad are both proud of you.”
“Thanks, sis. I love you and I’m very proud of the woman you have become. Also, we will have to talk about the whole DNA test thing later. I saw Evan at the hospital. This isn’t the place. You can fill me in some other time over coffee.”
“Thank you,” I whisper. I notice Kaylin with Megs and Nikki.
“Hey, stranger,” I say as I hug Kaylin. She is super sweet and adores my baby brother. “With you and Eric both working at the hospital, I never get to see you either. I miss you, lady.”
“I miss you too. I stopped in and held Greyson before you were released, but you were sleeping.”
“I’m sorry. I’m glad you did. He is getting so big. He is downstairs with mom. You all can go down there if you like.” I grab them both a beer.
***
Liam
Shooting the shit and drinking with my boys with three beautiful kids and a sexy little lady only a couple feet away makes me a very happy man. The things we’v
e been through have made us both stronger and knowing that she is standing by my side with this new business makes me love her even more. I’m finally chasing my dreams.
“This feels good, guys. Why haven’t we done this before now?” I say to Ashton and Kade.
“It does. I can sit and look at this beach all damn day. Fuck that condo. I’ll just move in here.” Kade throws his head back and laughs.
“The hell you will. You can visit, but you, my man, need your own damn place. My wife and I like to be very loud and have sex all over this house, and with you two here we can’t do that,” I say as I kick his chair.
“Dude, she just had a baby. You can’t do anything for months except take the lotion bottle to the bathroom with you,” Ashton says. He throws his beer cap at me.
“Fuck no, I don’t do that shit. If I can’t have my wife’s pussy, then I don’t get mine.”
“Yeah right. There isn’t a man out there that hasn’t wacked the putter here and there. Hell, sometimes I do that shit twice a day. I don’t have to hear no woman bitching and don’t have to worry about catching anything. Although that Megs has me wanting to bend her ass over and just fuck the shit out of her. She drives me crazy,” Kade says. He grabs another beer. “There is something about her, and I…Hell, I just want her. There, I said it.”
Ashton punches Kade’s arm. “I knew it. She has you wanting to settle down. I never thought I would see this day coming. Liam, you better go get a fucking calendar and mark this shit down. Our cousin wants to wife up that hottie he’s been drooling over.”
“Stop, leave him alone. She seems like a good girl, but you sure she wants you, man?” I say.
“Fuck you both. I’ll find out tonight. We’ve kissed and shit, but tonight she is mine. And it won’t be a one night thing either,” Kade sneers.
“What about the chick you were banging last weekend? Have you heard from her?” Ashton asks Kade.
“Nah, don’t plan on it either. That was a one-time thing. She was lucky I needed some or her ass wouldn’t have gotten anything from me.”
“All right, guys,” I say to them. “Let’s go see what they’re all up to in there.”
***
There’s a knock at the door. Lila goes to answer it and when she comes back, we’re all surprised by the unexpected guest. I can tell Lila is a little uncomfortable and unsure if she should have let Christabella in, but she did. Ashton gets as pale as a ghost. He looks like he’s going to faint.
“Well, isn’t this cute. All the Ellis’s together for a party to welcome the new spawn. Why wasn’t I invited? After all, I still carry the same last name and it looks like my son is here too. Come to Mommy, Ashie,” she says as she holds her arms out. He hides behind Ashton’s legs and holds on for dear life.
“Christa, what the hell are you doing here? You weren’t invited. Jesus, when is the last time you showered? You smell awful,” Ashton says.
“What’s wrong, Ashton? You think you’re better than me because of all of your money? What do you think your precious family would think about you if they knew you paid me off so you could keep our son? Hell, now that I think about it, are you sure he is yours? You do know that I was fucking anything with a dick when I got pregnant, right? Hell, I still am, and I love it. Don’t you miss my lips around your co—?”
“Get out of here, now! Ladies, will you please take the kids outside, away from this trash. I’ll take care of her,” Ashton says as he motions everyone to leave. I’m not going anywhere, so I stand next to him along with Kade.
“Oh, what’s a matter? You don’t want no one to know I still suck a mean cock? Can I just have some money? If not, my son and I will be on our way,” she says. She picks up a plate and starts eating cake.
“I’m not giving you a fucking dime. I have a restraining order against you and you can go to jail for being around me and AJ, so I suggest you leave and don’t come back.”
“Ashton, Ashton, haven’t you learned anything? I can do as I want. Remember, I have connections, so give me either the money or the brat. Which is it? You wouldn’t want me to cause a scene, now would you?”
“I’m not giving you either. You listen to me, you stupid crack whore; get the fuck out and don’t come back,” Ashton yells as he grabs her arm and starts walking her to the door.
This bitch is crazy. I look at Kade and he knows exactly what I’m thinking. He smiles and shakes his head.
“Ashton, let go of me, you dumbass. I need some money and I have no other way of getting it. They will kill me if I don’t pay them. Please, you can’t let them hurt me. What will Ashie think if he knows you wouldn’t help me and I was killed? You would definitely win the father of the year award.”
“As of right now, I don’t giving a flying fuck what the hell happens to you. I have tried so hard to love you and make a family for my son, but I can’t. He is better off without a mother. Did you see how scared he was of you? He can’t stand to look at you. Aren’t you ashamed of yourself? Now go and don’t come back, or we will call the police.”
“Fuck all of you. I don’t need your goddamn money anyway. I never did, and you can tell that kid that his mother is dead because of his father. You may want to get a DNA test to see if he is yours.”
Ashton slams the door in her face and turns to face Kade and me. I can tell he is upset. He runs his hands through his hair and pulls his phone out of his pocket.
He looks at Kade and me and says, “I’m sorry about that. Also, I had the DNA test done when he was born. He is mine.”
“Ashton, how much money have you given her? Do you want us to call this in? All you have to do is say the word and they will arrest her. They know the shit she’s been doing, and although she has connections, so do we.” I hug him.
“I think it has come to that. I’ve given her way too much money. I’m not giving her anymore. Come on, let’s check on everyone else. We will worry about her later. I’m sorry about all of this.”
“No worries, bro. I know it isn’t your fault,” I say as we go to check on our children.
Just as we start towards the other room, we hear a loud crash. The three of us take off running out the front door. Christa ran her car into Ashton’s truck. He’s so pissed, I can see all the veins in his neck popping out. She’s high. I can tell she is.
“Oops, how could I have not seen that big truck?” she shouts from her car. “Ashton, you may want to get that piece of shit fixed.” She laughs and pulls out of the driveway.
“Fucking bitch! I’m so over all of her bullshit. This has to stop, or I’m going to be in jail for murder.”
“Calm down, man. I’m calling our connections now. Let’s see how fast our connections trump hers. Then she will see,” Kade says.
I push Ashton back in the house. “Come on, let’s go check on the kids. I know AJ is probably scared and worried.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Lila
Today is Nikki and Brody’s wedding day. Hell, I think I’m as nervous as she is. The hairdresser is meeting us at the vineyard. Greyson will be a month old tomorrow, and I have my body back. My dress fits perfectly. We had the bachelorette and bachelor parties last night. Nikki and Tatum couldn’t drink, but the rest of us could. They loved the strippers; well, that was until the men decided to crash our party and Brody and Ashton put on a show for us. I’ve never seen Brody as drunk as he was last night.
Brody has already called me three times today. He hasn’t seen or spoken to Nikki because she thinks it will be bad luck. Megs, Tatum, and I hid her as best as we could when the guys’ limo and ours pulled up at the same time. It’s still awkward communicating with her and Evan.
“Lila, where is my dress? I don’t think it’s going to fit. Look, my stomach grew overnight,” Nikki says as she falls onto a chair, crying.
“Love, your dress will fit. Stop crying. You’re making your face red. The hair and makeup lady will be here soon, so stop. I have something for you.”
“Okay, it�
��s my hormones and nerves. You didn’t have to get me a gift.”
“Don’t be silly. I wanted to. I hope you like it, and please don’t make me cry,” I say as I hand her the gift bag.
“I can’t believe you did this. I’m going to cry again.”
“Now you have something old—the cupcake charm that was Addison’s; you have something borrowed, which is the extra butterfly charm. That was mine from the bracelet Evan bought me; You have something blue, the baby booties charms, and I also added a pink one, too, just in case; And last, something new, the bracelet. You don’t have to wear it. You can attach it to your bouquet. I think it’ll look beautiful.”
“Thank you so much. Of course I want to wear it. Are you kidding? No way is it going on my flowers. Will you put it on me, please?”
“Of course. I can’t believe you’re getting married. Do you remember the first time you met Brody? It seems like so long ago. Did you know, then, you would marry him and his cowboy strip poker ass?” I laugh.
“The four of us had some good times, and I didn’t know that day, but later on I realized he was in fact the man who stole my heart. Is that how you felt about Liam?”
“Not at first, but the day I decided to make love to him for the first time was when I realized it. Then he told me he was going to the Army. I was so hurt, I didn’t tell him I loved him for weeks. God, I loved him so much. We’ve been through hell and back, and he still looks at me like he did when he asked me out. So yes, I knew I would marry him someday. I just didn’t plan everything in-between happening. But that is what makes us stronger, right?”
“You two are the strongest couple I know. Your love for each other is beautiful. Your story is like a fairytale. Well, kind of.” She smiles.
***
