by Brittle, D M
“Meet the Robinsons,” Tim laughed as he gestured around the room.
“Great film.” I nodded.
“It will be meet the Mackenzie’s before you know it,” he added. “Not long now.”
“I’m not a Mackenzie.” Jo said. Her expression was unreadable as she looked up quickly.
“You will be, very soon.” I leaned across and placed a kiss to Jo’s cheek, she smiled back but the smile never met her eyes.
“The three of you are going to have the same surname Blake, just like Jemma has the same surname as Elianna.”
“We talked about this remember? You said that you wanted the babies to be there at the wedding and as soon as you felt ready, we would get married.” I placed my arm around Jo and gently stroked her shoulder, I could feel her insecurities rising again and I hated her to get stressed while she was carrying our babies. Jo smiled and nodded before turning her attention to Jemma, I had a feeling we would be discussing this again before the day was over.
“So, tell me about the birth,” she said as she looked down and began stroking Elianna’s face. Elianna’s tiny fingers were still tightly attached to Jo’s thumb. “Is it as painful as it looks?”
“Ah, it wasn’t too bad, I think I did okay, didn’t I Tim?” Jemma smiled lovingly at Tim who was trying his best to hide a smirk. His eyes darted to me before he looked to Jemma.
“You did wonderful darling, I don’t know why people make such a fuss, you made it look easy.”
“Ah, I couldn’t have done it without you.” Jemma looked from Tim to Elianna lovingly. “I never believed it you know, but its right what they say; you do forget the pain afterwards, so it can’t be that bad can it?” Jemma laughed and shook her head, “I’m actually looking forward to doing it again in a couple of years, how mad is that?”
My eyes immediately shot to Tim who was mimicking a rope around his neck while sticking his tongue out which made me laugh.
“What’s funny?” Jemma asked as she looked to Tim who had luckily placed his hands back in his pockets.
“Nothing darling,” he replied unconvincingly as Jemma turned her attention back to Jo. “I think I will go and stick the kettle on.” He said before rushing back into the kitchen.
“So Jo, tell us all about your new home, I can’t wait to come over and see it again; I still don’t know how Blake pulled it all off.”
“With a lot of help from your dad Jemma, that’s how,” I smiled.
“The house is just perfect.” Jo turned to me and smiled, “everything is just so bloody perfect right now.” Jo’s smile literally lit up the room; it made my heart swell with pride.
Jo
I was annoyed. Not with anyone else, but with myself.
How had it taken me six months of being pregnant to realize that I was going to have a different surname to my babies? I know that it didn’t matter, I wasn’t even against having a baby without being married, it was simply the fact that I wanted to share what my babies were going to share with Blake; his surname.
Did that make me selfish? Maybe, but since leaving Jemma and Tim’s house I just couldn’t get the ridiculous thought out of my head. Why did I have to be such a drama queen where stupid things were concerned? No, I wasn’t being a drama queen and I wouldn’t allow myself to believe that I was being stupid. I was hormonal, yes, very hormonal, and twice as much as I would be if I were carrying only one baby. I was simply a pregnant, hormonal woman who had spent the past twenty-four hours living the fairytale that I had always dreamed of; the only thing missing was that I had found my prince; I just hadn’t yet married him.
“You’re going to have no lips left if you keep chewing on them like you haven’t eaten for weeks.” Blake’s voice swiftly pulled me from my thoughts on the drive home from seeing baby Elianna. “What are you thinking about?”
“Just stuff,” I shrugged. “Nothing important,” I smiled and turned my attention back to the outside world.
“You promised me this morning that you would always tell me if something is bothering you, and I can tell that something is obviously bothering you,” Blake’s eyes focused on me as we pulled up at a set of traffic lights. “You haven’t spoken more than two words since we left Tim and Jemma’s house, so tell me, what’s up?”
“I’m just….” I really didn’t want to bring up getting married again, not today when we were spending our first full day in our new home and it was Christmas Eve. Blake was right when he said that it was me that had chosen to wait; he had wanted to marry me since the day that we found out I was pregnant, bringing it up now would only make me sound like a spoilt brat who wasn’t happy with everything that Blake had given me. I was more than happy, the happiest I have ever been in fact, stupid horrible hormones.
“Seeing the baby, it just made me think…”
“You’re worried about the birth.” Blake stated as the lights changed and we were moving again, I was grateful that his focus was back on the road in front.
“Yes,” I sighed. “I’m worried about the birth.” Blake’s hand reached over and rested on my thigh.
“Well, I have been given some expert tips from Tim,” Blake said with a smile. “You have nothing to worry about, I promise. If I could have those babies for you, believe me I would. But because that is impossible, I will do anything else that you need me to do to get you through it. Plus, remember what Jemma said, you soon forget about it straight after.”
“You’re right, I’m sorry I’m such a moaner.”
“That’s okay,” Blake took a deep breath as he squeezed my thigh gently, “I’m used to it by now,” he laughed.
And that right there was the reason that I was going to marry this man as soon as it became possible.
*~*~*
Blake insisted on buying the biggest tree that the farm had to offer, I wasn’t entirely convinced that it was even going to fit, but he was adamant that no other tree would do. He then purchased every single decoration that the small shop attached to the farm had left, they were every single color of the rainbow, but neither of us cared, whatever we put on that tree was going to look amazing; it was our first Christmas tree in our new family home.
We were lucky that the drive home was short, being sat with a big baby bump while keeping hold of the top of the tree wasn’t the most comfortable I had ever been, but I loved it, it was the beginning of the new memories that we would be making together.
As we passed the local church a large banner stood out against the gates inviting everyone to a carol service that was taking place this evening, I didn’t need to tell Blake that I wanted to go; he had already told me that we were going before I had even opened my mouth to speak. This was fast becoming my favorite Christmas ever and I knew that next year’s was set to be even better, regardless of what we had ahead of us in the new year with Sara’s trial, I wouldn’t let anything get in the way of my happiness anymore.
“I told you it was too big,” I laughed as Blake stood with one hand on his hip while the fingers of his other hand tapped at his chin deep in thought.
“It’s not too big,” he replied, “we just need to snip a couple of branches here and there, maybe move it a little more to the left, and forget about putting the star on the top.” Blake relaxed and stepped back towards me pulling me to his side. “Then it will be perfect,” he smiled.
“It is perfect. Everything you do is perfect Blake. Let’s just leave it how it is, our first tree exactly how we brought it. We will just have to breathe in if we want to get out of the room.” I smiled as I placed my head onto Blake’s shoulder.
“Are you happy?” Blake asked as he pressed his lips against my temple.
“Do you even need to ask me that?” I smiled up at Blake who was looking down at me with concern on his face.
“What?”
“I just worry about you. You have had one heck of a bad year and I know that even though you are stronger now…. I just don’t want you to feel like you have to pretend if there is someth
ing bothering you, ever.”
“There is nothing bothering me, I promise,” I smiled. “Look around us Blake, there is nothing else that I could want that I don’t have already.”
“So you’re not still thinking about the surname thing? Because I can tell that it was still on your mind when we pulled up at the farm, even though you went along with me and pretending it was the birth that you were thinking about.”
I took a deep breath in and wrapped my hands around Blake’s neck, “I was being stupid, and I have a habit of that as you know. I know that we will get married as soon as the time is right and when everyone that we love can be with us to share our special day. I am hormonal, whiney and emotional, it’s the pregnancy.” I stated defensively.
“Really?” Blake teased, “I’m pretty sure that you were all of those things when I first met you.”
I playfully punched Blake in the arm which made him laugh even more before his smile faded and his expression turned back to concern.
“I promise you, that as soon as we can, we will get married. Believe me when I say that I cannot wait to make you Mrs. Josephine Mackenzie, it is all that I have wanted since the day I fell in love with you.” Blake took my face in his hands and touched his lips to mine gently.
“So,” Blake said as he pulled away from me quickly and looked at his watch. “We now have approximately thirty minutes until your mom gets here.” He placed his arms around my waist and pulled me back to him.
“We are going to have the best Christmas ever.” Blake’s eyes twinkled against the lights from the tree as he smiled down at me.
“It already is the best Christmas ever,” I lifted onto my toes and kissed Blake’s cheek, “thank you.”
“Now as I said, we have a half an hour to spare, what can we do in thirty minutes; twice?” His voice was husky as he placed his lips to my neck and began trailing kisses along my collar bone.
“Just twice?” I asked breathlessly.
“You are insatiable do you know that?” Blake laughed as he continued to trail gentle teasing kisses across my skin.
“What can I say? I am the luckiest lady in the world who has managed to nab the sexiest man in the world, and he treats me like a princess,” I panted. “Now stop talking and take me to bed.”
The world beneath me disappeared as Blake took me in his arms and carried me out of the room and up the stairs, I was going to be making the most of the next thirty minutes.
I heard mum arrive just as I stepped out of the shower, she was singing Blake’s praises to Blake himself, as per usual. If anyone could walk on water in mum’s eyes then Blake was that man. She was right to think so though, how he had managed to buy the one house that I had always wanted back since we left here when I was a child was nothing short of a miracle. He really was perfection in everyone’s eyes including mum’s. I quickly dressed and headed downstairs to find mum, Blake and Jasper sat in the lounge. Jasper immediately ran towards me and began clawing at my legs desperate to be picked up.
“Hello little one!” I reached down and lifted Jasper from the floor; he squirmed in my hands until he got close enough to lick my face all over while his tail wagged frantically. “This is your new home, yes it is.” I laughed as Jasper continued to lick my face as I walked over and sat next to mum on the sofa. “I can’t believe that you knew about this all along and never told me,” I smiled.
Mum nodded as her face lit up with the biggest smile I had seen on her face for a very long time, “I don’t know how I didn’t manage to tell you either dear, but there was no way I could ruin this surprise.” Mum’s eyes roamed the room as she let the old memories of us all here flood back into her mind. “It feels like we were never away from here doesn’t it dear?”
“It really does,” I agreed. “Did you know that the treehouse is still in the garden? And the swing too.”
Mum gasped with joy, “I couldn’t be happier for you my dear Josephine, for either of you for that matter. You deserve this; you deserve every ounce of happiness that comes your way. And I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am that I will get to see my grand children grow up near me too. I have to be honest with you; the thought of not being part of their lives was worrying me somewhat.” Mum took a deep breath and returned her eyes to me, “but everything is going to be just fine.” Mum placed her hand on my knee and gently squeezed me with re-assurance.
“I’m gonna take this little man out for a run in the garden and leave you two to chat.” Blake stood and took Jasper from my arms.
“That boy,” Mum smiled happily as she watched Blake leave the room.
“If you weren’t my mother, I would swear that you were in love with him yourself,” I said shaking my head at her, we both laughed for a moment before mum’s face straightened and her eye’s watched me with concern.
“Are you doing okay, dear?”
“Of course I am Mum, I couldn’t be happier,” I replied confused. Mum edged closer to me and took my hands in hers.
“Good, I just worry about you that’s all. You have been through a lot this past twelve months, if you are ever worried, upset or just need anything at all; you know I am here for you don’t you? I am not just your mother Josephine; I can be your best friend too.”
“You are my best friend Mum, and you have been through a lot too, so the same goes for you too, anytime you need me, I am here okay? And of course Moses out there will always be there for you too, in between him parting water and all that. I love you Mum.” I placed a kiss to mum’s cheek before resting my head onto her shoulder.
“I love you too dear.” I heard mum sniff back her emotion before she cleared her throat and straightened her back. “Right then, that’s enough soppiness for this year. We have Christmas to celebrate.” Mum stood and headed into the hall, “I will just take my things upstairs and then we can bake some of those cookies that we used to make when you were a child, would you like that dear?”
“I would love nothing more Mum.” Mum smiled and nodded before disappearing up the stairs. I grabbed my coat and headed out to the back garden where I could hear Blake and Jasper playing and chasing each other, Blake’s eyes met mine and a smile spread across his face.
“Just trying to wear this little fella out, sleepless nights are not allowed for at least the next three months.” Blake joked as he threw the stick he was holding as far down the garden as he could which had Jasper chasing straight after it. Blake jogged back to where I was stood and wrapped his cold arms around me. “You doing okay?”
“Why does everyone keep asking me that?” I asked frustrated.
“Because we all love you and worry about you.” Blake placed his cold lips to my nose.
“Well if I was you, I would worry more about catching pneumonia, you are freezing!” I pulled away from Blake just as Jasper returned with his stick and dropped it at Blake’s feet before looking up at him expectantly with his big sad eyes.
“Give daddy a second little guy, momma needs cuddles.” Blake’s arms wrapped around me again and I took his coat in my hands before placing a lingering kiss to his mouth.
“Thank you.” I said breathlessly as our lips parted.
“Thanking me for kisses now are we? Hhmm imagine what I could get for sex.” Blake said teasingly.
“You know what I am thanking you for.” I smiled.
“You don’t have to thank me for giving you everything that you deserve.”
“I do.”
“You don’t.”
“But I do.” I laughed against Blake’s mouth before kissing him again. Blake’s face may have been cold from the freezing temperatures but his tongue felt like warm silk as he stroked it against mine continuously. His hands gently tugging at my waist trying desperately to get us as close together as possible.
“How much room is there in the treehouse?” He whispered against my lips between kisses causing me to laugh.
“No.” I stated firmly.
“Oh come on,” Blake whined. “You can’
t kiss me like that and then expect me to just walk away.”
“My mum is right in there,” I replied in shock.
“Jo, I don’t know how to tell you this.” Blake placed his lips to my ear, “I think it’s pretty obvious to anyone who knows us that we have had sex before.”
Blake lifted his head and smiled at me as he placed his hands to my bump.
“Unless of course, I really am the God that your mom thinks I am and this here was an immaculate conception.” Blake laughed hard as he reached down and once again threw the stick that Jasper had sat patiently next to for the past few minutes.
I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment, “You will just have to wait until tonight,” I stated. “Mum is staying in my old room so there is plenty of distance between rooms,” I winked.
“Tonight huh?” Blake smirked.
“Yep. Tonight.”
“Okay then,” Blake nodded with a wink. “I am going to hold you to that. Come on Jasper, fetch!”
I left my two boys and headed back into the house where mum was stood in the kitchen wearing her apron and gathering together the ingredients for our special Christmas cookies.
“There you are,” mum smiled. “Come on let’s get this Christmas officially started.”
Blake
I had spent the past ninety minutes running around the garden with Jasper. It wasn’t that I wanted to be out here that long but my nerves were well and truly shot. My family would be arriving any minute now and the more time that I spent around Jo, the more chance there was of my brain to mouth filter failing miserably. I don’t even know how Diana was managing to keep it secret; she was obviously as good an actress as she was portrayed to be, so staying outside in the freezing cold was going to be the best option for now.
I couldn’t wait to see Jo’s face once everyone arrived, she had been talking about us all spending Christmas together since we got engaged, but I had managed to make excuse after excuse. After all, Jo didn’t know about the house until yesterday so it was easy to make the excuse that there wasn’t room for everyone at Diana’s home, yet all along in fact, it was arranged for us all to be together, here in our new family home. Everything had worked out so perfect that it made me even more nervous that something was going to go wrong.
