I don't belong here, and I don't trust myself to see him again. I returned to counseling after the last run-in. I know she and I will talk but not like this. So, I'll have to wait one more day.
“Keep driving.”
Chapter 12
Taylor
“Is he here?” I ask Parker as she peaks through the glass doors leading to the courtyard. I missed the decorating, the rehearsal, but I can’t miss the wedding.
"Yes, are you sure it's a good idea for you to be here?" Hunter asks, and guys gather around me.
“I’ll walk down the aisle, stand as directed, then head back to my bed. But I can’t miss this.”
"What did your doctor say?" Harper grabs my hands. She's been concerned since I started having premature labor pains. We're due around the same time. But where her pregnancy has been a breeze, mine has been hell.
“Don’t worry so much.” I squeeze Harper’s hands.
"He's signaling us," Hunter whispers.
We shuffle in order ready to walk out. Then I hear Harper whisper, “You’ll tell us soon, right?”
I glance up. Harper's behind Hunter and in front of me. I nod. "I just need to straighten a few things out."
“Good.”
Hunter opens the door. The courtyard looks like a dream. We each walk down the cobblestone path. We kiss Charlee's cheek as we pass and walk to our place at the flower-covered arch ahead.
I kiss her, and the tears are flowing. I'm happy for her and Darius. I follow the line of guys when I feel his eyes on me. I look over, and there's Zach. My heart stammers. His eyes are locked on mine.
He's lost weight, and I see bags under his golden eyes. I want to say something but now is not the time.
We turn facing Darius and Charlee as he drops to one knee. The guys huddle closer, passing tissues, linked arm, and arm. The area is filled with family and friends. Not a dry eye is in the room. I glance over, and Zach is staring at my stomach.
I can't hide it anymore. I'm almost six months, and we've had this dress altered three times. Out of instinct, I wrap a protective hand around my belly. I can't read his face. This will be the hardest conversation I'll ever have with him. Because I know he never expected this baby and the thought of him rejecting us twice is more than I can comprehend.
“Are you okay?” Parker asks.
She's to my left. I nod, but I'm lying. My heart is racing, and I'm trying to remain calm.
"I know you're lying," Parker adds. "And since I haven't seen a doctor's note, I want you out of here as soon as she says I do." She leans over and kisses my belly.
My eyes start watering. “Stop, you’ll mess up my makeup.”
"I can't help it. You're carrying precious cargo. I'll make sure you have a ride, and I'll come by after we clean up."
"Yes, ma'am." I'm thankful for her and the guys. "Here she comes."
Charlee waddles over, and she hugs each of us, taking her time to make her way down the line.
“Are you okay with this?” She stops at me for a brief moment, then glances over her shoulder at Zach.
"I'm fine. Get moving. The man got you here on time, and you're still going to be late to the altar."
The guys laugh, and we push her forward to marry the love of her life.
I hear their pastor recite the words, and I've never had the opportunity to consider the vows made between a man and woman. I guess I never allowed myself to think that far. I couldn't get out of the funk of my own life. Happiness was this weird concept I never entirely understood, except for a season.
I glance over at Zach, and his eyes find mine after he gives Darius the wedding band. He and I never talked about marriage. The ringing of bells and the round of applause pull me from daydreaming. I pull out the bubbles, and we blow them around Charlee.
"I's married now!" she screams, and the guys go crazy. We take her into a sister-girl huddle, and the love is flowing. Happiness is flowing through the room. The smile on Darius' face is worth a billion dollars.
"It's time to dance with your husband," Hunter says.
"Bye, guys." Charlee gives a finger wave, and she's off.
"And it's time for you to head home. Let me get the driver to come around." Parker turns, and Les steps forward. "What are you doing here?"
“I can take her home.”
I roll my eyes. “I can’t believe you’d show up here.”
“I told you, I’m not giving up.”
“Your balls are massive right now dude. I need you to go before I have you put out.” Parker stands in front of me, blocking Les’ next move to reach for me.
I step back and bump into someone. I stumble and feel hands grip my waist.
"I got you," Zach says in my ear and butterflies flutter in my stomach. I exhale relaxing into his body.
Parker flags down a security guard, but Les doesn't stop.
"Look, I got you. Now you got me. Let's move on."
I watch as the guard grabs Les by the arm and Zach shields me with his body.
“Taylor, please.”
"Goodbye, Les." I look in his eyes, hoping he gets the point. "If you come near me again, I'll get a restraining order."
“Don't make it come to that," Zach adds.
The guard removes him. Parker turns to me. “You have fifteen minutes.”
“Thank you.” I turn to Zach. “Can we talk?”
* * *
“I need to sit.” My eyes follow her hand as it cradles her stomach.
“Is it mine?”
Her eyes widen. “I can’t believe you’d ask me that.”
“Please answer the question.”
“I will not.” Her voice raises. “Because answering it will mean you believe I’d sleep with another man will being in a relationship with you, while I lived under your roof.”
“No, what it means is I’m a man searching for the truth.”
I reach for her, and she yanks her hand away from me. Taylor turns on her heels and heads to the building. I'm right behind her because I'm not leaving Austin until we fix this.
She storms past the guys, and I'm thankful they don't stop us. We reach the inside of S&J. She spins around, and I prepare for the holy hell she's about to rain down on me when she folds over.
The twist of pain crossing her face catches me off guard.
“Baby, what is it?”
"Aaahhhh…" Her knees buckle, and I swoop in to catch her before she falls. "The baby. Zach, the baby."
I cradle Taylor to my chest. "Tell me what to do."
“Take me to the hospital.”
Chapter 13
Zach
Taylor is on a hospital bed. She's attached to machines, and the guys have gathered around like a wall of solidarity. I turn towards the sound of a squeaky wheel and see the nurse rolling in a machine. The doctor ordered an ultrasound.
“We'll be in the waiting room, Tae," Parker says.
“Can I stay?” I ask.
Taylor whispers, “Please.”
I sit beside the bed. Her hands fiddle in her lap, and I gather them in mine. I kiss each one then I stand to kiss her. "It will be okay."
“Promise?” Her watery eyes meet mine.
"Promise." I don't know what I'm promising, but I'd give her anything. Any questions about my next move died the moment she collapsed in my arms.
The nurse pulls up her hospital gown, exposing Taylor's round belly. I lean over and whisper against her warm flesh. "I need you to fight, baby girl. Please fight for us." I kiss her stomach and feel movement beneath my lips. I look up at Taylor.
“He hears you." She smiles, but I still see worry there too.
I place a hand over her stomach and Taylor's hands cover mine. I feel the baby moving. "Does it hurt?"
“No." She shakes her head, and the ringlets in her hair dance around.
I laugh, and the baby moves again.
“Now he’s just showing out,” she adds.
The nurse waits for me to remove my hands. She squeezes gel
on Taylor's stomach. Then seconds later, the sound of a train fills the room. I hold on to Taylor's hands, glancing around for the source.
“Have you found out the gender?” the nurse asks.
"Not yet. I have my next ultrasound scheduled for next week. Junior didn't want to cooperate last time." She laughs, and I see her stomach jump.
“Want to know today?”
Taylor looks at me. I nod, unable to speak.
"Yes, please."
The nurse moves the contraption around, pushing the gel around. The chugging of the little train is matching the beat of my heart. Then she starts pointing out body parts.
The feet. The little toes. The head. The heart.
“That’s the train sound?” It’s all so fascinating.
“Yes, sir. Now, let’s see if we are having a boy or a girl.”
I hold my breath. I turn to Taylor and whisper, “I don’t care what it is…”
She nods and tears spill out her eyes. I stand and kiss her.
“It looks like you’re having a girl.”
I’m going to be a father. A father! My heart is about to burst out of my chest.
“I can admit you or release you with strict orders.” The doctor comes in and places her on full bed rest. He wants to fight to keep the babies inside until she reaches thirty-eight weeks.
“You can release her. I’ll make sure she follows your orders,” I assure the doctor as I take down every directive and instruction.
“Your place or ours?”
“Ours.”
I kiss her forehead. “I’ll be back. I need to call ahead and get the place ready.”
"Thank you." She looks relieved, and I plan to do whatever it takes to ensure our baby girl is healthy and doesn't make an early debut.
"I love you, Taylor. I want you and our family. Will you forgive me?"
"Yes, Zach."
I kiss her and the ache I've felt since the moment I walked away disappears. We are not perfect, and we have a lot to discuss. But we'll do it together.
I walk towards the door because I have some calls to make while they run the final tests.
“And, Zach.”
I stop, turning back.
“She’s yours.”
“I know, Taylor.”
* * *
Zach carries me inside, and I hear, "Surprise!"
I’ve held back the tears from being pissed, tears from being scared, and now I can’t hold them back anymore. I cry, and not a regular cry, but an ugly cry.
Zach lowers me to the couch. He kisses the top of my matted curls. “I’ll give you guys a few minutes. I need to start dinner so you can take your meds.”
He leaves the room, and I wait for him to disappear down the hall. I look around, and all of them are here—Hunter, Charlee, Harper, Parker, Chase, Jordan, Payton, Alex, and Ryann.
“You’re supposed to be off on your pre-baby moon.”
“Not until I know you’re okay.” Charlee moves closer. “So, spill it.”
“I’m pregnant.” I open my arms in a ta-da fashion.
“This heifa is going to make me hurt her.” They laugh at us both.
"I was told I'd never have children." The laughter stops, and I look at my hands. "I've had complications since junior high. It never reached the level of needing surgery, but I was told early on that kids were out."
“Is that why you stayed with Les?” Parker asks.
I nod. “Yeah, I stupidly didn’t want to ruin his chance for having a child. But when Jovonta got pregnant the second time—”
“And that fool showed up at my wedding?” Charlee pushes herself forward. “I’m going to kill him.”
"Oh no, you don't. We've had enough baby scares for the night." Alex plops down beside Charlee.
“And Zach?” Hunter asks.
“Les told him I was pregnant before I did.”
“Daaayyyyyum!” The chorus rings through the room.
"Oh, he really tried it. He betta hope I don't see him." Charlee crosses her arms over her chest. "Why didn't you tell us, Tae?"
"I don't know. I was embarrassed. I was scared. Take your pick. I knew you guys had my back, but it seemed to spiral out of control. Then before I knew it, I was pregnant, which took me by surprise."
“Wait…the day I had the peanut butter and jelly sandwich?”
“Yes, you were right.”
“Hot dayum!”
Hunter leans forward, and the guys gather around. "No more secrets. Tae, I know you're scared but don't ever forget that we are your sisters." The guys nod. "Come to us if you need anything."
“I will, and I’m sorry.”
We huddle up, and I feel so much better.
“What can we do now?” Parker asks.
“Pray. I need this little one to stay put until at least thirty-eight weeks.”
“Are you and Zach cool?”
“Yes, hearing about her from Les just added salt to an open wound. But we’re going to do this thing together.”
“Wait?! Her?” Jordan squeals.
“Yes, we found out tonight.”
"Hunter, I think you need to branch out and open a daycare. Because y'all heifas are multiplying like Gremlins.” I throw a pillow at Charlee.
We laugh and laugh until I can’t cry or laugh. They hang around for a few hours until I’m exhausted and Zach shuts down the party.
They stand in solidarity, and Hunter steps forward. "Take care of her."
Charlee bursts through bump first. “Or I’ll make you wish you were—”
“Babe! You can’t threaten the man,” Darius yells from behind her.
“I’m not threatening. It’s a promise. Good night, sweetie.” She kisses my cheek and waddles out with her husband on her heels.
He looks back. “Pray for me.”
We laugh, and they disappear into the night. The guys leave one by one then Zach carries me up to our bed.
We lay face to face.
“Zach, I know this is not what you wanted.”
“I told you from the jump that I wanted you. Kids, no kids. Crazy ex. Crazy folks. Crazy friends. I believe tonight I’ve proved it.”
I laugh. “Yeah, I think you have. But what changed your mind?”
“Our daughter.”
“Oh.”
“Yes, and Darius.”
“Oh, this is going to be good.”
He pulls me across his body. My head is against his heart, and I'm home. I kiss his chest and wait for the story to begin.
“I went to a new daddy class with Darius.”
My head pops up. “Oh, to be a fly on the wall. What did you learn?”
“We changed diapers, fixed bottles. I learned how to hold a baby.”
“And this changed your mind?”
"Sort of. I realized I didn't want kids because I didn't know what to do with them. I've never been around kids. But the more I saw Darius preparing for his baby, the more I realized I could do this. I can be here for you and our baby."
He rolls me back, and I'm staring in his eyes.
“I knew if you could do it, I could do it. Plus, I missed the hell out of you.”
I kiss him. Not sure how I got so lucky. I pull back. “The universe has done it again.”
He laughs. "That and I decided. I want you for a lifetime, Taylor Mae Wallace."
“Good because I decided too.”
His smoldering gaze makes me weak with need. "What did you decide, baby?"
“That I chose you. So, you’re kind of stuck with us.”
His mouth covers mine, and I feel the love to the soles of my feet. "Thank you for choosing me, baby."
“Thank you for loving me back.”
Epilogue
Zach
Taylor held on to thirty-seven weeks. She hated me every moment of the last two weeks because she was tired of staying in bed. But holding this bundle of joy in my hands made it all worth it.
“You want to meet your mommy?”
I bounce h
er around. I checked her fingers and toes. She has her mother's dark hair, and I think my eyes. But it's hard to tell.
We enter the room, and Taylor's eyes open. "How is she?"
“She’s perfect.”
I place our daughter in her arms. “I can’t believe you’re still crying.”
"I can't believe I'm a mother. Thank you, Zach," she whispers, and it fills me with joy.
I kiss Taylor's lips, then I kiss my daughter's forehead. I sit beside the bed, looking at the awe in her eyes. "So, what shall it be?"
We’ve been going around and round about what to name our princess. I’m leaving the final decision to Taylor.
"I have the perfect name." She smiles, looking up.
“Let me have it.”
“Jessie Rose Russell.”
My eyes burn and I glance away brushing away a tear. I stand up and cover her mouth with my own. “Thank you, baby."
"I think naming her after your father and my mother will give her an amazing start. Plus, she'll be an official second-generation guy."
“There’s only one thing left to do.”
“And what’s that?” She pulls a little hat down over Jessie Rose’s head.
“Will you marry me?” I drop to a knee beside the bed.
“Yes, Zach, I will.”
My heart bursts with love, and it doesn't get better than this. "When?"
Laughter flows out of her, and my life is complete. "I think you're taking advantage of me while I'm emotionally vulnerable."
“I think I am too. Thought I better do it before the drugs wear off.”
She covers her mouth to disguise the laughter because Jessie Rose is sleeping in her arms.
“Should I take it back?”
Her desire filled eyes met mine. “Don’t you dare. I kind of think Taylor Russell has a nice ring to it.”
“Not better than this.”
I slide the rock on her finger, and all the jokes subside. "Oh, you trying to get some."
“It’s official. No more hanging out with Charlee until after the ban on sexy time is lifted.”
"Shut up and kiss me, man!"
Chosen Love: A BWWM Romance (Blazin' Love Book 4) Page 7
