by Lis, Heidi
LEAVING THE DOCTOR’S office Kara and I drive away in utter shock. I’m still in disbelief, staring at the printout in my hands. I’m afraid to look away or put the picture down for fear it won’t be real. I keep telling myself this is real, the brochures sitting next to me are all the proof I need to let me know this is real. Braxton and I are going to have a baby. I trace the bean like image with my finger, and then slowly rub my belly letting it all soak in.
“You better call him, he is waiting you know,” Kara said giving me the look. “The man has no patience when it comes to you. Trust me, I have seen it firsthand.” She says with a wild swipe of her hand.
“Yeah, you’re right,” I said, agreeing with her, but I know If I hear his voice I’ll fall apart. “I’ll text him, but will wait to tell him in person about the baby.” I can’t help but smile when I say the word baby. The more I say it, the more I will start to believe it.
“I can’t believe it Kara.” Looking over at her the tears fall but I’m smiling big. I say with an amused sigh, “I’m going to have a baby… Braxton’s baby.”
Searching in my purse to find my phone, I start to text him with nervous fingers. Deep down I know he’ll be happy, but a part of me is unsure as well.
Izzy: On my way. Luv U
Not a minute later my phone beeps.
Braxton: Well?
I type laughing.
Izzy: On my way, be there soon.
Braxton: UR killing me. Honey what’s the news? Just get here fast- wait, not too fast. Just hurry.
Yes, I’m on my way. Hope to hell you’re ready for this!
Pulling up to the shop, Liam walks out the door before we even get a chance to park. Not a second later, Braxton is fast on his heels.
Kara smiles. “Oh shit, here comes trouble. Look at his face,” smacking her knee chuckling. “He looks nervous as hell.”
Looking at his tension-filled face my stomach rolls. I might just throw-up not because of the baby, but because I’m nervous as hell. In a fit of hysterics, I frantically say, “Shit, how do I tell him? I want it to be special Kara.”
She is waving her hand in my face as if trying to hush me. “No clue, but you're not going to get a chance to think of something, that man is on a mission.” She says anxiously undoing her seatbelt.
“Shit.” I’m quickly hiding the brochures in my purse. There is no way I want him being tipped off with those. As I tuck the last one away, my car door flies open. I yelp in surprise as he urgently pulls me out of the car and into a hug.
“Sparkplug, I love you,” he says so sweetly breathing heavily into my ear. Putting me down on my feet, he takes my hands in his pausing to let me know he is serious. “Okay, so out with it.”
Gazing into his eyes, I suddenly find it hard to breathe. I’m not sure I can find the right words. Thank my lucky stars I get a few more minutes to come up with an idea as Liam and Kara walk up interrupting the moment. As my eyes leave Braxton, I look over at Kara finding it hard not to laugh. She is beaming with a smile so big, I want to slap it. No one notices her though, as three sets of eyes are solely on me.
Liam reaches over and puts his hand on Braxton’s shoulder for support I presume. Braxton is looking a bit worse for wear at the moment.
Biting the insides of my cheek, I’m trembling desperately wracking my brain for the right words. “Um. Well, I’m not sure how to explain it.” I nervously look from Braxton to the ground. Not sure why I’m so nervous, I know deep down he is going to be thrilled. At least that is what I’m hoping.
“Izzy, you're killing me here. Out with it, I can handle anything, just don’t make me wait another minute.” Braxton looks like he is ready to crawl out of his skin with worry.
With nothing but love and adoration, I let out a chuckle suddenly finding my courage.
“Braxton, do you love me?”
Frowning. “Honey, you know I do.”
“What if I told you things were going to change for us, things will be different. I’m going to change and be different.” Letting my words sink in. He just gazes at me with a ‘not a clue’ look on his face.
“Like how,” he asks, shaking his head. “Are you sick Izzy? Oh God, please tell me you're not dying?” His voice cracks thinking the worst.
Holding out my hand to touch his chest, I let out a light laugh, “No honey, I’m not dying. I’m… expanding.”
“You're what, like what the fuck does that mean?” Braxton reaches out to grab my shoulders, but is looking over at Liam for some understanding.
Pulling out of his tight grip I pull the sonogram out of my pocket I stuffed in there before he could see it when I got out of the car. Nervously, I sigh handing it over to him.
With shaking hands, he keeps adjusting it closer and farther from his face trying to focus on it as I’m biting my lip just waiting for it to register with him.
“I don’t get it.” Scanning the picture, he looks at me oddly. “Is this serious or something.”
I smile. “Or something.”
Braxton then falls to his knees; he looks like he is going to cry. I think he gets it, but I’m not sure. Liam about goes down with him still trying to hold onto his shoulder. Kara gasps so loud she is shouting out no’.
In a most agonized voice, Braxton winces. “Is it bad Izzy, like some tumor they can take out and you're going to be okay?”
I’m stunned silent, not sure how he could come up with me having a tumor. Kara’s laughing so hard I can’t help but follow along with her. My poor man has it all wrong. The way Liam is smiling tells me he knows what that sonogram is showing and it’s not a tumor.
“Why the hell are you all laughing? My girl is sick.”
Bending down next to him, I wrap my arms around his shoulders. “No honey, I’m not sick.” Looking into his warm eyes. “I’m pregnant Brax.” Not sure if the word pregnant or me calling him Brax has him looking a bit odd.
He continues to watch the picture and then the moment he gets it; he lets his head drop letting out a gasp. Okay, not the reaction I was expecting. Maybe this is bad news for him. A sudden rush of panic washes over me.
Tensing my shoulders, I whisper, looking wildly, “Braxton?”
Slowly his shoulders sag, but he looks up at me with tear-filled eyes. The breath I was holding in instantly escapes my lungs.
Searching my face, his eyes dance. “You’re having my baby?”
“Yes, I am.”
“I fucking love you.” It was all he could say as he stands and pulls me in for a hug, I willingly crumble in his arms.
“I have no clue how this is even possible, but it is,” I say.
“Who cares how baby, you got my kid in there and I’m so happy. My dream came true Iz, my dream of having my seed in you. Baby it’s the best damn news.” His says kissing my head sharing this moment with Liam and Kara as well. Liam reaches out to hug Braxton before he over excitedly grabs me hugging me off the ground in his arms.
“Congrats, you two. Izzy, this is the best damn news possible. He was climbing the walls with all sorts of bad shit running through his head.” Slapping Braxton on the back, Liam says, “You two deserve this news.”
I lay my head against Braxton’s shoulder taking a moment to marvel at the good news. Then as if an idea strikes Kara, she jumps shouting.
“Let's go kids, dinner is on me.”
Braxton adds. “My woman is eating for two, whatever she wants,” Lifting me up, he carries me in the building hooting and hollering.
We end up eating at a local pizzeria. The three of them all get a cold draft beer while I get a root beer. It’s odd the craving you have for a beer when you can’t have one.
“Forget it baby,” Braxton shakes his head, smiling from ear to ear. “No alcohol for you.”
I glare at a euphoric Braxton. “You’re going to enjoy this aren’t you, for nine long months?” I add.
Taking a drink, he laughs. “Bet your ass, I am.” Pointing to my flat stomach, he adds. “That’s my kid
in there, and seeing you're my woman,” he sighs. “Finally got a family, Eve is going to freak.” His eyes then go wide. “She always wanted a brother or sister.”
“Yeah, I think she will be the best big sister.” The idea of having sweet little Eve as a big sister warms my heart. I wink. “Let’s go spread the good news.”
Little did I know back at his house, he had planned a get together? His mom and co-workers were there along with a few of Liam’s crew as well. The room was buzzing loudly when Braxton made his big announcement. To say the house erupted in cheers is an understatement as I was hugged and kissed by everyone. Now we just needed to find Eve as we decided to tell her in private.
We sat with Eve in her room for some quiet time; I let Brax take the lead telling his daughter the good news. In minutes, we all were in tears. I swear Eve hugged me so tight I couldn’t breathe. She immediately wanted to go and tell everyone she was going to be a big sister. Grandma Emma was getting another grandchild, so she was in seventh heaven.
Eve ran into the living room shouting to everyone what they already knew, but she could care less. We stayed back alone in Eve’s room cuddling on her bed. It was nice getting some quiet alone time.
“Can you believe it?”
“Nope, but I’m not complaining either.” Braxton takes my hand touching my ring finger. “Need to put my ring on your finger and make you my wife, Izzy.”
Cupping my mouth, I gasp, not expecting him to say that. The idea of being his wife is more than I could ever ask for. Just this morning I woke up finding out Braxton is clear of any diseases, I then find out I’m having a baby I had no clue I could even have. Now I’m hit with the fact he wants me to be his wife. Wow, the idea alone blows my mind.
“I want to do it soon Braxton, that way I know your mine forever.”
“Ah, honey. I’m already yours and you” he says rubbing his hand across my belly, “are going to have my baby.”
“Yes.” I have to laugh. “Huh, Izzy Ryles has a nice ring to it.”
“It sure does babe.”
***
SEVEN LONG MONTHS later I am now Mrs. Braxton Ryles, and am close to giving birth to our child. I feel enormous, can’t see my feet any longer. I waddle like a duck and most times I love every minute of it. These past few months have been harder than hell as I predicted. Little Miss Tiffany came back to stir up trouble. She came into town claiming she had Brax’s baby as well.
I hit the roof and stayed at my house away from him until he cleared that mess up. Kara made sure I stayed off my feet and did not do anything I would regret.
I kept telling myself I was not going to let her ruin my life; I have a second chance at happiness and she was not going to mess it up. For my own health and the sake of my baby, I happily stayed away. I did, however, go into work. Bitch was not going to chase me from my job again.
Lucky, we had just gotten married. It was a small wedding, at the bottom of a cliff. The Evergreen Trees were lined up all around us and it was filled with an enormous lot of Harley’s and men with cuts; tough and rough workers of Brax, who I now call my family as well. Eve was our flower girl, dressed all in white with a red bow around her waist. My dress was almost the same, even had the same red bow hiding my growing belly. My dress was sleeveless and my ever expanding cleavage was on full display. I knew my man would love this, and that is how I knew, that was the dress.
Braxton wore dark black jeans, had a black button up shirt with a red tie. He hated the tie, but I loved it. He did fold up the sleeves to his elbows, this I liked as well, so I could see a hint of his tattoos. My man looked like a dream. What I did not expect were the tears that were streaming down his face when I made it up the long makeshift aisle to meet him with the preacher.
“My dream baby, you are my dream come true.” His words laced with all the love in the world.
“Oh Braxton, I love you so much,” I said, cupping his cheek with my hand.
We made our own vows, pledging our love, undying support and even used the word ‘obey’ in the end. Yep, it was funny to see him saying in front of his friends and family he was going to obey his woman. All of the guys hollered calling him some not so pleasant things joking, of course.
Biting my lip I couldn’t help, but laugh watching him defend his honor having no issues being called names if it meant he had me.
We took a week-long getaway to the mountains. During this honeymoon, I found out Tiffany’s claim and well, that about ended my good mood. I wasn’t Izzy Ryles for more than a few days when I got hit with her saying Brax was going to be a daddy once again with her. To say I came home moody and pissed off is an understatement.
Little did Braxton know he was being tested with his newly crowned vows? The vows he pledged to me, he remembered each word as he decided to let Liam handle Tiffany, for the most part. There was little to no contact with Braxton.
It was a good thing too, the few times I let that wench get to me I started having contractions finding myself nearly bed ridden. The doctor explained to Braxton and myself I needed to avoid stress as much as possible. Um, yeah, I laughed my butt off. Stress, that’s a daily occurrence when Tiffany is in the picture.
Not even a month later we found out she lost a baby. We will never know if it was Braxton’s or not. He didn’t let it bother him convinced the baby was not his to begin with, and the good news is she kept her word with regards Eve. She stayed away, she knew not to cross that line. Braxton made sure of that. He was finally happy, with our baby coming soon and Eve safe and happy we all found peace.
I surprised my husband with the news I wanted to officially adopt Eve knowing Tiffany was out the picture. Eve already called me mom. She was such a strong little girl facing what she had with her mother. It’s now my job to show her the love she deserves.
The day the papers came, we had a party at our house. I moved in with Brax of course, and Kara and Liam are now renting the house I once rented. They get closer every day; I imagine she will end up being married someday soon as well.
That leads us to the now; I am sitting in my office at Ryles Custom Shop. Cage and Brody were just checking in on me, it seems they have taken a liking to me. It’s all good and fun until Braxton finds them with me in the office. He chases them off to get back to work as I laugh at his jealousy rants.
“Seriously Braxton, I’m like huge. I am not some hot looking bikini babe sitting here. I think you are safe.” I’m not only rolling my eyes at his jealous thoughts I find it absurd even.
“Don’t care; you're still hot as hell. Belly or not, they need to watch their hands and stop letting their eyes linger on your tits.”
“Oh shit, ouch.” I bark out a laugh so hard I had to grab my stomach.
Rolling his eyes. “Not funny Iz quit kidding around.”
I wince and double over, shit the pain goes all the way down my spine. I grab my stomach and try to breathe out the pain, counting just like they taught me in Lamaze.
“Oh shit,” he finally realizes I’m seriously hurting. “Are you okay Sparkplug?”
“No. Do I look like I'm all right?” Counting out loud to five, I scowl. “Honey, it hurts.”
Braxton comes over and picks me up in his arms, walking fast out through the garage. Cage and Brody come running over.
Cage shouts. “Shit Iz, what’s going on?”
“What the hell do you think? She’s in labor; you dick’s started this.” Braxton shouts rushing us to his truck.
“Us?” They both yell out.
“Stop (huff) it (pant) it’s (huff) not (pant) their (huff) faults. I’m using my huff, huff, pant, pant breaths.
The ride to the hospital is a blur, I’m hooked up to all sorts of monitors. The pain is excruciating. Braxton is holding my hand while bouncing his knee a mile a minute. Oh, my goodness. The man is a nervous nelly.
Emma rushes into the room and tells us she has everything under control. She has the girls and we just need to concentrate on bringing her grandbaby into the wo
rld.
Yes, I did say girls. About a month ago, Max showed up at our house. He got out of the car and went over to the passenger side and took out a little girl. I knew the instant I looked into her eyes who she was. My heart leaped out of my chest. I ran to her as fast as my pregnant body could take me. She ran to me, by some miracle she felt the need to run into my arms. Max had told her who I was. To my amazement, she was always told I was her mother. I was not around because I couldn’t. No other explanation, but Willow was just a little girl. She did not require lengthy explanations.
It took about two full days for her to become a part of our lives. Braxton held her and cried himself as he already loved her. Eve was so excited, she would not let any of the guys near Willow. She is now her adopted mother. They are going to be the best of friends, just like me and Kara. Best friends, I can see it now. My new family is so perfect, Willow may have the devil as her birth father, but Braxton will be her true daddy. He will protect her as his own. He had made that promise to Dominic before he died.
Kara got her niece back and her aunt status is now golden. She spoils Willow to no end, she also adopted Eve as well. Now my girls have an aunt that spoils them to the moon and back. Eve being Liam’s niece and Kara being Willow’s aunt is a pretty unique thing. I swear those two are like an old married couple already. I tease them all the time about having a brood of their own. To that they laugh, they like being the cool aunt and uncle… for now.
Eve is eight years old, Willow is nearly three and here we are getting ready to meet our newest member to our growing family. We decided not to know the sex of the baby, we wanted to be surprised. So much of our lives have been a whirlwind for sure, but we wanted this one surprise just for us.
When it was time to push, I wanted to leap off the bed. I was so ready for this to be over.
“Alright Izzy, let's meet our baby. Give me a big push Sparkplug.”
“I’ll Sparkplug you! Why are you smiling like a fool? I’m dying here.” I’m in so much pain and he is sitting here looking all cute.
