by S Cinders
“I couldn’t believe my results on the new bonding agent and went back to double check the numbers twice,” his green eyes were lit with amusement. “It was going to be the scientific breakthrough of the century. I couldn’t contain my excitement as I messaged my boss the news. It wasn’t until I noticed that my keyboard was sticky that I thought something might have gone awry. Sure enough, Gracie had gotten to my laptop. When I ran the test again, I got a completely different result, one that I had been expecting in the first place. You can imagine my embarrassment calling my boss to inform him that we hadn’t made a scientific breakthrough, as I had first texted him. But that my niece, at the age of five, had a promising career in science—if she laid off the marshmallows.”
I loved hearing him speak about Gracie. You could see the love that he had for her in everything that he said and did. Katie and Liam had brought Gracie around quite a bit the last month or so that I had been living with Liam. I loved spending more time with her. It was good to be closer to home as well. That was something that I never thought I would say.
My mother packed us up with enough leftovers to last a week. I am not sure why she cooked so much, but that was my mom all over again. Pulling me in close she whispered, “Please know how happy I am for you and Liam. He is a good man, I am glad that you have someone that loves you so much.”
I pulled back startled, remembering what she had said about getting married. Surely, she didn’t think that we were together like that. “Mom, Liam and I,” I really didn’t know how to phrase this, “It’s not like that with us.”
Liam grabbed my jacket, “Thank you again, Dr. Carlson.”
“Leanne, dear, remember we are family now,” my mother cooed.
This was not happening.
Liam’s warm laugh filled the air, “I couldn’t ask for a better family to join. Thank you, for that as well. Bri, are you warm enough?”
His large frame was entirely way too close to me and I felt like I was on fire. But I think it had to do more with his presence than the weather. He needed to stop looking at me like that. It was no wonder my mom had the wrong idea.
“I am fine, thank you.” I bit off.
“Call the office, remember I want to see you this week!”
“We will be there,” was Liam’s cheery reply.
I could have socked him one right there, and proceeded to do so once we were in the truck. “Why on earth did you give my mother the impression that we were together?” I might have shrieked it.
Liam blushed, “We are doing this together, aren’t we?”
“You know what I mean!” I had a hard time controlling my volume, “Now she thinks we are getting married!”
Liam was quiet for a moment, “Would that be such a bad idea?”
Clearly, I had lost my mind. Because there wasn’t any way in hell that Liam McCannon wanted to marry me.
CHAPTER 11- Liam
“Uncle Liam, why does Aunt Bri live at your house now?” Gracie asked as she looked up from her ice cream. I was watching the rug rat for Katie, while she and Colt went out to dinner. As soon as Gracie asked the question I could feel Bri’s eyes zone in on my back.
She had been distant with me ever since we went into her mom’s office. Everything checked out okay with the baby, so there were no problems there. But Bri had wanted me to tell her mom that we weren’t really dating.
I told her I would, and I thought it over—I honestly did. Truth is, I want something with Bri. So, I told her that I wanted to try dating.
And this is where things went. It’s not very promising by my estimation.
Having her living here in my home has been great. I love seeing so much of her. And the small little feminine things that I thought would but the hell out of me haven’t been a problem. I like seeing her toothbrush next to mine. And I try not to get hard every time she takes off her bra—so sue me, I’m a dude.
I smiled at Gracie, “Because she likes me, that’s why Aunt Bri moved in.”
I heard Bri choke on her own spit. If I had her glance before, I had full on laser-beam eyes now.
“Your Uncle Liam is delusional,” Bri joined us at the table.
I couldn’t help but laugh at her disgruntled expression.
Gracie laughed alone with me before she asked, “What does delusional mean?
Bri smiled, “He’s straight up crazy, G. I am sorry that I have to be the one to break this to you.”
Gracie giggled, “I already knew that!”
“Hey!” I said with mock indignation. I loved the way that Bri was with Gracie. Not every adult is so at ease with an eight-year-old.
“Momma said you were having a baby Aunt Bri,” Gracie continued, “Will you have the baby tomorrow?”
Bri laughed and ruffled her hair, “No, G, it takes a long time for a baby to develop in their mom’s stomach.”
Gracie nodded and then asked, “How did it get there?”
It was my turn to choke on air. Good Lord! Surely Bri would give her the watered-down version? I was personally hoping that the stork theory still might work with Gracie.
Bri lifted a brow, “What did your mom tell you?”
Seriously, it’s this right here that I am talking about. Bri is amazing. Instead of freaking out, Bri answers the question with one of her own.
Gracie shrugged, “She said to ask you, she wasn’t there.”
Damn it Katie!
Bri laughed, “No she wasn’t. But your Uncle Liam was, perhaps you should ask him?”
What the crap? My panic must have shown on my face. There was no way I was teaching my niece about the birds and the bees. Colt would have my balls! Hell, I would probably hand them too him!
Gracie frowned, “He won’t tell me. Uncle Liam doesn’t even let me watch cable.”
That make Bri laugh, a deep belly laugh that warmed me from my toes to the top of my head. “Baby, your Uncle Liam is just chicken shit.”
“You can’t swear in front of the kid!” I blurted out.
Bri rolled her eyes, “G and I have an understanding.”
I looked over at my niece who was smiling smugly, “Aunt Bri gives me make-up and perfume, and I don’t tell Mommy and Daddy that she cusses in front of me.”
Now I was aiding and abetting the crime, “Just don’t involve me. I don’t need Colt jumping on my ass for corrupting his child.”
Gracie grinned, “You cussed! You said the ‘a’ word!”
This was a conspiracy, I am telling you! “Bri said shit!”
Gracie turned back to Bri, “Uncle Liam said two cuss words. He’s in big trouble!” Then she cocked her head to the side, causing her red pig tails to bob. “Why is your baby, Liam’s baby too? Are you getting married like Mommy and Daddy?”
“Yeah, Aunt Bri, why is that?” I couldn’t help but add my two cents. I knew there was a smirk on my face and I didn’t do anything about it.
Bri gave me another death glare, “Nobody is getting married right now, G. We are still trying to reassemble ourselves after the last wedding. And Liam helped me to make this baby, so he will be the baby’s father.”
Gracie nodded, “Cool, I do hope that you get married someday though. I loved Mommy and Daddy’s wedding. Someday I want to make a baby with Scott Jefferies. He is in my class, and is super smart. I want to marry him.”
Bri smiled at my horrified expression. I can’t believe that my eight-year-old niece just told me who she wants to have sex with. I am currently trying to wash my brain out with preverbal bleach.
“Sounds like a plan G, we can talk about it more when you are older.”
Gracie grinned and hopped up from the table, “Okay! I am going to watch YouTube!”
Bri agreed, “Okay, just turn the laptop so that I can see it. And remember, no freaking clown shit. You are going to give me nightmares.”
Gracie just laughed, “You are so silly, Aunt Bri.”
I felt completely drained and bewildered, “She watches YouTube? Why is she talking about
scary clowns?”
An involuntary smile crossed Bri’s face. “I thought that you watched her all the time?”
I didn’t like the implications she was giving, “I did and I do. I guess I just don’t realize that she is growing up so quickly.”
“Some kids at school were watching scary clown videos at school. She told me about it and we watched one together and talked about it. Usually she just looks up reruns of Full House, she loves that show.”
One thing was obvious, Bri was much better at this parenting business than I was. “How did you know what to do when she told you about the clowns? I would have freaked out if she told me that.”
Bri couldn’t contain her laughter, “That’s probably why she didn’t tell you. I try to be chill about things. Even when I want to freak out. That way she will always feel comfortable coming to me. I really didn’t want to teach her how babies are made. But if she had kept asking, I would have given her an honest answer. My mom was always very open and honest with me.” A shadow of doubt crossed her face, “That’s why I don’t like lying to her about what we are. I know that you don’t see it as a lie, but I do.”
I officially felt like shit. “I can call her, I will clear it up. I am sorry, Bri, I hadn’t thought of it that way.”
“Thanks, Liam. It really would mean a lot to me.” She stood up to go and I felt like the biggest idiot. Had I gone and ruined my only chance?
But as I pulled out my phone and looked for Dr. Carlson’s phone number. Before I could dial I felt her standing next to me. From where I was seated at the table I had to look up.
Bri leaned down and brushed her lips with my own. I felt a jolt of electricity shoot through me, hot damn, and that was only a peck!
“What was that for?” I am embarrassed to say it came out several octaves too high.
Bri sexy smirk had my dick on alert, “For being you.”
I could be me all day, every day. I went to pull her into me, but she just giggled and slipped away. And I couldn’t chase her with a semi and my niece in the next room. Somehow, I bet that Bri knew exactly the position she had left me in.
I couldn’t contain the harsh chuckle that left my lips. I was completely and totally in over my head.
CHAPTER 12 – Brianna
“Mom, you need to lay off,” I could feel my blood pressure rising. My mom had been on my case ever since Liam called to let her know we weren’t together.
“That boy has real feelings for you, Brianna,” my mother’s shrill voice ringing in my ear. “You need to snap him up before someone else does!”
Which leads me to another thing, Liam hasn’t so much as called another woman since I moved in. A large part of me has been completely thrilled, but a smaller less confident part of me wondered if he was still seeing someone at work or somewhere I wasn’t. I needed to grow a pair and straight up ask him.
I have never been one to beat around the bush. But this was something that meant too much to me and that in and of itself scares the crap out of me.
“Mom, I have an interview at Gracie’s school. I need to get a move on.”
She huffed loudly, “You are so stubborn, Brianna. Just think about what I have said, okay baby?”
I nodded before I realized that I was talking on my cell. “Yes, I promise. I love you.”
“I love you too, Bri, so much,” and the line disconnected.
I closed my eyes for a few moments trying to regain my wits. I was sitting in the parking lot of Morton Elementary School. I had arrived a few minutes early and picked up when my mom had called.
This was also the same school where Katie taught Kindergarten. When their nurse left for another opportunity Katie put in a good word for me with the principal, Scott Wilson. Mr. Wilson called me the next day for an interview.
Katie said that most of the teachers in the school are women, and that they are like a big family. I really wanted this job. I was tired of staying home all day every day. Taking a deep breath, I got out of my car and walked to the front entrance. I pushed the buzzer for entrance and prayed for luck.
***
“Well, Ms. Carlson, everything seems to be in order. You were given a glowing recommendation by Mrs. Anderson. If you don’t have any further questions for me?”
The middle aged balding man, was both friendly and easy to talk to. He had put me at ease right away.
“I don’t, thank you for asking. And you said that you were looking to make a choice by the end of the week?”
Mr. Wilson smiled, “That was the plan, yes. But I am very confident that you are the person for this position, Ms. Carlson. So, if you are interested the job is yours.”
I was stunned, “Mr. Wilson, thank you so much! I would love to work here. When do I start?”
“Let’s shoot for next Monday, that should give you enough time to fill out all of the paperwork down at the district, get your fingerprinting and background check completed. They will also send you for a drug test and a Tb test.”
I nodded, “That sounds good, I will head over there and get the ball rolling.”
As I shook hands with Mr. Wilson I felt a surge of happiness. I could hardly wait to call Liam. As soon as I got back into my car I dialed his number.
“Hey, Beautiful,” his voice floated across my phone and my stomach dropped. Why did he have to be so damn sexy?
“Liam, I just got out of the interview,” I said breathlessly.
“I am sure that you nailed it, Bri,” his voice held such confidence.
“I got the job!” I squealed. “They want me to start on Monday, I am so excited!”
“Congratulations, Bri, that is wonderful!” Liam replied. “We need to go out to celebrate!”
“Okay!” I had answered affirmative before I realized what I was doing. Liam had asked me to go out a dozen times or more since moving in, but I had always shied away. This was different though, it wasn’t really a date.
“Perfect!” I could hear the smile in his voice, “I will see you around 5:30 at home, Beautiful?”
I smiled in response, thankful that he couldn’t see the flush in my cheeks. “See you then,” I almost clicked off, but at the last minute added, “Thank you for being so supportive, Liam. This means a lot to me.”
At first, I thought he had already hung up, there was a pause and I almost hit the end button. And then I heard his husky voice, “You mean a lot to me, Bri. You deserve to be happy. See you in a few hours sweetheart.”
My heart was pounding and I felt the familiar tightening in my chest. Damn my stupid heart that always read things into it that weren’t there. Liam was just too good to be true, wasn’t he?
I wasn’t so sure anymore. And that scared me most of all. I knew that I had been falling in love with him. As much as I had tried not to. And I knew that he had a genuine affection for me, but was that enough for love?
My mother’s words floated through my mind, and I wondered if she was right. If I was throwing away the chance of a lifetime. If I even had a chance.
The earlier euphoria had ebbed slightly. I needed to think about things. Resting a light hand on my slightly rounded stomach I couldn’t help but contemplate what it would be like if we were a real family.
And damn, I wanted it. I wanted it badly.
***
We went to a small Italian restaurant. Liam pretended to have a fake accent and ordered way too much food. We talked about when we were younger, we talked about our families and what we wanted out of life. We talked about our dreams for the baby. It was by and large the best date of my life.
I think the waiter was getting sick us by the time we left. I don’t know where the last five hours went to. All I knew was that Liam McCannon was it for me. He pulled me close when we got home and I just knew that he was going to kiss me.
And he did, but only on the forehead. It was sweet, but I wanted more, and I was finally at a point where I needed to tell him.
CHAPTER 13 – Liam
“Brianna, we are
ready for you,” the nurse at Dr. Carlson’s office smiled kindly at us as we followed her back to the ultrasound room. Bri had already had her twenty-week exam. Everything was going well; her mother had assured us.
“Just hop up here on the table and we will need your midriff exposed. Dr. Carlson will be back in just a moment.”
I thanked the nurse and then helped Bri up onto the table.
“Are you nervous?” I asked noticing that she had been quiet.
Bri shrugged, “A little bit. And honestly I need to pee so badly I can hardly think.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at the face she made. “It will be over in just a bit. I can’t believe we are going to find out the sex of the baby. I am so excited!”
Bri smiled at me and for a moment I was blindsided, she really was gorgeous.
“I already know it’s a boy,” Bri teased.
“My daughter is going to have a complex,” I responded.
“Sorry for the wait, you two,” Dr. Carlson rushed through the door, “I had a delivery over at the hospital and I know I could have had one of my nurses so this. But for my first grandchild, I wanted to do this myself.”
“It might be your only grandchild,” Bri grumbled, “Is it really necessary for my bladder to be this full?”
Dr. Carlson nodded, “That’s how we will get the best pictures. Let me get ready and we will begin.”
“This will be a little cold,” Dr. Carlson squirted some jelly on Bri’s stomach. Then she picked up a wand like thing and placed it on her abdomen. “During the sonogram, we are going to be looking to see that the growth and development of the baby is on track. The placenta is here,” she indicated a mass on the screen. “It’s in good position and here is the umbilical cord, just where it should be. Here is the spine, some mom’s think that it looks like a string of pearls. Your baby is very active, and seems a bit shy.”
“What is that?” Bri asked in wonder, pointing at the screen.
Dr. Carlson smiled, “That would be your baby’s hand, do you see the fingers here? Let me try and get a good picture of the face.”
Suddenly, there it was, a tiny face on the screen. I felt it like a punch in the gut. That was my baby.
