“This is because I’ve missed you. I’m realizing that any day away from you is too long.”
He lowered his head, and the softness of his lips had her forgetting about everything. From the exhausting day at work, to the traffic she had been sitting in for the past half an hour. Nothing mattered but that moment. She fell in love with him more and more every day.
Martina was so glad to see him, so happy to be in his arms. He had asked her to travel with him, but she and her crew were trying to finish a job before the New Year, and they were behind schedule.
“How was your day?” he asked when he lifted his head, but kept a hand on her hip.
“Better now. Much better.” She pulled out of his hold and moved closer to the decorative table where several covered dishes and fine china was laid out. “So what’s the occasion?”
“Well, a couple of weeks ago I found out the woman I’m madly in love with is having my baby.” He pulled out Martina’s chair.
“Well that woman you’re referring to had better be me or things are going to get real ugly, real fast. I’m just sayin’.”
He shook his head and laughed. “You’re the only woman for me, and you’re the only one who’s having my baby. As a matter of fact, you’re the only woman I could ever imagine being the mother of my child.” He sat at the head of the table to her right.
Martina hadn’t noticed the bottle of sparkling apple juice until Paul picked up one of the champagne flutes and filled it.
He handed her a glass, and he lifted his for a toast.
“Here’s to us and a healthy baby.”
They tapped glasses, and both took a sip.
Martina noticed Paul was having the same.
“Just because I can’t drink alcohol, doesn’t mean you can’t.”
“I’m good. I figured if you have to give up alcohol for the next few months, I can too.”
Martina smiled behind the rim of her glass. “What else are you planning to give up over the next few months? Are you planning to read every book that I’m going to have to read, go to Lamaze class at some point, and take up prenatal yoga?”
Paul shrugged. “Yep.” Now he was the one smiling at her surprised expression. “I’m in this one-hundred percent, baby.”
“I see.”
Conversation flowed easily, as they feasted on grilled salmon. Paul told her about his trip and plans for the next few weeks before he had to return to D.C. When he mentioned the Senate having to vote on a few bills, she couldn’t help but think about the situation with the unions. Instead of bringing up the volatile topic and risk ruining the evening, she just listened. A first for her.
“As usual, dinner was delicious. Thank you for cooking. I had planned to pull out the leftover pot roast I made yesterday.” She stood, prepared to clear the table until he stopped her with a hand on her arm.
“I’ll take care of the cleanup. Have a seat.” He nodded toward her vacated chair. “There’s something I want to ask you.”
“What is it?”
He held her hand as he slowly knelt on one knee next to her chair.
She swallowed hard. When he pulled out a small velvet box, Martina was glad she was sitting.
“Since the day I met you, I’ve thought about what it would be like to have you as my wife. For a while, all I could imagine was more of our heated discussions and you challenging me at every turn. Then the better I got to know you, thoughts of spending my life with you filled my mind almost constantly.”
“Oh, Paul…” Martina’s hand went to her mouth.
“Baby you’re everything I’ve ever wanted in a wife. You’re witty, crazy smart, compassionate, hard-working, an excellent cook and I could go on and on. I love you more than I ever thought I could ever love another human being. And now that you’re pregnant with our baby, I couldn’t think of a better time to ask you this. Martina Jenkins, would you do me the honor of being my wife?”
He held the platinum ring, with a modest diamond in the center and smaller diamonds on the sides, between his fingers.
Martina’s heart pounded like a freight train roaring down the tracks.
“If you don’t like it, just say the word, and I’ll get you another one. I knew you wouldn’t want anything big and pretentious, but—”
“It’s beautiful,” she said quietly, afraid to reach for the impressive piece. All she could do was stare. Knowing Paul, he had probably paid a small fortune for the ring since he had no qualms about spending money. She also knew he was waiting for an answer.
“As I got older,” Martina started, “I vowed that I would never be like my mother. I had no intention of having a child, especially out of wedlock. But Paul, I can’t marry you just because I’m pregnant. I appreciate you asking me, but—.”
“Martina.” He pulled his chair closer and sat. “I’m not asking you because you’re pregnant. I’m asking you because I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Honey, I know getting pregnant is not something either of us planned, but I’m not sorry. I want this baby more than I can express, but even more, I want you to be my wife. I want you to move in with me, make this house a home and for us to live happily-ever-after together. That’s what I want. What do you want?”
Martina stared into his eyes and the love she felt for him exploded inside of her chest. She had already taken a chance on admitting her love for him. Maybe now it was time to take the biggest leap of her life.
“Tell me what you want,” he repeated.
“Besides wanting a big chunk of the chocolate cake I saw on the kitchen counter, I want to be your wife. I love you, Paul. I love you so frickin much it scares the hell out of me.”
He leaped out of his chair and pulled her into his arms, hugging her to his hard body. The love and warmth she felt in his arms was enough to ease some of her fears and anxiety.
Paul slowly released her and then reached for her hand.
“You know, I don’t need a ring.”
He met her gaze and maintained the hold on her hand.
“I know there is nothing traditional about you.” He smiled, making her insides melt. “You might not need a ring, but I need you to have one.” He slid it onto her finger. “This symbolizes that we exclusively belong to each other. I’m in this forever, baby. And I promise you that I will do everything in my power to make you happy.”
She cupped his cheek and smiled. “I know you will, and I’m already happy. But so that you know, if you hurt me, I’m going to hunt you down with my nail gun and…”
His mouth covered hers with the sweetest kiss he’d ever given her, halting all conversation. It was as if he was transmitting every ounce of love he felt for her, through his lips almost bringing her to tears.
Martina didn’t know what the future held, but if she was going to journey to parts unknown, this was the man she wanted by her side. A deep feeling of peace consumed her, and she felt ready for the next chapter of her life. She couldn’t believe she was about to get married and have a baby. Steps she never expected to take, but she was determined to embrace the changes.
When the kiss ended, she cupped his jaw and stared into his eyes smiling. “Okay, so I have a couple of conditions.”
He pulled away and laughed. “Yeah, I’m sure you do, but so that you know, I’m going to treat you like the remarkable woman you are. We are going to have an unbelievable life together. Now come on. Let’s get that cake. I have to make sure I keep my pregnant, soon-to-be-wife happy.”
*
Paul returned to the dining room with a glass of milk, and an extra pep in his step that Martina accepted his proposal without much pushback. He’d been prepared to wear her down with all of the reasons why they were perfect for each other and should get married. Fortunately, he didn’t have to do much convincing. He wasn’t sure if that was a good thing, or if he should be concerned. Very concerned.
Martina cut into the slice of cake and moaned. Paul loved that she enjoyed a good meal and those few weeks when she was
n’t eating concerned him more than he let on. Now that her appetite had returned, he planned to keep her fed with all of her favorite dishes.
“You need to add this to the menu when you open your restaurant.”
“I’ll do that. Maybe I’ll have an area on the menu labeled - Martina’s Favorites.”
She glanced at him. He didn’t ever think he’d get tired of seeing that smile and those dazzling eyes. Marrying her and having a baby were additional reasons for not accepting another term in the Senate.
“What do you think about us getting married right away?” Paul asked between bites. Again, he braced himself for some push back. He had always thought that whenever he married, he and his bride-to-be would have a huge wedding surrounded by family and friends. But he would be totally fine with going to the courthouse or even flying to Vegas.
“How soon?”
The question was spoken so quietly that he hadn’t been sure if she’d said anything until she met his gaze.
“I was thinking within the next month. I know it won’t be easy to pull a big wedding together on—”
“I don’t need, nor do I want a big wedding.”
Paul studied her for a moment. Though she said yes to his proposal, he needed to make it clear that she had a choice on when they got married and how big of a wedding she wanted.
“Listen, babe. You already know how long I’ve wanted to make you my wife, but if you’re not ready. Just tell me. As long as I have you in my life, that’s what’s most important to me.”
She lifted the glass of milk to her lips and took a gulp before setting the glass back down.
“And you know me well enough to know that I don’t do anything I don’t want to do. I want this. I want to be your wife, and since I’m pregnant, I think it’s a good idea we get married as soon as possible.”
He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close, kissing the top of her head.
“What type of wedding do you want?” he asked, his arm resting on the back of her chair. “Are we talking, big, small or what?”
She sat back in her seat and his fingers automatically went to her shiny curls while he waited for her to respond.
“I assume you probably know a judge or two.”
Paul’s hand stilled in her hair. “Yeah, I know a few,” he responded carefully, hoping the conversation would go in the direction he wanted it to. He’d marry her right then and there if he could, but with her huge family, he assumed she would want everyone in attendance.
“Do you know one well enough to talk into coming here next Saturday morning?”
His eyebrows shot up. “You want to get married here … at the house? Next Saturday?”
“Yes. You said we could do whatever I want. That’s what I want. Is that a problem?”
He sat forward. “Not a problem for me. I’m just surprised you’re willing to get married that soon and that you want to get married here. This place is big, but the way you talk about the Jenkins clan, I wonder if there’s enough room inside for everyone we invite. And it’s too cold to get married outside.”
“I just want it to be us and maybe a witness, or two. But that’s it.” She turned in her seat and reached for his hand, caressing the top of it with her thumb. “Paul, I never planned to get married. Never. So a wedding and all the bells and whistles were never a part of any fantasy that I had. I don’t need a big wedding.”
“What about your family? I know how important they are to you. Are you sure you don’t want them to be a part of this?” There were easily forty people at the brunch he attended, and everyone seemed really close. Paul couldn’t understand why she wouldn’t want all of her family in attendance.
Martina sighed and released his hand. “Some will be disappointed, like my cousins. And some will be downright pissed, like my grandparents, especially my grandmother. She had a few not so pleasant words for Jada after she eloped. Although, they might not be too broken up since none of them expect me to ever get married.”
“What about you? Are you going to be disappointed if we don’t have a big wedding? I know I suggested we get married in a few weeks, but I have no problem waiting so we can plan a bigger wedding if that’s what you want.”
Martina shook her head. “I don’t want the stress of a big wedding. I remember when Peyton got married years ago. The plans started small and within a heartbeat, the wedding was twice the size she originally planned thanks to my grandmother and aunts. My family would mean well, but I don’t want to go through that. I love you, Paul. If we’re going to do this, I want our wedding to be about just you and me. Not everyone else.”
She stood and paced near the table. The last thing Paul wanted was for her to have any regrets, but he had to trust that she was making the right decision for her. He knew his mother was going to have a fit if he got married without her and everyone she knew in attendance, but he didn’t care. Right now, all he cared about was keeping Martina happy.
Paul stopped her from moving with a hand on her wrist. “What else are you thinking?”
“I want it to be you, me, a judge, and two witnesses.”
“Oookay. Do you have two people in mind?”
“Yes. Peyton and Davion.”
Paul nodded. “I know I can get Davion here, but what about Peyton?”
“Once she gets over the shock, she’ll be here. But just in case, don’t call the judge yet.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Martina paced in front of Peyton’s desk, stopping every few minutes, glancing at the ring Paul had placed on her finger the day before. Peyton was never going to believe she and Paul were getting married.
Peyton strolled into the office. “That brother of mine,” she growled without finishing the sentence. She didn’t have to. Jerry Jenkins, also an electrician, was the bane of his sister’s existence. Martina was starting to think he intentionally did things to get under Peyton’s skin.
“What has little brother done this time?”
Peyton sat behind the old oak desk, and Martina plopped down in one of the guest chairs across from her.
“I gave him a simple job of wiring a sound system for a new boutique in Mariemont and he screwed it up.”
Martina listened as Peyton went on and on about how he had installed the wrong size speakers even though the customer ended up liking them better than what was originally proposed. It was Jerry’s turn to take Peyton’s wrath. She’d been dealing with something personal for months and instead of talking about whatever was bothering her, she’d been biting everyone’s head off.
“Do you want to talk about what’s going on?” Martina asked. “Because it sounds like the customer is satisfied. Isn’t that what’s most important?”
Peyton dropped back in her seat and folded her arms.
“That’s very important, but it’s also important that Jerry starts doing what he’s told to do. What if she hadn’t liked the speakers he installed? It would have made us look incompetent.”
“What’s going on, PJ? We used to be able to talk about anything, but lately, you’re pulling further away from all of us.”
Peyton sat there staring, but eventually relaxed her shoulders and sighed.
“I think pregnancy is mellowing you out, and I’m not sure how I feel about that.” A smile played on her lips. “Any other time you would have told me to get my head out of my butt and quit trippin’.”
“No. I would have said you either tell me what’s wrong with you or I’m going to beat it out of you!”
They laughed. Martina realized how much she missed hanging out with Peyton. All of the girls tried to get together monthly for a girl’s night out, but lately, everyone had been hanging out with their “boos” as Christina referred to their significant others. That is, all but Peyton. Since her divorce three years ago, she hadn’t dated much and didn’t seem to be interested in starting.
Martina and Peyton were closer than the others, and usually got together weekly, but since Paul came back into Marti
na’s life, that wasn’t happening. Not because Martina hadn’t tried, but Peyton kept finding excuses for why she couldn’t go out or was too busy to get together.
“I don’t know what’s going on, MJ.” Peyton put her elbows on her desk and ran her fingers through her straightened hair. “Seems like I’ve been saying that a lot lately. I just can’t pinpoint exactly, what my problem is.”
“Is it work? Are you sick?” Martina threw out a few questions in hopes of getting Peyton to open up. “Is it Dylan?”
Peyton’s ex-husband had done a number on her. Not only had he cheated, but he’d also used her to help get him through grad school. Once he graduated, Dylan conveniently decided he no longer loved Peyton. Unfortunately, it took her cousin a while to let go and occasionally, she brought him up in conversation.
“I saw him.”
“Who?”
“Dylan. I was at the mall a few months ago and saw him with the woman he was having an affair with.” She sighed and rocked back and forth in her office chair. “They were at a jewelry store.”
“And you’re just mentioning this now?” Martina threw up her hands. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner? Never mind that. Are you still pining for him? Do you miss him?”
Peyton shook her head. “No. But what I do miss is the companionship. He wasn’t home a lot, especially while working and attending grad school, but he was there enough for me to miss having someone to come home to. And I guess it’s been a little hard lately with all of you finding love and having babies…” Her voice trailed off and Martina knew at that moment asking her to stand up for her when she got married might not be the best idea.
“PJ, you’re still young. I know you’re going to have the family you’ve always wanted.”
She let out a humorless laugh. “Yeah, right. I’ll be thirty-five in a couple of months. I’ve pretty much given up on that idea.”
“That’s crazy. If love and a hot hunk can find me and break down my walls, I have no doubt the same will happen for you.”
“Maybe. So what brings you to the office in the middle of the day?” Peyton asked. She logged into the computer on her desk and typed.
Negotiating for Love Page 18
