“And what is that?” Jensen takes a strand of hair that fell from my ponytail.
“A kiss. I think I forgot what it felt like.”
“Well you don’t have to ask me twice.” Jensen moves so he can tower over me and our lips meet. I moan into his mouth and I feel his tongue on my lips then slide into my mouth. I never forgot his kisses but I wanted one since it had been nine months. Ella starts to fuss in my arms so we break away. “Already cock blocking daddy.” We laugh as he takes Ella from me. I was holding her so long that my stomach area got sore. “You want to get up and walk a little bit?”
“I probably should. Do I call the nurse?” Jensen nods.
“I know I’m a doctor but right now I’m not. I’m a father and could get in trouble if something happened to you.”
“But you were willing to operate on me.”
“I couldn’t lose you, I just found you.” Jensen’s words go straight to my heart. I call the nurse to come and help me get out of the bed. Darcy, the nurse I remember from Abby’s delivery, came in to help me out of bed.
“Now make one lap around the floor and come back. Hang on to Mr. Hot Pants over there if you need to, but keep a hold of this because it is delivering your antibiotics and fluids.” Darcy winks at Jensen before leaving the room.
“Mr. Hot Pants, huh?” Jensen blushes and shrugs. “I know there is a story behind all of that and you will tell it to me.”
“I’m pleading the fifth on this one.” Jensen has Ella wrapped up and holds out his right arm so we can take a stroll around maternity. “Am I walking too fast? How are you feeling?”
“I’m good Doc. When do you think, they will let me go home?”
“I honestly don’t know. I think if you keep walking, getting stronger each day, then soon.”
“I want to be home in my own bed with Ella. I know I’m going to have to share her with everyone for the next few days.”
“I will try to keep my family at a distance so not to overwhelm you but I can’t guarantee that it will happen that way.” I stop, grabbing Jensen’s arm a little harder than I intended to but I needed his attention. He turns to look at me with a look of concern on his face, “are you okay?”
“Why do you do that? Why do you have to play that martyr?”
“I don’t understand what did I do?” Jensen adjusts Ella in his arms as she sleeps and silently making noises with her lips. It’s the cutest thing ever.
“Your family will not be kept at a distance. If they want to see her, they will see her whether my family is there or not. She is yours too.” Jensen leans down and kisses me on the lips with tenderness. Jensen whispers thank you in my lips. We walk around the hospital wing a couple more times before Ella gets fussy. We take her back to the room to see my parents and Jensen’s parents standing there not even looking at each other. I sigh as I can feel the tension but we stop.
“Whatever is going on in there, it’s on them not us. Our parents are going to have to work this out. Ella will not be a pawn in their whatever, that crap is in there.”
“Do you promise? My parents are not the nicest of people when it comes to my money. I know that is what they are most worried about and thank you for taking the DNA test to appease them.”
“I don’t care what you have to say, Ella is my granddaughter. My son is the father. You can’t order me out of Sarah’s room.” Jensen’s dad’s voice booms through the hallway. Jensen and I both take a deep sigh and walk into the room.
“Hi everyone.” I say in my best Sarah fake attitude. “Um if you all could step out while Jensen helps me to the bathroom and get me settled into my bed before coming back in. Please remember that you are in a hospital and especially the floor of where babies are being born. So, keep the voices down.” My mother stays seated while everyone else leaves the room.
“I’m your mother and I have seen every inch of you so I don’t need to leave.”
“Mother, please do it.” Jensen helps me into the bathroom. “Don’t let her hold the baby.” I whisper before closing the door. Jensen is talking to a fussy Ella and I hear my mother demand to hold Ella.
“I got it handled so thank you.” I smile a victory smile almost a smugness. Jensen has my back. I start to come out of the room to see my mother standing over Jensen who is feeding Ella. She’s trying to micromanage him. “I have two older kids, I know how to feed a baby.”
“Mother.” I sigh as I begin my trek to the hospital bed. “Why don’t you help me while he feeds Ella?”
“Do I have to?”
“Yes.” My tone leaves no room for discussion. My mother huffs as she comes over to help me. I look up to Jensen while my mother can’t see me and roll my eyes. Jensen mouths, “I love you.” Once I am in settled in and I tell my mother to let everyone in. I see my dad and Jensen’s dad laughing about something. It seems the tension is from my mother.
“How are you feeling dear?” Jensen’s mom asks me.
“I’m sore but it felt so great to get out of bed to walk. I’m hoping a couple more laps around, we can go home tomorrow.”
“That is wonderful news. I’ll make sure to make a couple of dishes for you and Jensen so you don’t have to worry about cooking.”
“Oh, that would be wonderful, I’m a horrible cook. Max always did the cooking for us when we lived in Pennsylvania and now that I live with him.”
“Will you be moving in with Jensen and the kids?” Jensen’s dad speaks up.
“We are still working that one out but if Jensen had his way then the answer will be yes.” Jensen laughs, “I want to date him. We kinda missed that step.”
“I think that’s romantic to do plus it is great for both of you. It’s so funny to me that you two are connected through friends and never met face to face. You are working with me; his kids adore you and planned on setting you up after the baby. You are redoing his house. Jensen and Reagan were in a lot of single parent groups together and you live with Reagan.” Jensen’s mom makes a list and I can’t believe the irony in all of it.
“I didn’t know Jensen was the father until I saw him the day Ella was born, but I knew that I was falling for Jensen since October when we started texting, calling, and emailing each other.” I wink at him.
“You are moving in with this man? What happens if the DNA test comes back that he isn’t the father?”
“Mother, I was a virgin when I had sex with Jensen and he’s the only one that I’ve had sex with plus I was a tad obsessed on finding my mystery man.”
“You should have checked the ER.” Jensen pops up into the conversation.
“I did but you were never there and the nurses were not about to give me information on you.”
“Very true but I will make sure everyone knows when the blonde bombshell comes looking for me, to come get me.” I laugh out loud as does him mom.
“My son.” She shakes her head. I notice that my mother is writing things down in a notebook but I don’t say anything when everyone is here.
“Jensen, can you hand Ella to my mom to hold.” Jensen does as I ask but I can tell he isn’t too happy with it. He doesn’t question me and I am thankful for that. “Then you can let each of the parents hold her so no one is left out.” I yawn and apologize for taking a nap because those laps have done me in.
May is releasing Ella and Sarah this morning. We’ve been here for three days so it’s nice to be able to get out of these walls and start some normalcy. May and Darcy are giving us orders for Sarah to take it easy and slowly get back to breast feeding if she wants but Ella has been taking the bottle well so Sarah decided to try but not force it. I loaded the car already before May and Darcy come in so we can book it out of here.
“Jensen, when are you coming back to work?” May asks me.
“I took two weeks off so I can help Sarah with Ella. This way we can all bond and convince Sarah to move in with me.” I wink at Sarah as she rolls her eyes.
“You have to date me first. What kind of girl do you think
I am?” I open my mouth to say something and I get smacked by the three women in the room.
“I haven’t even said a word.” I put my hands up in defense. “Are we ready to go?” Sarah climbs into the wheelchair as May hands her Ella. Darcy starts to roll her out while May holds me back to talk to me.
“Don’t push. I love you and know that when you get something in your mind, you demand it and don’t even consider other people’s opinions.”
“May, I don’t know how to co-parent. I want my daughter and future wife in the same house with me and my kids. Why is that wrong to want?”
“Wanting it and working it out where everyone is comfortable is completely different. It’s always your way or the highway. It’s a Causer thing because Daniel tries to do it to me too, which doesn’t work all the time.” I growl at May as I walk out of the room and all May can do is laugh because she knows she’s right.
“Everything okay? You look tense.” Sarah asks looking up at me.
“Fine.” Is that why Michelle left? Was it always my way and no room for discussion? Sarah looks at me with concern in her eyes. “I’m fine, just had a conversation with May about my attitude.”
“Your way and no room for discussion? You are the definition of an alpha man. It was one of the things that attracted me to you for the past nine months. You took control in that room and even getting to know you through the messages, I could tell, but what you need to understand is that Jensen won’t always get his way.”
“You can think that but that’s not going to happen.” I say with a smirk on my face. We get into the elevator as we wait to head to Sarah’s home. “The kids are off of school tomorrow so they have a three-day weekend.”
“Oh good. I can’t wait to see them. I know they stayed away from the hospital because of the drama with my mother. I don’t know how to handle this situation.”
“Sweetheart, take it one day at a time. A controlling mother will make you second guess everything but no one knows what’s best for your baby more than you and the father.” Darcy pipes into the conversation. “I had a mother who told me how to live my life once I turned into an adult while the nanny raised me all my life. I second guessed my marriage so many times that my husband put his foot down. God rest his soul but he had a talk with my mother. If she wanted to be a grandmother, then she had to play by our rules. It took about six months and my daughter’s first birthday for her to come around. Give it time and stand your guard. Ella is your daughter not hers.” Sarah lets out a breath and grabs Darcy’s hand to squeeze it.
“Thank you so much.”
“Hey, I’m here to help.” Darcy smiles as the elevator dings and we roll out to the lobby of the hospital.
“Jensen.” I groan as I turn to see Robin and Michelle.
“Aren’t you two just attached at the hip these days? What can I help you with now? Robin, are you here to threaten my kids again?” Robin is looking around to Sarah to see what’s going on here.
“I know her. You know Cash.” Robin starts to move towards Sarah and I get in front of her. “Interesting. Does she know what a bastard you are?”
“Robin, stop. You are not helping at all.” Michelle puts her hand on Robin’s arm. “Go stand over there or you can leave.” Robin huffs and stomps away. “I was wondering when we were going to get together with the kids.”
“Umm, how about next weekend? I’ll talk to them and let you know a date and time. I’ve been busy the last few days.”
“New baby?” Michelle looks around me at Sarah and Ella. I nod with a smile on my face. “Congrats to you. How are the kids taking it?” Michelle’s tone is flat.
“They love it. Jana and Bennett have been reading to the baby since before she was born.”
“That is great. Please let me know.” Michelle starts to walk away and I grab her hand. I see the tears.
“If we could have changed the past and not let our pride stand in the way, things would be different with our kids and your other children. I’m sure they will be excited about meeting them after they do the first meeting with you. They don’t remember you but I talk about you with them so build on that and leave the resentment you have for me out of the picture.” I turn to walk out with Sarah and Ella but I turn around, “Leave her home and away from our kids. She is toxic.” I point to Robin.
“I will, believe me I have tried to get her to leave you alone but Robin is Robin. Congrats on your new little one.” Michelle hugs me and I hug her back.
“Now was that so hard.” Sarah chuckles.
“It took every fiber in me not to choke Robin, but Michelle is easy to get along with besides she is in a steady marriage and I’m starting a new relationship with you so there are no feelings there.” We all exit the building and see my car sitting there. I unlock the doors, Darcy waits patiently as I put Ella into her car seat and Sarah into the back with her. Darcy hugs me and demands pictures when I come back to work. She threatened me with the I know where you work plus she has May on speed dial. I laugh as I get into the car.
“Let’s go see Gram Gram!” Sarah says with excitement. “I hope she likes me.”
“You gave her grandson a reason to smile again and her great grandchildren someone to love.”
“They are going to love Ella.” Sarah smiles as she looks at Ella. I don’t understand why she is sitting in the back of the car with Ella but whatever makes her happy.
“I meant you. I’ve been playing mom and dad for so long that I can’t even begin to describe how nice it will be to have a partner this time.” I look in the rearview mirror to see Sarah crying.
“Are you okay? Did I do something or say something wrong?” I panic as I pull into the parking lot of a supermarket. I turn around to look at her as she’s looking at Ella trying to avoid eye contact.
“Jensen, this is too much too fast. You are talking about me being a mother to children when they have one. I have a newborn who needs my focus. I will keep building on the relationship I have with your kids and start a new one with you but slow down. Why does it have to be so fast and nonstop?”
“I guess I got overly excited. The kids already adore you and want us together. I’ve been dreaming of the five of us being a family. I don’t want you to feel what I felt raising the kids on my own.” I turn to start the car but Sarah stops me.
“I’m not alone, I have you. Jensen, you kissed me in that hallway and I knew then that my world was going to be turned upside down. I loved you then and I love you more each day when I see you with our daughter or you talk about your kids. We,” Sarah motions her pointer finger from me to her, “are in this together.” I sigh and put my head on my head rest for a minute to calm my nerves. Sarah is right, I am jumping the gun on things but I’ve never been surer of anything in my life. I need Sarah in my life to feel complete. I start the car but stay quiet the whole ride to my parents’ house. I pull into the driveway to see both of my parents’ vehicles.
“Looks like the gang is all here,” I look at the time on the clock, “including the kids.”
“Oh good. I wanted to get some pictures with the three kids together. Did you grab my camera from my bedroom like I told you?” Sarah asks me as I shut off the vehicle.
“Yes ma’am.” I smirk.
“Call me ma’am again and I’ll turn you into one.” I hurry up and get out of the car to help her with Ella. I know she is sore so she’s still a little unstable on her feet. As I help her out first, Sarah becomes wobbly, I help to steady her.
“Well ma’am,” I grab her by the waist and pull her into me, “You like my package and if I remember correctly, you can’t stop looking at it.” I lean into her ear, “and I can’t wait to continue what we started in that on-call room. I plan on making it up to you, over and over.” I kiss her cheek as she shivers. I bend over into the car to grab Ella and the pink and brown diaper bag.
“You know I can’t have sex for six weeks but that doesn’t mean in that time frame that I won’t have you hard and ready to exp
lode because if I can’t get off, neither can you.” Sarah leans in, “I don’t own pajamas.” I groan out loud as she turns to walk up the winding sidewalk.
“Sarah,” She spins around to face me, I lean down to kiss her, “Thank you for Ella. Thank you for being my dream girl. I love you.”
“I love you too.” Sarah smiles up at me and I can’t wait to spend time with my family without her mother being around.
“Guess who is home?” I yell as we enter the house.
“Sarah!” Jana comes running in from the kitchen to bypass Ella and me.
“Be easy with her.” I let Jana know who was going to run right into her. Jana comes and grabs Ella from me while she’s talking a million miles a minute about everything since she hasn’t been able to talk to her for two days. “I’m here too.” I yell out as I slide my sneakers off while Jana pulls Sarah to the living room.
“Hi honey.” My mom waves the dish towel at me as she helps my grandmother get Ella out of the car seat. I sit down on the edge of the large brown suede sectional watching my mom, grandmother, daughter and Sarah fussing over the baby. Bennett comes over to sit with me.
“Dad are you okay? You have this weird goofy smile one on your face.”
“I’m just watching my family.” I ruffle his hair. Bennett looks around the living room and he sees what I see. Smiles are everywhere.
“I’m glad that you and Sarah had Ella. We love Sarah and were hoping that she would be our new mom. I know we have one but Sarah is everything that we want in a mom. Is that selfish?” Bennett tells me.
“No It isn’t but I also don’t want you to be closed off to a relationship with your biological mother.”
As Long As You Love Me (Love Me Series Book 4) Page 17
