Resolution (A Golden Beach Novel)

by Kim Loraine

  “That’s the idea. Alex, I want to take my time and make it special, but I think I might explode if you’re not inside me in the next two minutes.”

  His eyes opened and locked on hers. He couldn’t deny her anything. Shucking his jeans and boxer briefs, he reached around her back and unhooked her bra, allowing her gorgeous breasts to spill free. His body trembled from the effort of restraining himself.

  “Fuck, baby. You’re amazing. Lie down.” She reclined on the bed, her dark hair spreading across the light-colored duvet. Hooking his fingers in her panties, he slid them over her hips and down the smooth skin of her legs. She was all his, and he couldn’t deny the fierce pride running through him at the thought. “Spread your legs for me.” He crawled across the bed toward her, kissing along her legs until he found her center, slick and ready.

  “Alex, wait.”

  He had to ball his hands into fists to stop himself at her words. “Oh, please don’t be changing your mind right now.”

  She let out a low chuckle. “No. It’s just . . . I can’t be in this position for this long.”

  “Shit. I forgot.” Raking a hand through his hair, he sat on his knees. She looked like a fucking goddess on the bed before him. “Tell me what you need.”

  A fierce blush filled her cheeks. “I need to be on top.”

  Groaning at the mental image of her breasts bouncing as she moved her body on his, he backed away. “Baby, be my guest. Just the idea of watching you move over me makes me want to explode.”

  As he positioned himself on the bed, he watched in awe while she straddled him, willing her to take him. But she paused, hesitance written across her face.

  “Do we need . . . you know, protection?”

  “Um, baby, you’re already knocked up. I don’t think we have to worry.”

  She shook her head, her expression darkening. “We were apart a long time.”

  Chest clenching as her words flowed over him, he took a harsh breath as the vision of their confrontation at the bar hit him. “I promise you, Lauren, there hasn’t been anyone else.”

  “Not for me, either.”

  In one slow movement she sank down onto him, her tight heat enveloping his body as though they were made for each other.

  “Fuck, Lauren.” He couldn’t keep from crying out at the sensation of her sheathing him fully.

  Her eyes were closed, brows drawn in concentration as she moved slowly, hips swaying from side to side while she allowed her body to adjust to his size. He wouldn’t last long, not after months without her, but as long as he brought her to orgasm before himself, he was fine with that. He could make it last the next time he took her.

  Watching her breasts sway with her movements, he encircled her hips with his hands and helped her slide up and down. Her soft cries turned loud and frantic as she neared her release, making him harden even further inside her.

  “Alex, oh, my God. I’m . . . I’m almost there.”

  He could feel his own release approaching as she moaned and clenched around him. Cupping her breasts, he rolled each nipple between his fingers and she screamed her pleasure as she fell over the cliff. Head thrown back, she moaned his name and at the sound, he followed, his vision blurring and heart pounding in his ears.

  She collapsed next to him, one leg thrown over his, breaths coming in heavy pants. “That was . . . wow.”

  Sighing, he turned on his side to face her. He trailed his fingers along the line of her body, loving how she looked in the afterglow.

  “I love you, Lauren. So much more than I thought I was capable of.”

  With a smile, she propped herself up on one elbow and leaned in to kiss him, slow and deep. Pulling away, she grabbed his hand and placed it on her belly. He sucked in a harsh breath at the feel of their child moving beneath her skin. They’d made this beautiful baby together and now they were going to be a family.

  “I love you, too, Alex.”

  Wrapping her in his arms, he drifted to sleep with the smell of her shampoo filling his senses and the feel of their baby dancing under his palm.

  Chapter 34

  Lauren shifted her feet as she stared at the tray laden with customer orders. Her lower back ached and she couldn’t get comfortable no matter what position she was in.

  “Lauren, you need some help with that?” Roland popped his head around the corner, giving her a dubious glance.

  Heaving a heavy sigh, she frowned down at the food. She hated appearing weak, but the idea of carrying four full plates of food across the dining room had her feet hurting and her hips complaining even more than usual. “Would you mind?”

  Roland smiled and wiped his hands on a towel before hefting the large tray on one shoulder. “I’ve got this, Chica. You take a load off. You’re not looking too good. You sure you feel up to working today?”

  Her belly tightened as he asked the question, making her pause to take a breath. “I’m fine. Just a little tired.”

  “It’s okay if you want to start your leave, you know.”

  Waving away his concern, she smiled. “Nah. I’m not due for another two weeks and I think I’ll lose my mind if I sit around the house waiting to go into labor.”

  “Okay, but you know Kayleen would let you go any time you need to. Don’t work too hard.” With a wink, he headed out to deliver the orders.

  Half an hour later, she was gathering her personal items as she clocked out for the day and that same wave of tightness started in her belly. It didn’t hurt so much as it took her breath away. This wasn’t labor. She knew the classic signs. She’d had Braxton Hicks contractions just like these off and on for weeks.

  As she stepped through the side door, a text from Alex lit up her phone.

  I’ll be there soon. You still up for Friday night dinner?

  She smiled and rested a hand on her bump. They’d been living together for almost two months and she’d never been happier. Standing out front, she watched for Alex’s old truck to come rumbling around the corner. When a four-door sedan pulled up in front of her, she took a step back, wanting to make room for the customer about to head inside. Instead, the window rolled down and Alex’s smiling face greeted her.

  “Alex, what’s this?”

  He turned off the car and got out, walking around to meet her. He pulled her to him in a deep kiss which left her breathless, along with the dull pain gripping her middle.

  “Hey, you okay?” His brow was drawn as he took in her pinched expression.

  Smiling, she nodded. “Fine. Just Braxton Hicks. Gearing up for the big day.”

  He rested his forehead on hers and ran a hand over her belly. “I can’t wait to meet her.”

  “Me either.” Stepping away from him, she gestured to the car. “Are you going to explain the car?”

  Cheeks going pink, he smiled. “I thought it was time I got a family vehicle. We can’t fit a car seat safely in my old truck.”

  “Wow.”

  “You’re not mad I did it without you, are you?”

  “No. Why would I be? It’s your car, you can do what you want.” If she were being honest with herself, she’d admit she wished he had talked it over with her. Big decisions like this were part of being in a serious relationship.

  “I just wanted to be ready for her.” He opened the passenger door and helped Lauren inside.

  As she glanced around the interior, she felt the familiar pang of love in her chest when she caught sight of the pink and cream car seat. “You already installed her seat?”

  “And put your bag and hers in the trunk. You could go into labor any time now.”

  She shook her head, laughing softly at his nervousness. “I’ve still got two weeks to go.”

  Taking her hand, he stared into her eyes. “You know as well as I do, from now on, yo
u could have her any time.”

  He started the car and headed toward his parents’ house. Another contraction squeezed her. She tensed, despite herself, and gripped her knee as the wave of pain crested. Her heartbeat accelerated as she checked the clock and calculated the span of time between the last three contractions. Each one was ten minutes from the last, almost on the dot.

  “You sure you’re doing all right, baby?” Alex trained shrewd eyes on her as he parked the car.

  Tight-lipped, she nodded. No use getting everyone excited over false labor. If things picked up, she’d say something, but she’d read enough about childbirth to know that babies liked to tease expectant mothers before the real show.

  Dinner went smoothly, and although her contractions continued at a steady pace, she was able to make it through without anyone noticing. As they all sat around the fire pit, enjoying relaxed conversation, she watched Mitchell run and play with the new puppy his grandparents had given him for his birthday. Another sharp pain spread across her midsection, this time making her suck in a harsh breath and tense next to Alex.

  A cry rang out from across the patio as Mitchell fell to the ground. Michael and Alex were on their feet, rushing to their nephew as he sobbed, a bloody knee and scraped chin needing tending to. She smiled as she watched Alex care for the little boy. He was going to be such an amazing dad.

  Hips aching, she stood and walked toward the shore, needing to move. Alex glanced at her from his crouched position and frowned. Murmuring something to his brother, he nodded and stood, jogging across the beach to join her.

  “What’s going on?”

  She let out a nervous laugh. “Nothing. It’s nothing.”

  “Lauren?”

  “I just need to walk. Can we do that?”

  Linking their hands, he smiled at her and they started down the coast. “Of course.”

  A fierce pain blossomed in her belly, this one making her stop and whimper. Alex rubbed her back, murmuring softly.

  “What was that about?”

  When she could talk, she turned to face him, terror and elation filling her whole body. “A contraction.”

  His eyes went wide. “Like, a real one?”

  She pulled him along the beach, needing to keep the motion going. “Yeah.”

  “How long have you been having them?”

  “All day, but they just started to get bad.”

  “We should call your doctor. Get to the hospital.”

  Smiling, she stopped and looked deep into his eyes. “Not yet.”

  Another contraction hit her, the pain ripping through her. She cried out and forced herself to breathe.

  “Lauren, those were only a few minutes apart.”

  “I’m fine. Man, that hurt.”

  A cold sweat broke out on her forehead as they turned to walk back to the house. She knew from her research that labor could go on for hours before she needed to get to the hospital.

  Then a warm gush of liquid ran down her legs, soaking her leggings.

  “Oh, my goodness.”

  He laughed. “What?”

  A tingle of anticipation took hold in her gut. “Um, I think . . . I think my water just broke.”

  “Really?” The excitement in his voice made her heart sing. “Fuck. Oh, fuck. Let’s go.”

  He scooped her into the cradle of his arms and took off for the house.

  “Alex, put me down.”

  “No way. I’m taking you to the hospital right the fuck now.”

  As they approached the house his family looked at them questioningly.

  “Everything okay, brother?” Michael asked.

  “We’re having a baby!”

  ~ ~ ~

  Alex’s chest tightened as he watched Lauren breathe through another contraction. She’d been laboring for hours in the hospital, making slow progress and refusing pain medication. He hurt for her, wishing he could take the pain away, wanting some way to spare her. The contractions were coming every minute now, and she still managed to keep from swearing through the pain.

  “Holy fudging sugar.” She bit out the words, squeezing his hand so hard he thought she might break it. “Call the nurse. I think I need to push.”

  With those words his heart almost stopped.

  Pushing.

  That was the end-game.

  Shit. He was really about to be a father.

  The next hour was a blur of nurses, countdowns, hand crushing grips, and, at the end, a beautiful dark-haired baby girl.

  As they placed his daughter on Lauren’s chest, tears fell from his eyes with abandon. He’d never seen anything as beautiful as the two of them assessing each other for the first time.

  Lauren stroked her little cheek with one finger. “Hi, there. Welcome to the world, little one.”

  The baby didn’t cry, she just looked, wide-eyed at her mother. “She’s so tiny,” he said, forcing his words through the lump in his throat.

  Reaching out, he found his daughter’s hand and a laugh caught in his chest when she gripped his finger tightly.

  He didn’t know how much time had passed as he stood there, staring down at his family, but the increasingly stressed murmurs of the nurses and doctor caught his attention.

  “What’s going on?”

  The doctor stared at Lauren, addressing her directly. “Lauren, your placenta isn’t delivering. We’re giving you some medicine to make your uterus contract so we can get it out, okay?”

  Lauren nodded, not really paying attention, but Alex knew the dangers of something like this. He’d seen it first hand on a call years ago. A home birth which ended in a healthy baby, but a hemorrhaging mother. They’d almost lost her before they’d loaded her into the ambulance.

  Time seemed to stand still as they waited and the doctor only looked more concerned as she massaged Lauren’s abdomen.

  “Is she going to be okay?” He couldn’t help the fear in his tone.

  Expression grim, the doctor locked eyes with him. “If it doesn’t deliver soon, I’ll need to manually remove it.”

  Alex looked at Lauren, her gaze still focused on the baby. “Can I hold her for a minute?”

  He could tell she didn’t want to give her up, but if the situation turned critical, he wanted the baby safe and for the medical staff to be able to do their jobs. Taking the little bundle from her arms, he stared down at the pink face. She looked like Lauren, but had his chin. Poor thing.

  “I love you, Lauren. So much.”

  She reached out and squeezed his arm. “I love you. I can’t believe she’s here.”

  The doctor started talking to the nurses again, this time a much more frantic tone in her voice. Nurses filed in with a cart, IVs, and the room changed from a quiet and calm space to one filled with potentially dire consequences.

  “What should we name her?” He tried to divert Lauren’s attention, not wanting her to be scared.

  “Madeline.”

  Smiling, he looked at his daughter. “Madeline Samantha?”

  She beamed. “After my abuela?”

  Nodding, he pressed a soft kiss to Madeline’s head. “She means so much to you, I think we should honor her.”

  Lauren wiped the tears from her eyes and sniffled. “It’s perfect.”

  Wincing, Lauren groaned softly as the doctor began massaging her belly again.

  “You’re losing a lot of blood.” The doctor flicked her gaze to Alex and then back to Lauren. “We need to take you in for surgery.”

  Eyes wide, Lauren stared at Alex before addressing the doctor. “What? But the baby’s here. Everything is fine.”

  “We have to get the bleeding under control. Alex, you’ll need to hand the baby to the nurse now, okay? She’ll get her cleaned up, then
you can go see her in the nursery.”

  Panic gripping his chest, he handed Madeline to the nurse, stopping to let Lauren kiss her on the forehead before relinquishing the baby.

  “I love you, Lauren. It’s going to be fine.”

  She nodded, tears in her eyes, then her face went pale as an alarm filled the room.

  “What’s happening to her?” Terror gripped him at the chaos surrounding them.

  “Her BP’s crashing. Roll her on her side and get her to the OR,” the nurse called as she shoved between Alex and Lauren.

  Without a glance back at him they rushed her bed out the doors and out of sight.

  He stood frozen for a moment, alone in the empty delivery room, the cold wash of fear paralyzing him at the thought of losing Lauren. In the silence, he stared around the room with unseeing eyes until his focus landed on the pink and white blanket his mom had knitted for Madeline. This wasn’t just about him anymore. He had a daughter to take care of. Rushing out the door, he caught up to the nurse and followed her to the nursery, not wanting to let Madeline out of his sight.

  Lauren would be okay—she was in good hands, he kept telling himself.

  She had to be.

  God wasn’t so cruel as to take her away from him. Not after all he’d been through.

  Chapter 35

  Alex’s neck ached as someone shook his shoulder. He’d fallen asleep in the waiting room after spending as much time as possible with Madeline before he had to go share the news with his waiting family. His mom had taken over in the nursery for him so he could get some rest, but he’d honestly thought there was no way he’d be able to sleep. He’d been wrong. The stress sent him into a tailspin and after a few minutes, he’d drifted.

  “Mister Oliver?” His heart jumped into his throat as he saw the kind doctor’s face.

  “Is she okay? Please, tell me she’s okay.”

  Smiling, she nodded. “She’s fine. We were able to save her uterus and she did need a blood transfusion, but she came out of everything just fine.”