When he opened his eyes, he breathed a soft sigh. He was obviously troubled, and I felt better knowing that he must have missed me to some degree. To what degree would become more readily apparent, I hoped.
“I wanted to take you to dinner and talk things out. I want to make this work, Ashley. Not just for us, but for our children. I love you, and…I’m willing to compromise,” he said carefully. I hesitated, looking down at myself with a bit of a grimace.
“I’m not really in any state to go out for dinner,” I said uncertainly. He smiled, brushing a hand through my curls.
“I reserved the entire Cerf Blanc. It will be just the two of us, no one to stare or judge,” he explained. I was stunned, and I realized in that moment just how serious he was. A pang shot through my heart upon thinking about the last time we’d been to the restaurant, and my mind flickered to the brief sound of the ballad on the radio as I’d pulled out of the GlobaPharm parking lot.
“I should at least shower,” I croaked out, and he nodded obligingly.
“Take as long as you need, I’ll wait right here. I’m ready to talk like adults, Ashley. I’m ready to be a real man,” he declared.
“You’ve always been a real man in my eyes. The only man for me,” I assured him, before grabbing a towel and making a beeline for the bathroom.
Stepping into the hot water, I tried to tell myself not to get my hopes up too high; tried to remember that he could crush me at any given moment. It was a chance I was willing to take.
* * *
When we pulled into the parking lot of the Cerf Blanc, only the most recognizable vehicles were there. The SUV that the head chef drove, the tour van of the band who had performed the last time we were here.
“You really went all out,” I said nervously, and Jensen grinned somewhat timidly, an expression I was unfamiliar with.
“I wanted to prove a point,” he explained casually.
I didn’t get the chance to ask what he was proving, as he got out of the car and came to help me as well. He gripped my hand tightly, refusing to let me go even once I was out of the car. We walked hand in hand into the restaurant, soft music already playing when we entered. I allowed Jensen to lead me to our usual table, my heart skipping a beat as he pulled a chair out for me.
In that moment, I allowed myself the slightest shred of hope. Perhaps his feelings for me had not dissipated altogether. Maybe they hadn’t dissipated at all.
Taking his seat, Jensen considered me for a moment. He nervously chewed his bottom lip, and I was certain that I had never seen his confidence slip to such an extreme before.
“So…” I began, smiling as the waiter brought me a glass of water.
“Your food will be out soon,” the waiter assured us, and I offered Jensen an inquisitive look. He smiled sheepishly, shrugging a bit.
“I like to think I know what you like, by now,” he explained. A breathy chuckle slipped past my lips, and I nodded my head in agreement. “You’re probably wondering what I brought you here to talk about,” he began, prompting me to nod again. “I wanted to let you know that I’m not willing to give up on you. I want to pursue this relationship as far as we can take it, and…I’m ready to give up all that’s necessary for me to be a good father,” he said with certainty. I tilted my head, pausing to thank the waiter as our food was brought.
“You don’t have to give anything up for me, Jensen,” I tried to assure him, though my heart was pounding in my chest. He smiled, rolling his eyes teasingly.
“You’re my princess. Soon to be my queen, it would seem. We’ll have our own little royal family to take care of, and…it’s not that I have to give it up. I wouldn’t do it just because I’m supposed to. I want to give up some things to make our relationship work. I’ll take on fewer hours, cut out the travel time and the business trips. I’m going to be there for our children, and I’m going to be there for you,” he said assertively.
I felt my cheeks grow warm with pleasure, though I tried to hide it by digging into my food.
“You don’t know how much that means to me,” I finally admitted, between bites. He quirked a grin, looking as if there were more he wanted to say. I tilted my head, somewhat taken with his expression of boyish excitement. “What has you so smiley?” I said.
“I decided on my way to your apartment that it would be rather awkward to go back and forth every day between our apartments. I wanted to take a big first step and…ask you to move in with me,” he confessed.
I must’ve looked shocked, as he made to backpedal.
“You don’t have to, of course,” he tried, but I leaped up from my seat, rushing around the table to grab him up. Our lips met, chastely at first but our passion increased quickly. When I drew away, both of our cheeks were flushed.
“I’d love to move in with you,” I whispered.
Jensen looked utterly delighted, pulling me in for another tender kiss. I moaned against his mouth, running my fingers through his hair.
“All right, then.” He held up his glass. “Here’s to the start of the rest of our lives,” he said with an air of finality.
I have to say, I liked the sound of that.
Chapter 22
Jensen
The next few months were some of the happiest of my life. Ashley’s move went smoothly and my apartment quickly became our home. The more time we spent together, the deeper I fell for her. I didn’t think it was possible, but I loved her more each and every day. The feelings seemed to be reciprocated, and I felt as if things were finally falling into place for me. I had never known how much I desired a proper lover until I had one and she was taken away. With Ashley back in my life, I knew I would never let her go.
We’d already scheduled a C-section for the birth of our children, having been reassured that natural birth wasn’t really an option. When the day came to head to the hospital, I could tell Ashley was terrified. Truth be told, I was rather scared myself, but I managed to keep my composure for her sake, not wanting to allow a sliver of weakness to shine through when I had to be strong for my princess.
Our hands were tightly clasped together for the drive to the hospital, and her entire body quaked from the force of her nerves. I rubbed my thumb against the back of her hand, glancing away from the road for just a moment to check on her.
“I’m scared,” she said quietly, fidgeting nervously in her seat. The scene reminded me vaguely of when we’d first found out we were having four children, though the fallout was blessedly absent. My only concern that time around was comforting her.
“You don’t have to be scared, princess. We’ve hired the best doctor in the country, everything is going to be smooth sailing, I’m sure of it. I’ll be by your side all the way, and in a matter of hours, we’ll be seeing our children for the first time,” I assured her, and I observed her anxious grin from the corner of my eye.
“All this will have been worth it, if they’re all safe and healthy. I’m still just afraid that there may be some side effects from the drug,” she confessed. I tightened my grip on her hand, hating myself for putting that doubt in her mind to begin with.
“Darling, you know that the supplement was approved months ago. You’re worrying over nothing, my love, just please try to relax. I hate to see you upset,” I said comfortingly, and she leaned back in the seat, closing her eyes and steadying her breathing.
“Are we almost there?” she asked, her voice strained. Her free hand rested on the swell of her stomach, trembling vigorously. I drew the hand I was holding to my lips, pressing a gentle kiss to her knuckles.
“We’re here. Wait here and I’ll fetch a wheelchair for you,” I said hurriedly, parking in the nearest spot and rushing to get a chair to transport her in. She had grown huge in the last few months, and while she could still walk, I knew how quickly she tired.
Rushing back to the car, I threw her a stern look as I saw her making an effort to get out of her seat. I quickly rushed forward and helped her into the wheelchair and she sagged into
it, struggling to catch her breath. I could only imagine what an effort it took to carry four children at once.
“We’re not late, are we?” she asked nervously, and I brushed a hand through her hair to comfort her.
“No, baby. Not late,” I smiled.
We were recognized as soon as we stepped into the building, and the next half hour seemed to pass in a blur as they moved us into a room and prepped Ashley for surgery. I could see her nerves working her over, and though I made my best effort to soothe her, there was only so much I could do. I sat in the chair next to the bed, speaking words of encouragement and comfort. She squeezed her eyes shut, shifting uncomfortably on the hospital bed.
“It’s almost time, Miss Calhoun. Just sit tight,” one of the nurses assured her. Her eyes widened in a blind panic, and she made an effort to sit up. I gently placed my hand on her shoulder, cooing softly into her ear.
“It’s going to be okay. You’ll be fine, the babies will be fine. This is the moment we’ve waited so long for,” I whispered. She nodded jerkily, gripping my hand tightly enough that it felt as if the bones might crack. “Just try to relax. Lie back and think of the good times we’ve had these past few months,” I said soothingly. Ashley made a valiant effort, eyes fluttering shut as she exhaled deeply.
“I hope they like the nursery. Green is a nice color, isn’t it?” she asked, obviously forcing her voice to remain level. I could only smile fondly at how hard she was trying to stay composed.
“Gender neutral as well,” I replied, glancing up as an entourage of doctors and nurses stepped into the room.
Ashley’s eyes shot open, and she inhaled a shuddering breath as the group began to crowd around the bed. The nurses busied themselves with thoroughly preparing the area where the incision would be made, the doctor accounting for each individual tool he needed. I wasn’t the only one to notice that Ashley was getting a bit green around the gills.
“Oh, honey, with the epidural you won’t feel a thing,” a nurse assured her. Ashley hummed her acknowledgement, watching as they sterilized a large area of her lower stomach. Before we knew it, the time had come for the procedure to begin.
One by one, the doctor carefully extracted four healthy-looking babies from my lover’s belly. Ashley caught her breath and watched with bleary-eyed fascination as each of the babies was lifted into view. With each infant delivered, the doctor announced the genders in a booming voice.
In what felt like the blink of an eye, everything was finished. Ashley had successfully delivered our four perfect children: three girls and a boy. She looked utterly exhausted, but before she lost consciousness altogether, I asked her about names.
We’d known we were having four children, but somehow we hadn’t really discussed names. We’d been sure that the right thing would strike us when we saw our children for the first time.
“The boy, his name is Jeffrey,” Ashley managed, looking at me with tears in her eyes. I felt my own eyes grow moist—we had truly honored my brother.
We gave the girls names starting with Js as well: Jennifer, Jessica, and Julia. The doctors allowed us a brief moment to embrace with our children, but Ashley was soon lost to the world. Concern must have been obvious in my gaze, as the doctor clapped a hand on my shoulder.
“She just needs some rest, son. Don’t you have some happy grandmothers waiting to meet these little ones?” the man asked with a smile.
I nodded, and before I knew it, my mother was clinging to Jeffrey and choking out sobs while Ashley’s mother fretted over the little girls. I watched the scene tears in my eyes, feeling for once like my family was actually whole again.
Slumping into the chair beside the hospital bed, I gripped Ashley’s hand in my own as our mothers cooed over their grandchildren. I glanced toward my princess, noting that she seemed to be watching peacefully. I hadn’t realized she’d woken back up, but tears of joy were running down her cheeks.
“We did it, Jensen. We actually did it. You think your dad would be proud?” she asked gently, and my heart clenched in my chest.
“He would be thrilled, honey,” my mother said, answering for me. “Not only did Jensen carry on the family name, he found true love in the process. I can’t imagine his father could be any happier.”
“Now you rest, sweetheart. You’ve had a long day,” Ashley’s mother said softly. Ashley looked as if she might argue for a moment, but soon she nodded her head and allowed her eyes to close again.
“I love you, Jensen,” she whispered, tightening her grip on my hand for a moment before she began to drift off.
“Oh, Ashley. I love you too. And I’ll spend the rest of my days being there for you,” I vowed.
I had never been more certain of anything in my life.
What will the next year hold for Ashley and Jensen?
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Baby Bet
Ana Sparks & Layla Valentine
Up next, we have a girl who wants a baby more than anything, and two gorgeous studs who want nothing more than to help her out!
Mine and Ana’s Baby Bet is up next!
Copyright 2018 by Ana Sparks and Layla Valentine
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part by any means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the explicit written permission of the author.
All characters depicted in this fictional work are consenting adults, of at least eighteen years of age. Any resemblance to persons living or deceased, particular businesses, events, or exact locations are entirely coincidental.
Prologue
Violet
2006
“Oh, come to the window, fair Violet!”
The voice pulled me from my vanity, where I was just finishing up my mascara, and to the double windows looking down into the front yard. Pushing the cracked one open, I looked down and found about what I’d expected: my best friend, Sean, holding a rose and grinning.
My own smile tugged at my lips, and I felt a blush heat up my cheeks.
“Are you supposed to be quoting someone?” I called down.
“Yeah! It’s Shakespeare!”
I pressed my palm against my mouth, unable to stop the laughter.
“Hey!” someone called from another house. “Shut up!”
“Get inside,” I hissed at Sean. “Before the neighbors freak out.”
“Yes, m’lady.”
Closing the window, I turned for the door and caught sight of myself in my full-length mirror. It wasn’t the lavish up-do my mom had taken me to get done earlier, or the curve-hugging pink prom dress that caught my attention, though. It was the giant smile on my face.
No one could cheer me up like Sean.
What was I going to do without him?
I swallowed that awful thought down and quickly grabbed my little satin purse. Tonight was supposed to be about fun. We’d never have another chance to be as carefree as we were right then. I might have only been eighteen, but I knew this for a fact. Life would probably get better, sure, but the responsibilities would only grow.
The next day, my whole world would change. But that night was still for the taking.
Sean was already in the living room when I came down, looking amazing in his charcoal suit. His red hair had been brushed to the side, not a strand out of place. The second his green eyes fell on me, fire ignited in my stomach.
Quickly, I bit my bottom lip and looked down.
We’re just friends, I reminded myself. Nothing more.
“Oh…my…God.” My mom stood in the doorway from the kitchen, shaking her head. “You two look so grown up. I can’t take this.”
“Aw, stop, Mrs. Powers.” Sean grinned. “Violet, tell your mom to stop flirting with me.”
“Ew.” I wrinkled my nos
e.
My mom attempted to ruffle Sean’s perfect hair, but he slipped under her arm and stepped out of the way.
“Pictures,” she cooed, plucking her digital camera from the coffee table. “Did you leave enough time to go back to Sean’s so Abigail can get some too?”
Sean and I exchanged a quick look. No way were we trudging all the way back to his house just so his mom could take some pics. We were already fashionably late—wait any longer, and by the time we got to prom it would be over.
“You can just email the ones you take to her, Mrs. Powers,” Sean offered.
“Oh.” Mom frowned slightly. “I can?”
“Yeah,” I quickly said. “Come on, Mom. We need to get going.”
Without warning, Sean wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me against his firm chest. I sucked in a quick breath, inhaling his musky scent. It made my head spin and my heart pound.
“Smile, Violet,” Mom said. “You look like a deer caught in headlights.”
I forced my lips open, and let her click for a few seconds.
“Okay, great,” I nearly yelped. “We need to go.”
Without waiting for an answer, I hauled my butt out the door.
Just friends. Just friends.
It was a mantra I had a feeling I’d be repeating to myself a lot that night.
At school, Sean parked at the far end of the lot. We sat silently for a moment, the only sounds our breathing.
“Ready?” he asked.
Protect Me - A Steamy Bodyguard Romance (You Can't Resist a Bad Boy Book 5) Page 37
