My Savior Forever

by Vicki Green

  Chapter twenty-seven

  Stella and I walk over to the booth Jesse is sitting in. I am feeling a little better now. I slide in next to him and he puts his arm around my shoulder. I turn my head, look at him and smile. “I’m better now. Must have been something I ate that didn’t agree with me.” He smiles back and gives me a kiss on my forehead. “Good. You had me worried, baby.”

  Stella walks over with some saltine crackers and a glass of water and sets them down in front of me. I look up and smile. “Here, pumpkin. This is always good to settle a sour stomach,” she says smiling and gives me a wink.

  She reaches across me with her hand out to Jesse. “I’m Stella. Been kind of like a mom to my pumpkin here.” Jesse shakes her hand and nods. “I know you’re Jesse. Nice to meet the man who has captured my pumpkin’s heart.” She smiles at him.

  The rest of the crew eventually stops by the table to meet Jesse and to give me hugs then leaves us to eat.

  “So, you never really told me what you do, Jesse, besides look for your mom’s killers. You have me curious,” I say looking at him with a raised eyebrow.

  He clears his throat and squirms in his seat. “Well, I run a Charity Organization out of the house. I have several large corporations that privately hire me and my staff to organize big charity events and manage the money from them. I do most of the work from my computer and phone. My clientele keeps growing all the time and pretty soon I may have to hire more staff.” He looks at me proudly and smiles.

  “Wow that sounds great! You must be good at what you do,” I say biting my finger nail. “Why do you say that?” He asks.

  “Hmm, well, if you’re getting more clients all the time you must be doing something right.” I look down at my hands in my lap and then back up at Jesse. “Well, I guess what I don’t know is, where do you live? I mean, you don’t live at your safe house, or do you? I guess there’s still a lot I don’t know about you?” I sound and look confused.

  Again Jesse squirms in his chair. “I really haven’t been too forthcoming, have I?” I shake my head. He takes his hand and places it on my face, his thumb rubbing my cheek. “And you have been so sharing, so giving, about your life.” He smiles.

  “Baby, I pretty much don’t have to worry about money to live on. Let’s just say I can live very comfortably. I love what I do with the charities. It keeps me occupied and I do attend some of them to keep up appearances and relationships with my clients. But if I didn’t work a day in my life, I still wouldn’t need money. My mom was a wealthy woman from when she was married to my birth father. I inherited it all when she died. I started the company five years ago, mainly out of boredom. In the first year it was horrible. I couldn’t find the right staff, no one I hired was competent or could be trusted. Then when Betsy applied, my assistant and right hand, everything just took off. Between us, the next three years we were booming with clients. So much that Betsy didn’t mind that I took off to find mom’s killers. She took on almost everything while I was gone. She would call me and give me updates or ask questions if she needed help.”

  I looked at him with admiration. “Wow, Jesse. Your dad and Allie must be so proud of you. How could they not? Look at what you have accomplished! I am so proud of you.” I smile.

  He grabs me and throws his arms around me. He cradles my head as he kisses me. “You don’t know what that means to me,” he says in my ear.

  We let each other go but he continues to hold my hand. “They are proud but dad flipped out when I told him I was going after mom’s killers. Allie did too but she tried to understand.”

  Stella chose then to come over and started to clear our dishes. “Pumpkin. Are you and Jesse going to stay at your apartment? I have been keeping it clean hoping you would be back some day,” she says with a sniffle.

  Jesse looks at her and then at me. “Um, well, I was going to talk to you about that, Stella? Can you give us a few minutes?”

  I look at Stella’s concerned face and smile at her. She smiles back, winks and walks away.

  I turn in my seat so I am facing Jesse better. “What was that all about?” I asked him skeptically.

  He takes my hands in his. “Ahem. Well, on the way here I saw this house for rent. It’s just outside of town. I’d like us to go and see it. If it looks good I was thinking about renting it for us?” He clears his throat. “That is, if you want to maybe stay with me?”

  My heart just melted. I mean right here it melted into a puddle on the floor.

  I launch myself at him so hard he falls back with me and hits his head on the window sill. “Ouch!” He yells grabbing the back of his head. He starts laughing.

  “Oh, my God, Jesse! I’m so sorry! Are you ok?” I say giggling the whole time.

  He stops laughing. “Is that a yes?” He asks seriously. I nod. “Then I am just perfect.”

  Chapter twenty-eight

  The next morning we go to the house and Jesse calls the number on the sign for the owner to come meet us. He’s a burly man, maybe early thirties with a beard and an earring in one ear. He has black jeans on with a black shirt that has the sleeves cut off. Tattoos adorn his arms.

  He shows us around the two story house. It has three bedrooms, a nice sized family room, huge kitchen with eating area and separate dining room. We find that the basement is finished with a rec room, 2 bedrooms, full bath and a smaller room that’s perfect to use as an office. The backyard is really nice, fenced in with a deck off the kitchen.

  “I will do some maintenance but if you can fend for yourself that would help me out. I own the new tattoo parlor in town so I don’t have a lot of extra time to spare,” he says to Jesse. “Names Buck. My parents owned the house. After they passed away and I moved back here a few weeks ago, I decided to rent it out since there is an apartment over the shop. I know it doesn’t have much furnishings but if you want to get all your own stuff just let me know and I’ll come around and pick everything up.”

  Jesse shakes his hand and introduces us. Buck clears his throat, “Well, I’ll give you all a little bit of time to look around on your own. I’ll just be out front making a couple of calls. Take your time.” And with that he leaves us.

  We walk around for a while and end up in the kitchen. Jesse leans back against the counter and takes my hands. “Well, what do you think, baby?” He asks. I turn my head looking around the kitchen. “I love it! But, I really can’t afford much.” I look down shyly.

  He lifts my chin with a finger and says, “You can work at the Café because I know you love the people there and if that’s what you want to do. If you don’t want to work at all, that’s ok by me too. But you don’t have to pay for anything. This is something I want to do for you. For us.” He leans forward and kisses me lightly. Sigh.

  I shake my head. “Jesse, you don’t have to pay for everything. I want to help out. I don’t want to feel like I’m a freeloader.” I smile.

  Jesse laughs. “I’ll tell you what, as long as you help me with the cooking and decorating this place to make it a home, you can do what you want with your money,” he says and he pulls me into his arms. I nod. “Deal!” We laugh.

  Once we told Buck we would rent the house and Jesse gave him the deposit, he gave us the keys. We broke in the house properly by making love on the family room floor.

  ~*~*~*~

  Later that evening we checked out of the hotel and went over to the Café for dinner. I told Stella and the girls that we rented the house and we all stood there screaming like girls and hugging. “Does that mean you’ll come back to work, pumpkin?” Stella asks.

  “I would like to, if that’s ok? I may just need a few days to get settled?” I shrug.

  Stella gives me a big hug. “Of course it’s ok, honey. You just let me know when you’re ready and I’ll add you to the schedule. I am so glad you’re back safe and sound.”

  Once the girls get back to work Stella gets close and softly says, “Um, any more stomach problems? Have you figured out for sure what that was?”
She raises her eyebrows.

  I look around and see Jesse sitting in our booth talking to Brenda. “Yeah, I am still getting nauseous off and on and no, I’m not sure yet but I am going to take another pregnancy test tonight.” I look at her with tears in my eyes. “Stella, I’m scared.”

  Stella hugs me and whispers, “Don’t be scared, pumpkin. We are all here for you and whatever happens, we love you.” I nod my head on her shoulder.

  After dinner we do a little shopping at the furniture store. We try out the beds, laughing as we bounce on them and roll around. We order bedroom furniture, couches, chairs, a dining set, breakfast table and chairs, the works. It will all be delivered tomorrow afternoon.

  After going grocery shopping we return home and start unpacking the bags. I am exhausted! When we are done, Jesse comes over and puts his hands on my shoulders, looking at me with concern in his eyes. “Baby? Are you ok? You look kind of pale.”

  “I’m just really tired. All this running around today has me worn out,” I smile at him. “Do you mind if I just go to bed?” He lets out a sigh of relief. “No, you go ahead. I will just get some stuff done around here and then I’ll join you.” He gives me a kiss on my forehead.

  I go upstairs and find the pregnancy tests in his bag and take one into the bathroom. As I sit and wait for it to be done I think about what I am going to do if it shows positive. How will I know who the father is? I am so nervous. I know there is only a small chance it may not be Jesse’s but I want to know for sure, to help put all the bad behind me.

  After a few minutes, I look over at the test on the counter one eye closed and the other squinting. I’m not sure why I think that’s going to help. The test is glaring at me. ‘POSITIVE’, it shouts!

  I sit down on the floor. Oh, my God! What am I going to do?

  Chapter twenty-nine

  The next morning Buck comes over with a couple of other men to remove all his furniture from the house. Once they leave Jesse and I thoroughly clean the house from top to bottom. The furniture is delivered at 1:00 that afternoon and I am so excited to get the house to look like a home.

  Of course, I am exhausted once everything is in its place but we just had to christen our new bed right away!

  I have a hard time sleeping that night. I keep thinking about the fact that I am going to have a baby. I am not worried about being a mother at all even though I wasn’t planning to have any kids this early in my life. I’ve always wanted to have kids. I am more worried about who the father is, but I know I’ll love my baby no matter what.

  In the morning, while eating breakfast I am really quiet. “Baby? What’s wrong? You’re so quiet. Are you ok?” Jesse asks looking at me concerned.

  Do I tell him? I’m so scared of his reaction. I know he said we would deal with this together and that he would love the baby no matter what but deep down I am afraid if it isn’t his then he’ll leave me.

  I smile. “Everything’s great! You just really wore me out yesterday. Cleaning, getting all the furniture in their right places and the sex, WOW! That really did me in.” I laugh a little.

  Jesse changes his concerned look to a wide grin. He reaches over and cups my face rubbing circles on my cheek with his thumb. “That was amazing last night. I love you so much! You know that, right?” Jesse’s eyes are so full of love.

  I sigh. How can I do this to him? What if the baby is not his? I need to talk to someone. I need Stella.

  I look at Jesse. “I love you too, so much! I am so happy right now. I can’t believe after everything we’ve been through that we are sitting in our new home and that we’re together.”

  Jesse and I clean up our breakfast mess together. I go up to take a shower and get dressed while Jesse goes into his new office down the hall to do some work.

  I look at myself in the mirror. I don’t look any different. Ok, maybe I am a little pale probably from my sour stomach that I cannot get rid of. But I don’t really feel different.

  Once I am done I tell Jesse I am going to go do a little shopping and have lunch with Stella. He gives me a kiss that we both don’t want to end. We both laugh after pulling away from each other as he says, “We will definitely be picking that up later. So don’t be too long.” He winks.

  “Oh, I’ll hurry,” I say. “Can I have the keys to the car?”

  Jesse digs in the pocket of his jeans and hands me the keys as well as some money. “Get what you want, baby. Dang, that’s something else we need to go shopping for. A car for you. Maybe we can do that later tonight or tomorrow, ok?” I nod and kiss him on the cheek.

  I park by the strip mall and find a shop that has a lot of things to decorate with. I walk around inside looking at all the different pictures they have on their walls. I want to find some things to give our house a homier feel.

  I find a few I like and pay for them. I am hoping to get a camera and take some pictures of us and our new life together to frame and place around the house too.

  I get to the Café around 11:30 and find a booth. Stella comes out from the back shortly after and tells Brenda she is taking her lunch break. Of course Brenda sees me and runs over to give me a hug. As Stella sits down she looks at Brenda. “Ok, ok, you saw your girl. I will have the Turkey Club and a Sweet Tea. Cassie?” She looks at me.

  “I’ll just have the Salad with Chicken, please. Oh, and a Diet Coke,” I say to Brenda. She writes down our orders and walks away.

  “Pumpkin, you need to eat more than that. You are skinnier than a toothpick,” Stella says shaking her head.

  I laugh. “I know. Geez, it’s not like you haven’t told me that a gazillion times.” I roll my eyes.

  I clear my throat and look around the Café. Not many people here yet. We are pretty early before the lunch crowd starts coming in.

  I look at Stella and the tears start to form. “Stella, I’m pregnant. I don’t know what to do. I’m so scared. I know I will love this baby no matter what, but I’m so afraid that when I tell Jesse, he’ll want nothing to do with me,” I say quickly.

  Stella reaches over the table and takes my hand. She looks into my eyes with a frown. “Pumpkin, it will be ok. I can tell Jesse loves you. Didn’t you say he told you no matter who the father is that he will love the baby?’

  I nod at her with a tear rolling down my cheek. “But, Stella. You know how my life has been. Something will happen to mess it up, it always does.” I sniff. “It just seems like when anything goes right in my life, something comes along and ruins it. I’m scared that will happen. I-I can’t lose him, Stella. I love him so much.”

  “Hey, hey now. You stop this right now! I mean it, Pumpkin. You’re a good person. You’re the most caring and loving person I know. You are going to make a wonderful mommy and I truly believe that Jesse will be a great daddy.” She smacks my hand lightly. “Now, you go to the bathroom and freshen up. Go on!” Stella looks at me with a smile. “Everything will be just fine. Now, go on, go get cleaned up. I am going to write down my OB’s name and number for you. You need to make an appointment quick, ok?” I nod at her, get up and go to the bathroom.

  I am feeling a little better when I get home from lunch. Stella always has had a way to make me see things in a better way, giving me hope.

  I find Jesse asleep on the couch. I get on my knees in front of him and quietly stroke his hair. He stirs, half opens his eyes and looks into mine.

  He grabs my other hand and pulls me up and on top of him. I giggle as I get situated on him. He takes my hair that is hanging down between us and wraps it behind my ear. Then, he pulls me down and crashes his lips to mine. We both moan.

  As we kiss he starts to unbutton my shirt. I tug on his t-shirt, trying to pull it up. He stops our kiss sitting up enough to grab the back of his shirt, yanking it over his head, and throws it on the floor beside the couch. As I start to finish unbuttoning mine, he moves my hands away and finishes for me.

  We are looking into each other’s eyes as he pushes my shirt off one shoulder and then the other. H
e removes my shirt and throws it by his.

  We are still staring at each other as he reaches behind me and unclasps my bra throwing it over his shoulder.

  My head goes back, and I close my eyes as he cups my breasts with his hands. I moan and arch my back pushing my breasts into his hands even more. With one hand on my left breast, he takes the other and places it on my waist. He leans down and sucks my nipple into his mouth. I moan as he nips and sucks while kneading my other breast.

  I grab the back of his head and pull him closer as my body flames with desire.

  “Ugh! Jesse!” I pull his head back and hear a POP as he releases his mouth from me. I look at his eyes, mine half-mast. “Now! I need you now inside me, please,” I beg.

  Jesse reaches under me and pulls out a condom from his pocket. I lift as he pulls off my pants and underwear while I am popping the button of his jeans. Anxiously, he removes my hands and pulls his jeans down. Once he has the condom on I slide down on his cock.

  “Ohhh,” I moan. He is much deeper in me this way and is hitting my soft spot each time I move. I lean over, my hair is shrouding our faces, and kiss him passionately. Our tongues move wildly as we both reach our climax. I am left panting on top of him as I fall onto his chest. He pumps into me a few more times as our blissful ride comes back down to reality.

  Chapter thirty

  Later that evening we are sitting around watching TV. I have been very quiet all night, lost in my thoughts of my pregnancy and how to tell Jesse.

  When Jesse comes back from the kitchen with popcorn, he turns to face me as he sits. “Ok, what’s going on? You’ve been too quiet. I can tell something is eating at you. You have this faraway look on your face, and I know you haven’t been paying attention to the movie, or anything else for that matter,” he says as he takes my hand.