by Tess Summers
He thought carefully for a second. “I think it’s something in between. Slacks and a sweater will be fine.”
Ava scowled. “My wardrobe is in short supply of slacks and sweaters these days.”
He smiled. “Babe, wear whatever you’re comfortable in. It’s not a big deal.”
For whatever reason, she felt like being surly. “Fine,” was all she replied before taking a drink of juice. And stop fucking calling me babe.
* * * *
Ava looked nervous as they pulled up to his older brother Tim’s brick two-story with the immaculate green lawn. Tim was the father of Patrick, the boy who’d started all of this by calling Travis to rescue him from being held hostage at Grace’s party.
His little sister Tara was also going to be there with her husband, Jim, and their new baby.
Travis winked and held her hand as they walked in the front door. He took a deep breath, not knowing exactly what to expect next. He had told his family he was bringing a date, which was a big enough deal in and of itself since he had never once brought a woman to any family gathering, but hadn’t mentioned she was with child. As his siblings warmly greeted their brother, they were also very welcoming to Ava as Travis introduced her, all the while trying not to stare or act surprised by her pregnant belly.
Tara’s newborn was sleeping, but Travis couldn’t help but stare at the little girl in wonderment. They were going to have that in four short months. He smiled widely when the baby grasped his finger. Ava grinned when she watched him quickly step away when the little one started to fuss.
Kissing his sister on her temple while hugging her, he beamed. “You done good, kid.”
Tara blushed before disappearing to breastfeed.
Everyone was milling around the gourmet kitchen that rivaled Travis’, nibbling on appetizers and enjoying a glass of wine, or its non-alcoholic equivalent, when Tara returned. Travis decided it was time to make his announcement and made sure everyone’s glass was full before clanking a spoon on his glass to get their attention.
“If you don’t mind, I’m going to start the toasts this time,” he said making sure they were all listening before continuing. “Tara and Jim, congratulations. I love that you’ve made me an uncle once again. Little sister, I’ve never seen you more beautiful than when you hold your baby girl in your arms.” He beamed at her before continuing. “Tim and Sandy, you continue to be the example for the rest of us. The love and care you show each other and your family is amazing and enviable.” He paused and took a deep breath. “This is a particularly special Thanksgiving for me, and I love that I’m able to share it with all of you. As I’m sure you’ve probably figured out, my friend Ava—” He pulled her next to him. “—is pregnant—” He paused for dramatic effect. “—with my baby.” The men smiled, Tim’s wife and kids murmured their surprise, and Tara clapped her hands in excitement, waiting for him to continue. “Our son, Alexander, is due in mid-March.”
The family swarmed them with hugs, tears, and not too intrusive touching of Ava’s belly before continuing their tradition of toasts.
His big brother went next. “Ava, I can honestly say I never thought I’d see the day Travis would be a father. You are obviously very special, and we want to welcome you to our family.” He smiled kindly at her then continued. “Travis, I’ve always been proud of everything you’ve done, but I think this is the best news you’ve ever given me. You’re going to be a great father, and I’m so happy you are naming your son after our dad.” He got a little misty eyed. “I know Mom and Dad are looking down and smiling right now.” He directed his attention to his little sister. “Thank you for finally making me an uncle, and to a little princess no less. I love you all.” Then he raised his glass and offered, “Cheers.”
After cheers in unison from everyone in the room, it was his sister’s turn. Remembering what Travis did at the ball, she took a little different tone.
“Tim and Sandy, Travis is right, thank you for continuing to be the example. I hope to be half the parent you two are.” She faced Travis and Ava. “It doesn’t happen very often, but when my big brother screws up, he does it in grand fashion.” She shot Travis a look, then looked at Ava with a smile. “But Ava, you are proof he eventually figures it out and finds his way. We are so happy for you both and are here for whatever you need.” She took a breath and then closed her eyes tight, balled her free hand into a fist, stamped her feet, and squealed, “I can’t believe Travis is going to be a father!”
Glasses clanked and the siblings’ spouses gave speeches about what a wonderful family Ava was joining and made mock warnings about the Sterling stubbornness. He couldn’t help but smile when he looked at the woman growing his baby inside her.
Ava was talking with Tim’s wife, Sandy, when Travis went into the other room with his sister.
Grabbing him by the arm, Tara whispered, “Oh my goodness, Travis! Congratulations! I thought for sure you had blown it with her at the ball!”
He grimaced. “Tara, I still have blown it. We are not together—yet.” Then he offered his sibling some assurance. “I’m trying like hell though.”
She squeezed his hand and said, “Be patient. There is no doubt in anyone’s mind she loves you; that much is obvious every time she looks at you.” She punched his arm. “You are just as obvious, by the way.”
He smiled a knowing smile. “I don’t know what to do to get her back,” he lamented.
“Be attentive, be caring,” she laughed, “and be available when she gets super horny.”
“She’s going to get horny?” he asked as his eyes widened.
“Big brother, she probably already is.”
That definitely held some possibilities.
While they were all seated at the dinner table, Travis made a point of making sure everyone knew to look for their New Year’s Eve party invitations in the mail by next week.
“Oh no!” Sandy exclaimed, “We have already made plans.”
Travis gave his brother a look. “Cancel them. You need to be there.” He never asked anything of his family, so he hoped Tim understood this was important.
Sandy started to protest when Tim cut her off. “Of course, we’ll be there.”
*
Tim had three boys and one girl, the exact opposite of Ava’s family makeup. Watching the brothers together, she almost felt sad for Steve not having a brother to wrestle and horseplay with when he grew up.
What am I talking about? He horseplayed with me.
She also watched them wistfully when she realized Alexander wasn’t going to have a full biological sibling. She was going to have two different fathers for her children. Ugh. Holidays were going to suck as they tried to juggle family schedules.
Her rational side took over. Let’s wait and worry about that when we have to, okay?
The afternoon had been wonderful. They made her feel so comfortable and she loved the toasts welcoming her into the family.
Except she wasn’t joining their family. Her baby was, not her. Still, she allowed herself to admit it would be a wonderful family to join. She decided she’d let Travis deal with the detail that they weren’t a couple when he needed to and instead just enjoyed the rest of the time with his warm and loving relatives.
After their meal was finished and things were cleaned up, they made their way to the living room, Sandy in the oversize chair with Tim on the floor leaning back between her legs, Tara and Jim on the sofa with their baby in the car seat on the floor next to the couch, and Travis and Ava on the loveseat. Travis’ arm casually draped around Ava’s shoulders. They started reminiscing about past Thanksgivings when their parents were alive and teasing each other about bad hair and wardrobe choices, among other missteps from their youth. By their stories of their parents when they were kids, it was obvious they were very loved children. That made Ava happy. Travis also had a great example of parenting that seemed to match her own experience. She gave an internal sigh of relief. Their
kid might be okay after all.
Checking the time, Travis announced they needed to be back at the Ericsons’ for Round Two of their Thanksgiving dinner. With a warm sendoff, they were on their way.
“Your family is wonderful.” She smiled with her head against the headrest as they drove off in his BMW.
“Thanks. I think so too.” He grinned. “Except my sister’s baby is ugly. I hope our son is cuter than she is!”
That made Ava laugh out loud. “You are going to think Alexander is the most beautiful baby you’ve ever seen. Even if no one else thinks so. I promise!”
He grabbed her hand and squeezed it.
“Thanks for coming. That meant a lot to me.”
She kept hold of his hand and smiled again. “I’m glad I got to meet them.”
She really was glad. It helped her know what kind of family her son was going to be with when he spent his holidays with his dad.
All of a sudden, she started to cry.
“What’s wrong?!” he asked. “Did someone say something to upset you?” Poor guy. She knew he needed a roadmap to deal with her feelings. Her fragile, extra-sensitive, hormone-fueled feelings.
She sobbed, “I just realized I’m not going to be with him at every holiday!”
Travis frowned and slowed the car down so he could pull over. Putting it in park, he undid his seatbelt, then turned to face her. She thought he was going to yell at her by the somber look on his face. Instead he undid her seatbelt, cupped her face in his hands, and looked into her tear-filled eyes.
“Ava Faith, I love you, and you are going to be at every holiday with our son because you are stuck with me whether you like it or not. I know you loved me once, and I’m hopeful you’ll be able to love me again someday. You are the best thing to ever happen in my life, and I’m never letting you go again. Never. Not without a helluva fight.”
She stared at him, not sure she was believing what she was hearing. He loves me?
He then kissed her on the mouth firmly and ardently, and she let out a small groan as she wrapped her arms around his neck. He loved her! His mouth felt so amazing on hers. His tongue sought hers out and she gladly welcomed it. Breathing harder, he started sucking on her lips while exploring her body with his hands. Finally, he pulled away and asked her to put her seat belt on as he buckled back up.
She groaned internally, noooooo! Dinner was going to be torture. She knew all she would be able to think about was making love to him. Maybe they could play footsie under the table.
When he missed the turn to the Ericsons’, she made no objections as he pulled onto his street instead. They were in the house immediately, their lips locked as they stripped on their hurried way to the bedroom.
She heard the barking of Fred and Ginger, incensed they were not being let out of their room to say hello. That sound made her happy. She was so glad Fred was okay.
Her mind quickly went back to the hands roaming all over her body, and he gently laid her down on the bed. Although he had been kissing and fondling her with a fervor that left them both panting, he was very careful as he helped her remove the last of her clothes before pausing to admire her for a few minutes.
Completely naked with her swollen belly, she looked directly at him and simply said, “I love you.”
She had missed his touch so much. The last few days with him back in her life had been wonderful. She truly did enjoy his company when he was clothed, but the things he made her feel when he was naked were almost indescribable.
*
What the fuck did I do to deserve her?
He smiled as he finished removing his clothes. He wasn’t sure what he’d done but he was going to do his damnedest to be worthy of her from now on. Crawling up her soft body, he paused to kiss her stomach and of course, her breasts, before reaching her face, where he looked at her tenderly.
“I love you too,” he whispered before placing his mouth on hers and kissing her with passion.
He wanted to explore every inch of her changed body, kiss each part until neither of them could stand it. She clung to him like she was never going to let go. Holding her in his arms the last few nights without actually touching and caressing her beautiful body had been torture. A wonderful, awful torture.
As he was tasting her skin, he had an ugly thought: it was going to kill him when he had to take out a condom to use. He knew it was going to hurt her too and prayed it didn’t bring things to a halt. He’d have to make sure she was too turned on to want to stop.
Wait. That’s kind of shitty. Definitely not behavior worthy of her.
He needed to stop and be upfront with her now, before they were past the point of no return, while she still had some of her faculties.
He moved back up to her face and kissed her softly on the mouth.
“Baby, we’re going to have to use a condom tonight,” he shamefacedly told her. He didn’t offer to stop. He was trying to be a good guy, but even he had his limits. He’d let her make that call.
It was obvious by the look on her face she was hurt by what that meant.
“Okay,” she said in a low voice.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay, Travis. I understand. Do you want to put one on now?”
“Are you kidding me? We’re not even close to that yet, baby.”
He then proceeded to make his apologies to her body by touching and kissing every part covered in skin. Finally, he slid between her legs and breathed in her scent before plunging his tongue inside of her, not bothering to make acquaintances with the other parts of her pussy. She gasped and bucked her hips a little until he withdrew his tongue and replaced it with his finger so he could tend to her lips and clit with his mouth.
He attacked her pussy with a fervor, and because he knew her body so well and it had been so long since the last time he’d touched her down there, it didn’t take long until she was moaning and gasping her appreciation as an amazing orgasm wracked her body. He didn’t stop as it did and was surprised she let him continue; normally she was pushing his head away by now. He proceeded to lick her to a second climax not long after her first and was feeling pretty proud of himself when the thought of what he had to do next surfaced.
He was glad he had made her come first. Now, if she wanted to quit, she could without her hormones being in complete control. When she drew his head to her and kissed him thoroughly while moving her hand down to stroke his cock, he was even more glad because he knew she was doing it because she wanted to, not because her desires were making her.
She swung her legs round to straddle his muscular thighs and began to rub his cock while watching his face. He didn’t take his eyes off hers as she moved her hand in a steady pace up and down his shaft. Lowering her head, she peeked up at him with a small smile through the hair covering her face, then bent down to moisten him with her tongue. Taking long, wide licks as she cupped his balls, he heard her murmur, “Mmm,” then he threw his head back with a gasp when she completely engulfed him between her lips. Deliberately dipping him deep in her mouth and sensuously pulling him out slowly, she was obviously enjoying teasing him as she started to roll her hips in rhythm with her mouth and hands.
Travis was somewhat timid about fucking her. Were there rules when making love to a pregnant woman? Was he going to hurt their baby?
He didn’t have to worry as Ava took the lead. Getting the dreaded purple package from his nightstand, she rolled the condom on him before sliding her body up to his groin and putting his cock at her entrance. He pushed forward slightly as she rocked down with little thrusts, letting her body get used to him gradually. When he finally was completely inside her, he could have sworn he heard the hallelujah chorus, that’s how good it felt, and how much he had missed her.
Closing her eyes, she moved up and down on his cock slowly and steadily and let out a little moan. Watching her, he wondered how it was possible to feel such lust and love at the same time because he was over-the-moo
n in love with her but still wanted to fuck the shit out of her.
She began to thrust her hips urgently and laid forward onto his chest, riding him even faster. When he held her waist and took over, he was so turned on that it didn’t take long before he came hard. He heard her sigh and felt her smile against his chest when he was finally still.
They laid there quietly for a few minutes relishing the moment until he lifted her up off him and made his trek to the bathroom to clean up.
“Do you think we should get ready and go to your parents’ now?” he asked as he tossed her a towel.
*
Oh shit! She had completely forgotten it was Thanksgiving. Actually, she had forgotten almost everything except her name when he licked her to multiple orgasms. That was a first, and she wondered if the pregnancy hormones had something to do with it. Happiness exuded from her when she realized she’d have the opportunity to find out after the baby was born.
“Oh my goodness! Yes!”
She brushed her hair and tried to get the Just Been Fucked look off her face, but it wasn’t happening. She was positively beaming, and every single member of her family noticed it when they arrived late. Her mother had been annoyed at first that they had been kept waiting, but then noticed Travis and Ava’s change in displays of affection toward each other. Travis protectively having his arm around her chair during dinner, and Ava leaning into him when she spoke, her happy smile as she touched him lovingly…and their goddamn googly eyes for each other.
Ava excused herself not long after dinner to go and lie down. Travis walked her to the pool house, where he asked her what she thought about him going back to talk with her family and hopefully win Steven over, or at least make the man dislike him less. He made headway when he mentioned he had attended Stanford Law; Steven had studied at Stanford for his undergraduate degree. Her brother also had noticed how much Travis doted on Ava at dinner, and that once he realized it was dark out, went to check on her, causing Steven to relent his previous position and admit Sterling was going to take good care of his sister.
