“I thought things were going so well.” Jaclyn said to her.
“You were so wrapped up with Tyler that I did not have the heart to tell you that his friend had become a player.” Savannah said.
“I am your friend Sav, and you know that means a lot to me.” Jaclyn rebuked her. “So are you going to see him again?”
“I don’t know.” She said with a shrug. “He called and apologized and said he was out of line but I am not feeling it anymore. You two have found something special and I am happy for that and that’s what I want, I don’t want to settle anymore.”
“Good for you honey.” Jewel said giving her a hug.
*****
Caroline emptied the box on her bed. She had been holding on to the things James had had locked away in a desk drawer to remind herself of who he really was but now she realized that she no longer needed that. Watching her son and Jewel had taught her a lot. She had shortchanged herself and spent the greater part of her life with a man who had never loved her but had disrespected her every chance he got. There was his secret phone that he had put away every time she had come into the room and she had pretended not to notice. She had the numbers of the women he had been sleeping with and the giveaway text messages that they had shared. She knew about the secretary from the office and had thought about marching over there and telling her to get the hell out but she had thought better of it. They had been as much victims as she had been and what was worse was that the poor women had been in love with him.
She had given away all of his things after making sure that Jordan had no need for them but she wanted no reminder of him inside the suite. He had stopped having sex with her the last year of their marriage and when she had cried and asked him about it he had told her that it had nothing to do with her but everything to do with him. He had turned his back on her and gone to sleep leaving her staring up at the ceiling and wondering what she had done wrong.
She closed the box with a smile and realized that she was free of James McIntyre and she couldn’t be happier!
*****
“How about Selena?” Jordan asked her. They were in the kitchen and she was making a salad to go with the steak he had prepared. She loved this, both of them working together as a couple and it gave her a warm feeling.
“I don’t think so,” she popped a piece of tomato inside his mouth as he leaned over to look at what she was doing. He had already set the table and was waiting for her to finish. His mother had gone out with friends and had told them she was going to have fun.
“Why not?” he asked her puzzled.
“I was thinking Jordanna Angela McIntyre.” She looked up at him with a smile.
“So you have it all figured out, huh?” he asked her huskily.
“Hmm,” she passed him the salad bowl. “We could call her Angel for short.” She suggested.
“I love it.” He took her hand and led her into the dining room.
She told him about Savannah and Blake. “I am glad you have been the only man for me Jordan. I think that is so special and I would never change that.”
“You are the only woman for me, the others have been physical and I wished I could change it. I love you so much Jewel.” He told her earnestly. “You said you want to wait until you have our daughter in order to get married but I want to give you this just the same.” He opened the box he slid out of his pocket and opened it.
Jewel stared at it wordlessly, spellbound by the beauty of the single diamond. “I want to officially declare my love for you and I am asking you to wear my ring.”
“I would be honored to.” She told him huskily holding out her left hand for him to put the ring on her finger. “It’s beautiful.” She whispered.
“I wondered if you would think it was too much. I kept thinking I should go back and get a simpler one.” He was kneeling in front of her.
“How long ago did you buy it?” she asked him curiously, looking down at the ring shining on her finger.
“Since I found out you were carrying my baby.” He told her with a smile. He took her hand and turned it around, kissing her palm and left her tingling.
“And you had it all this time?” she looked at him in amazement.
“Hoping that one day you will say yes.” He nodded.
“I am saying yes over and over again.” She clasped her arms around his neck. “I will always say yes.”
*****
That night she was the one who watched him sleep. They had eaten and he had done the dishes by himself, no longer leaving them inside the sink for the helpers to deal with. He had bathed her, rubbing the sponge gently all over her body and afterwards they had made slow passionate love in the bedroom.
She remembered once in their teenage years when he had brought her chocolates and flowers and how she had treasured them. He had told her he had wanted to buy her a diamond necklace but he knew she would not have accepted it.
“I want to give you so much Jewel, if you will let me.” He had whispered to her as his hands wandered over her body. They had been in their favorite spot in the little wooded area, a little distance from his house. He had brought along a picnic basket along with the flowers and chocolate. “I love you and I want us to be together forever.”
“You are starting to sound like a stalker,” she had teased him.
With a soft sigh she rested her head on his chest and closed her eyes as his arms closed around her. She was where she belonged.
Chapter 9
July came with sizzling heat and thunderstorms. Caroline had decided to throw an open barbecue and had sent out invitations to all her friends and acquaintances and most of the employees at McIntyre and Company. Jewel’s mother had flown in from Florida and was staying with them for the time until the baby was born. It was promising to be quite a crush and Jewel was staying as far away as possible from the planning and the preparing of the 4th of July event, not that she was needed anyway. Caroline had hired the best caterers in town and besides those in the household she had also hired extra help to deal with the cleaning up and making sure everything was perfect. She and Sylvia had hit it off and were both supervising the preparation.
“How about breakfast in bed?” Jordan asked as soon as he came out of the bathroom. He was completely naked and was rubbing the dampness off his skin with a towel. She was still in bed because she felt tired and worn out. She had been having little twinges during the night but had read up on the whole birthing process, and knew it was not the real thing – yet.
“Sounds like a good idea.” She was propped up on several pillows as she tried to get comfortable. “You weren’t planning to go into the kitchen like that were you?” she teased him.
“Maybe,” he came over and climbed the few steps that led up to the huge king sized bed and sat on the edge of it, his green eyes searching her face. He had felt her restlessness last night and had spent the night listening out if she had gone into labor. “You okay?” he brushed wisps of her hair off her forehead as he examined her closely.
“Yes, I am just a little bit uncomfortable.” She told him with a smile. “Now, about that breakfast,”
“Coming right up,” he kissed her gently on the mouth before going off to get dressed so he could prepare something for her.
*****
“Honey why don’t you take a seat? You look like you are about to pop any second now.” Sylvia guided her to a comfortable lawn chair and handed her a glass of ice cold lemonade. She had just come down after she had taken another nap after breakfast and had just woke up half an hour ago. Jordan had given her a shower and helped her get dressed.
It was close to midday and the tables and chairs had been set up. There were gaily colored umbrellas over each table and several people milling around setting up the food area. “Thanks mom,” Jewel said gratefully as she accepted the cold drink.
“Where is Jordan?” she asked, looking around the vast grounds.
“He was in his study making a few calls. I kind of interrupted
a business meeting yesterday when he rushed home thinking I had gone into labor; now he refuses to even leave the house just in case I need to go to the hospital and he is not around.”
“I am so proud of that young man,” Sylvia said shaking her head and taking a seat beside her daughter. “He has taken his responsibilities seriously and I notice how his eyes follow you wherever you are.” She sighed and leaned back against the chair. Her mother had taken to wearing flamboyant and colorful wigs and when Jewel had asked her about it she had told her that all her friends in Florida were wearing them. Jewel looked like her a great deal and they were often mistaken for sisters. “I had something like that with your father,” she continued with a whimsical smile. “Robert is all right, and he treats me like a man is supposed to treat a woman, but your father was the love of my life and no one can ever replace that.”
“Is that fair to Robert?” Jewel asked her curiously. She did not think she could ever be with any one apart from Jordan and even the thought of it made her want to panic.
“We understand each other honey and we are very good companions, and more than that we are very good friends. That’s what’s important at our age.”
“I love Jordan so much; I have loved him all my life, it has become like breathing to me.” Jewel said with a small smile. “He will always be the only man for me.”
“That’s beautiful honey and very few people have that.” Sylvia reached over and squeezed her hand gently.
*****
“I had no idea this place was so huge!” Savannah exclaimed, flopping down on a chair next to Jewel. They were all sitting beside the pool and both Savannah and Jaclyn had brought Tyler and Blake. Savannah had decided to give Blake another chance. “If he screws up again he’s gone for good.” She had said grimly.
Jordan had gone to get Jewel something to eat and the other men had gone to get some strong liquor.
“It’s like a mausoleum only much more beautiful,” Jaclyn agreed. She and Savannah had changed into their bathing suits and had already been into the pool several times. “I could stay here all day like this.” She murmured. “Even though I don’t know half these people.”
“There are mostly friends of Caroline and some of them from the company.” Jewel told her. She had started to feel the twinges again but she was determined not to ruin anyone’s day by even mentioning it.
“Isn’t your due date the fifth?” Savannah asked her.
“It is and I cannot wait.” Jewel said with a sigh. “I feel as big as this place.”
“Not even you could be as big as this place,” Jaclyn told her with a laugh.
There were fireworks and food of all description and the party went on until way into the night. Her friends had left a little bit earlier saying they were going clubbing and they would be seeing her tomorrow. “Call us as soon as you feel the first contraction.” Savannah told her, kissing her cheek as she got ready to leave.
“I will be sure to do that,” Jewel told her with a smile.
*****
Jewel could not sleep. Jordan had finally drifted off at around one o’clock after making sure that she was not feeling any pains and that she was somewhat comfortable. The only way he had gone off to sleep was by her pretending that she was sleeping; but she was wide awake and the twinges had become more intense. She took deep breaths and eased herself up on the pillows, trying to stifle the moans coming from her throat. She wanted Jordan to sleep some more because she was sure this was not the real thing yet, they were too far apart.
She was still wide awake at two and the pain had started to come faster. It was when she let out a loud gasp that Jordan realized what was happening and jumped up. “Jews?” he mumbled sleepily reaching over to turn on the bedside lamp. Her face was tensed with pain and his heartbeat quickened. He was wide awake now! “How long?” his question was terse as he climbed off the bed.
“I started feeling it from this afternoon when the barbecue was going on,” she admitted, breathing in and out.
“And you are just telling me now,” He bit off an impatient sigh as he quickly pulled on the clothes he had worn yesterday.
“I am sorry, I just wanted to wait until it was time,” She broke off as the pain bore down on her again.
He picked up his phone and called the doctor and then he called his mother and hers. They got to the bedroom when he was slipping a floral cotton dress over her head. “The contractions are now five minutes apart,” he told them briefly. His hands trembled slightly as he smoothed down her hair. Her face was tensed with the pain and her hands were clenched into fists. He hated that she was going through this.
“Why don’t you go get the car Jordan and we will finish getting her ready,” Caroline suggested as she and Sylvia took charge.
“Yes go ahead honey, she will be okay, won’t you sweetie?” Sylvia reached for a jacket and she slid her arms inside it.
Jewel nodded, meeting Jordan’s eyes. He hesitated as if he could not bear to be away from her. “It’s okay Jordan,” He nodded and then left.
“Okay honey let’s get you ready.” Sylvia said briskly.
*****
Jordan drove with scant regards to the other drivers and barely paying attention to the traffic lights. His whole body tensed whenever she cried out during a contraction and he wished he could do something to make her stop feeling pain.
He arrived at the hospital in record time and the doctor was already there with a wheelchair and a nurse.
They wheeled her into the labor ward immediately and she was disrobed and changed into a green hospital gown.
“Okay Jewel,” the doctor told her. “Do not push until I tell you to.”
Jordan had been handed a robe as well and he sat by the edge of the bed holding her hand.
“I am right here baby,” he told her softly. “I am not leaving.”
Jewel nodded, feeling another contraction coming. She gasped and clung to Jordan’s hand, her breath coming in a gasp that left her breathless and weak.
“The baby is crowning so I am going to ask you to push when you feel the contraction coming on.” The doctor told her. “Jordan please go behind her and hold her upper body so that she can lean on you when she starts to push.”
The contraction came with gigantic force this time and even though she had been given something for the pain, she still felt it radiating through her body. “Push!” the doctor instructed and she did, bearing back against Jordan as he held her hands. She rested back against him and he wiped her brow with a damp rag. “One more time Jewel and that’s it.”
She pushed with all her strength and fell back wearily against Jordan, a smile on her lips as she heard her daughter’s angry wail. “Our daughter is here,” Jordan said huskily still holding on to her.
*****
She slept as soon as they had cleaned her up and she held her daughter in her arms. She had brown curls and light green eyes, which the doctor said were probably going to change. She looked very much like her dad. He held her and stared down at the tiny figure in wonder. This was his daughter and he could not believe it. “I think she has your nose,” he told her gently, as he sat beside her on the bed.
“Are you trying to make up for the fact that she has everything from you and nothing from her mother who carried her for nine months?” Jewel asked him in amusement. She could barely remember the ordeal her body had been through just moments ago as she gazed at the exquisite picture her daughter and the man she loved made.
“Maybe,” he grinned, bending forward to kiss her lips. “Thank you.” He whispered.
So now she was asleep and Jordan had handed his daughter back to the nurse reluctantly. His mother and hers had exclaimed over the little beauty and had gone home to get some much needed sleep, but Jordan was not leaving. He had called Savannah and Jaclyn and they had come straight over to see the baby.
“She is a beauty isn’t she?” Savannah stared at the little girl in fascination. She had already been tagged with her name: J
ordanna Angela McIntyre as she watched a nurse adjust her blanket.
“She sure is,” Jaclyn commented. They were both standing outside the nursery, staring in. “It kind of makes you want to have one.”
“Not me. I am content to be Auntie Savannah for now.” Savannah said firmly.
“I am going to want one very soon,” Jaclyn said decisively.
“You are talking as if it’s a house or a car that you are going to be purchasing,” Savannah said dryly. “That’s a living and breathing human being that you are going to be responsible for the next eighteen years or so.”
“I am aware of that,” Jaclyn told her. “That’s why I am making sure that Tyler is the one first. I have no intention of being a single parent.”
*****
She woke up to find them in her room and to the smell of jasmine and oleander and some kind of roses and lily, and of course a huge teddy bear.
“It’s about time!” Jaclyn exclaimed, getting up from her position on one of the chairs and coming forward. “We thought you would never wake up.”
Savannah came forward as well and they both sat on opposite sides of the bed. “So how does it feel to be a mommy?”
“It feels strange and scary at the same time.” Jewel eased herself up against the pillows. She had no idea how long she had slept but right now she was famished. “Where did all these come from?” she asked in wonder.
“Some are from us and from Jordan’s company and of course Caroline emptied out her greenhouse as well.” Jaclyn told her with a grin. “I thought you were supposed to call us when you started to feel the first contraction.”
“That of course was the farthest thing from my mind.” Jewel said with a laugh. “Where is Jordan?”
“In the waiting room giving us a few minutes with you. Why don’t you tell him to go home for a little bit? That man is exhausted.” Savannah told her.
“I tried but he is not budging. I guess it has something to do with the fact that he was not here before. He is trying to make up for it.”
“He sure is a keeper.” Jaclyn said seriously.
Hold Me Close: BWWM Romance (Brothers From Money Book 6) Page 23
