Living Chances (Unexpected Series Book 3)

by Schiefer, S. L.

  I see a limo idling at the curb. Apparently, my pretty boy is pulling out all of the stops tonight, which is appreciated, but not necessary.

  “You sly thing. Where are we going?” All I get is a smile. “You can use your words you know.” Another smile.

  The car ride is silent. I’m not exactly sure what to say to him, because he isn’t answering any questions. The drive lasts about an hour, before I see lights but can’t really make out what they are. Once we pull to a stop, Jayden hops out and holds his hand for me. Following him out, I see that we are in front of one of the most expensive hotels in South Carolina. I just so happen to know, that inside is one of the best Italian restaurants. I’ve never been able to get in and eat there though, not wanting to spend that kind of money on just a night of food. But it looks like Jayden isn’t opposed to it.

  Ushering me inside, we head straight to the elevator that will take us up to the top floor. The doors open and it is dimly lit, with tables spread sporadically throughout the room. Each one is intimate and classic. We are escorted to a table next to the window. The view is breathtaking. I’m not sure what he’s up to tonight, but if we could he would totally be getting laid.

  This restaurant is not one that you order your food. Whatever the chef makes is what you get. I’m so excited to try whatever it is that is brought out. Our conversation is very basic, nothing heavy. We sip our wine continuing the small talk until the waiter brings us our entrees. They’re both a classic Fettuccini Alfredo, my fucking favorite.

  All conversation is a lost cause.Instead, moans of pleasure are coming from me. Jayden, trying to keep from laughing, is shaking with silent laughter.

  “I now understand what my brother was talking about when you first met my parents.”

  “He told you about that? What the fuck?” I swore that fucker to secrecy.

  “He’s told me a lot of things about you, probably a lot you don’t want me to know about.” He grins at me.

  I ignore him and go back to my food. I cannot even handle him. We’re not talking about any of the embarrassing shit I’ve done in front of Jonah. We would need many weeks worth of conversation to discuss it all.

  After finishing our entrée, our desserts were brought to us. I all but inhale mine, which had Jayden shaking again, muffling his laughter.

  “Annie?” I look up to his worried green eyes. What in the world does he have to be worried about?

  “Yes, Jayden?” He stands up, walking the short distance to stand in front of me. Still unsure as to what he’s up to, he crouches down in front of me.

  Clearing his throat, “Annie, I know things have not gone anywhere near planned the past year. But there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that I know the future holds nothing but great things for us. What I want to know–need to know–is if you’re ready to start our life together? Officially. If you tell me yes, for the next twenty-four hours you have to do exactly what I say without question.”

  Well, that’s a little scary, but… “Of course, absolutely. I’ve been ready.”

  “Well, sweetheart. Let’s go.” No questions allowed, right?

  For once in my life, I keep any and all comments to myself. It’s hard, but I just go with it,with whatever he has planned. I know I hate surprises but…they can be good right? For his sake, it better be.

  He leads us back to the elevator and hits a button for a different floor. Taking us to a room, where we are apparently staying tonight. Waiting inside the room are a couple of girls, smiles present on their faces. What the fuck.

  “I know I said no questions. But what the hell is going on?”

  “Annie, be nice. These ladies are here to help you get ready. Tonight, you’re becoming mine, sweetheart. I’ve been planning a wedding behind your backand somehow, by the grace of God, we were able to pull this together in a really short time. We’re getting married tonight.”

  “Www… What? YOU planned a wedding? Our wedding? Are you fucking crazy?” Screaming at him by the last word.

  “Baby, calm down. Once you’re done getting ready, the front desk will call the limo for you.” He kisses my forehead and turns and leaves. That fucking shit head!

  “Well, ladies. Do your best.”

  Everything is ready to go when I get to the beach.All the candles and chairs are in place. Not many people will be here. My dad is actually going to be giving Annie away to me. He’s come to think of her like a daughter, so it was only fitting.

  I’m in the same tux that we went out to dinner in. Knowing that I wasn’t going to have time to deal with changing I just wore it out. Momma is here with Josh, Jonah is standing as my best man and Brandy is standing as the maid of honor.

  In the distance, I see the limo pull up. Dad steps out and then Annie follows him. She’s looking around the beach, no doubt awed at all the stuff we accomplished in a short amount of time. Everyone is already in place and the few people we have here are already sitting down. Tracy is among one of the few. That’s why Annie and she haven’t had lunch. I roped her into helping and she thought she wouldn’t be able to keep her trap shut. Her words not mine. So, she kept making up excuses to avoid Annie.

  The small band starts up playing the music, when they reach the little path set up for them to walk to me. Annie makes eye contact with me, and a smile plays across her face. It’s as if this is the moment both of us were waiting for. The feeling of completeness and knowing that after all the shit we’ve been through, that our love can withstand everything.

  Our love may have been a fast whirlwind and not the most traditional, but it doesn’t make it any less true. People scoffed when we got engaged, not understanding. When you meet the one you know you’re supposed to be with, why wait?

  I may have a lot of lessons left to learn in life, but I want to learn them with Annie by my side. Coming closer to the end of their path, I hear the pastor say the traditional “who gives this woman to this man,” followed by my dad replying. All I can focus on is her in that dress, another one I picked out. I did good. Too bad I won’t be getting laid tonight.

  The End, Maybe…

  “Josh! Quit taking your diaper off and spreading your poop everywhere.” I hear Jayden tell our son and I giggle. I don’t think Jayden ever thought about all the downsides to having a little boy. He was just so excited to have someone to follow in his footsteps. Apparently, taking adult sized poops is one of those followings.

  “Jayden, are you almost ready to go?” I yell.

  It’s our one year anniversary and my birthday. I don’t know what exactly we’re doing because he’s surprising me, yet again. I don’t complain too much anymore. His mom and dad are coming to take Josh for however long we’ll be gone. I don’t even know that either.

  “I would be, if your son didn’t want to spread his shit around his room before we can get to him.” He yells back, which just makes me smile bigger.

  We’ve been through hell and back since that first night. But, you know, I wouldn’t change one bit of this life for nothing. We did everything backwards, but it worked for us. If I would have met Jayden under different circumstances, it’s hard to tell if we would have made it here.

  I stalk through the house in my four inch heels, trying not to break my ankle. I’m brought to a sudden stop when thirty pounds of toddler comes barreling into me. Naked. This child came into the world naked, and wants to keep it that way. Shaking my head, I ask him, “Joshy, where are your clothes and diaper?”

  He holds his arms up, and I try to ward him off. I don’t need piss or shit on me.

  “Daddy no give me cwose.” His tiny little voice and baby talk melts my heart every single time.

  “Daddy wouldn’t give you clothes?” He has drool sliding down his chin, and he puckers up for a kiss. Who could say no to his pudgy little face? So I bend down to his level and give him noisy kisses, making him squeal and run away. “Baby, put some clothes on! Or at least a diaper!”

  Jayden comes stomping down the stairs, scowl in place. I
’m trying so hard not to laugh at him, but somehow only Jayden walks into his room covered in shit. And I’d like to keep it that way.

  “Did you get it all cleaned?” I snicker, all I get from him is a growl as he stomps past me. “Aw, babe, are you upset?” My shoulders are shaking with repressed laughter.

  “Just fucking let it out, no need to hold back on my account.” More growling.

  Once he finds out what my present is to him, I’m sure there will be less growling. Hopefully. Or more, depending on if we’re in bed or not. The last time I told him I was pregnant obviously didn’t go so well. But, he’s moved up in rank and is doing office work now,which means less deployments. Which is perfect for my news.

  There is a knock on the front door so I start over that way. But, Jonah walks in before I can get there.

  “Hey, Jonah!” And in walks… you guessed it! Kyle! They’re still doing really great. Kyle is the perfect guy for him. Keeps his haughty attitude in check. “Hi, Kyle! Are you guys ready for toddler time?”

  “Kyle is stoked for some reason.” Jonah raises his eyebrow at his lover.

  “Are you kidding? I love Josh.” Kyle puts his hands on his hips.

  “Yeah, we all love the little devil spawn.” Huffing, Jonah walks towards the kitchen. No doubt to grab a beer. So, my sweet little baby has turned in the spawn of Satan. He can be a definite handfuland I want to add another one to the mix? Yeah. I’m crazy. No one knows yet, I just took the test this morning.

  “C’mon Annie. Let’s get out of here while we can.” Jayden grabs my arm and practically drags me out the front door. Laughing, I yell a good bye to the boys, and do what Jayden says. We sneak out before my tornado realizes we’re leaving.

  Since I had him, I’ve decided to just stay home with him. Jayden makes enough money so I don’t really need to work. Staying home with Josh has been good. Although, I have to admit some days I want to spend my time beating my head against the wall. If this kid can break it, he will.

  The guys say bye as they shut the door and we practically skip to the Jeep. Hell bent on getting out of here, there are even squealing tires as we leave race off. We are acting like a couple of teenagers excited about getting away from their parents for the night.

  “Babe?” Windows are down, the wind blowing through my hair. I feel so carefree right now.

  “Mmhmm?” He reaches his hand over and laces his fingers through mine.

  “How do you like being a dad?” I ask him.

  Giving me a confused look, “I love it, there is nothing more rewarding than being able to clean up after your child.” Sarcastic ass.

  “Do you want any more kids?”

  “Well, yeah. Do you want to start trying?” A seriously excited look crosses his face, “We can practice all the time.”

  “I know that’s what will be most exciting to you. But, there’s really no need to practice.”

  A confused look crosses his face. “What do you mean?”

  “Well, it looks like in about eight months we’re going to be having another baby.”

  He makes an abrupt, sharp right turn. I grab onto the “oh shit” bar giving him a crazy look. “What the fuck?”

  “We’re going straight to the hotel. We can order in. Fuck the restaurant. I’m taking you to bed.”

  I fucking knew this would be his reaction. I burst out laughing, so relieved that this time around is going to go much better. I glance at him concentrating on the road, seeing the smile on his face and the brightness in his eyes.

  This is it. The feeling of being loved unconditionally, is like nothing else. Turning to look out the window, the sun is shining, everything is finally going in the right direction in our lives. Everything finally making sense. I know that my parents are looking down, proud of the person I’ve become. I’m proud of the person I’ve become.

  Sticking my hand out the window, I feel the wind rush past it. Loving life, loving where I am, loving everything. Squeezing Jayden’s hand tighter, I close my eyes and enjoy the ride.

  Annie, I promise to love and cherish you. And all of that traditional bullshit.

  I promise to be there for you when you need me to kill a spider or any other bug.

  I promise to always set the Keurig to automatically make your coffee in the morning.

  I promise to not wake you before you want to be awake.

  I promise to give you as much sex as you want, when you want it.

  I promise to give you everything your heart desires, even that ridiculous Range Rover.

  I promise to never stray, and if I do I’ll give you the knife to cut off my dick.

  I promise to always sleep next to you, unless I have a really good reason.

  I promise to kiss you every single night.

  I promise to touch you, in some way, in public so people know you’re mine.

  I promise to make sure there is ALWAYS chocolate in the house.

  I promise to never eat your chocolate.

  Sweetheart, you’ll always be my person, my lobster, my Thunder.

  Nothing or no one will ever change that. You were put on this earth to be my wife, my best friend, and my lover. You are the best mother for our son. He will never lack love from either of us. I will always provide us with the best life possible. I will try not to fight with you, but you’re a spitfire sooo… Finally baby, our reality is better than our dreams.

  I love you, with all my heart for all my time.

  “When you are in love you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” -Dr. Seuss

  On June 18, I published the first part of The Unexpected Series. I never in a million years thought that I would have the reach that I did, or that people would love them as much as I did. And for that, I can never thank all of you guys enough. This is such a bittersweet release for me, because this is the last part of Annie and Jayden’s journey. At some point I will write a full length standalone for Jonah and Kyle. I’m hoping for the end of 2015 for that. I hope that you guys continue to follow my journey through this career.

  I love you all!!

  I have met some of the best people being in the Indie world. There are some people that words can never express how thankful I am to them: Kat, Jen, Amber, Ginger, Norma, Steph G, Cheka. You girls will never know how much I love you, and how much your support means to me.

  Donna, I feel like you’ve been with Kat & I since day one of starting All Tied Up. You’ve been another constant in there, and I cannot thank you enough for all of your support.

  Michelle Dare, Dude, you’re awesome! Thanks SOOOOO much for everything you’ve done for me, talking me off a cliff a couple times included!! ;)

  Sue, I’m so happy that we found each other through your cousin! I’m so happy I went to that signing and ran into her. I’ll definitely show you mine ;) lol

  To all of my readers, THANK YOU! Without you none of this would be possible. Thank you so much for all of the support and love you guys send my way!

  To my hubby, Ryan. You may drive me up a wall 95% of the time, but I love you. You’ve been my rock since I started this journey. You only were slightly annoyed with all of my take out and not cleaning! Lol

  My kids, I hope that they never read these books *Scary thought* but I love them too.