“Both ideas have merit.” She laughed as she turned back to him. “I’m thinking…thriller.” The look on his face surprised her; he wore an expression of intense fear, eyes opened so wide the whites shone in the lights. “What’s wrong?”
“Mom, what’s wrong?” he said at the same time, lurching to his feet. “Are you okay?” Shaking her head, she stared at him as he lifted a hand and pointed to her middle. “You’re bleeding.”
Scanning down, she saw the juncture of her legs was dark, with what looked like blood seeping into the fabric. Shit. “Let me go to the bathroom, honey. I’ll be right back.” Once the door closed behind her, she pulled down her sweatpants and underwear, looking at the blood smeared across her upper thighs. Her heart rate increased until she could hear it in her ears. This wasn’t spotting. This was bleeding. Redressing, she exited to find a clearly frightened Nate in the hallway, phone in his hand.
“What do I do, Mom?” Glancing at the phone, she saw he’d pressed 911, and his thumb was hovering over the green button.
“Nothing yet, let me get changed.” In her bedroom, she stripped off the stained clothing, digging a pad out of her purse as she pulled on clean clothes. Panic started to set in as she thought, Twenty weeks, it’s too early. I’m just five months. Taking a steadying breath, she opened the door. Holding her hand out for the phone, she said, “I need to call the doctor.” A few minutes later she and Nate were crawling into the backseat of a cab.
At the ER, the aide at the desk took forever to take her information, and Jaime held tight to the knowledge that she hadn’t experienced cramping. Not once. In the exam room, she handed the phone and her purse to Nate as he stepped outside to sit in a chair in the hallway. Then the doctor began his evaluation, barking orders at a nurse who was in the room. Jaime lost track of what they were doing, holding one arm out for one woman to draw blood, resting her other arm at her side while a cuff tightened and loosened on her bicep, feeding information to the machine beeping near the wall.
“Doctor?” The white-coated man was reading a paper but lifted his eyes to her at her question. A tech tightened a band around her belly, positioning a monitor along the bottom edge of the swell the baby made in her lower stomach. “Should I call the parents?” She reminded him of something she’d said a dozen times already, “I’m a surrogate.”
Just as he said, “Not yet, Miss Grimes,” she heard a commotion in the hallway. A gruff, familiar voice asking, “Jaime Grimes. Where is she?” Then Nate yelled, “Coach,” and Jaime took her first deep breath in what seemed like forever.
Connor didn’t ask permission, he didn’t wait for someone to open the curtain for him, he just pushed through and a moment later had his arms tight around her. Jaime clutched at his shoulders, burying her face against his chest as he kissed the side of her head, whispering into her ear, “I’m here, baby. I’m here.”
“Mister Grimes?” The doctor tried to regain control of the situation.
Connor corrected him, saying, “Connor Thompson.”
That made the doctor look down at the paperwork with a frown. “Says here the parents of the fetus are Thompson.”
“My brother and his wife.” Connor hadn’t released her, hadn’t eased his grip, and Jaime was glad. Then she felt him shift, and the familiar smell of Nate teased her nose so she angled her head and looked down to see her son had wiggled his way between them, creating a space for himself in the middle of the hug, and was held in place there by Connor’s big hand. “This is my family, Doc. Tell me what’s going on.”
“Miss Grimes?” Now the doc was looking at her with one lifted brow, asking if he should include Connor in whatever he was about to say. She nodded, and he quirked a grin at her, then said, “Nothing definitive, yet. Miss Grimes experienced some spontaneous bleeding and came to the emergency room on the advice of her OB.”
The tech made one final adjustment and stepped back, turning on the machine behind her and the area filled with the rapid, booming sounds of the baby’s heartbeat. The tech rattled off some numbers to the doctor who nodded. “Everything so far is looking—” He smiled at Jaime. “—and sounding good. We’re going to monitor for a while, make sure nothing is going on that we haven’t uncovered yet. The bleeding was unexpected and isn’t something we generally see at this point in pregnancy, so I want to be sure we’re looking at everything. The good news is it didn’t sound like there was much bleeding”—Jaime shook her head, because when she got to the hospital the pad she’d put on hadn’t much discharge on it—“and there’s no cramping”—she shook her head again—“and we’ve got a good, strong fetal heartbeat. Wait and see, and while I know those aren’t reassuring words, they should be. The fact we aren’t scurrying around is a good thing, Miss Grimes.”
He turned and stepped out, followed by the nurse and tech, and then it was just her, Connor, and Nate. She took a deep breath, then another, realizing suddenly that her fingers were clutching at Connor’s shirt, holding him tight. “I’m so glad you’re here, Connor.”
Mouth to the top of her head, Connor murmured, “I’m glad Nate called me. Good job, buddy.” His arms squeezed. “We’ll talk later about why you didn’t call sooner, Jaime.” Clearing his throat, he asked, “Is that the baby’s heartbeat?” Jaime nodded, not lifting her head from his chest. Softly, reverently, he whispered, “So strong.”
Nate squirmed out from between them, and Jaime looked up to see a smile flash across his face. “Mom, can I play that farming game on your phone if I get on the hospital Wi-Fi?” She nodded, and he eased through the curtains, and she heard the plastic chair move, signaling he had planted his butt, a sentinel.
“Nate called you, huh?” She’d thought of calling Connor a dozen times, starting from when she first saw the blood, and ending with just before he’d shown up at the hospital. “He was scared.”
“I was scared too, baby.” Connor’s words were soft, and she twisted to look up at him. “He said you were sick, so I told him I’d be right over, then he let me know you weren’t home, you were at the ER. I was terrified the whole drive.” He pressed his lips together, jaw firm, and then asked, “Why didn’t you call me?”
“After I called my doctor and he said to get to the ER, things went fast. Then we were here, and before I had a chance, here you were, too.” Closing her eyes, she leaned against him. “Thank you for coming.”
“Nowhere else I’d rather be, baby.” Brushing his lips against the side of her head, he repeated, “Nowhere else.”
***
The fluttering in her belly woke her, and Jaime’s hand dropped to cover the baby bump, feeling the skin stretch and move with the baby. She heard, “No, she’s sleeping now, just dozed off. Doc said there’s nothing to worry about, nothing wrong with the pregnancy.”
Connor was outside in the hallway, leaning against the wall. Seen through a gap in the curtains, he seemed to be looking down at Nate sleeping awkwardly in the chair. In response to a question from the phone, he expanded on his answer, “Jaime’s good. She’s fine. Doc said she’s perfect.” A pause, then he confirmed who he was talking to by saying, “Yeah, Coop. She’s perfect for me. With my heart in my throat the whole way over, I must have run a dozen red lights. Thank God Nate called me.” He shook his head, one hand reaching out to gently tousle Nate’s hair. “He had her phone and was scared. Hell, they were both scared.” She saw one corner of his mouth quirk up. “I heard the baby’s heartbeat. That’s some powerful mojo, man. I can’t wait to see it born.” Another pause, then, voice gruff, he said, “Yeah, get some sleep. I’ll call and let you know what’s going on in the morning.”
She turned to her side, feeling the monitor strapped to her belly poke her awkwardly, the heartbeat changed in volume and Connor looked up and met her eyes through the space in the curtains she’d been using to watch him. He moved, stepping inside, and softly said, “Hey, you’re supposed to be sleeping.”
Jaime smiled up at him, and he leaned over, brushing her mouth with his.
“The little acrobat woke me.”
“Baby’s moving? That’s good, right?” Connor slipped his palm up and down her arm, slowly, soothingly.
Another jolting flutter and Jaime grinned. “Wanna see if you can feel him?”
“Him?” One corner of Connor’s mouth lifted, and he crinkled his nose. “You think it’s a boy?”
“I don’t know what it is, but I can’t call it ‘it.’ That feels weird.” Jaime slipped to lie flat on her back, reaching up to capture Connor’s hand. She brought it to her belly, and pressed firmly, holding his palm in place. “Wait for it.” Another strong flutter and Jaime saw Connor’s face light up, a broad smile settling into place. “Feel that?” He nodded.
“That’s crazy.” His whisper was quiet and filled with awe.
She shook her head, seeing him register another movement of the baby inside her. “That’s life.”
***
Connor
Hands on the grips of the wheelchair, he watched as Jaime listened carefully to the nurse, accepting the sheet of discharge instructions in one hand, the other wrapped around Nate’s waist, holding her son close. It felt as if they were lightyears away from the sterile examination room where his life had changed. For the past hour he’d gone over each of those moments a thousand times, picking apart the emotions that had flooded him when he’d heard the heartbeat, so loud and strong, and then felt the baby move inside her.
Beautiful and terrifying in the same breath.
I love her so much.
Nate twisted, looking up at Connor with a grin and he returned it, tightening his grip on the handles. Love him, too. He’d known Jaime less than a year, but couldn’t imagine being without her. He hadn’t been kidding when he talked to Cooper a few hours ago, Connor had never known fear like earlier, when Nate called him. Mom’s bleeding, Coach. We’re at the hospital. He scarcely remembered the drive, everything a blur except the few drivers fool enough to get in his way, moved by his horn and screaming face, shaking fists.
She’s okay, he reminded himself, shutting down the following thought of what if she hadn’t been, because that didn’t factor. She was okay.
The concerned expression on the nurse’s face caught his attention, and he zoned back in on what they were saying. “Miss Grimes, it’s best if you have someone with you for a couple of days. Are you sure there’s no one you can call?’
Connor interjected, “I’ll be with her.” Jaime twisted in the chair, looking up at him and releasing her hold on Nate, who stepped away with a grin on his face. Connor gave her a pretend scowl. “Don’t even start, baby. You need me? I’m there. Should know by now there’s no getting rid of me.”
Gazes locked for a moment, then two, and she slowly shook her head. “Hyperdrive.” She reminded him of his own word, and he bent to press his lips to her forehead. “Okay.” She gave in and he kissed her again. She gasped and he pulled back when she whispered, “Acrobat.”
He couldn’t help himself, wanting to cement the memory of what they’d shared earlier, he reached and put one palm against the swell of her belly to feel the movement inside her again. The same sense of loss swept over him, he was ecstatic and incredibly sad at the same moment. Overwhelmed, and guilty at the persistent thought that circled around and around in his head.
I put it there, but it’s not mine.
Chapter Sixteen
Jaime
“God, I want you,” he growled, mouth to her ear as he swept up her back with his palm. He fitted himself against her, his erection nestled against her ass. Jaime stretched and sighed, rolling her head to offer her mouth. Connor had been away at a game tonight, one she’d listened to on the radio, picturing him as the announcer talked about him stalking up and down the sidelines, shouting encouragement to his kids, arguing with the referees. Nate had stayed home with her, fingers flying over his scientific calculator as he worked out the problems assigned as part of his homework.
Now Connor was home, and naked, and in their bed. Jaime moaned when he possessed her mouth, tongues tangling hotly. When he pulled back for a breath, she responded to his demand. “Then have me, Connor.”
The day following her whirlwind ER visit, she had gotten the all clear from her OB. No explanation for the bleeding, but no expectation that it would repeat. Under orders to take it easy for a few days, Connor had taken that to extremes, keeping her in his apartment and ensuring she didn’t lift anything heavier than a glass of water. A week later, the first time she had initiated sex he had nearly freaked out afterwards, hovering and so worried she couldn’t laugh.
He had coaxed her into abandoning her job search for now, too, arguing that she had the resources to take a breather from what had to be a stressful activity. She’d nervously agreed, and had to admit he was right. It gave her more time with Nate, and with Connor, too. Something they both enjoyed.
She’d come to understand she was precious to him. To believe.
She rolled to her back and he adjusted, propping himself up on one arm so he could lean across her for a kiss. Slanting his mouth on hers, she felt his fingers start at her knee and skim her nightgown up her side, heat from his touch branding the path he laid on her skin. Jaime bent her outside leg, angling it wide, inviting his touch there, too. He accepted the invitation, fingertips tracing along the edge of her underwear. She lifted her hips, and his fingers slipped under the fabric as her breath caught in her throat, held there by the sensation of him touching her.
“God, Jaim,” he gritted the words out, rocking against her hip. “So hot and wet, God.” His fingers curled around the side of her panties, tugging and pulling, stripping them down her legs. Back to her core, he palmed her roughly, applying pressure to her clit and the flesh around it, knowing what she liked. One finger inside, then two, and he plunged them in time with his tongue’s assault on her mouth, pulling her higher and higher. She pumped up against him, and he groaned. “Yeah, fuck yourself on my fingers. So fucking hot.” Teeth to her bottom lip, he bit and tugged, sucking it into his mouth as his fingers thrust deep while she came, clenching around him.
He moved, tugging her inside leg high over his hip and he fit himself to her in that position, rocking into her while on his side. She dug her heel into his ass, lifting and moving with him, and he groaned again, rasping her name out as he slipped deeper. “Jaime, fuck.” His thigh moved forwards and she rolled slightly.
“Connor.” All she could say was his name, and it became a chant as she felt the tightness swelling inside her again. “Con, honey.” His hand curved over her hip, fingers to her clit as he worked back and forth. “Connor.”
“I love you.” She turned her head, watching his face as he repeated his words. “I love you, Jaime.” Mouth open, he sucked in a harsh breath and then stilled, muscles quivering. “God.”
“I love you, Connor.” She got that much out before her orgasm swept over her, pulling her eyes closed. “Love you.”
Chapter Seventeen
Jaime
“There’s almost four months left on the lease, Connor. I can’t just up and move.” This had become a frequent refrain in the past three months. “What if I told them I’m not going to renew, should I go ahead and do that?” She walked up the stairs to his apartment, grocery bag in one hand, purse on her shoulder.
His rumbling approval sounded through the phone, and she grinned at his words, “Not like you spend a lot of time there. I want you and Nate moved into my place soon, honey. Settle us. Even if you leave it empty and pay the rent, I want you in my place.” He paused, then his voice dropped an octave, “Our place.”
“If I move, maybe if they lease it, they’ll release me?” She hadn’t considered moving out while still paying rent, an idea which went against every frugal bone in her body, but Connor was right, the few nights they spent at her and Nate’s apartment were for convenience, mostly. Her place was closer to the doctor’s office, so they would usually all stay there the night before an appointment, and head back to Connor’s apartme
nt the other nights. The only challenge was getting Nate to school, but that was a chore Connor seemed happy to take care of, driving her son to the downtown school every morning.
“They might, honey. If they lease it, I bet they’d have to. The manager’s not a dick, so I bet he’ll understand.”
There was sound in the background, and she laughed, asking, “Is that a duck?”
“Yeah, Mom got some Indian Runners for the pond. They’re in a box in the backseat of the truck right now.” He sighed. “Dabblers are supposed to be good for the dam. Daddy just rolls his eyes at her and writes the check. Nate and I’ll put ‘em in the barn for the night, then take them to the pond in the morning.”
“When are my boys coming home?” Connor had been at his parents’ for most of the past week, helping with the more strenuous chores surrounding the planting season. Cooper had asked him to go, citing memories of past springs. With school on a break, the two men had taken Nate with them, something her son had been thrilled about. “I miss both of you.”
“I miss you, too, baby,” his voice had gone growly and rough, and made her grin. A different sound, this a masculine rumble. Connor laughed. “Coop says I’m hopeless in love. What do you think, honey?”
“Tell Coop he’s the same for his wife, so that’s okay.” Head tipped to the side, trapping the phone on her shoulder, Jaime’s hands kept moving, straightening the mail she’d just pulled from her purse, gathered a few minutes ago from the box in the lobby. An envelope slipped out, and she glanced down, fingers about to tuck it back into place when she saw the return address. A college in New England. Connor laughed while she tugged it free from the pile, turning it over and over in her hands. “Connor, honey?” He quietened and then made an interrogatory sound. “There’s a letter here for Nate.”
“The school we talked about?” She nodded, then realized he couldn’t see her.
With My Whole Heart Page 15
