by JA Johnston
I’m looking at Adam, confusion on my face. He lifts his right hand holding a set of keys. “I bought us a house.” He’s smiling.
“A house? You bought a house? For us?” I’m standing there, looking at him, looking around these rooms. “How? When? What?”
“I was talking to my parents about how we did not luck out in our search for an apartment or condo. When they mentioned some new houses that were being built or already built near them. I came by yesterday and checked it out. I didn’t think I would find anything, but when I saw this. I knew. This is for us!”
Oh, my god, he bought a house. A house for us. For the two of us. “Don’t say anything, until you finished looking at everything.” He takes my hand and leads me to the hallway that is on my right. There are three bedrooms, all with their own bathroom.
As we walk past the living area, there’s a half bath that is in proximity to the three areas. The kitchen is huge. “That’s a huge island.” There’s a lot of natural light coming in through the wall of windows that overlook the backyard. “WOW! How big is the yard?”
“This house is on two acres.”
“I hope you know how to take care of a yard this size.” Shaking my head, I know that he does. He’s told me his parents had him and his brother do chores. Me, I didn’t do any until I went to college and lived on my own. So, I had to learn how to clean and cook.
He laughs and pulls me through a door on the side. It’s a huge master bedroom with an angled trey ceiling. More windows and a French door leading to a private deck. “Wow”.
“What until you see the bathroom.” Adam waggles his eyebrows at me.
As I enter the master bath, my mouth drops open. Right in front of me is a huge double shower surrounded by glass. His and her vanity areas with a huge garden tub in the center with a stained-glass window above it. Two walk-in closets and a private enclosed lavatory.
He pulls me into his arms, “I know I can’t wait to get you in that shower.” He growls into my ear and nips my earlobe. I chuckle and let him continue. But he pulls away.
“There’s more.” He pulls me out of the master suite, through the kitchen. “Laundry room is here, pantry in here.” He’s moving all around, “garage”.
“Where do the stairs lead to?” I ask.
“Bonus room.” We head up the stairs. It covers the length of the three-car garage and has a full bath up here as well. “I think this would be a good home theater, game room.” He shrugs.
“It’s all gorgeous.” I turn and look at him, “And you bought this? When?”
“I started the process yesterday. Everything goes fast when you pay cash.” He grins.
Everything is packed and ready for the movers. I can’t believe we did this in one day. Then again, we did have a lot of help. Adams’ parents, Jennifer and Nick, along with his brother, Ben, helped.
Ben and I decide to walk down to get coffee for everyone. Once we’re in the lobby, the building’s concierge stops me. “Miss Bennett, this was dropped off for you.” He hands me a small envelope.
“Thank you.” Only my name is on the front of the envelope, nothing more. I turn it over and open the sealed flap. Inside is the picture of Adam and myself, the one from my desk. The one that was missing. “Do you know who brought this?” I question in a shaken voice.
“No mam’, he didn’t say his name. Just asked to give this to you.”
“Amelia, are you alright? You’re shaking.” Ben says touching my wrist.
“We need to go back upstairs.”
Adam calls the police once I show him the envelope and picture. After taking a statement with the concierge, they take the envelope and photo to see if there are fingerprints. We only know a man dropped this by, but who? Did he take it? Or was he paid to bring it here?
“Let the police do their job.” Adam says holding my hand while he’s driving us to the house. My hands are cold and still shaking.
“Whoever it is, knows I moved. They know I live with you. What if I’ve put you in danger?”
“Stop. Let’s wait and find out more information before jumping to conclusions.”
“Whoever it is has torn apart my office space. He or she or whomever must be following me to know where to bring the picture.”
“What can I do to make you feel better? To help you stop worrying?”
“I don’t know.”
A week has passed with no news. There were no other fingerprints or DNA on the envelope. No other deliveries. But I’m still constantly looking over my shoulder. Adam had a security system installed at the house. He wanted to get me personal security, which I said “no” to. After all, we’re together, mostly. When I’m not with him, I’m here at work with my staff. All the drivers I employ are security, and they share our office space.
“Amelia.” Abigail announces over the intercom.
“Yes.”
“There’s a Mr. Sawyer here to see you.”
What? What is he doing here? My hand is hovering over the intercom button. My mind is spinning. What do I do? Let him in? Send him away? I’m lost in making a decision when Phillip enters my office with a quick knock. He closes the door behind him. “Piper sent me in here. She just walked in when she heard his name and said I should be in here with you.”
My hand is shaking. Thank god, I have the two of them. “Send him in.” I say to Abigail in a forced voice.
Abigail opens the door and in walks David Sawyer. I haven’t seen him since my graduation brunch with my father and grandparents. He looks the same as he did in high school, dark brown hair and dark brown eyes. He looks more muscular and has a harsher look. “Amelia.” He says in a clenched tone.
“David. This is an unexpected visit.” I glare at him. It’s not. I never did contact him after the application was placed on my desk.
“Is it?” He sits down in an unoffered chair in front of my desk. “This is my third visit here.” He shrugs. “But you were not here the last two times.”
“And how did you know that I would be here now?”
“Lucky, I guess.” He smirks. “I filled out an application. I’m in need of an escort.”
“I saw it.” I’m not sure how I am staying so calm. It must be Phillip’s looming presence behind me, taking in every detail. I feel as if I am missing something here, “How did you know I even ran an escort service?”
He chuckles, “Oh, I think we both know you don’t run it. You’re an employee.”
“Um, no I’m not an employee. This is my business; I am in charge here.”
“The last I talked to Peter, you remember him, don’t you? I ran into him at the gym and he told me all about you.”
“Peter, who?”
“Peter Kent. Your client.” He pauses. “I wonder what your father or grandfather would do if they knew.”
“Yes, he may or may not be a client. At one time, I was an employee, but I am no longer.” I sigh, leaning back looking at him. What’s his game? “As far as my father and grandfather,” I lift my hands as if to show the room, “this is none of their concern. Nor their business. It’s mine.”
“And your boyfriend, does he know?” I lean my head slightly. “Wondering how I know?” He places his right ankle across his left knee, “I saw you out a couple of times, in different places, with different men. One of them was Peter, that’s how I knew to ask about you. He told me all about Executive Services, and all about his bonus he would give you at the end of the night.” He brings his hands together in front of him, tapping his fingers together. “Still a little slut.”
Phillip steps beside the desk, “I don’t appreciate you talking to her like that, you need to leave.”
“Who’s this?” David looks at Phillip as if he’s just materialized.
“How do you know I have a boyfriend?”
He grins at me, “I know a lot. After you left brunch that morning, left us all sitting there, I knew I had to find you and get you. The plan was always for us to get married, and we will.” He shrugs,
“Once I found this place, I broke in and searched your files. Found that nice picture in your desk drawer. Did you get it back? I left it for you.”
“It, was you? You broke in here?” I’m glaring at him, and I can feel the blood pumping in my veins, I see Phillip approach David.
“You need to get up now and come with me.” He glares down at David.
“Ha. I don’t think so. Not until I get what I came for.”
“What did you come for?” I ask in an angered tone.
“You.” He says deadpan.
Once he says this the door opens and two police officers enter my office. “David Sawyer, stand please.”
“What for?” he turns to see them behind the chair.
They flank either side of the chair and the one officer leans down and cuffs his wrist. “You’re under arrest for breaking and entering.”
“What?” He glares at me.
I just shake my head; I have no idea when they got here or how. I didn’t call them. They begin reading him his rights as he stands, he looks over his shoulder at me; “This isn’t over.”
I sit frozen in my seat as Piper and Amelia enter. Phillip is already kneeling beside me, “Hey, are you okay?”
“How?” I clear my voice, trying to comprehend what just happened.
“I heard him give his name to Abigail when I came in the door. I recognized the name from the other day when you talked about him.” She’s kneeling now also. “I told Phillip to be in here with you, and then I had Abigail leave the speaker on.”
“He said he’s been here three times, but this was only his second time that I remember him being here.” Abigail says. “I told Piper, and she had me call the police.”
“Amelia!” I hear Adam call before he enters my office. His focus is on me as he makes his way towards me. He pulls me up into his arms, “What happened?”
“I’m not entirely sure how to even put into words what happened here. But something tells me, that it’s just the beginning.”
Seventeen years, six months
TWENTY-SIX WEEKS pregnant. More than halfway there. These two lives are growing in me, “I can’t wait to hold you both in my arms.” I whisper as I rub my belly. I’ve stayed home more this last month and only gone into the office part time. Most of what I do can be done at home. Lucas and I decided this once we found out that Lisa was now working for Adam.
Adam is not happy with his aunt. I haven’t seen him, but he’s called me and has apologized for her behavior. It’s not his fault. She’s entirely to blame. To which he agreed with me. But I made it clear that she is to only stick to the two floors they are renting.
In fact, I haven’t seen anyone when I do go to the office. Not Dan, Alex, Adam, or Ben. They’ve all called to check on me, but I haven’t laid eyes on them since that day in the conference room. I wonder if they’re all terrified of me? Dan joked around on the phone about it, but that’s been it.
Today is our baby shower, so, I know they will all be there. Lucas talked with Grams, and they both agreed that a couple’s baby shower was in order. Lucas is still afraid of something happening to me and the babies. Grams, Sam, and Judy are downstairs decorating and setting out food or snacks.
Lucas and I are putting the finishing touches in the nursery. I’m standing in the middle of the nursery, looking at their names above their cribs. Lucas is hanging a brother and sister plaque in their bathroom. I know they won’t share this room forever, but they will for a number of years.
The doorbell rings and I hear the greetings of everyone arriving. Lucas takes my hand, “Ready to go down?” Biting my lip, I shake my head yes. Sometimes I feel like this is all a dream, and that I am going to wake up at any moment alone. No Lucas, no babies, no family.
As we make out way towards the kitchen, where Grams and our close friends are, we are stopped by distant relatives from both sides of our families.
Lucas is standing by the kitchen island talking with Adam, Ben, and Dan. I’m making my way towards them when Sam spots me. “Holy shit Mels!” She steamrolls her way towards me from the other side of the island. Her hands immediately cup both of my breasts. “Look at your boobies! They’re huge!” She gives them a light squeeze, “My god, I want to nurse on them. I bet Lucas is having a field day with them.” She waggles her eyebrows at me.
My brain cells are not comprehending a response as I stop breathing. I look at Sam, Dan’s little sister, the girl who I consider my own little sister since we grew up together. She is fondling my breasts. Everyone who is in the kitchen has now stopped what they were doing, their eyes are glued to us, mouths wide open. Watching her grope my breasts and listening to every word she is saying. My ability to articulate a response is gone. I do not know what to do.
“Lucas, I hope you have been feasting on these bad boys.” She states, “If not, I’ll gladly come over to…” She doesn’t get to finish as Lucas wraps his arms around Sam from behind, takes her wrists and removes her hands from my breasts.
He leans down to her ear, “No one touches my wife but me.” His arms are still wrapped around her as he brings their hands to her stomach. “And no to whatever thoughts you are having about her breasts. Do you understand Samantha?”
“Touché!” She says as she turns around in his arms. “You can watch, but you can’t join in. I’m with a couple, so I can’t be with anyone else right now. But I’m sure they would make an exception once I show them a picture of Mels’ boobs.” She says pushing him away from her.
“What the hell are you talking about Sam?” I finally find my voice; blood is finally flowing bringing oxygen to my brain cells. “You’re with a couple? You want to feast on my breasts?” I’m still puzzled with all this information. Sam has always lived her life adventurously.
She turns and looks at me with the brightest smile. “I met this couple at the coffee shop one morning and they had an open seat at their table. So, I asked if I could just sit for a while since there were no more tables available. Well, we began talking and really hit it off. We began going to the movies and hanging out, doing fun stuff. Then one day they asked if I was up to having sex with them. I tell you, I was not sure at first. I mean, Dominick is hot, and I mean H-O-T, hot! Laura is beautiful also, so I thought I’d try it. We’ve been a couple for about three months now. Mom and Dad didn’t tell you?”
I have no idea how she just said all that without batting an eyelash. Then again, this is Samantha Wagner we are talking about. This little girl, who’s twenty, five-foot-three, wavy blonde hair with blue eyes, is an unstoppable force. When we were little, she honestly could not stand still. She would bounce as you were talking to her. She still does this except now she does not have a little girl’s body, so her breasts are bouncing up and down as she does.
I take a deep breath and look up into Lucas’ eyes. He just looks at me wide eyed and holds his hands up. I look over at Dan, but before I can catch his eye, I see Ben checking Sam out. His eyes are glued to her and he’s smiling. “Dan. What is she talking about?” I say, but I’m still looking at Ben.
“I just found out last night. I really don’t want to discuss it right now.” He answers.
“What’s to discuss? I’m in a relationship with a loving couple. We spend a lot of time together, not just in the bedroom. They’re a lot of fun, and you would love them. You all would!”
“Sam, right now I don’t know if I can wrap my mind around all of what you just told me. Do you think one day this coming week you would like to come over and have lunch or dinner with me?” I ask her. I’d like to know what’s going on, who is this couple. A couple? How does that work? Who does that?
She bounces up and down with a squeal, “I’d love to! I can’t wait! How about Tuesday? That’s the best night for me. That’s their anniversary, so they will be celebrating that night without me.”
“Tuesday is good.” I smile at her. Why did I just do this? Do I really want to know about this? I look over at Dan, “You’re coming over too.” I give hi
m a death glare and he just moans into his beer bottle.
Since Sam is hostess, she excuses herself to do whatever. I’m still trying to process her actions and what she’s revealed to me that I did not notice everyone is still looking at me. As I walk over to the kitchen island, Dan, Adam, Ben, Alex and my husband Lucas are all staring at my breasts. “Um, guys, my eyes are up here.” I point at my head with my eyes wide.
Dan clears his throat, “Sam is right, Mels, they are huge.” Lucas smacks his arm, “Hey!” Dan says rubbing the spot that was just smacked.
“No one looks at her breasts.” Lucas states in a domineering tone. All of them look away from me, pulling sips from their beer.
I shake my head. I hug each of them while Lucas gives them all death glares. Each of them barely hugged me back, except for Adam. He gave me a huge bear hug all the while staring back at Lucas. Oh, this is going to be a fun day.
We finally have opened the last of the gifts from everyone when Lucas stands up, “If I could have everyone’s attention.” He waits for the room to quiet down. “As you are well aware, we are having twins.” Everyone interrupts with sighs of “yes we know”. “But what you don’t know, is the gender of the babies.” He looks at me, “Since my beautiful wife dislikes the taste of cake right now,” everyone chuckles; “we decided we would reveal their gender by showing you the nursery. So, everyone who would like to know can follow us upstairs, but” he pauses, “Grandparents first.” He smiles at Grams and his mom.
Once inside the nursery, Grams and Grace both gasp once they spot the names above the cribs. Courtney Grace and Lucas Michael. Grams comes over and holds me in an embrace whispering in my ear, “You are so much like your mother. I am so happy you are honoring her and your grandfather in this way. She did this exact same thing when you were born.” When I look into her eyes, I see unshed tears.
