by Lee Rose
“Feels like heaven, doesn’t it?” he asked.
She nodded, unable to speak. His slow rhythm was driving her insane. She wanted fast and hard and demanded it from him but he refused.
“I want to cherish you and show you how much I love you.” He kissed her lips, running his tongue softly across them then invading her mouth. When he let her up for air, his mouth went to her earlobe and down to her neck and collarbone. Soft kisses mixed with light nips of his teeth. He kissed every inch of her, down to her breasts. “I refuse to rush this, Faith.”
Faith tilted her head back and closed her eyes. She felt a powerful wave coming and she wanted to drown in it. She didn’t want it to end. He was right. She didn’t want to rush it.
She hung on to his hips and arched up, making them closer. He pumped in and out of her.
He groaned. “You’re killing me, babe.”
She smiled. “That’s my line, but what a way to go. I’m at a loss to find a word that describes how wonderful it feels.”
“It’s love,” he said solemnly. “Love intensifies the physical desire.”
She nodded. Looking into his eyes, she believed him. Yes, love is what she felt. His love, her love, all mixed in with desire, respect, affection, and many more emotions.
She kept her eyes on him as the climax took over her with such force she felt lightheaded. She heard him yell in the background, but it sounded far away.
She came to lying on her side with him spooned behind her and holding her close. His hands were on her rounded belly. Faith entwined their fingers together and she felt him squeeze them lightly. Words were not needed at this moment.
Chapter 18
Faith looked around the closed restaurant. Alana had invited her and Adam to have a private family dinner.
“It’s kind of dark in here,” she whispered to Adam, who was right behind her. He had insisted she wear the new deep purple maternity dress he had just bought her. She felt good. He had been taking such good care of her, making sure she didn’t overwork, and it showed. Her skin glowed and she couldn’t stop smiling these days. “Are you sure she is here?”
“Yes, the front door was open,” he said, keeping his arm around her waist so she wouldn’t bump into anything. “Let me turn the main light on.”
He switched a flip and people yelled out “Surprise!” This made her gasp with shock. She felt Adam’s hands on her shoulder in a calming gesture. She looked up at him and saw he was not surprised at all. Her sister and Alana and her family all clapped with happiness.
“I can’t believe this. I thought we agreed no baby shower.” Faith couldn’t keep the smile from her face.
Alana hugged her. “Holly helped, so she is an accomplice.”
Faith hugged her sister next. Holly looked so excited. Her cheeks were pink and she had a pretty yellow dress on. Her blonde hair fell in curls around her face. “Thanks, Holly.”
The door behind them opened and Faith received another shock. Her mother walked in the door with her boyfriend Ted.
“Mom? I can’t believe this.” Faith gasped with shock.
Her mom looked a little hesitant as if she wasn’t sure of her welcome yet. Beside a few hours on Thanksgiving and Christmas, she hadn’t had much contact with her mother. They spoke on the phone once a week, but they were still in the getting to re-know one another stage. After being apart from her mother for years it felt good to be able to see her again.
“I hope it’s okay. Holly invited me.” She was wearing a nice, classic navy blue dress, not the tight revealing clothes Faith was used to seeing her in. Her hair was pulled up in a fancy twist.
“Of course it’s okay. I’m glad to see you. I wanted to take a trip to Austin to see you but I have been so busy with work and doctors appointments.”
Faith looked at the tall, slim man with short gray hair. He stood quietly next to her mom. He seemed like a nice, stable man. Just what her mom needed. She shook his hand. “It’s nice to see you again, Ted.”
He smiled at Faith and handed Adam a huge wrapped box. “Rebecca has been so excited about today.”
“I am shocked. I had no idea this was going on,” Faith replied, blinking back tears. A long table filled with gifts stood by the window. A huge pink cake was the centerpiece.
Alana led Faith to a chair. “Ray and my dad made tons of food, but I can’t wait to see all these gifts being opened.”
Mrs. Garcia and Faith’s mom sat next to each other and agreed. They had excited looks on their faces.
Faith opened a present from Alicia, Alana’s younger sister. She held up a tiny pink dress complete with socks and shoes. Faith held it up as Holly and Alicia took pictures.
“I was getting my baby shower one way or another,” Alana remarked out loud. Noah laughed at his wife’s enthusiasm.
“She enjoyed shopping, that’s for sure. I hate to think about our children. Alana will spend all her time shopping,” Noah teased. “I might need a second job.”
“The sooner the better,” Mrs. Garcia told her daughter. “I’m not getting any younger.”
Alana laughed. “We’re newlyweds, Mama. Give us time.”
“I can’t wait to be an aunt,” Alicia announced. She looked at Faith. “You will have to let me babysit for you, Faith.”
Adam handed Faith another gift. He kissed Faith on the forehead as she hugged the pretty pink box. She felt overwhelmed with emotions and she knew it was more than hormones. It had been a month since she came back from her weekend with Adam. He spent all his free time with her. He had even helped Jenny at the coffee shop so she could put her swollen feet up. It had been hilarious watching him try to make sense of all the equipment until he gave up and served the baked goods instead. She felt his love and care and she was starting to believe that he had put the past behind him and was concentrating on her and their daughter. He never brought up his fears and doubts.
Faith opened up more baby gifts. In three months she would be a mother. She had moments of panic despite reading every book on motherhood ever written.
Adam wanted to get married, but she held back. She was afraid of getting hurt down the road. Now she had second thoughts. Should she marry him? Wasn’t everything in life a risk?
“Wow.” Adam’s deep voice interrupted her thoughts. He held up a heavy package her mom had brought. He set it in front of Faith. “Don’t try to pick it up, sweetheart.”
Faith leaned back in her chair and rubbed her lower back. “Okay. You open it, Adam. My back hurts too much to lean on the floor.”
He nodded and gave her a sympathetic look. Her stomach was fully round now and her feet and back often ached. He unwrapped a car seat and held it up for Faith to see.
“Oh Mom. I haven’t had time to buy one yet.” Faith grinned, giving her mom a huge hug. She included Ted. She was grateful he kept her mom on the straight and narrow path. “Thank you both. To have you here means so much to me.”
She gave Ted a hug and blinked back some tears. She looked around the room and realized she did have family in all these people. Alana’s family had adopted her into the fold with no questions and Adam admitted they had done the same for him and Liam. For the first time in her life, she didn’t feel like that poor little girl who had no one but herself to depend on.
Liam picked up a yellow bag and handed it to them. “Open mine next.”
Faith grinned at his enthusiasm. She was getting to know him better and she was touched by the bond the three brothers had with each other, like hers and Holly’s.
Inside was a tiny gray T-shirt with the words “Red Hook Medical Services” and a pair of tiny jeans.
Adam laughed and high-fived his younger brother. “Yes. My daughter can’t always wear pink frilly dresses. Not if she is going to hang with the big boys.”
Everyone laughed. Noah shook his head and complained. “Liam stole my idea.”
He handed Adam another bag. Inside was a blue T-shirt that said “Red Hook Sheriff Department.” It came with a matching baby-size c
ap and bib.”
Alana hugged her husband. “That is so adorable, Noah. You shopped without me.”
“I had to do something when you, Alicia, and Holly were gone all the time.” He pouted.
Alana kissed his cheek. She looked at Faith. “I ordered the crib you wanted. It will be delivered to your house.”
Faith stood up and hugged her. That was an expensive piece that she had been waiting to buy. “Oh my god, Alana. I am so lucky to have you in my life.”
After they were done unwrapping the many gifts they sat down to eat.
Adam rubbed her lower back as she leaned against him. She kissed his cheek softly. Her heart was overwhelmed with contentment.
“Happy?”
She nodded, swallowing down some tears. “Very happy and surprised. Did you know?”
He moved her bangs out of her face and winked. “Alana told me a few days ago. She wanted to make sure I wasn’t on duty.”
“When we get home, I’ll give you a massage.” When he was off, he often stayed at her house.
Faith blushed. His massages always led to him exploring her and making sweet love to her. She couldn’t wait.
She spent some time talking to her mom and Ted along with Adam.
“We’ve been wanting to visit with you,” Adam assured them both. “Faith works so hard though and she is exhausted by her days off. I worry, but she says it is normal.”
Her mom gave her a worried look. She held Faith’s hand. “Oh honey. I am so proud of your success and Holly, too. She is going to be a great nurse, but I worry about you, too.”
Faith gave her mom a smile. Her mom was so different now that she was sober. It was unreal, but nice. “I know, Mama. I have a great manager and Adam talked me into hiring another two employees so I can take it easy. I feel huge and I bump into things behind those narrow counters. I will still go in and check up on things, but I won’t work my normal shifts.”
“Faith has two great guys starting Tuesday. Plus Jenny is a great manager. Faith can sit in a chair and give orders,” Adam teased, making Faith laugh.
“So when is the wedding?” Ted asked with curiosity. Rebecca also looked interested in the answer. Faith felt like the whole place got quiet as everyone waited for the answer. Noah had been pushing for a wedding. Adam was willing and ready, she was the one that held back. She had to stop being a coward. Adam had been great. He introduced her to his friends as his girlfriend. He spent all his time with her. What else did she need? He told her Liam already moved downstairs and he was ready to paint the nursery pink or lavender.
She grabbed Adam’s hand and squeezed. “I look like I swallowed a beach ball and I feel awkward, not pretty. Maybe after the baby is born.”
His eyes widened. This was the first time she agreed there would be a wedding. Now she felt guilty for dragging her feet.
“How about a simple civil service now before the baby is born and a huge party later with the dress and pictures?” Rebecca suggested.
“I love that idea,” Holly chimed in, sitting down next to her mom. She had a plate filled with food. She had already given Faith her approval on Adam’s new attitude. “Alicia and I can plan the party for a few months after the baby gets here.”
Alicia, who was sitting across the room, grinned at Faith. “I would love to do that, Faith. I helped plan Alana’s wedding and I enjoyed it. Maybe I have a new career as a wedding planner.”
Faith looked at Adam and nodded in agreement. It sounded like a wise plan.
He grinned with happiness. “I like how you think, Rebecca. That is a great idea.”
Faith wrapped her arms around Adam’s waist. She loved how he relaxed into her. “Then we have plans to make, mister.”
Everyone cheered and clapped, lifting their drinks to Adam and Faith. Adam kissed her lips in a soft and tender kiss right there in front of everyone. “I love you, Faith.”
She caressed his cheek with her hand. She loved his golden colored eyes, especially when there was such happiness in them like now. It made her feel good about the future. “I love you, Adam. I’m sorry I dragged my answer out for so long.”
“I understood. I was a jerk to you, but I hope you believe me now.”
She nodded with honesty. She placed his hand on her stomach where their child was kicking furiously. “I think she agrees too.”
He laughed out loud. “Because she is so smart. She will be as beautiful as her mother.”
Faith felt such hope floating around in her soul. Hope for a wonderful future filled with love and family. Her mom was talking to Mrs. Garcia about planning a future wedding. Mr. Garcia and Ted were talking sports. Alicia was laughing with Liam, Holly, and her brother Ray. Noah and Alana were all snuggled in a booth, whispering to each other as if they were all alone. This was her family.
She looked at Adam and let him see all the love she was feeling. He gasped and his golden-colored eyes looked watery.
“We should name our daughter Hope,” Faith said loudly. She wanted to share it with her family.
“Hope.” Adam tried out the name. “I like it. Simple and beautiful.”
“And with a wonderful meaning.” Her mom spoke up, sniffing into a tissue. “Hope is wishing for something with optimism.”
Faith nodded and leaned her head on Adam’s shoulder. She had confidence that with Adam she would have a wonderful life. There would be ups and downs, but they would face them together. “It seems we have to make an appointment with the courthouse. The sooner the better,” Faith told everyone. She was ready for the next step in her life. No more being afraid of the what-ifs. That was no way to live her life.
“Finally,” Noah muttered. Alana smacked his arm with a laugh.
“I agree, brother.” Adam let out a happy sound and Faith couldn’t help but smile. She couldn’t agree more. Finally she had all she ever dreamed of. A love, a baby, and a family.
Epilogue
Faith rocked her eight-week-old daughter until her eyes closed. Today was her wedding day. The sun was shining bright. It was a nice autumn day and the opened window let in a nice cool breeze.
“Everything okay with my girls?” Adam whispered from the doorway. He had jeans on and nothing else and Faith felt her body react to his sexiness. She squeezed her thighs together. They were on a tight schedule or she would just spend the morning in bed with him. She nodded and stood up.
He carefully took Hope from her arms and kissed her small head. Light red strands of hair barely covered her head. He placed her in the crib and looked at the sleeping baby with a gentle smile.
“Ready to celebrate, Mrs. Blake?” He kept his voice low and walked her out of the nursery and into their bedroom across the hall.
She wrapped her arms around his waist and placed her cheek against his bare chest. They had gotten married by a judge the week after the baby shower, but today a priest would reaffirm their vows. She had moved in with him as he wanted, and Holly and her friend from school were renting Faith’s old house.
“I sure am. I am most excited about tonight though.” She grinned up at him.
He gave her a mock look of confusion. “What’s tonight?”
She punched him lightly in the stomach.
“Okay geez.” He laughed, kissing her neck. “I can’t wait to make love to my wife with no interruptions.”
He had rented the cabin by the lake for the weekend.
“You think Hope will be okay?” She looked across the hall where their daughter lay sound asleep. She had never been far from her baby’s side. She was back to work, but Hope was there, too, always surrounded by attention.
“Yes, baby. Alana and Noah are excited about babysitting. Liam, Holly, and Alicia were already bugging them about dropping by and visiting. She will soak up all the love and be horribly spoiled by Monday.”
Faith laughed. “You’re right. My mom and Ted are taking care of her during the wedding. My mom is so good with her, isn’t she?”
Adam nodded and hugged her. He knew
all the sad details of her childhood and he was amazed with Rebecca’s new leaf in life. “She is, and she also showers you and Holly with so much love. She wants to be a good mother and grandmother. Just shows it is never too late to turn yourself around. I am glad I wised up in time to know how wonderful it is to be loved by you.”
Faith looked at the long, silky white dress her mom helped her pick out. It was simple design with only a few pearls sewn in at the top. The two of them had spent the day in Austin searching for the perfect dress. It was a good memory she would carry forever.
“Holly is on her way to help you get dressed, so I need one last kiss from you before they steal you away.” He pouted.
Faith laughed and gave him a loud smack on the lips. “Poor baby. Just keep tonight in your head.”
He wiggled his eyebrows. “Oh I have plans, trust me.”
Faith sighed. “Thank you, Adam. For being such a good husband and father. You show me love every day and I feel like the luckiest woman on earth.”
He kissed her forehead gently. “I don’t want to take one moment with you and Hope for granted. We have no idea how long we will be on this earth and I don’t want to look back on my memories with regret. I want you to know how I feel every day.”
Faith sniffed and kissed him with all the emotions running through her. His hands went down to her ass and squeezed. She moaned. Maybe they could be just a little late.
“Hey, none of that stuff.” Holly’s voice interrupted them. She looked where Adam’s hands were and scrunched up her nose. “Yuck. I hope my niece is asleep.”
Adam chuckled. “I saw you trading saliva with Brent Douglas just last week at our barbeque. I had to corner him and make sure he knew he better be good to you.”
Faith wrinkled her nose up. He was constantly teasing Holly like a little sister. “Eww, Adam. That sounds so gross. Go away and let me get dressed.”
“Mom and Mrs. Garcia are coming by to dress Hope,” Holly told Adam with a smile.
Adam sighed, thinking of all the women invading his house. He grabbed his tuxedo out of the closet quickly. “I will be hiding downstairs with Liam and Noah. See you soon, wife.”
