Beyond Expectations (Mended Hearts Book 3)

by Sarah Markel

  “Go ahead and grab something to eat, I’m going to jump in the shower.” Alex said when the pair arrived home. Kelly nodded and headed into the kitchen while Alex went upstairs. While Alex was in the shower, Kelly called over to Judy and Lauren’s to check on the kids. “Thank you both again for keeping them.” she said to Judy, popping a grape into her mouth. “Not a problem at all, Kelly. Carrie and Dej are going on a triple date with the boys and their girlfriends, so they won’t be a bother.” Judy replied with a chuckle. Kelly laughed and said goodbye to her friend. Finishing her snack, she started making her way up the stairs, taking her time and going slowly. By the time Kelly reached their bedroom, Alex was already out of the shower. Kelly smiled and stared at her wife’s semi-nude form, letting her gaze roam appreciatively over the woman’s body.

  Kelly watched quietly as Alex pulled the garment bag from the closet, laid it on the bed, and went about gathering her makeup and accessories. “I can feel you molesting me with your eyes.” Alex said with a smirk, startling Kelly. “Well, if you didn’t look so damn sexy in that bra and panties, my eyes would be more respectful.” Kelly said, making her way over to her waiting wife. She ran her hands slowly over the black lace bra that covered Alex’s breasts and groaned softly. “Can we skip the party and spend the night in bed?” she asked, kissing Alex passionately. “Mmm, no, but we can leave early and finish the night in bed.” Alex replied, placing her hands on Kelly’s hips and pulling her close. Kelly whimpered and groaned, “Aww, but I want to stay home and play with you instead.” Alex laughed and kissed Kelly’s pout. “Go take a shower and I will help you into your dress.” With a playfully dejected mutter, Kelly headed into the bathroom.

  *****

  “Wow, what a turn out.” Alex said as she glanced in awe around the room. “I told you.” Andrea said triumphantly, beaming at her daughter. Alex nodded, impressed with her mother’s skills. Alex’s mother was the queen when it came to fundraising, and when people heard the name ‘Andrea Davis’, they came running with open checkbooks. “Why don’t you go join Hank and mingle?” Andrea suggested, “I’ll keep my eye out for Kelly and your sister.” Alex kissed her mother on the cheek and set off to make her way around the room. She walked over to her step-father and threaded her arm through his. “Alex!” Hank said, patting the hand on his arm. “You’re just in time, sweetheart, I’d like you to meet Judge Frank Dennis, his wife Gail, and Mayor Richard Jarvis of Gresham. Folks, this is my daughter, Alex. One the founders of the Center.” Alex shook hands with each of them, offering up her best smile. “Ahh, the elusive Alex. Hank has told us so much about you.” Mayor Jarvis said, giving her an appraising glance. Mentally rolling her eyes when the man’s eyes rested on her cleavage, Alex politely engaged the group in small talk.

  After a few minutes, Hank excused them and guided Alex over to another group, this one corporate attorneys based in Vancouver. After a short conversation, Alex once again followed Hank to another group of people. Quickly tiring of the wanton stares from both men and women that she had never met, Alex found herself discretely scanning the room for her wife each time she and Hank moved to another group of people. Hank noticed Alex’s boredom and, after excusing them from the company of a state senator and the governor, suggested that Alex get herself a drink. Thanking the man with a kiss on the cheek, Alex breathed a sigh of relief and headed to the bar.

  “Sloe gin fizz.” Alex said to the young man tending bar. With a thousand-watt smile, the man poured her drink and slid it to her. Thanking him with a twenty dollar tip, Alex lifted herself onto a bar stool and swiveled sideways so she could keep an eye out for her wife. “Where is he?” a voice asked. Alex shot a confused glance at the man sitting on the other side of the vacant stool in front of her. “I’m sorry?” she asked. The man offered a kind smile and stood to move into the stool that separated them. “The idiot that let a beautiful woman like you drink alone.” Alex snorted into her drink and set the glass down to wipe her mouth. “It’s not like that.” she laughed. Before she could answer the man’s inquiring stare, another man joined the pair at the bar. “Hey, Marty.” The newcomer said. “Tyler, how are you?” Marty asked, shaking the man’s hand. Politely allowing the men to greet each other, Alex took a moment to assess them.

  Marty, a short, sturdily built man with a thick head of muddy brown hair, carried himself confidently, but looked slightly uncomfortable with his surroundings. Tyler, on the other hand, appeared to have been born to attend fundraising galas. He carried himself with grace and an air of sophistication that Alex admired. He wore his sandy hair in a short crew cut, and seemed to be perfectly comfortable in his three-piece suit. When he noticed her, Tyler’s eyes traveled over her, apparently sizing her up. With a radiant smile that made his already handsome face glow, he offered his hand. “Tyler Brenner.” He introduced. Alex returned the smile and shook his hand. “Alex.” She replied, happy to be speaking with someone who hadn’t started off by staring at her breasts.

  “That is horrible!” Alex laughed as she finished her drink. The trio had been sharing stories about their jobs for the last half hour, and Alex was genuinely enjoying herself. Aside from his initial pickup line, Marty had been a polite gentleman, as had Tyler, and Alex was grateful. While she chatted with the men, Alex had been scanning the room every few minutes for her wife. She was beginning to get worried, having only caught a fleeting glimpse of Kelly shortly after meeting Tyler. Ordering another drink for herself and her bar mates, Alex turned her attention back to them when she heard Marty ask a question. “Holy cats, Batman! Who in the world is that?” the man asked breathlessly. Looking in the direction that Marty was staring, Alex smiled and was about to answer when Tyler beat her to it.

  “I’m not sure, but I doubt you are her type. She would look much better on the arm of a tall, dashingly handsome young man, than on your flabby arm.” Alex snorted into her drink again and was about to set the record straight, but before she could, Marty’s words left her speechless. “That’s one lucky man! Even knocked up with another man’s kid, I’d do her in every room.” Tyler joined Alex in staring at the man, both angry at his tactless offer. “Dude, not cool, show some respect.” Tyler said, blushing at his friend’s rudeness in front of Alex. When he tried to apologize for the man, Alex waved him off. “Everyone is entitled to their opinion.” She said shortly, willing herself to contain her anger. Marty had the good grace to appear properly chastised, and muttered an insincere apology before downing his drink. Alex took a steadying breath, and a thought occurred to her. Smiling to herself, she turned back to the men.

  “I think you’re both wrong. I’ll bet you both a twenty-five thousand dollar donation to the Center that she would be more interested in me than either of you.” Both men stared at her for a moment, eyes gleaming with amusement, before looking to each other. “What makes you think that?” Marty asked, after he and Tyler seemed to come to a decision. Alex shrugged and offered both men a mischievous grin. “She looks like a lesbian.” She replied with a nonchalant shrug. Alex chuckled when both men snorted. Shaking their hands to solidify their bet, Alex slid off the stool and made her way slowly and deliberately toward her wife. Both men watched with amusement as Alex stepped to Kelly and held out her hand. Unable to hear what the woman was saying, both men shared a triumphant look when Kelly pulled her hand from Alex’s and shook her head. “Looks like we win.” Marty observed, turning toward the bartender. Tyler tapped him on the shoulder and pointed back to the two women, “You might want to get out your checkbook, dude.” Marty turned just in time to see Alex lean down and capture the shorter woman’s lips in a deep, passionate kiss. When the two women turned and headed toward the men, Tyler chuckled.

  “Gentleman, I’d like you both to meet Dr. Kelly Walker,” Alex said when the pair reached the bar, “My wife.” Tyler beamed at the two women, while Marty blushed with embarrassment. “Shit.” He muttered, offering Alex an apologetic smile. Alex chuckled and turned to her wife, “These two handsome youn
g men have graciously donated twenty-five thousand dollars each to the Center.” She explained, winking at the men. Tyler offered Kelly his hand, and kissed her knuckles lightly. “Congratulations,” he said, glancing down at Kelly’s protruding belly, “Your beautiful wife here was just putting us in our place.” Kelly looked quizzically at Alex, who just shrugged. “I’ll tell you later, baby.” She said, thanking the two men for their company. When she noticed that Marty’s blush had deepened at her promise to her wife, she clapped the man gently on the shoulder, “Relax, Marty, Kelly here has a wonderful sense of humor.” She whispered to him.

  *****

  “You’re kidding.” Kelly stated incredulously when the pair pulled into their driveway a few hours later. Alex chuckled and looked at her wife, “I swear.” She said, before getting out and moving to help Kelly from the car. After leaving the party early when Kelly had become increasingly uncomfortable, Alex had explained about the conversation with Tyler and Marty. “Well, it’s nice to know that even ‘knocked up with another man’s kid’ I am still turning heads, I guess.” Kelly chuckled, stepping into the house. “You turn my head every day.” Alex said softly, urging Kelly to lean against the couch. Reaching down to remove Kelly’s shoes, Alex allowed her hands to slide slowly up Kelly’s legs. Pulling her wife toward her when she reached Kelly’s hips, Alex brushed her lips over the woman’s neck. Kelly shuddered and tilted her neck, offering Alex better access. “Let’s get you out of this dress.” Alex whispered, looking at her wife with arousal-darkened green eyes. Kelly nodded and caught her bottom lip in her teeth.

  Alex pulled away, taking Kelly’s hand and leading her up the stairs toward their room. Taking her time when they reached the landing, Alex stepped behind Kelly and slipped her arms around the woman’s waist. “I love you.” She said softly, kissing her way along Kelly’s neck to her ear. Kelly whimpered, her knees growing weak as her arousal flared. Feeling her wife falter, Alex tightened her grip and stopped her assault until they were safely next to their bed. Turning Kelly to face her, Alex captured her mouth in a tender kiss. When their lips parted, Alex took a moment to let her gaze roam appreciatively over Kelly’s body. Kelly had chosen a long black evening gown that clung tightly to her breasts, but hung loosely over her expanded frame, coming to a stop mid-calf. The intricate embroidery that ran down the sides and along the trim of the dress served to both detract from her prominent abdomen, and enhance the small distance between her belly and her breasts. Slowly, Alex reached around and slid the zipper down, releasing the strapless ensemble from her wife’s body. She sucked in a breath and let out a soft moan as she took in Kelly’s appearance. “You are so beautiful.” She sighed, leaning in slowly to nibble at the junction of Kelly’s neck and shoulder.

  “Oh, Alex.” Kelly moaned, once again offering her neck to Alex’s mouth. Alex whimpered at the sound of her name and slid her hands up Kelly’s back, pulling the woman closer to her. “I love the taste of your skin.” She muttered, dragging her tongue up to flick over Kelly’s ear, while letting her hands travel down to cup Kelly’s ass. When Kelly growled, Alex pulled back and stared at her wife with amusement. “What’s the matter?” she asked, noticing the intense look in Kelly’s eyes. “You’re moving too slow.” Kelly grumbled, reaching up to slide the straps of Alex’s black gown off her shoulders. “Then you’re in for a painfully long wait, my love. I’m not going to rush this, especially since I might not get another chance until sometime after my birthday.” Alex replied, stepping out of the dress as it slid to the ground. Kelly frowned and grunted in dismay as her eyes traveled over Alex’s body.

  “Dr. Gilbert never said we couldn’t have sex.” Kelly whined, dancing her fingers over Alex’s breasts. “No, she didn’t,” Alex replied, gently stilling Kelly’s hands with her own, “But she did say that you need to avoid strenuous activity. And with the way you have been the last few times, sex is going to count, unless we take it slow.” Kelly looked up at her contemplatively. “If I agree to a slow pace, will you promise to make love to me as often as possible until the babies come?” she asked, a look of hesitation and unease flashing through her blue eyes. Alex smiled and leaned in to place a soft, lingering kiss on her wife’s lips. “I promise.” She whispered, gently lowering Kelly onto the bed. With a relieved smile, Kelly reached up to cup Alex’s face, “I love you,” she said, kissing Alex deeply.

  *****

  “So what did the doctor say?” Angie asked, settling into a lounge chair next to Kelly. “That I need to be very aware of myself and avoid strenuous activity at all costs.” Kelly answered, accepting the ice water that Alex handed her. “My high blood pressure has progressed into full on preeclampsia, so keeping it down is essential. She is also going to do an ultrasound twice a week for the next two weeks, because she said that the placenta was in an odd position. If anything looks off, she’s going to schedule a C-section and take the babies as soon as they are viable.” Angie looked between her sister and her friend, a small twinge of fear on her face. “Relax, Ange, everything will be alright.” Alex assured her twin. Carrying over a plate loaded with food, Steve sat next to his wife. “Has anyone else noticed that there are twice the amount of kids here, but not even half the activity?” he asked, attempting to lighten the suddenly tense mood.

  Alex looked out into the yard and observed the kids. Anya, her boyfriend Matt, Dej, and Carrie were all laying on the trampoline, singing along to the music from their phones. Alex smiled when she noticed that Dej and Carrie were holding hands and appeared to be singing to each other. She tapped Kelly on the knee and pointed it out, chuckling with the other adults. After a moment, Alex turned her attention to the boys. Zane, Jaxon, and Colton sat on the picnic table, while Raider and Tommy sat on the grass facing them. In between each boy’s legs sat their girlfriends, except for Tommy, who sat with his boyfriend’s legs around him. Alex and Kelly had been pleasantly surprised when their nephew had chosen to come out to them over spring break, and had encouraged him to bring the young man to their family barbeques. “Look at Tommy, Ange. He looks so happy.” Alex said, taking a carrot stick from Kelly’s plate. Angie smiled and beamed at her sister. “Steve called it. He told me when Tommy was three that the boy would be just like Ryan.” Steve snorted, setting a tray of burgers on the deck table next to Dej’s food containers, before cupping his hands around his mouth and calling the kids to eat.

  “How much longer do you have, Dr. Walker?” Kelly turned her attention to Gala, the slightly built blonde who was dating Jaxon. “About ten more weeks.” Kelly replied, wincing when a sharp kick connected with her kidney. Alex frowned and laid her hand on Kelly’s abdomen. “Be nice, or you’re all three grounded.” She said sternly, causing the rest of the family to laugh. Kelly swatted away Alex’s hand. “They’re too young for good mom, bad mom.” She said, giving Alex a playful wink. “Have you decided on names yet?” Payton, Tommy’s boyfriend, asked as he popped the last bite of his burger into his mouth. Alex nodded and stole a pickle off of Kelly’s plate, dodging her wife’s attempt to smack her hand. “Yep, we’ve decided on Alex, Alex, and Alex.” Payton eyed her suspiciously, “You aren’t going to tell anyone?” Kelly shook her head and addressed the young man.

  “No, Payton, we are waiting until they are born to share their names and genders. We want it to be a surprise. We will give you all a hint though.” She glanced conspiratorially at Alex. When Alex nodded, Kelly turned back to the kids, “Their initials. The babies will have the initials A.R, K.S, and Z.M.” Alex nodded at the startled expression on Zane and Dej’s faces. “We thought that you two would like that.” Dej squealed with delight and high-fived her brother. “Sweet! One of the babies is going to be named after us!” she said excitedly. Kelly smiled at her daughter, “Well, not really named after, but it will carry your initials.” She corrected. Zane shrugged and cuffed his sister on the shoulder, “Semantics.” He said with a grin. The group chattered on as they ate, discussing their plans for the summer, the boys’ upcoming ba
seball season, and the girls’ excitement over cheerleading camp. No one gathered that day could have predicted how drastically their summer plans were about to change.

  Chapter 15

  Six uneventful weeks later, the Walker home was abuzz with excitement. “Moms! Hurry up or we are going to be late for our own party!” Dej yelled up the stairs, struggling to shove her feet into her shoes. “Relax, we will be down in a minute!” Alex hollered back, attempting to help Kelly into a standing position. Over the last month and a half, Kelly’s body had expanded to the point that any drastic change in position required Alex’s help. It had also fallen to Alex to help Kelly get dressed, as the woman could no longer bend forward. “All set?” Alex asked, checking to make sure that Kelly had everything she needed. Nodding, Kelly waddled slowly toward the door. Biting back a laugh at her wife’s entertaining gait, Alex followed closely behind to help the woman down the stairs.

  At the bottom, Alex and Kelly both looked up to inspect their birthday boy and girl. Zane was standing in front of the family picture collage, looking contemplatively at the images. His hair had grown long enough to rest between the bottom of his shoulder blades in a long braid, and Kelly had to admit that she was going to miss it when he cut it off later that day. The boy had always been conscious of the way he presented himself, and the dawn of his sixteenth birthday had not changed that. For the day’s celebration, Zane had chosen a lightweight pair of khaki colored Bermuda shorts, a mint colored short sleeved button down shirt, and a pair of white and beige plaid canvas shoes. Alex thought idly that he looked like he had just walked out of a Calvin Klein ad. Both women shared a soft smile before turning their attention to their not so subtle daughter.