Until There Was Us

by Samantha Chase

  They talked about some of the more interesting spots to take her while they waited for their lunch. Alex knew Megan had already printed a list of places she wanted to see in the order she wanted to see them. She was incredibly organized—borderline OCD at times—but it was cute as hell. And when he saw that side of her come out, he realized how much she was trying to break out of it—especially because she’d been going with the flow on their trips.

  Her organizational skills became increasingly apparent when she moved some of her stuff into his place this past week. She was emphatic about not taking up too much space and even insisted on putting the bulk of her belongings in the guest room. He had no idea what was in most of the boxes and cases she’d brought over, and it didn’t look like she’d unpacked any of them. He’d questioned her about them, but she’d just kept saying they weren’t anything important, so he’d let the subject drop.

  Frannie brought out their meals and refilled their drinks, and for those first few bites, no one spoke. It was always the true sign of a good meal.

  Or of people who were starving.

  “What about camping next weekend?” Alex asked. “Nothing crazy or far away, but just to hike out someplace and maybe do some fishing? You guys in?”

  “Too close to Gabriella’s due date,” Zach said. “I wouldn’t be able to relax and enjoy it.”

  Ethan nodded. “I wouldn’t mind a night or two away to fish, but maybe when Amber’s a little older. Summer and I share the whole getting-up-at-night thing. It wouldn’t be fair to leave her to handle it all. You should ask Megan.”

  Both Alex and Zach started to laugh.

  “Trust me, Megan is not a camper,” Zach said.

  “That’s what she’s said a time or two to me, but I’m hoping she’ll eventually change her mind,” Alex replied.

  “Don’t hold your breath. You know it’s not something all people enjoy. You’ve gotten her to go out and do the parks with you; just be happy with that.”

  But Alex shrugged. “I still think it could happen.”

  “Summer’s not particularly outdoorsy either, and yet she spent that weekend camping out in a teepee at the springs,” Ethan said and then looked at Zach. “Remember that?”

  “Wasn’t that the weekend you secretly hooked up with her? Do you really want me to remember that?”

  Ethan grinned and gave Alex a sly wink. “I was simply referring to the camping aspect. You’re the one who took it to the hookup.”

  “Oh, for the love of it!” Zach said.

  “Okay, okay…everyone just drop the camping topic,” Alex interrupted diplomatically. “We’ll revisit that topic in a year when the babies are older and you two are allowed to go out and play again.”

  That seemed to break the tension.

  “What about the three of us doing something early next Saturday morning?” Zach said. “We can bike again or maybe get a couple other guys and play some basketball. What do you think?”

  Both Alex and Ethan nodded.

  “I’ve got a few guys I can call,” Alex said.

  “Me too,” Ethan agreed.

  They discussed times and whom they’d ask and the conversation moved to pro sports and what games were going to be on the TV over the weekend. This was good. This was what they did, and even though he was having a good time, Alex’s mind kept wandering to the picture of the red bra. He couldn’t wait to see Megan wearing it for him.

  And then he couldn’t wait to see Megan not wearing it.

  He fought the urge to smile because he knew the guys would jump all over him again for it. But mentally, he was grinning from ear to ear.

  Tonight he was taking her out to dinner at one of his favorite Italian restaurants. It was the kind of place to dress up for, and he found that while they had thus far stuck to casual places, he was looking forward to taking her someplace nice. Weekends were the only times they could relax. Alex did his best not to schedule clients on Saturday, but sometimes it couldn’t be helped. And even though they were both off doing their own things right now, he knew they’d make up for it later.

  Especially with red lace.

  Damn. He had to stop thinking about that until after he and the guys had parted ways.

  Frannie cleared the table and asked if they wanted any dessert, but they declined and asked for the check.

  “Whose turn is it?” she asked with a grin.

  Ethan raised his hand. “I came in last today, so I’m guessing it’s on me,” he grumbled. “It’s a stupid rule.”

  Zach and Alex looked at each other and grinned.

  “Says the loser,” Alex said.

  “What have you got going on for the rest of the day?” Ethan asked.

  “Once Gabs comes home from shopping with Summer and Megan, we were planning on grilling some salmon and relaxing. My parents won’t want to give up Amber, so you guys can come if you like.”

  “How does Gabriella feel about everyone coming in already?” Alex was relieved no one had said anything about Megan moving in with him since Robert and Janice had arrived.

  “I think she’s fine with it, but she’s been pushing herself to get everything ready. The last of the baby furniture came this week, and she spent way too much time yesterday doing that…what do they call it…nesting? I swear, she washed everything—all the baby clothes, blankets, and sheets—and then she had me moving furniture this way and that. It was crazy. I was kind of surprised she even wanted to go out today because there isn’t one damn thing we need.”

  “It’s not really about the shopping,” Ethan said. “It’s just an excuse to go out. I’m sure they’re going to do lunch and the nail thing too.”

  “Maybe,” Zach said, playing with a straw wrapper.

  “And besides, women are always going to find something to buy,” Ethan went on. “Just because she’s shopping doesn’t mean it’s for the baby. I know Summer mentioned wanting to relax and then something about a pedicure. But I wasn’t paying attention to whether that was today.”

  “Dude, how long have you known your wife?” Ethan asked with a small laugh. “Gabriella rarely sits still, and it’s just shopping. It’s not like she’s out hiking or doing anything strenuous. You know Megan and Summer wouldn’t allow her to overexert herself.”

  Zach visibly relaxed. “You’re right,” he said, leaning back in his seat and raking a hand through his hair. “I just worry about her.” Alex’s phone beeped, and when he went for it, Zach smacked his hand over it. “Do not look at it. I swear, it is asking too much for me to sit here while you exchange sexy texts with my baby cousin.”

  Alex rolled his eyes. “She’s not a baby. And how do we even know it’s her?”

  “Who else texts you?” Zach deadpanned.

  “Fine. I’ll wait,” he said, but his curiosity was killing him.

  Ethan’s phone beeped. “Um…am I allowed to see what that’s about, or are you afraid your sister is going to be sending me a sexy text?” he teased and then started laughing as he picked up his phone. “Actually, I’m seriously hoping that’s what this is.”

  “Could be a baby question?” Zach said. “Maybe Amber has a rash or she’s crying because she misses you.” He laughed at the crestfallen look on Ethan’s face. “That will teach you to poke at me with anything sex-related about my sister.”

  “Way to kill a mood,” Ethan said.

  While they were arguing, Alex reached for his phone. “Um…guys?”

  Ethan’s phone beeped again. “It’s been three years! You’d think you would have moved on by now and accepted it. I sleep with your sister. And she sleeps with me. Deal with it.”

  Zach’s phone beeped, but he didn’t hear it.

  “Guys?” Alex said a little louder.

  “What?” they both snapped.

  “We need to go,” Alex said as he slid from the booth and gr
abbed his stuff. “Like now.”

  “Why? What’s up?” Zach asked.

  Rather than say it, he picked up Zach’s phone and held it up for him. “Because your wife’s water just broke in the middle of the nail salon,” he said with a grin. “I think you’re about to have a baby.”

  “Holy shit!” he cried, sliding out of the booth. He looked panicked and unsure of where to go or what to do.

  Looking at Ethan, who was reading his message, Alex said, “It looks like Summer and Megan are getting her to the hospital. Get Zach there, and I’ll take care of the bill. I’ll be two minutes behind you.”

  “Thanks, Alex,” Ethan said as he stood. Clapping Zach on the back, he grinned. “C’mon! Let’s go!”

  Chapter 8

  It was almost midnight when Zach walked into the waiting room, wearing a pair of scrubs and looking more than a little exhausted. Megan sat forward in her seat and held her breath.

  “We have a girl,” he said with a big grin on his face. “A beautiful, healthy baby girl with a head of black hair like her mother.” Everyone jumped up to congratulate him—Megan, Alex, Summer, and Ethan, along with Robert and Janice Montgomery, who had left Amber with the nanny.

  Megan leaned into Alex as he wrapped his arms around her while they listened to Zach talk about how Gabriella and the baby were doing. Reaching up, she swiped away a stray tear or two—which was so unlike her. She wasn’t an overly emotional person, but somehow being here to experience something so amazing…it affected her more than she’d thought it would.

  “You okay?” Alex murmured softly in her ear.

  She nodded.

  At first he didn’t say anything, just kissed her on the temple. “It’s pretty incredible, right?”

  She nodded again.

  “Look at your cousin’s face,” he said quietly, so only she could hear. “I’ve known Zach for a while now, and I’ve never seen him look so happy.”

  “I’ve known him my whole life, and I’ve never seen him look like that,” she replied and wiped away another few tears. “I’m so happy for him. For both of them. I swear I’m still in awe at how calm Gabriella was through the whole thing. Summer and I were freaking out, and Gabriella was the voice of reason.” She paused and laughed softly. “We should probably apologize to her for that.”

  But Alex shook his head. “Nah. That’s just the way she is. She’s crazy efficient and always in control. I’m sure she was glad to have a distraction.”

  “I’m sure she was glad we were able to find our way out of the parking lot,” Megan joked. “It was touch-and-go there for a minute or two.”

  “In about fifteen minutes, you’ll be able to go down to the nursery to see her, but I think Gabriella would appreciate everyone waiting until the morning to visit with her. She’s exhausted,” Zach was saying.

  “Have you decided on a name?” Janice asked, her voice thick with emotion, and Megan watched as her aunt wiped away happy tears of her own.

  Zach smiled. “Willow. She is Willow Grace Montgomery.”

  And right then and there Megan’s heart melted even more. If anyone would have asked her to speak, she knew she wouldn’t be able to, and Alex must have sensed it because he held her a little tighter.

  Zach excused himself and told them when to return, and for the next few minutes there was a flurry of excited conversation that Megan only listened to. Summer went for her phone to call her brother James while her mother called Ryder. Robert and Ethan were talking business, and Alex turned Megan in his arms.

  “We missed our date tonight,” he said, placing a kiss on the tip of her nose.

  “This was just as good.”

  He smiled. “It wasn’t quite the romantic setting I was going for.”

  Snuggling against his chest, she said, “I think the romantic element here was perfect.” And she meant it. To get to be here—surrounded by family and friends—while a new life came into the world was…there were no words. They escaped her.

  “I promise to make it up to you,” he said. “We’ll pick a night this week and dress up and go out and maybe even go dancing.”

  “Ooh…that does sound nice. But I’m really okay, Alex,” she said, looking up at him. “I mean, I was looking forward to going out, but this? I wouldn’t have wanted to miss it for the world. I never knew it could be so—”

  He caressed her cheek. “I know. Me too.”

  Summer walked over and let out a happy sigh. “Now the whole family knows about little Miss Willow—even though it’s three in the morning on the East Coast—and I called and checked on Amber. Once I can get a peek at our new addition and snap a picture or two, we’re going to head home. This has been a seriously long day.”

  Megan and Alex nodded in agreement. “You’re lucky Mrs. Knightley was able to stay all day with Amber and Maylene,” Megan said. “And that she brought her up here for a little while.”

  “Oh, I know. Don’t get me wrong, Ethan and I could have run home and grabbed her and brought her back here, but it would have been too much.”

  “I know this all happened at the last minute, but do you have everything you need for your parents to stay with you?” Alex asked.

  “Yup. I feel like my mom was here not too long ago and now she’s back,” she said with a nervous laugh. “Ethan’s already talking about boundaries and locking bedroom doors.”

  They all laughed.

  “I’m kidding, and I appreciate you being willing to let them stay in the guesthouse, Megan. I feel awful about you having to move out—even temporarily.”

  But Megan waved her off. “It’s fine. Really. And I understand the importance of all of you being together right now.”

  “I’m sure they’ll head over to Zach and Gabriella’s once they’re settled with Willow, right?” Summer asked with a nervous laugh. “And then you can move back in. That is…if you want to.”

  “I don’t think we have to decide tonight, do we?” Alex asked. “After all, it’s late, and who knows how long they’ll stay and who else is going to come and visit, so—”

  Megan laughed softly. “What Alex is trying to say is we’re good with the living situation right now and you shouldn’t feel bad about it. Okay?”

  “You guys are awesome. Thank you.”

  “We’ve got the apartment at my place, Summer,” Alex suggested. “If your brothers show up and need a place to stay and they don’t want to deal with a hotel or people in your guest rooms, they’re more than welcome to stay there. Again, you don’t have to make a decision tonight, but the offer’s there.”

  She smiled at him. “You are too sweet, Alex. Once I know what’s going on, I’ll mention that to them as an option. Thank you.”

  A nurse came out and told them they could all come down to the nursery, and Alex took Megan’s hand as they followed the group.

  Willow was bundled tightly and had on a little pink knit hat, and when the nurse held her up for the group, Megan didn’t even try to hold back the tears. The baby was so tiny and pink and perfect, and she couldn’t even imagine how Gabriella must be feeling right now—if her emotions were this out of control, she would think Gabriella’s were a hundred times worse.

  After a round of pictures and a promise to come back in the morning, they said good night to Zach—who had come out to join them—and all headed out of the hospital.

  It was late, and Megan was tired. Luckily, Alex must have been feeling the same because they drove home in companionable silence, holding hands, and it felt…nice. There was never a need to keep a conversation going or to think of something witty or interesting to say. Sometimes the silence was exactly what they needed.

  Megan thought about his comments earlier about being disappointed that they hadn’t gone out for their romantic dinner date. She smiled. She was amazed that Alex was the kind of man who thought like that. In her experience, dates
were usually more of a big deal to the woman. And while she was a little disappointed, she also knew she didn’t need to dress up and go to a fancy restaurant for their time together to be considered romantic.

  Every day since she’d started staying over—and since he was up and out the door before her—he’d put a pot of coffee on for her, and he always left her a small note to wish her a good day.

  Romantic.

  Several times—when she had mentioned how she was going to be slammed at work—she’d found he’d packed a lunch for her with an encouraging message on the bag telling her to have a good day and to remember to get outside for a little bit.

  Romantic.

  The way he had been showing her around the city and letting her set the pace had been perfect. He always held her hand or would find her the most interesting things to see based on something she might have mentioned to him at one time or another.

  Romantic.

  He cooked dinner for her when she was tired, he rubbed her feet while they watched movies, and he made her breakfast in bed.

  So, yeah. She was feeling like Alex had this whole romantic thing down pat.

  They pulled up to the house and went inside, and Alex went right to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator.

  “I don’t know about you, but I’m starving,” he said as he rummaged around for something to eat.

  “The cafeteria food wasn’t so bad—”

  He straightened and looked at her with amusement and disbelief. “That was not the freshest sandwich I’ve ever eaten, and the only reason I finished it was because I was starving then too.”

  She couldn’t argue with that. The food had been a bit on the pitiful side, but considering why they were there eating it, she had managed to tolerate it. But now that they were home, a late-night snack sounded pretty good. Walking over to the refrigerator, she peered inside too.