by Lori King
“Hi, I’m Kensie Wilcox. I just moved in,” she gestured to the apartment door next to Bristol’s, “but my phone doesn’t seem to get signal anywhere. I’ve tried every corner of the apartment and nothing. Can I borrow your phone for a just a moment?”
“Oh, sure, let me grab it.” Glancing back at the mess on the floor, she decided not to invite Kensie inside. “Just give me a minute.”
Pushing the door shut, she hurried to get her phone and ran back, stepping on a cracker sandwich and grinding it into the carpet on her way. She was still cursing as she threw open the door again, and Kensie looked concerned.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, thanks, I just stepped on something.” She passed her the cell phone and leaned against the door frame.
“Uh, thanks, I just want to let my older brother know I made it safely. If I don’t, he’ll be on my doorstep in a few hours.” Kensie’s face lit up when she referenced her brother, and Bristol smiled back.
“Protective huh?”
“Very.”
“My best friend, Roan is like that with his younger sister too. Of course, Payton can pretty much take care of herself without help. She’s a Marine.” A sick feeling flooded Bristol as she remembered getting the news of Payton’s injuries and near-death experience. “Well, she was a Marine. She’s been medically discharged now.”
“That sucks,” Kensie said, glancing down at the phone in her hand.
“Oh, sorry, go ahead and make your call. Just let me know when you’re done.” Bristol stepped back into her apartment and closed the door to give the other woman privacy. She managed to clean up the floor without further incident and was just debating whether it was worth it to make more or not when Kensie knocked again.
Opening the door, she was surprised to find Cooper Storm on the other side of it, staring at her new neighbor like he wanted to eat her alive.
“Coop?”
His name startled him out of whatever fantasy he’d been in, and he tore his eyes away from Kensie who blushed as she passed the phone back to Bristol.
“Thanks. I’ll have to switch phone carriers in order to get service here, I think,” Kensie said, smiling nervously.
“No problem, Kensie, I’m happy to help. Kensie, this is my friend Cooper Storm, Coop, this is my new neighbor—”
“Kensie Wilcox,” the other woman held her hand out in greeting only to be charmed by Cooper when he lifted it to his lips.
“Lovely,” Cooper murmured. “It’s lovely to meet you, Miss Wilcox.”
“Cooper, what are you doing here?” Bristol said, barely holding back a laugh.
Cooper’s mega-watt smile spread over his face as he stepped forward for a hug. “Roan called me, and I was nearby. I had to come see you and tell you congratulations.”
“Roan called you already? How? I mean, I just hung up with him.” She sighed and opened the door wider, “Come on in. I was just going to find something to eat.”
“Let me take you out to lunch to celebrate,” Cooper said. “And Miss Wilcox, you should join us.”
Kensie blushed and shook her head, “Oh no, I shouldn’t. I have way too much to get done here. I just arrived today, and the moving truck will be here in the morning. Thank you for the invitation.”
“Perhaps another time? Dinner?” Cooper prodded, flashing his teeth and running his fingers through his lush hair. The man could have held his own against any movie star currently in the business. He was gorgeous when he was on his game.
“Sure, that would be nice.” Kensie opened her own door and gave a little wave. “Thanks again, Bristol.”
“You’re welcome.”
Once the other woman was gone, Bristol arched her brow at Cooper who feigned innocence.
“What?”
“Were you seriously just hitting on my new neighbor?”
“Definitely,” Cooper nodded. “She’s a pretty little thing. Come on, let’s go get lunch. We need to celebrate. It’s not every day a guy finds out he’s going to be an uncle for the first time.”
“Thank you, but right now, my appetite is a little fickle. I seem to have no taste for some of my favorite foods.”
“Is that normal?” Cooper asked, his eyes filling with concern. “Could something be wrong with the baby? Roan said everything was good.”
“Everything is fine. At this stage of pregnancy this is normal, or at least, that’s what the books tell me. Do you want to come in and eat peanut butter crackers with me or not?” Bristol asked her tone a little sharper. “I hadn’t planned on announcing my news to the world via my front door today.”
“Sorry, I guess I got a little too excited when Roan called me. I just assumed it was joyous news,” Cooper said, stepping through the doorway into her apartment. Bristol moved back to give him room and headed for the living room.
“It is, and it isn’t. I mean, I wasn’t sure when I first took the test, but I’ve had some time to think about it, and Roan was certainly excited.”
“You’re telling me,” Cooper laughed loudly. “He sounded happier than I’ve heard him in a long time.”
Bristol smiled at that. It was a relief to know Roan’s feelings were genuine. Maybe their child was unplanned, but it certainly wasn’t unwanted.
“I’ll pass on the crackers, but I’d be happy to run to the store for anything you might need,” Cooper offered.
“That’s sweet, but I’m good. I’m actually waiting on Olive to get here so I can tell her the news,” Bristol explained. “Her car broke down and—”
“Again?” Cooper’s sarcasm was matched with an eye roll. “What’s that, the fifth time this month?”
“I’ve stopped counting,” Bristol replied. “I’m not sure why she doesn’t replace that silly car.”
There was an awkward moment between them. Cooper and Olive had tried dating once, but they were like oil and water, never finding the right mix between them. Unbeknownst to Cooper, Olive’s heart belonged to his oldest brother, Asher and unless Bristol was mistaken, no other man would ever compare.
“So, when is the little guy due?’ Cooper asked, pointing at her stomach.
“It could be a girl,” Bristol protested, “and since I’m about eight weeks along, I still have at least six months to go.”
“Good, that means Roan will be back in time for his or her arrival. That’s good.”
“Is it?” Bristol murmured.
“What do you mean? Of course, it’s a good thing. He’s the daddy, and the daddy should be there to see his child arrive and support the mommy.” Cooper crossed his arms, his suit jacket pulling tight over his broad shoulders. “What’s going through that pretty head of yours?”
Bristol blinked away a sudden urge to cry and swallowed hard. “Nothing, I’m just not exactly sure of anything right now. I’m an emotional time bomb. The silliest things have me rattled.”
Cooper nodded, but there was still confusion and concern in his warm brown eyes. “I’d better get out of here then. Nothing worse than a crying woman. No offense.”
“None taken,” she laughed and shook her head. “Thanks for coming by, Coop. I’m glad Roan is so excited with this surprise.”
Cooper kissed her forehead and hugged her before heading back to the front door. Just as he opened it, he paused. “Bristol, promise me you’ll call me if you need anything. Consider me a stand-in for Roan until he’s back and can make the offer himself.”
“Thanks, Coop,” she said, tears filling her eyes so full she couldn’t blink them away. “That means a lot.”
“What the hell, Storm 4, did you make my sister cry?” Olive appeared in the doorway, pushing past Cooper, fury filling her eyes.
“Not on purpose,” Cooper protested, shaking his head. “I’d better go, see you soon Bristol.”
“Okay, thanks, Coop.” Bristol was quickly wrapped in Olive’s arms, but her tears continued to flow for a couple of moments unchecked. She couldn’t seem to get a handle on herself. If this is what the next six
months were going to be like, she was royally screwed.
“What’s going on, sis?” Olive asked, stepping back to look her over. “You never cry.”
“I know, but there are other factors at play right now.” Bristol furiously scrubbed at her eyes. “That’s why I needed to talk to you.”
“Are you sick?” Olive asked, her face going pale. Having just lost their father to liver cancer last year, Bristol could understand her fear.
“Not exactly. I’m pregnant.”
Olive’s eyes widened, and she took a step backward. “What?”
“I’m eight weeks pregnant,” Bristol felt her face heat, “with Roan’s baby.”
“Holy shit.” Olive looked like she’d been sucker punched. “I didn’t even know you two were together.”
“We’re not, it just sort of happened. The night of his going away party, we both drank too much tequila, then he brought me back here, and we were on the roof looking at the stars, and…”
The silence was heavy, and for the first time, Bristol felt genuinely embarrassed by her actions. She was an adult. She had no business putting herself in this situation.
“You’re pregnant,” Olive repeated, staring at Bristol’s midsection. “With a baby.”
“I sure as hell hope it’s not puppies.”
“Eight weeks pregnant. With Roan’s baby.” Olive stepped away and began to pace. “Roan is God knows where on another continent, and you’re pregnant with his baby.”
“Yeah, that’s about sums it up.” Bristol plopped down on the couch, her appetite now gone completely.
“Have you told him?”
“Just before you called. That’s why I couldn’t come help push your car off the road,” Bristol explained. “Did you get ahold of Lole?”
“How did he react?”
“Lole?”
“No, damn it, how did Roan react when you told him?” Olive sat down next to her, “He’d better not have been an asshole, or I’ll—”
“No, he was really excited. In fact, that’s why Cooper was here. After I hung up with Roan, apparently, he began spreading the word to the world that I was having his baby.”
“Oh my God, sis,” Olive’s eyes suddenly lit up, “you’re actually having a baby! This is incredible. No matter who the daddy is, this is awesome! I’m going to have a niece or nephew to spoil.”
Bristol laughed at her sister’s sudden change in demeanor. “Yep, you’ll officially be an auntie.”
“Have you told mom?”
“Not yet, but she’s next. I’m not sure how she’ll take it. I mean, she’s been such a train wreck since Daddy died.”
Olive nodded, “Yeah, but this might just be the thing she needs to find her sparkle again. Come on, let’s go tell her now. I want to see her reaction.”
Bristol laughed and let her sister pull her up off the couch. “Can I at least put on some shoes first?”
“Of course, and don’t forget your keys, you’re driving for the foreseeable future,” Olive responded. “God only knows when I’ll have the money to get my car back from the clink.”
“You never told me if you got ahold of Lole or not.”
“How else do you think I got here?” Olive asked. “He couldn’t come help me himself because he’s not supposed to drive yet, he just had surgery on his knee, but he had one of the guys from the shop come get me and drop me off here. They’re going to take my car in and see what the damage is.”
As they went out the door, they met Kensie who was carrying stuff in from her car.
“Oh, hey. Kensie Wilcox, this is my sister Olive, you’ll see her around here a lot,” Bristol volunteered.
“Nice to meet you, Olive. I just moved in next door,” Kensie explained.
“I love your hair, is that natural?” Olive asked.
“I’m not sure there’s anything else this color in the natural world, but I was born with it,” Kensie said with a laugh.
After a few more words, Olive and Bristol headed off to their childhood home to give the news to their mom. Surely, she will be happy for me, Bristol thought as she backed her car out of the parking lot, Moms have to be happy for their children.
Turns out, not all moms are the same, Bristol thought as she retreated an hour later with tear-stained cheeks and a hollow feeling in the pit of her stomach. How could she be so stupid? Of course, her mother would be shocked and dismayed she’d been careless.
“She’s wrong, you know,” Olive murmured from the passenger’s seat. “You and Roan might not have planned this, but you will make great parents.”
“I don’t know. We’re so different.”
“Different can be a good thing. I mean, Roan will be able to teach the baby things you can’t.”
“Really?” Bristol gave her sister the stink eye before focusing on the road ahead again. “Like what? Shooting a gun? Killing insurgents? Playing poker until all hours of the night with his unit guys?”
“Yes, all of those things and more. You love Roan, you guys have been inseparable for over two decades. Don’t start talking yourself into hating him just because he’s not in love with you,” Olive chided.
“I never said I wanted him to be in love with me.”
“It’s as plain as the nose on your face you’re head over heels for the guy, B.” Olive reached for her purse. “Do you think we could stop for a milkshake? I could really use one after seeing mom.”
“What do you mean? What makes you think that?” Bristol prodded, her belly tightening. If Olive had noticed, why hadn’t Roan? Surely others could see it too. What would happen if word got back to him that Bristol was pining for him? She didn’t want a man who only wanted her for her womb.
“I don’t know. It’s the way you look at him. Your eyes get big and soft, and your smile changes. Almost like you’ve stepped out of the clouds and into the sun,” Olive explained. “I’m envious you know, at least you have a relationship with the man of your dreams. You and Roan and the baby will be able to live happily ever after with each other while the rest of us wither up as old maids and die.”
“Oh my God, you’re not an old maid nor are you going to wither up and die. Good grief, you’re dramatic.”
Olive grinned, “I get that way when I’m hangry. Let’s go get a milkshake.”
“I think you’re wrong about our happily ever after, by the way. Roan didn’t say one word about wanting me, and I don’t want him to feel obligated to be with me. As far as I’m concerned, it’s just me and Junior planning our future. Roan will be included as much as he wants, but I won’t pressure him.”
“You’re kidding, right? That kid is half his. He needs to be just as responsible as you in taking care of it. Did you guys talk about the financial side of this? Is he going to send you some money? You don’t make enough to take care of a baby by yourself.” Olive’s pressuring was making Bristol’s brain hurt, and her stomach was tied up in knots.
“Enough. I’m not talking about this anymore today. I want a milkshake and a nap. It’s supposed to be my day off, and I haven’t accomplished anything.” Bristol focused on the road, thankful when Olive stayed quiet. It wasn’t that she hadn’t considered all of these factors, but she wasn’t ready to make decisions yet. Her baby was barely the size of a blueberry, she had time to figure shit out. Hopefully.
Chapter Five
12 weeks gestation
“Hot Wing, get off the damn computer. I’m supposed to call Bristol in less than two minutes,” Roan shouted as he paced outside the tent he shared with four other squad members.
“Hold your horses, Storm, it’s not like she’s going to deliver that baby today,” Donald Crumley aka Hot Wing yelled back. A minute later the flap opened, and Hot Wing’s thinning hair appeared. “Christ, you need to chill man. She’s like a minute pregnant, and you’re already acting like a fool.”
“She’s more than a minute pregnant, she had her twelve-week appointment today, and she was going to hear the heartbeat for the first time,�
�� Roan corrected. “It’s bad enough I can’t be there with her. I won’t miss this call.”
Pushing past his buddy, he settled into the chair and opened the browser to sign in. For a moment the computer froze, and icy panic filled his chest. He had to see her today. They’d spoken on the phone twice since she’d delivered the news, but this would be the first video chat in those four weeks. He was desperate to see her and make sure she and the baby were okay.
The screen turned black and the words “call connected” appeared at the bottom.
“Roan?” Bristol’s voice was crackly with static.
“Hey, baby, I’m here. I don’t have video yet, but I can hear you.”
“I see you now,” she told him. “You look tired, are you not getting enough sleep?”
Roan shook his head and laughed. “Damn it, woman, you’re the one creating life as we speak, and you’re worried about how much sleep I’m getting.” The screen changed, and suddenly, her beautiful smile filled it. “There you are. You look gorgeous as always, B.”
“Shut up, I do not. I haven’t had my hair colored since I found out about the pregnancy because the book said it wasn’t safe, so grays are starting to show through.”
Rolling his eyes, Roan responded, “I’d eat my cover. There’s no way you have gray hair yet. How’s the baby?”
“We’re both perfect, according to Dr. Jacoby. They measured me, and I’m right on track. I’m already gaining weight though.”
“The book you sent me said you were supposed to gain at least twenty-five pounds,” Roan told her. Bristol’s smile widened.
“I know, but that doesn’t mean I have to be happy about outgrowing my favorite pajama pants.”
“The ones with the smiley faces?” Roan asked, laughing. “You’ll be back in them in no time, I’m sure of it. So, tell me what the doctor said. Did you hear the heartbeat?”
She reached for something off screen, then held up her phone. “Yes, and I recorded it for you. I’m not sure if you’ll be able to hear it over the video chat, but you’ll be able to listen when you get back for sure.”
“Try it now,” he said, his voice cracking with emotion and excitement. Holding his breath while she fiddled with her phone, he suddenly heard a thwumping sound over the airwaves. It disappeared for a moment, then came back louder. “Is that it?”
