by J. E. Parker
A small smile tilted Clara’s lips up at the corners. “And you didn’t let her?”
I felt my eyes widen. “Hell no. Grandmama doesn’t see too well these days. She would’ve shot me, you, Anthony, and that ugly ass stuffed pig you keep on the end table by the couch by mistake.”
Clara playfully smacked my arm. The tightness embedded deep in my chest eased. “Her name is Penny the Pig, and she is not ugly. She’s just homely.”
It was my turn to laugh. “Whatever you say, bella dama.”
My girl lifted a hand and ran a single finger down the side of my jaw. “I didn’t think I’d ever hear you call me that again.” She looked like she needed to say more so I remained silent. A few seconds later, she continued, “I’m so scared, Brantley. I’m terrified that the kids are afraid of me and that you are going to take Bella away from me.” Her chin wobbled again. “And I’m afraid that you’re going to walk away, taking my heart with you.”
I held her tighter. “Do you have any idea how much I love you, Firecracker?” Before she could reply, I kept talking. “Well, let me tell you… I can’t breathe without you, Clara. Walking away from you isn’t an option. Not unless you demand I do so.”
Please God, I prayed. Never let that shit happen.
“I don’t want you to walk away.”
“Good,” I said before pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. “Because I’m not too keen on letting you go.” Sliding my hand over the bottom of her belly, I smiled. “Especially since you may carry a huge part of me inside you.”
A small smile flitted across her face. It was fleeting. “What happens now? Is there a chance I’ll go to jail? Because I can’t. The boys—”
I pressed a finger to her lips, silencing her. “You’re not going anywhere. The DA is going to charge Chastity with breaking and entering, assault and battery with intent, plus menacing. Since she cut you with the knife instead of just threatening you with it, she’s looking at ten to twenty years in the Georgia State Pen.” Clara sucked in a breath. “Since she doesn’t have a record, she’ll likely get ten years but only serve five if she behaves. Doesn’t matter though because she’s going away and the little stunt she pulled today made it possible for me to have her parental rights terminated.”
“How?”
“Georgia law allows the courts to terminate a parents rights due to misconduct or inability. What Chastity did today, combined with her past behavior makes my argument for termination a slam dunk. It’ll take a year, but eventually she won’t have any ties to my princesa.”
Clara turned to her side. “I want to be Bella’s mother,” she whispered so low I barely heard her. “I want what Chastity didn’t.” She paused; her eyes locked with mine. “Pretty Boy, I am begging you, please let me keep her.”
All the anger and hate that had taken root in my chest vanished. And it was all because of Clara.
My bella dama.
“I’ll make you a deal,” I said, brushing the tip of my nose against hers. “If you agree to let me adopt the boys, then I’ll let you adopt Bella.” A smile tugged at her lips. “Course, you have to let me put my ring on your finger and my baby in your belly before that. I’ve got to lock your little ass down and tie you to me in every way possible.”
Dropping her head back, Clara laughed.
The melodic sound floated through the room, bouncing off the walls.
It was fucking beautiful.
“Only under one condition,” she said, sinking her teeth into her bottom lip.
“Yeah? And what’s that?
Sliding her hands into my hair, she anchored her fingers into my locks. “Kiss me first.”
I didn’t hesitate.
Within seconds my lips met hers and the rest of the world melted away.
At that moment, it was just me, her, and the love that bled from her heart to mine.
At least until…
“Eww!” A familiar voice shouted from the open bedroom door. “They’re kissing!”
Clara ripped her lips from mine.
I growled in response.
“Declan O’Bannon!” Clara fussed. “Are you spying on us?”
Declan, followed by Bella, and then Liam stepped inside our room.
Bella’s nose scrunched up. “Why is Clara only wearing a towel?”
Clara’s cheeks flamed bright red. “Because I just got out of the shower and haven’t gotten dressed yet.” Glancing my way one last time, she slid off the bed. “But now I’m about to.”
Bella giggled while Liam rolled his eyes. “Declan and Bella want to sleep with you guys," he said, “but they’re too chicken to ask so they’re making me do it.”
Clara glanced back at me, a question in her eyes.
“It’s fine with me,” I answered.
Looking at the kids, Clara nodded toward the bed. “Get in.”
I sat up as Declan and Bella charged forward, leaving Liam standing alone.
Declan reached the side of the bed first. Launching himself at me, he wrapped his arms around my neck and climbed over my shoulders like a damn spider monkey before dropping to the mattress behind me. “Hey, Brantley,” he said, jumping back around to the front of me. “Is it okay if I call you dad now?”
Swear to Christ, the world around me stopped turning.
Two seconds passed before I got it together.
Then, “Depends. Is it okay if I call you son now?”
The smile he aimed my way was blinding. “Yes!” He shouted before looking over at the closet where Clara was dressing in the darkness. “Hey, Mama, guess what?”
“What, baby?” She asked stepping into the light wearing one of my dress shirts.
“Liam and me have a dad now!”
Clara’s mouth gaped.
Yet, she said nothing.
“What about me?” Bella said next, bouncing on the balls of her feet. “Can I call Clara mommy now?”
Following my lead, Clara whispered, “Only if I get to call you my daughter.”
Bella squealed so loud I was surprised my ear drums didn’t burst. Standing up on the foot of the mattress where she’d just sat down, she jumped toward Clara. Thankfully, Clara caught her before she hit the floor. “I love you, Princess,” Clara said before burying her face in Bella’s hair.
“I love you too,” Bella replied. “So so much!”
Clara and I’s gazes both moved to Liam.
Smiling from ear-to-ear, he slid his hands into the pockets of his pajama pants and rocked back on his heels. “We’re a family now,” he said. “A real family.”
Clara nodded toward the bed. “You sleeping in here with us?”
“Where else would I sleep?”
Without saying another word, he ran forward and jumped onto the bed. Taking his place beside Declan, he waited for Clara and Bella to join us.
A few seconds later they did.
It was chaos as all five of us fought over who was sleeping next to who.
Declan ended up next to me and Liam ended up next to Clara. Bella slept in the middle, between the boys. I hated being so far away from Clara but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love having all three kids between us.
Where they were safe.
Where they were protected.
Where they belonged.
Soon, all three kids had drifted off to sleep.
Clara wasn’t far behind, but before she slipped away, our eyes locked. Reaching across the kids, I laced my fingers with hers. “I love you, bella dama. More than you’ll ever know, Firecracker.”
Closing her eyes, she inhaled.
“I love you too, Pretty Boy.” Tracing her fingers over the back of my hand, she added, “Always.”
Epilogue
Eight Months Later
Evan and Hope were officially married.
Hours earlier they’d gotten hitched on the shore of Gold Beach. The small but beautiful ceremony had taken place right at sunset, giving everyone the perfect view of the sun dipping below the horizon. Dressed in a simple whit
e dress that had belonged to Charlotte, Hope was the most beautiful brides I’d ever seen. I mean, Maddie and Shelby had been beautiful brides too, but the sight of Hope had stolen my breath away.
Judging by the look that crossed Evan’s face when Keith walked her down the sand covered, seashell lined aisle, he’d lost the ability to breathe as well. His expression had nearly melted my heart, turning me into an emotional basket case. Though, to be fair, most things turned me into an emotional hot mess lately.
Being six months pregnant will do that to you.
Being six months pregnant with a little girl will really do that to you.
“Clara!” Shelby hollered from the reception table that was set up in the middle of Grandmama’s backyard. “Get your pregnant butt over here!”
Hands on my hips, I strolled toward her, careful not to bump into anyone or trip over my own two feet—something I did a lot lately. It was the main reason that Brantley was glued to my hip every minute of the dang day.
In fact, the only reason he wasn’t by my side right that second was because he was dancing with his mother, or madre as he called her, along with all three of our kiddos.
I’d met his parents, Robert and Maria a week after the Chastity incident. When Evan called them and explained what happened, they’d driven up from Florida where they were enjoying their retirement. After that, they’d spent two weeks with us as we worked on getting past what Chasity had done, and becoming a family. It was a rough transition period, but they’d guided us through, helping us with whatever we needed. They’d even agreed to come back in six weeks when Chastity’s trial started.
A trial which I’d been assured would end with her being sent to prison.
For years.
One can only hope…
Needless to say, the boys and I loved Brantley’s parents. Very much. And in return, they loved my boys and I to the moon and back.
From the moment they met Liam and Declan, they’d claimed them as their own. It didn’t matter that Brantley wasn’t their biological father. When he informed them that he intended to marry me and adopt the boys, they hadn’t blinked. Instead, they’d welcomed us into the fold with open arms. It was amazing and filled my heart with nothing but love.
“Come on, preggo,” Shelby teased. “You can move faster than that.”
If we hadn’t been surrounded by so many kids, I would’ve flipped her off.
But since we were, I behaved.
For the moment.
Plopping my big behind down in the chair beside her, I leaned back and closed my eyes. “Sixteen weeks to go and I’m already exhausted. I’m not going to make it, Shelby.”
Shelby chuckled. “Well, at least you aren’t pregnant with twins.”
My eyes fluttered open; a smile crossed my face. “Nope, I’m not, but I sure as heck know who is.”
Shelby pressed a finger to my lips. “Zip it,” she hissed, smiling in return. “We can’t spill the beans. Not yet. If we do, you-know-who is liable to kill us both.”
“Fine,” I huffed. “But waiting is killing me.”
Shelby nodded. “Agreed.”
A second later, Maddie pulled out the chair across from us and sat down. Holding Maci in one arm and a conked out Ryker in the other, she looked from Shelby to me. “What are you two gossiping about?” Her gaze flitted to the empty seats beside us. “And where are y’all’s husbands?”
I quirked a brow. “I don’t have one of those yet.”
Shelby pointed across the yard. “Mine stole Gracie from me, as usual, and walked over by the fence line to where Pop, Felix, Keith and Charlotte are talking,” Shelby said, a look of annoyance on her face. "He’s supposed to be keeping an eye on Melody and Lucca, but I suspect he and Pop are busy plotting a certain someone’s death.”
Knowing full well what, or rather who Shelby was referring to, Maddie rolled her eyes. “Oh for Pete’s sake," she said, “Ashley is eighteen now. It’s normal for her to have a boyfriend.”
“He’s not her boyfriend,” Shelby interjected, scowling. “They’re just friends.”
Maddie looked at her like she was crazy. “Keep telling yourself that, Blondie. I mean, have you seen the way he looks at her? That boy is head over heels—”
“Hush it,” Shelby snapped. “I don’t want to hear it.”
“Why not?” I asked, confused.
Shaking her head, Shelby looked over to the place where Ashley stood with her date. A date who just happened to be named Chase Jacobs.
Lord help us all…
“Because that boy has heartbreak written all over him,” Shelby replied, her eyes locked on her oldest daughter. “And my girl is going to be the one who ends up getting hurt. Then I‘m going to end up in jail because I’ll kill him”—she paused—“that’s if my husband doesn’t get to him first."
I didn’t bother to argue with her because there was no point. Anthony and Shelby were both dead set against Chase and Ashley dating. Though, from the looks of it, neither had a choice in the matter.
“Look,” Shelby said, smacking my arm. Pointing across the yard toward the dance floor, she chuckled to herself, “Look at the expression on the Hulk‘s face.”
The person she was pointing too was none other than Kyle. Standing near Pop and Anthony, his heated gaze was locked on a dancing Carissa. Hands in his pockets, his jaw was clenched tight. The poor guy looked like he was about three seconds away from tossing her over his shoulder and carrying her out of there.
“Why the heck hasn’t he made a move on C yet?” I asked, more than curious. “It’s been over two years since he first started following her around like a lost puppy and yet they still aren’t together.”
Resting her chin on the top of a babbling Maci’s head, Maddie smile. “He told Hendrix that he was waiting for her to finish her degree.” She paused. “She graduates in two weeks; therefore, I’m certain her time is nearly up.”
Oh boy…
“Whose time is up?” Grandmama interjected from behind Maddie, where she appeared out of nowhere. Pulling out the chair next to Maddie she sat down, placing her glittery purple cane—yes, glittery purple—on the table in front of her. “Well somebody better start yapping. I need juicy details.”
“We’re talking about Kyle and Carissa, Crazy Old Biddy,” Shelby replied, smirking.
Grandmama smiled. Big. “Oh yeah? I give it a month, two tops before she’s either pregnant or wearing a rock on her finger. That boy has waited long enough. Poor fella looks like he’s about to come out of his daggum skin.” Grandmama paused as her eyes scanned the backyard. “Though, I wouldn’t say he’s in any worse shape than Ty. That big doofus hasn’t pulled his eyes from Heidi all night long. I’m thinking he may be a tad obsessed.”
Lifting a glass of water from the table, Shelby mumbled, “That’s because he is.”
I opened my mouth to say something but snapped it shut when Hendrix, who was standing on Grandmama’s back porch slipped his fingers between his lips and whistled loud enough to wake the dead. On one side of him stood Evan and on the other side stood Hope.
“What in the world is the Behemoth doing?” Grandmama asked, curling her upper lip.
Maddie smiled. “It‘s time for the bouquet toss.”
“And Hendrix, of all people, is announcing it?” Shelby asked, wide-eyed.
Maddie shrugged. “He’s got the biggest mouth.”
That was the dang truth.
After Hendrix hollered and told everyone but the unmarried women to clear the dance floor, all three of my babies ran toward me. “Mama!” Bella shouted. “Are you going to catch Aunt Hope’s flowers?”
My eyes bulged. “Me?”
“Yes, you,” Grandmama said, looking at me like I was nuts. “Now get your pregnant behind out on that dance floor before I get out my flyswatter.”
“Where’s your daddy?” I asked Declan, ignoring Grandmama.
Smiling, he pointed over my head. “Behind you.”
Before I had the c
hance to look over my shoulder Brantley’s shadow loomed next to me. Taking one of my hands in his, he helped me to my feet. “Come on, bella dama,” he said, smiling down at me. “All the girls are waiting on you.”
I rolled my eyes. “We have three kids and I’m six months pregnant with our fourth. I’m certain I don’t need to catch a bouquet.”
“Humor me, Firecracker.”
Unable to tell him no, I let him lead me to the dance floor where Carissa, Heidi, Ashley, and Charlotte were standing as Liam, Declan and Bella followed behind us.
“Took you long enough,” Ashley sassed, her hands on her hips.
I quirked a brow. “You’re turning into your mother, you know that?”
My comment made her smile from ear-to-ear. “Good.”
Chuckling, I took my place in the group of ladies.
Brantley pressed a kiss to my forehead. “I love you, beautiful girl,” he said, running his thumb along my jaw. “More than you’ll ever know.”
A lump formed in my throat.
No matter how many times I heard him say it, I always got emotional when he told me he loved me. Long as I lived, I’d never tire of hearing it.
Pressing one last kiss to my cheek, he turned and crossed the dance floor before coming to a standstill next to his parents, our kids, and Evan—all of whom had their eyes locked on me.
Uhh…
“Alright, gorgeous ladies,” Hendrix said, his signature smirk locked in place. “Get ready.”
Hope, who‘d descended the porch steps, turned giving all of us ladies her back as Halo by Beyoncé played over the speakers that surrounded the dance floor.
I looked at Brantley one last time.
Eyes twinkling, his stare never deviated from me.
He’s up to something…
“Alright, y’all!” Hope hollered. “On the count of three.” She paused, lifting the bouquet into the air. “One…”
Behind me, Ashley squealed.
“Two…” Hope continued.
“Oh my God, here we go," Carissa said, her voice filled with glee.
Hope peeked at me over her shoulder, a sneaky smile on her face before turning back around. “Three!”
Arms extended, I readied myself to catch the bouquet. Only problem was, Hope didn‘t toss it in the air.
