Twisted Reality (Blind Reality #2)

by Heidi McLaughlin

  “I am.”

  As if on cue the violins play the “Wedding March” over the crashing waves. My mom, Rebekah, and my cousins have already walked down the aisle. I’m the only one left.

  Carefully stepping onto the wooden planks, I look at the pink rose petals my flower girl set out for me. My dad bends his arm at his elbow and offers it to me. Inhaling deeply, we walk toward the bend that will put my Josh right before me. Once I turn the corner, we’ll see each other for the first time in eighteen long, painful hours.

  “If it helps, he’s nervous, too.”

  “I’m not nervous,” I lie. I’m terrified, but it’s reassuring to know that Josh is in fact waiting for me at the end of the aisle.

  My dad turns the corner, slowly. My head is down and I hear gasps from our friends and family—this time I smile knowing that they’re here for me and not because I’m marrying Joshua Wilson. To them he’s just Josh. To me he’s my future.

  Slowly I lift my head, unable to keep the smile off my face. I’m so in love with the man who is standing a few feet from me that the only thing keeping me from running the rest of the way are the heels. I’d rather not end up in the hospital on my wedding day.

  When our eyes meet I can feel the magnetic pull between us. He cocks his head to the side as a wide smile dances on his lips. He whispers something that I can’t hear, but Rob laughs and shakes his head.

  My father tugs on my arm, lurching me forward. One-step forward, then two, three, and four. I’m almost there. The justice of the peace steps up with his book in his hand and behind me everyone sits. Cameras move into place and mics are dangled above us since I refused to wear one with my dress.

  “Welcome. I’m sure you’re all happy to be here on this beautiful day. We’ve been very blessed with amazing weather and even more with a magnificent bride and groom.

  “Who gives this woman to be with this man?”

  “Her mother and I do, happily.” My father kisses my hand before placing it in Josh’s. Much to my surprise he gives Josh a hug and pats him on the back.

  “You’re fucking gorgeous.”

  I blush and remember we’re live. “Josh,” I scold, but he laughs.

  “I don’t care. I told Barry we needed a delay.”

  He did, many times, but Barry insisted on being live and Josh cleaning up his language. Looks like Barry will be getting a fine.

  Josh and I adjust and make sure we’re standing on the blue taped X. We’ve rehearsed this part over and over again so we should know better.

  “You really are beautiful.”

  “You’re pretty handsome yourself.”

  “Joshua and Joey began their lives together in the most unheard of circumstances. Instead of following the age-old techniques of courtship, they married each other with blindfolds on, sight unseen. They didn’t even know each other’s names until they were husband and wife.

  “Surely a marriage that starts like this is a hard road to travel, especially when you’re forced to live and compete with other married couples. For Josh and Joey, love prevailed as millions of friends watched Joey chip away at the walls Josh put up. And when their time was up, Josh did it for real by proposing to his wife. He wanted to give her this.” He spreads his arms out wide and I find myself looking around as well. The view is breathtaking and even the onlookers who are being held back by tape and security can only see two people standing here, but can enjoy the scenery.

  “If you would join hands.”

  I turn and hand my mother my bouquet of peonies and roses. My bridal party is dressed in mermaid-style dresses that flare at the knee, not the ankle. I wanted them to enjoy the party later and not have to shuffle their feet. The light blue satin is perfect against the light brown sand and crystal blue ocean backdrop.

  “Joshua, if you would please.”

  Clearing his throat, he squeezes my hands. We chose to write our own vows or speak from our hearts instead of using the traditional ones. We figured there’s nothing traditional about us yet, so why start now.

  “Joey, sometimes I find it hard to express what I’m feeling when it comes to you. Love doesn’t seem like a strong enough word to fully grasp the way I feel or how you make me feel. Marrying you all those months ago was a game changer for me. You opened my eyes to a world that I never wanted anything to do with and showed me how easy it is to fall in step behind you. I can’t promise you that I’ll never do something stupid, or piss you off, but I can promise you this … I am going to love you for the rest of my days. I am going to do everything I can to make you smile, hear you laugh, and show you that you mean more to me than anything. I love you, Joey.”

  Everyone aws as I catch the tears pooling in my eyes. It’s my turn and for a few weeks I have struggled with what I’m going to say. I thought I had it down until everything changed for me.

  “Joshua Freaking Wilson,” I start, causing everyone to laugh. “There aren’t a lot of people here who don’t know how infatuated I was with you. And yes, I say was because now that I know you I can easily say that reality is far better than what I made up in my head. The person I thought you were pales in comparison to the man you are. You’re thoughtful, caring, and the most generous man I have ever loved. Every day with you has been a challenge and a blessing. I can’t wait to love you tomorrow, the next day, and every moment in between. My love for you is only going to grow stronger with each passing day and I can’t wait to see what our future holds. I love you, Josh. You’re going to make an amazing father to our baby.”

  My teeth catch my lower lip as his mouth drops open and our family gasps. Only my mother and Rebekah know that I’m pregnant and behind me I can hear them giggling.

  “Wh-what?” he sputters.

  “I’m pregnant,” I whisper for him. Telling the television audience was never my plan, but I figured it would be better than trying to hide it and dodging all the questions about my weight.

  “You’re kidding?”

  Smiling, I shake my head.

  “Holy fuck,” he says, smashing his mouth down on mine. The justice of the peace is reminding him that he hasn’t given him permission yet, but I don’t think he cares. When we part, I’m breathless and wanting more.

  “We’re having a baby?”

  “Yeah, we are.”

  “Ahem, do you think we could finish?”

  “Oh right,” Josh replies, stepping back slightly.

  “Rings?” the JP says, sighing. Rob and my mom hand us our rings and the JP goes through his spiel. Josh kisses my ring after he places it on my finger.

  “I suppose I can skip the ‘do you’ parts because it’s clear that you do,” the JP says, causing everyone to laugh. “By the power vested in me in the great state of Hawaii, I pronounce you once again, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson. You know what to do Josh, let her have it.”

  And he does!

  “What are you doing?”

  Wrapping her hands around my waist from behind, Joey kisses my bare shoulder. I’m leaning against the doorjamb, watching. This is where I am every night about three a.m., waiting.

  “I’m addicted.”

  “I know. Me too,” she says, sighing. I maneuver my arm so Joey is nestled into my side, never taking my eyes off the white princess crib that sits in the middle of the room.

  Jolie Hope is three months old and the most amazing achievement of my life. Not that I did anything other than help conceive her. Joey did it all. She did everything to nurture Jolie and bring her into this world. But I was there, every step of the way from prenatal yoga, childbirth classes, and now swim lessons.

  After Joey told me, and subsequently the world, that she was pregnant instant fear set in about our swimming pool. I wanted to cover it while Joey suggested a fence. She won out, but the moment Jolie’s doctor gave the okay that she could be in the water, I put her in and hired a lifeguard to come teach her. I know she’s young and I’m probably wasting my money, but whatever, maybe I’m raising the next Olympian.

  As I pr
edicted, Barry was front and center with a contract ready for us to sign, but this time I put my foot down. I didn’t want something like this broadcast for millions of people. I didn’t want Joey judged if she decided to have a glass of wine at dinner, which her doctor said was perfectly fine. Truthfully, I wanted her growing belly to be for my eyes only. I didn’t want viewers to see me cradling her stomach, whispering to my daughter or reading a bedtime story to her while Joey rubbed the spots that Jolie was kicking. I needed this to be private.

  I also didn’t want Jules anywhere near us and knew that if we were filming, she’d want to be front and center creating unneeded drama. I haven’t seen her since the night in the hospital, when she was giving birth. She had a boy who she named Josh. If I could’ve sued her over that I probably would’ve, but at this point there isn’t anything I can do. The speculation will always be there that I’m the baby’s father, no matter how many times I deny it. It’s been my speculation that Matt, my former agent, is the father, but it’s my hunch. It’s not like I can publicly say it’s him without a lawsuit being brought against me.

  Joey and I struggled with a name for Jolie. Many friends came out of the woodwork to offer suggestions, and while some were far reaching, I didn’t want my daughter to grow up with a name like Cricket or Pilot. I wanted something normal and beautiful and Joey wanted Hope.

  For Joey, the baby was tying us together in a way our vows and wedding rings couldn’t. She said that for the first three months of our marriage, she lived off hope, hoping that I’d change my mind about a future. It paid off for her, for us. We settled on Hope until I saw her. Everything changed after I held her. I knew Hope wasn’t going to be the right name for her.

  I wanted something that captured her beauty. She is the best parts of Joey and me … well, more so her mother, but I’m biased. I wanted our first born to have a connection to us so I suggested we call her Jo. As you can ascertain, Joey was not onboard and started looking up names while our daughter snuggled half on her mom’s chest and half on mine, in the cramped hospital bed. I was doing the same and blurted out, “Jolie,” and the meaning, “A pretty young woman.”

  “Jolie Hope,” I whispered, gazing at my daughter and when I looked at my wife, she had a tear in her eye. “Jolie Hope Wilson,” I said again, being rewarded with a kiss that at any other time would’ve led to other things.

  Jolie tries to sleep through the night and when I say tries, it’s mostly because I’ve woken her up by subtle touches or from me leaning on her crib. In a few days, I start filming another movie with the location being about an hour away. I’m going to be gone during most of her awake time and I’m not sure how I’m going to handle that. Asking Joey to bring her to set will be cumbersome and Jolie probably won’t appreciate the long car ride.

  “Let’s go back to bed.” Joey pushes me slightly toward our room and I barely budge.

  “One more minute,” I say.

  Sighing, Joey shakes her head. “I’m getting naked, Mr. Wilson. I think you know what that means.”

  I watch her over my shoulder as she takes off her top. Her bra is still in place due to the fact that she’s nursing, which honestly makes me a bit jealous of Jolie. One of my favorite times during the day is when she’s nursing. I’ll hold Joey, essentially making it so I’m holding both my girls and talk to Jolie, telling her I used to suck on her mom’s nipples and ask her if I can have my job back. Being that she’s only three months old I’m not scarring her for life … yet.

  Groaning, I scrub my hand over my face before shutting Jolie’s door. “You drive a hard bargain, woman.” I close our door and strip down.

  “I’m not bargaining. You’re about to start filming and I have a feeling that you’ll be tired when you get home. Jolie will surely take all your attention.” She winks at me. I know she’s kidding, but the possibility that she’d even think I wouldn’t have time for her kills me.

  Grabbing her ankle, I pull her toward the end of the bed. She squeals and tries to get away, but I’m faster than her.

  “You’ll always be number one to me, Joey.”

  “Mhm, I’m not so sure about that.”

  I hover over her, careful not to put any weight on her. In the beginning of her pregnancy nothing changed for us. If anything our sex lives increased, especially in her second trimester. But her third was another story. She was hot, I was filming, and if given the chance she’d sleep in the pool. I’d often come home to find her asleep with the blinds pulled on the windows, the air conditioner blasting and a fan directly on her. As much as I wanted her, I knew she was miserable and probably could do without my body heat so I did what any self-respecting man would do, I begged. Most of the time it worked, but there was about a month that it didn’t and it killed me. I had to watch her walk about with her cute belly, big tits, and rocking body. It didn’t matter that she was pregnant; my wife worked out, which benefited her during delivery and postpartum. She dropped the excess baby weight, except for a cute little pouch that I absolute adore because that is where she held my baby for so long, making her perfect.

  I kiss her belly and cup her breast. “Can I play with them?” I ask, not wanting to hurt her. I know they’re sensitive from breastfeeding.

  “Yes.” She pulls down her straps as my fingers reach for the cups. Her boobs pop free and are held up by her bra, giving me the perfect opportunity to bring them close to my mouth. I lap at her nipples, alternating between the two. Joey arches, digging her fingers into my ass to push me closer to where she wants me. My already erect dick is bouncing with anticipation as he brushes against her pussy.

  “Josh,” she moans out my name.

  “Patience.” I want to take my time, but time is not on our side right now. Jolie is due for a feeding soon so I need to work fast and make sure Joey is completely sated. I sit back on my knees and pull her legs up. My mouth waters at the sight of her pussy. “Baby, are you wet for me?” I ask, sliding a finger between her lips. Her eyes close, she grips my arm, and moans again. “Always so ready for me,” I murmur against her skin.

  I love a horny Joey.

  I flatten myself out along the bed and drop her legs around my shoulders. She calls out as my tongue comes in contact with her clit. Joey lifts her hips for friction against her clit while my fingers work her inside.

  “Kiss me,” she says, breathlessly. I do. Dropping her legs between my hips, I cocoon her in my arms and plunge my tongue into her mouth. She moans and kisses me back with fury. Her hand snakes between our bodies and she lines me up. All I have to do is push and I’m connected to her. I reach for the drawer on her nightstand and fumble around until my fingers come in contact with a condom. We’re back to practicing safe sex due to her nursing and us not wanting another baby right away. I want to enjoy Jolie before we add another.

  I’ve become a pro at putting on a condom while kissing her. It’s a feat really and I know I should write an instruction manual on safe loving. Once it’s secure, it’s game on.

  Joey cries out when I enter her. She bites her lower lip as I grab ahold of her tits. As much as I love watching them bounce as I fuck her, I know they get sore and the last thing I want to do is cause her any pain.

  “Fuck, Joey.” I slide in and out of her slowly, watching as my cock becomes one with her.

  “Faster,” she begs and I comply, gripping her hips to increase my thrusting. It’s only a matter of seconds before I’m falling on top of her and pumping vigorously. “Oh, oh, oh, yes … shit,” she bellows out, nails digging into my back.

  I groan when I feel her walls start to tighten around me as my impending orgasm builds. “Joey, baby …”

  She doesn’t respond except by quivering beneath me. It’s the best fucking feeling in the world, when her and I are like this. I come shortly after her, collapsing on top of her as Jolie’s wail fills our room.

  “Perfect timing,” she says, out of breath.

  “I’ll get her.” I dress quickly and make my way across the wall wher
e my daughter cries out, not for me, but for her mother. It doesn’t hurt my feelings because I know one day I’ll be her hero. I look forward to the days where she dresses me up and invites me to her tea parties.

  “Hi, my sweet girl.” I look over the side of her crib and she whimpers. Tiny tears slide down her face. I wipe them and her cheek flinches telling me that she’s ready for some boobie action. “I know, my pretty girl. I love Mommy’s boobs, too.”

  Scooping her up, I take her over to her changing table. I’m a master at diapers and try to help Joey every chance I get, even with the unpleasant ones. Once I have her changed, she’s nestled into my neck sucking on her hand and slobbering all over my shoulder.

  “Look who I found.” I turn her around so she can see Joey. Little squeals are emitted and her tiny feet kick. “It’s the moo moo truck,” I say, depositing her into Joey’s waiting arms. Jolie latches on and begins suckling instantly. This is the part where most dads are left out, or roll over and go to sleep. Not me.

  Sliding in behind Joey, I hold her in my arms, kissing her neck in between watching our daughter nurse. It’s moments like these that make my life feel complete.

  “People should be jealous of me.” I trail my finger down Jolie’s cheek and she smiles. Her eyes are the color of Joey’s—light blue, but sometimes gray or green.

  “Why’s that?” Joey asks.

  “Because I have the most gorgeous wife and legit the prettiest baby ever.”

  “Maybe we should bottle your sperm and sell it.” Joey laughs, but I don’t find it funny.

  “Sorry, babe. My junk is strictly for you.”

  “That’s the best answer.” She leans back into my chest and continues to nurse Jolie. When she switches sides, so do I. I like watching them together, burning them into my memory.

  “Thank you, Joey.”

  “For what?”

  “For not giving up on me when it would’ve been so easy to do, for seeing me as more than an actor and making me believe in myself, in you, and in love. For giving me a chance when others tried to fuck it up for us. And most importantly, for making me a father. Jolie is the best gift I could’ve ever asked for.”