Loving You: Mpreg Romance (My One-Night Stand Series Book 2)

by Giovanna Reaves

  Am I? “I guess I am,” Ethan replied.

  “Ok,” Tyler said quickly, shrugging his shoulders before leaning in and tried to go back to Ethan’s neck.

  Ethan brows creased together. “Is that ‘ok, I will think about it’ or…?”

  Tyler placed a finger on Ethan’s lips, stopping him from saying anything else. “That was ok, as long as we are together I don’t care where we live. Now I think I left a few drops of chocolate on your neck.” He removed his finger and leaned in to return to his snack but froze when there was a knock at the door. He sighed. “I swear the universe is conspiring against me.”

  Ethan chuckled and grabbed a t-shirt, throwing it on while going to answer the door. He looked out the peephole and saw that it was the sheriff. It had been a couple of days since he last spoke with the officer. Ethan opened the door just as Tyler was coming out of the bedroom dressed in sweats and a t-shirt.

  “Sheriff MacKay,” Ethan said in greeting.

  “Mr. Beaumont.” He took his hat off, exposing his graying hair. “I came by to give you an update on your case, I know I could have called, but I wanted to see how you were doing as well.”

  Ethan stepped away from the door in an indication that it was ok for the officer to step in. “Please come in, and I told you, call me Ethan.”

  Sheriff MacKay stepped inside and stopped when he saw Tyler sitting comfortably on the sofa as if he owned the place. “Sheriff,” he said, getting up to shake the older man’s hand. “Do you have anything good to tell us?”

  “I’m afraid not,” Sherriff MacKay answered, sitting down. “We were unable to find the person that hit you, or the car.”

  “What about eyewitnesses?” Tyler asked.

  “That’s the strangest thing. Everyone who saw what happened said the whole incident happened so fast. All anyone could confirm was that the car was black with dark windows.” He turned and looked at Ethan. “Is there anything else you remember about that day?”

  Ethan shook his head. “I’ve been racking my brain trying to recall what happened.”

  “And you haven’t made anyone angry since you have been here? How about someone from your personal life?”

  “No,” Ethan answered quickly. “I haven’t been here long enough to anger anyone. Also, I didn’t tell anyone where I was going.” He looked at Tyler. “No one would have known where I was if I hadn’t ended up in the hospital.”

  Sheriff Mackay sighed and stood to his feet. Tyler and Ethan stood with him. “I hate to say this, but going off what you’re saying and the eyewitnesses, there is nothing else I or my department can do until we have more to go on.” He looked at Ethan then Tyler. “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be,” Ethan told the older man. “I understand.”

  Sheriff MacKay walked over to the door and opened it, stopping on the other side of the door. “It’s just strange that no one saw the driver, at least then I would have something to go on.”

  “I wish I had more answers for you, but I have no idea why I was singled out,” Ethan answered. “Thanks for stopping by.”

  Sheriff Mackay nodded his head and walked away. Ethan closed the door and turned, leaning his back against it. Tyler stepped up to him and cupped his cheeks with both hands. “Hey, it’s all right.” Ethan nodded his head. “We may never find out what happened or who did this, but I’m not going anywhere. We will get through this together.”

  Ethan stared up into his face and saw the sincerity coming off the other man. Tyler was right, they may never know what happened or why he lost his baby, but they were in this together. “I’m glad you’re here.”

  “There’s no place I’d rather be.” Tyler responded and pressed their lips together. Their kiss was slow and gentle on his tender, bruised lips. They stood there quite a while, holding each before going to bed, hoping to turn over a new leaf for their lives.

  ** ** ** ** **

  “How’s Ethan?” Lucas asked on the phone a few weeks later.

  “He’s doing better,” Tyler answered honestly. Things had improved. He had started seeing Dr. Anderson-Wells and was attending the support group. Tyler went with him as well, in the form of support. He still felt detached from the entire situation. He didn’t have the connection to the baby the same way Ethan did.

  “So does that mean we are going to see you at Christen and Jaxson’s wedding?”

  Tyler closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I doubt it. I said he was better, but he he’s still not ready to be around everyone, especially those as cute as a button variety.”

  “Damn,” was all Lucas could say.

  “I know. Christen will understand; hell, I’m pretty sure he’s too busy with the babies and Jaxson to worry about who will be there or not.”

  Lucas chuckled. “I agree. Surprisingly, he’s happy.”

  “How are things going with you and Rebecca?”

  “I took a page out of your book and asked her to move to New York with me.” Lucas told him.

  “And I take it she said go to hell.”

  “No, wiseass, she said yes. She’s leaving after Christen and Jaxson tie the knot. She’s going to take some time off work and give us a try without the family around. Since mom and dad are moving to Providence.”

  “I’m happy for you, big brother. It’s about damn time.” Lucas grunted and Tyler chuckled. “Hey, do me a favor.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Look into a Richard Kaisson for me.”

  “Who the hell is that and what kind of trouble did you get yourself into?”

  Tyler rolled his eyes. “If you must know he’s Ethan’s brother and he came by the apartment to see him the last time I was there.”

  “Yeah, I remember you telling me about him. Alright, little brother, I will get back to you when I find out anything.”

  “Great.”

  ** ** ** ** **

  Later that night Tyler and Ethan snuggled together on their favorite furniture in the apartment and watched a movie. Ethan was not paying attention to the movie, there were other things on his mind. Things had improved between him and Tyler, in his opinion. He had started making strides towards accepting what happened. Losing his child was something he would never get over, but he was moving in a positive direction.

  He was not ready to have another child any time soon and hoped that Tyler understood. The notion that one day he would be ready to have another echoed in the back of his mind. Tyler had been nothing but supportive, but Ethan felt he wasn’t ready to answer all the questions to Tyler about why he left. Maybe, subconsciously he knew it was Lucas that he saw and used it as the perfect opportunity to leave, not willing to face Tyler’s rejection.

  His phone vibrated and Ethan picked it up, seeing Christen’s name on the screen. He looked over at Tyler to see if he was watching him, but Tyler was still watching the movie. His heart stopped, not sure what to do, after the vibrating stopped. Ethan placed the phone back down on the couch beside him trying to ignore his guilt. Ethan realized that he was being a bastard of a best friend by not answering or calling and congratulating Christen.

  “You know that he will understand,” Tyler said, breaking the silence between. “Just explain what’s going on. I know that he’s more worried than anything else.”

  “How do you know what I’m thinking about?”

  “It’s written all over your face. Besides, I snuck a peek at your phone,” Tyler replied. “Just call him back.” Tyler kissed Ethan on the cheek and got up, leaving him with his thoughts.

  He reached for his phone and redialed Christen’s number. His thumb hovered over the send button for a few minutes before he tapped it. Christen picked up on the first ring.

  “Tell me you’re ok?” Christen demanded right away.

  Ethan smiled. “I am. But I need to be the one asking you that question.”

  Christen sighed. “Yeah, it was a bit scary for a few minutes. But I’m doing great. Did you get the pictures of the triplets? Can you be
lieve it Ethan, three!”

  Ethan smiled wider hearing the excitement in Christen’s voice. “Congratulations, by the way, I can’t wait to meet them.”

  “And I can’t wait for you to meet them, and Jaxson, you haven’t met him yet.”

  “No, and I cannot wait to meet the man that makes you sound like that.”

  “How? How do I sound?”

  “Happy.”

  They were silent for a few minutes, “I’m sorry I haven’t been there for you, I’m just….”

  “Dealing with your own shit,” Christen finished for him.

  “Pretty much.”

  “So do I send Jaxson to arrest the bastard or what?”

  That took Ethan back for a second, “What do you mean?”

  “Don’t play coy with me, Ethan, I know something happened between you and Sean. I just hope whatever it was you kicked his ass to the curb, hard enough for it to hurt.”

  Ethan chuckled and it turned into an honest laugh. “You always know how to make me feel better. I miss you, Chrissy.”

  “Shit, I wish you never found out about that nickname,” Christen said, not sounding the least bit angry.

  They talked for a few minutes and Ethan marveled at the fact that Christen did not badger him on what was bothering him. He wanted to hear what was going on with his best friend rather than talk about himself. He hung up the phone with the promise of calling Christen more. Christen didn’t ask where he was or when he would be returning. The question hung in the air and truthfully Ethan did not have an answer. Considering the fact that he was apprehensive of calling his friend, Ethan felt better for doing it.

  ** ** ** ** **

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Tyler unlocked the door to the firehouse and walked in. He dropped his and Ethan’s bags beside the door and smiled as he looked around, hoping that Ethan would love the surprise. The day Ethan had told him that he was ready to return home, Tyler hired a moving company to move Ethan’s things into the firehouse. He also asked Lucas to supervise the move. There were still boxes that needed to be unpacked, but overall, he was happy with the result of incorporating his and Ethan’s things together.

  It no longer felt like his place alone, but his and Ethan’s home. It was Ethan’s decision to move into the firehouse; Tyler didn’t care as long as they were together. It was decided that they would rent out Ethan’s brownstone.

  Tyler was not ready to sell the firehouse, with all the time and energy he put in it to make it perfect this was his home. Plus, Ethan remarked how much he loved staying at the firehouse. Tyler turned around just as Ethan walked through the door behind him.

  “Surprise!” He yelled excitedly.

  Ethan’s eyes widened as he walked through the door and noticed the vast changes to the firehouse. “When did you arrange this?” he asked. “For the past few months we practically stayed glued to each other’s hips.”

  Tyler walked over to him and wrapped an arm around his waist. “Did you mind being stuck together?” Ethan shook his head no and giggled. Tyler loved having his man back; the past couple of months were difficult, but they got through it. “I had help.”

  “Who?” Ethan asked, turned around to face him, and wrapped his arms around Tyler’s neck.

  “Me,” another voice said before Tyler could answer. Ethan turned around and standing there was Christen. “So who wants to tell me exactly when my brother and best friend started fucking?” Christen said, with his arms folded across his chest and an all knowing eyebrow arched.

  “Give it a rest, gray eyes, let them get settled before you start badgering them,” A tall, muscular man with blue eyes and blond hair walked into the room carrying a baby in his arms. Tyler should have been jealous, but found it extremely adorable at the way Ethan was staring at Jaxson with stars in his eyes and his mouth hanging open.

  “Close your mouth, baby.” He whispered in Ethan’s ear. His face turned a shade of red Tyler had never seen before just as he snapped his mouth closed. So fucking cute. Jaxson handed Christen the baby, giving them both a kiss before walking over to Tyler and shaking his hand.

  “Hey, Tyler, how’s it going?”

  “Um…great. But one question.”

  “Why are we here and not Lucas?” Jaxson finished for Tyler, who nodded his head. “I was with him when you called him, but he had to go out of town for a few days and asked me to take care of things for him. Seeing that I had no idea what was what, I had Christen help me out.”

  Tyler nodded his head and stood to the side with Jaxson watching their lovers have a staring contest. “Should we step in and say something?” Jaxson asked.

  “Nope, let them work it out on their own,” Tyler answered. “Come on, I’m sure there’s a beer or two still good to drink in the fridge, we can do formal introductions later.” Tyler chuckled, he loved his brother-in-law, always making sure that Christen was ok, ready to protect and fight for him no matter who it was.

  ** ** ** ** **

  “Do you want to hold him?” Christen asked. Ethan could not take his eyes off the perfect mix of Jaxson and Christen six month’s miniature form, with adorable chubby cheeks.

  Slowly he shook his head no and took a few steps over to the chair closest to him and sat down.

  “I thought there are three of them?” Ethan asked.

  “Alexander was being a bit fussy so we brought him with us. Madeline and Cayden are with my parents.”

  Ethan didn’t respond, he knew the triplets’ names, but not what they looked like. He never opened the picture files Tyler sent him the night they were born. And each time Tyler would look at their photo or comment on the appearance Ethan would pretend to listen.

  God, I’m a real bastard.

  “So,” Christen said.

  “So what?” Ethan asked.

  “Cut the shit, Ethan.” Alexander lifted his head and looked at Christen, his tiny brows creased together as if knowing his father said a bad word.

  “Dadadad...” Alexander babbled, touching the side of Christen’s face.

  “Why does it sound like you’re scolding me?” Christen asked his son, who simply popped his thumb into his mouth and rested his head back on his father’s shoulder.

  Christen shook his head as he and Ethan chuckled, it eased some of the tension that had creeped into the room. Christen sat down beside Ethan on the sofa.

  “If I told you I’m not ready to talk about it, will you leave it alone for now?” Ethan asked.

  “Just tell me when you and Tyler started seeing each other.”

  “Not long after I saw you last.” Ethan whispered.

  Christen sighed and leaned back in the chair. “I can’t believe I lost the damn bet.”

  That shocked Ethan. “What the hell?”

  “I should have known something was off when dad and Lucas had the same time frame. And Tyler asked about you a few months ago. But I was too busy dealing with my own shit to put things together,” Christen rambled on ignoring Ethan’s stunned expression.

  Ethan sat there and stared at his friend. He was so shocked he didn’t notice when the baby crawled into his arms and snuggled onto his chest and fell asleep. “Let me get this straight, you guys bet on my love life?”

  “Yeah, and you cost me one hundred bucks, which I will be taking back in free babysitting fees, by the way.” Christen pouted and crossed his arms over his chest like a petulant child who just lost his favorite toy.

  Ethan couldn’t help it, laughter bubbled out of his chest. The baby on his chest stirred and instinctively he reached down and kissed the baby on his forehead while gently patting his back.

  Tyler and Jaxson walked out of the kitchen and Ethan could see the pleasant look on his lover’s face. The unspoken question of are you ok, passed between them. To show that he was doing just great he kissed the baby on the top of his head. The scent of cookies wafted under his nose and for the first time in over a month Ethan knew everything was going to be ok.

  The night got better after
the ice was broken between Ethan and Christen. Ethan and Tyler explained the reason to Jaxon and Christen as to why they kept their relationship a secret from everyone. Christen held Ethan when he told him about losing his baby. Ethan admitted that when Christen gave birth, he was jealous and wasn’t ready to be around his friend after losing his own. Christen held Ethan and told him that he understood.

  Ethan couldn’t help it, he fell in love with little Alexander, who fussed each time Ethan tried to give him back to one of his parents. He couldn’t wait to meet Madeline and Cayden.

  ** ** ** ** **

  Later that night, Ethan stepped out of the shower, smiling. He wrapped the towel around his waist and another around his neck as he walked into the bedroom, thinking about the day he had. It was good seeing Christen and finally meeting Jaxson put all his fears to rest. While they ate dinner, Ethan caught Christen up on what was going on in his life. It was hard to talk about losing the baby, but he got through it.

  Ethan tried to apologize more than once to Christen for missing his wedding and, most of all, the birth of the triplets. But, Christen was more understanding than Ethan thought he should have been. It made Ethan realize how much he valued Christen’s friendship.

  Throwing the towels in the hamper Ethan looked around the bedroom, he shared with Tyler, and noticed that his lover was nowhere in sight.

  Ethan got dressed in a pair of sleep pants and a t-shirt before making his way down the stairs to find Tyler. Being gone for over six months, Ethan realized how much he missed staying at the firehouse. He did not have to go far once he reached the bottom of the stairs. Tyler was sound asleep with the television on.

  Rather than waking him, Ethan walked over and positioned himself on top of Tyler, pulling the throw blanket over them both. Strong arms instinctively wrapped around him and Ethan closed his eyes, breathing in his lover’s masculine scent. His breathing became slow and steady. Unable to fight his exhaustion any longer, he fell asleep in his lover’s arms.

  ** ** ** ** **

  The day came that Tyler had been dreading, it was unavoidable and there was nowhere he could run. Standing in front of his desk was a very irate and pissed off Marilyn Hamilton. Tyler’s day had started out wonderful. He woke up with Ethan wrapped around him like a second blanket, the same way they had been for the past few mornings.