by S. C. Adams
Then again, no parents ever want their daughter to do what I did. Yet, when Leanne and Michael see how in love we are, maybe they’ll accept our relationship. After all, Drake and I are starting a family together. There’s no turning back now, so I just hope and pray that my family comes around.
15
Drake
Gracefully, Jenna walks across the yard, her loose fitting sundress blowing in the wind. I shouldn’t stare, but I can’t help myself. Luckily, everyone is preoccupied with the typical Fourth of July activities. Natalie and Kendrick are splashing around in the pool with Jack and Nancy’s two boys while Leanne and Nancy decorate and set up the food. Michael and Jack are off to the side drinking a couple of beers and reminiscing about their childhood, and Gerald and Connie are sitting in the shade watching their grandkids swim in the pool.
I invited the Millers to spend the Fourth of July weekend at my house in the Hamptons for some relaxation, but also so that Jenna and I can tell them that we’re expecting a child together. She’s back home for the summer, and although she isn’t showing yet, she will be soon. After all, her tummy’s already started to pooch, and soon it’ll be huge.
I turn away before anyone notices that I’m staring at my beautiful woman. After all, she’s gorgeous and glowing, and I’m ecstatic that she has my baby inside. As if in a dream, I pick up some tongs next to the grill and flip over the sizzling beef patties. I need to get it together, and yet I’m so happy I could burst.
After all, I have a hidden agenda today. Putting the tongs down, I touch the tiny jewelry box in my pocket. I want to show Jenna and everyone in the Miller family just how serious I am about her, and the best way to do that is to propose.
To be honest, I’ve wanted to ask for weeks now, but I figured we should wait to get engaged until after her family knows about us. It couldn’t happen soon enough because I’m ready for us to be out in the open with our love; I’m tired of hiding it. Living like this is taxing, even if I adore every moment I spend with my girlfriend.
“Hey, Drake,” Michael calls out to me. I look over my shoulder at the middle-aged man, and Jenna is standing by her father’s side, her beauty radiating brighter than the sun. We lock eyes, and my heart skips a beat.
“Hey Mike,” I reply. “What’s up?”
He grins.
“Why don’t you come over here for a bit and chat? The burgers will be fine,” he says.
I hesitate, wondering if he knows something. Then I dismiss the misgivings. That’s just me being paranoid, so I put down the tongs and shut the lid to the grill.
“Sure thing,” I say. “Sounds great.”
Walking over, I try my hardest to avoid looking at Jenna. One glance could make me lose my control because she’s that beautiful and desirable. Meanwhile, Michael reaches into the cooler and pulls out a beer before popping the top and handing it to me.
“Thanks,” I say as I take a sip. The drink is cool and refreshing.
“No, thank you,” Michael intones. “Thanks again for inviting us. Your place is spectacular.”
“Don’t mention it.”
“Yeah, but your summer home makes our apartment look like a closet,” he jokes.
“Oh, come on, it’s not that huge,” I say.
His eyebrows practically pop off his forehead.
“Are you kidding me? Your pool house is a mansion in and of itself,” he says.
I chuckle because he’s right. Yet I envy Michael. His home is filled with love, and he gets to come home to a lovely family every night instead of a cold, dark, and lonely apartment. My home in the Hamptons is beautiful, but there isn’t a single family portrait inside. In fact, the walls are bare. As a result, on the surface, it may look like I have it all, but material possessions are useless if you can’t share them with someone who loves you.
Now, Jenna is that woman, and I reach into my pocket again, touching the jewelry box. I feel compelled to do it right here, right now, and slowly, I pull the box out of my pocket, but just as I do, Natalie lets out a loud shriek from the pool. We all spin and turn, and sure enough, Natalie’s just gotten out of the pool dressed only in a tiny bikini.
“Is anything wrong?” Leanne asks, rushing over.
“Oh, what?” Natalie asks innocently. “No, nothing’s wrong. Sorry, I think my foot just slipped a bit on the slippery deck.”
I frown. Obviously, the skinny blonde girl wanted everyone’s eyes on her, that’s all. But then I notice Jenna looking faint.
“Is everything alright?” I ask as I rush over to her. The buxom brunette looks out of it, and her skin is flushed.
“Jenna, sweetie, are you alright?” Leanne asks, coming to stand by her daughter.
“I’m just a little lightheaded,” she says faintly.
“Maybe you should have a seat,” Michael says as he holds onto Jenna and walks her over to a chair.
I follow closely behind. Could there be something wrong with the baby? I need answers, but her folks don’t know that she’s pregnant yet. Meanwhile, my beautiful girlfriend looks up into my eyes, and I can tell she wants me to comfort her, but we both know that can’t happen right now.
“Are you feeling any better, sweetie?” Leanne asks like a worried hen.
“A little,” Jenna says, her voice a bit weak.
“Maybe you just need to eat something,” Michael suggests. “Nat, can we get —“
“I’ll see if the burgers are ready,” I interrupt.
“No, it’s fine,” Jenna protests, trying to stand up. “I’ll be alright.”
“Are you sure?” I ask.
“Yes-” But then her body crumples to the ground as she faints. With that, I rush over to the curvy girl and cradle her limp frame in my arms. Lifting her into the air, I carry her into the house and lay her down on a couch in the living room. I gently caress her cheek, but she doesn’t wake up. My heart sinks to the pit of my stomach as I worry about the safety of her and our unborn baby.
“Let me see,” Jack says as he nudges me aside. I’d punch this bastard right now if I weren’t so concerned about Jenna. But he was a volunteer EMT years ago, so he has some medical training that can be of use right now. “Leanne, grab some cold water and a few towels. I think she fainted from the heat.”
“Sure,” Leanne says in a worried tone as she scurries off.
I pace back and forth as I stare at my girl’s motionless body. Hopefully, Jack knows what he’s doing because I’ll kill him if he doesn’t. Then, Leanne returns with the water and the towels in her hands. She gives them to Jack, and he pours the cool liquid onto a towel. I hold my breath as he dabs it on my girl’s flushed face. Slowly, she wakes up, and I can breathe again.
“Oh, thank God!” Leanne shouts with joy.
“What happened?” Jenna asks as she looks around deliriously.
“You fainted from the heat. It happens sometimes to women in your condition,” Jack explains.
“Her condition?” Michael asks. Jenna squirms as Jack stares at her with puzzled look.
“You’re pregnant, aren’t you?” he asks. “I mean, I haven’t been an EMT in a long time, but I thought you were.”
My heart pounds as everyone silently waits for Jenna to deny the statement. But instead, she looks around at all of the eyes on her, then stares at the ground and nods her head.
“Pregnant? Jenna?” Leanne questions.
“Don’t worry, Mom. The father and I want this baby, and I know we’ll be able to take care of it,” Jenna says in a low voice. Her mother sputters.
“How? You don’t have a job, and you’re still in school,” Leanne stammers.
“Who the hell is this guy? Someone from Marymount?” Michael asks, his eyes full of rage. “Fuck!”
With that, Leanne bursts into tears. Michael tries to comfort his distraught wife, but she’s inconsolable. She screams and wails as Michael spits nails, swearing to “tan this boy’s hide” and “report him to administration.” I can’t take this any longer because it’s
utterly ridiculous. I kneel by Jenna on the ground, and take her soft hand in mine. She knows what I’m about to do, and squeezes my palm, her brown eyes wide.
“I’m the baby’s father,” I announce. Several people turn to look at us. “I know this is a shock to you all, but Jenna and I are in love with each other, and we’re expecting a child.”
“What the fuck?” Michael screams as he lunges toward me. “You’re her uncle, you dirty old bastard! What the fuck is wrong with you?” Fortunately, Jack manages to grab Michael’s arm, holding the enraged father back.
“Daddy!” Jenna cries. “It’s not like that.”
Meanwhile, I hold up a hand.
“Listen, Mike. I get why you’re upset, but neither Jenna nor I planned this. We fell in love by chance, and now we’re starting a family together. You can hate me all you want, but I love your daughter, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to be with her,” I growl.
“I’ve got to get out of here,” Michael says as he pushes Jack off of him and storms out the door. “This is fucking disgusting! You’re a lecherous old man hitting on your own niece!”
The door slams and he’s gone. Then, Jenna turns to Leanne with tears in her eyes.
“Mom, I know this isn’t what you expected, but I really need your support on this. I need everyone’s support. Drake and I know our relationship isn’t traditional, but this is what we want. I love him, Mom,” Jenna pleads. Leanne looks at us as a tear rolls down her cheek, but then she shakes her head and runs after her husband.
“I can’t, honey,” she says in choked sobs. “You’re his niece, and … oh God!”
With that, Leanne disappears too, leaving Jenna with tears in her eyes. Meanwhile, Jack turns to us with disgust in his gaze.
“She’s your niece, for crying out loud, and she’s half your age,” he says.
“Uncle Jack, we’re in love, and Drake isn’t really my uncle. We aren’t doing anything wrong by being together,” Jenna argues as she holds on tighter to my hand. “You know we’re not biologically related.”
“This is utter bullshit,” he scoffs. “Family is more than just DNA, and you know that. Nancy, get the boys and let’s go. This is a den of sin.”
Nancy nods, going outside to corral her kids. Jenna’s grandparents are completely speechless, and my heart twinges. I regret telling Gerald and Connie like this, but it was time for everyone to know the truth.
Soon, her grandparents also leave the living room, and Jenna and I are all alone. I knew there was going to be chaos, but I’d thought everyone would at least hear us out. Instead, I’m wrong. It seems everyone’s leaving the Hamptons, and that we do not have their blessing at all.
Regardless, I’m glad we told the Millers. After all, the beautiful brunette is the love of my life, and even if her family doesn’t approve, I’m still going to make her my wife.
16
Drake
The house is silent. The Millers have left, and now we’re alone.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
“Not really,” Jenna says as she sighs. “That went about as badly as it could.”
“Do you feel like you’re going to pass out again?” I ask, still concerned.
She grimaces.
“No, that’s not it. I’m just upset because we don’t have my parents’ support,” she says. “But then, what did we expect? It’s not every day your daughter announces that she’s dating her uncle.”
She rests her head on my shoulder, nuzzling her cheek against my arm. I stroke her back with my hand as I inhale, and kiss her forehead softly, feeling a bit guilty about everything that just happened. We had to tell the Millers, but maybe there was a better way we could have gone about doing so. After all, their reactions were completely valid; I just hope that eventually, they’ll change their minds and come around.
“I’m sorry,” I apologize. “I should have handled that better.”
Jenna sighs.
“It’s not your fault, babe. We knew there was a possibility that things could blow-up,” she reminds me. “I just didn’t think it was be so awful.”
“Yeah, your dad was ready to kill me.”
“Sorry about that,” she apologizes.
“I kind of expected it,” I joke. “Hey, wouldn’t you want to blow off my head if you were your dad?”
She giggles, and the sound of her laugh warms my heart. I don’t blame Michael. Now that I’m about to be a father myself, I can understand why he’s so protective of his daughter. Hell, if my daughter were dating someone twice her age, that would already put me over the top. Add in the uncle thing, and it’s even more unpalatable.
“Well, it looks like the barbecue is over,” Jenna sighs.
“Yeah, I know. Too bad we have to throw all of this food away.”
She stares blankly off into the distance, and I can tell her mind is wandering. Gently, I stroke her hair, wondering what she’s thinking about. I hope she doesn’t regret telling her folks because I don’t – not one single bit. Now that they know about us, we don’t have to sneak around anymore. We can finally go out on a real date without worrying about running into various Miller family members. We don’t have to hide anymore; we can shout our love from the rooftops.
“What’s on your mind?” I ask gently.
Slowly, she turns toward me, her eyes watery in the light. Uh oh, what could it be? Her bottom lip quivers as she hesitates.
“Jenna, sweetheart, what is it? Do you feel sick again?” I ask.
“No, it’s not that,” she says softly as she shakes her head.
“What is it? Just tell me,” I growl. She hesitates again, each second driving me insane.
“Well, did you mean what you said?” she finally asks.
“What do you mean?” I ask. “Which part?”
She gulps.
“What you said before about getting married.” I stare into her warm brown eyes, and my heart instantly turns into putty.
“Every word,” I say as I slowly reach into my pocket. I’d wanted to do this in front of her family, but with all of the pandemonium going on around us, it slipped my mind. Now, I’ve never been more sure about anything in life than I am about her. I used to think that I would never find love again, and I was ready to settle for a life of loneliness, but then Jenna came.
I gaze deep into her chocolate irises as I pull the jewelry box out of my pocket and take one knee. The large stone sparkles in the light, throwing small glimmers throughout the room.
“Jenna Miller, I love you,” I intone in a low voice. “I don’t want to come between you and your family, but I love you too much to stop,” I say. “Will you do me the honor of becoming Mrs. Drake Morgan? Will you make this wretch a happy man?”
Her eyes glimmer with tears.
“Yes, Drake, I’d love to become your wife, and my family will change their minds, you’ll see. They just need to see how serious we are,” she says.
I stare into those warm brown eyes.
“But what if they don’t? What if they never approve of us being together? I don’t want to be the reason you drift away from your family,” I say.
She squeezes my hand, still smiling.
“That won’t happen. Sure, Mom and Dad are upset now, but it won’t always be this way. They love me, and I know that deep down inside, they want what’s best for me. This is what’s best for me. You are what’s best for me,” she says before leaning in to press her lips against mine.
With that, I seize her mouth and claim this woman. My heart races as we kiss, and inside, I exult. I know for certain that I want to feel this way forever. I have the woman that I love, and she’s carrying my child. Maybe our relationship is untraditional, but it’s the kind of love most people hope to find one day. The same kind Jenna reads about all of the time in those romance novels. Only this isn’t fiction – it’s real.
Placing my hand on her stomach, I gently rub the small pooch as I kiss her forehead. My baby is in there. The beautiful brunette l
ooks up into my eyes and smiles, warming my heart. Nothing else seems to matter when I’m holding Jenna in my embrace, and now, our time together will last for eternity.
Epilogue
Jenna
A moan flows from my lips as Drake sucks on my clit. He places his hand over my mouth to keep me from being too loud. After all, our baby girl, Emily, finally fell asleep an hour ago, and the last thing we want to do is wake her. She’s in the next room and the door is closed, but things can get pretty loud when Drake and I make love.
My legs begin to shake as he strokes my throbbing flesh with his tongue. My mouth is covered, but somehow, my melodious groans break free from his hand. I can’t help it; the sensation makes my entire body tingle and my back arches with pleasure.
“Mmmm!” I cry out. “Oh god, yes!”
“You taste so good,” he whispers, teasing my clit with his lips. “Like the sweetest honey.”
I bite my lip and try not to moan. Yet, I don’t think I can hold back any longer because I’m about to lose control. A burst of moans flows from my lips as creamy come rushes from my wet cunt, but Drake’s ready. He swallows it all, gulping furiously and then grabs my quivering legs and holds them still.
Slowly, my husband maneuvers his huge form on top of me. As he kisses me passionately, I can’t help but feel like the luckiest woman in the world. Everything that we’ve been through together has been totally worth it. It was difficult at first because my parents wouldn’t speak to us. They accused Drake of seducing a naive, innocent girl and then knocking me up. They couldn’t understand that I made these choices of my own free will, and that our love is very real.
Plus, it wasn’t just my parents. For a while, I wasn’t speaking to my entire family. I get that everyone was shocked by our relationship, but they treated Drake as if he was an evil criminal. Grandma and Grandpa accused him of disrespecting my Aunt Naomi’s memory and questioned if he ever really loved her. Jack and Nancy went no-contact, telling people that he was a child molester. But Drake handled it well. He said everything would pass, and sure enough, it did.
