“Correct,” Kim answers. “I think you two will be great parents.”
After she leaves, Leyla says, “Should have I corrected her?”
I ignore her question and finally take her in my arms and press her tight against me. “You’re officially on the waiting list. I mean, the queue.”
“It’s just a step,” she says. “A big step.”
In Baker’s Creek there’s a big difference between Oktoberfest and the Beer Festival. The first happens the entire month of October at the bar. The second is during the third week of October, a week after the Corn and Pumpkin Festival. Leyla has been having a blast during these past weeks. She loves fall. She’s also been counting the days until we go to the clinic for her in-vitro procedure.
My brothers and I are going to the bar at least three times a week to try the craft beers that Cameron, the owner, features at night. It’s getting easier to hang around town. Everyone is accepting us more than they did when we arrived.
Last night we stayed at the bar longer and drank more than we should have, but it was Glass for a Cause night, and we were trying to be charitable. Waking up to feed the kids is more than fucking painful.
“Good morning, sweetheart,” Leyla greets me. “I heard you were making out with Mary Beth.”
I glare at her. “I was drunk, but not that drunk.”
She grins.
“You’re not funny,” I complain, and my fucking phone rings.
When I check it, I grunt. It’s Nyx, and I wish I wouldn’t have to respond, but she’s in Colorado, and fucking Edward is trying to claim custody of her unborn child, which is ridiculous and illegal. I read the text, and she’s asking if I remember an old case. I can’t add two and two right now. The hangover is fucking killing me.
“Everything okay?” Leyla asks.
I rumble and explain to her what’s happening. She takes my phone, reads the message out loud.
“She just sent a link,” Leyla says and reads what Nyx texted me. “You need orange juice, and I’m guessing your brothers are just like you.”
I grunt again and grab my phone from her, reading the links she sent and then making sense of what she’s asking.
Pierce: I remember this case. I agree with you. It’ll be best if you leave. You could move to New York or Seattle. I can defend you in either place. Neither one will demand you to go back to Colorado. If you need a plane, I’ll have one soon. Leave now.
When Leyla reads it, her eyes widen. “You think they are going to take the baby away, don’t you?”
I nod.
“They have done that plenty of times,” I explain. “For the right amount, they make sure you get a kid. There have been cases when they don’t even pay the expenses to the expectant mother.”
I don’t tell her more about the firm. There are people who come to them asking for a kid and if they don’t have one, they find one for them. Nyx doesn’t need to know what my family does. All I need to do is keep her away and safe.
Leyla looks at me horrified.
“We’re working on stopping them,” I assure her.
“I believe in you.”
Those words are everything to me. Every time we say something like that to each other it feels as if a broken piece of our hearts melts and goes to the special place where we’re building a new heart that will keep the both of us alive.
“Have I told you lately that you look beautiful?”
She smiles and kisses my cheek. “Go back to bed. I’ll finish here.”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Leyla
It’s Tuesday night when Kim Bristol calls me.
“We had a problem,” she explains. “A couple who was chosen a few months ago is now expecting a baby. They decided not to adopt.”
“Are they returning the baby?” I ask, angry and confused because she doesn’t make any sense. Also, what kind of heartless people return a baby?
“The baby hasn’t been born yet,” she answers. “They called us last Friday. The mom-to-be thought she’d have plenty of time to interview the new candidates and choose. However, she’s in labor as we speak.”
My heart triples in speed. “How can I help?”
“She read your profile and loved it. She wants to interview you, but as I explained, she’s in labor.”
Someone chose me, I scream inside my head. This is it.
“What would you like me to do?”
“Well,” her voice trails and she says, “We prefer to have the parents here during the birth.”
My chest feels like it might explode with excitement. I don’t speak. Each time I want to I can’t form a word.
“Is there a chance that you can fly to Seattle tonight?”
I shake my head. We can’t get out of town. Unless…
“Can I call you back in five minutes?” I don’t wait for her to answer and hang up.
Pierce is outside by the fire pit with his brothers. When he sees me running toward him, he stands up and meets me in the middle.
“Are you okay?”
“They chose me,” I say. “The baby is almost here.”
He frowns. “Slow down, babe. Who chose you?”
I take a breath and tell him about the call. He scrubs his face with one hand and pulls out his phone.
“Birth is considered an emergency,” he says to whoever is on the other side of the line. “Leyla’s baby is about to be born. She has to be in Seattle tonight. As her lawyer I need to be there to make sure everything is in order.”
He nods, shakes his head, and exhales harshly.
“Yes, we would accept to use one week of the four weeks they allow,” he states and grins at me. “Vance has to fly us to Seattle. Send me that in writing ASAP. I trust you, but I want to make sure you don’t fuck us.”
When he hangs up, he says, “Pack enough clothes for a week. This might only take a couple of days, but I want to make sure we are covered. Call Kim.”
Kim tells me all the details: where to go after I land in Seattle, what to bring with me, and even a report on how the mother-to-be is doing. She’s only five centimeters dilated and screaming.
Once my bag is ready, I head downstairs where everyone gathers.
“Everything okay?” I ask.
“You got a kid,” Blaire says and smiles.
“Not yet,” I confess. “It’s an interview, and if she likes me enough then I get the kid.”
Sophia is the first one to hug me. “You’ll be fine. Send us pictures, okay.”
Mills, Henry, and Hayes hug me too. Blaire and I cry a little.
Beacon gives us the keys to his house in Seattle and instructions on how to enter and where the keys to his cars are. “Call G if you need anything. She knows people in all the right places.”
“Thank you, kid,” Pierce says and grabs our bags.
An hour later, I enter the hospital where we’re sent to the maternity ward. Kim is outside the room. There’s another couple inside.
“Hopefully she can get to you before the baby arrives,” she says.
“We’re not the only ones?” I ask. My heart stops.
Pierce pulls me to him.
She shakes her head. “She chose three couples and is interviewing everyone. She has to make sure the baby is going to the right place.”
“Why don’t we take a seat?” Pierce suggests.
When we reach the waiting area, I turn around and hug him tight. I feel defeated for just one moment, but when I feel his arms around me everything is better.
“Thank you for coming along.”
“There’s no other place I’d rather be than with you,” he whispers. “If she chooses someone else, that’s okay. We’ll wait until the time is right.”
“We?”
“I know we’re divorced, but one day I hope I’ll marry you again. This time we’ll fully discuss how we want the wedding and pick the right house. We’ll build our dream together,” he promises.
“What changed your mind?”
“When I realized that I didn’t have to settle,” he explains. “The moment I understood that it’s about fighting for what I want and who I love.”
He releases me and smiles. Pulling something from his pocket he goes down on one knee and takes my left hand.
“Leyla Faye Aldridge, I promise to fight hard and fiercely for your love every day that we’re together. To be truthful, faithful, and protect you for eternity. I don’t know if this is a new chapter, the next sentence, or a brand-new book. All I know is that I can’t live without you. You’re the most important person in my life, and I’m hoping to build a future with you.
“This time, it’s not going to be some sandcastle that the current might wash away. It’s a fortress with a solid foundation. I’m not promising a happy ending. I’m swearing that I’ll do my fucking best to make you happy every day. Would you do me the honor and be my wife?”
“Pierce,” I sniff, cupping his face and kissing him hard. Our mouths fuse, our tongues twirl, and we hold each other fiercely.
“I love you for always,” I whisper when we break the kiss.
“Always,” he repeats. “Love you forever, Ley.”
Kim approaches us an hour later.
“I’m sorry,” she says, her eyes look sad, but her voice is neutral. “We’ve never had a case like this before. I shouldn’t have made you come all the way over here.”
Pierce holds my hand tight.
“We understand,” I mumble. “It wasn’t our turn.”
I yawn and Pierce says, “Do you want to go home?”
Rubbing my temples, I nod.
“You okay?” he asks as we wait outside for our ride.
“I was trying to stay positive, but when she mentioned other couples, I already felt defeated. How about you?”
“It felt surreal,” he agrees then smiles at me.
Chapter Forty
Pierce
Leyla sleeps during the hour flight. I’m thankful for Vance who flew the helicopter back and forth and waited for us. When we arrive home, the house is dark and quiet.
“Thank you again,” I call after Vance.
“I’m sorry it didn’t work out,” he exhales.
I don’t tell him that the trip was worth it. Leyla and I are in a better place. When we step into the room and I shut the door I ask again, “Are you okay?”
She smiles. “It wasn’t our turn,” she assures me and shows me her ring. “I’m engaged, and when we’re together everything is better.”
“We are engaged,” I repeat, pushing her against the wall and taking her mouth.
Fuck, how much I missed her. I take my time, making love with our mouths before I undress her slowly. Loving her is effortless. This time I won’t lose sight of what matters. Tonight, I plan on taking my time with her. Kissing every inch of her.
I want to consume her, immerse into her.
Slowly, we shed our clothes.
“You’re in charge tonight,” I whisper as I run my hand up her thigh until I reach my favorite place. She’s slick. “What do you want me to do? Should I eat you?”
“Yes,” she whispers when I touch her clit with my finger.
Gently, I push her backward until we reach the bed, and I sit her down. Kneeling in front of her, I open her knees bit by bit, as I lick my lips. I kiss the back of her thigh and run my mouth along her soft skin until I touch her center.
Unhurriedly, I slide my tongue along her slit. Leyla gasps as I push one finger inside her and kiss her swollen lips with my mouth before darting out my tongue, lashing it through her cleft. I concentrate on her pleasure.
She falls back on the bed, moaning. I drink greedily from her lust, intoxicated by her taste and aroma. I suck and kiss her, again and again. The motion is fast enough to please her, but slow enough to make it last. I want her to remember tonight as if it’s our first time.
Her fingernails dig into my shoulders, and I know she wants me to devour her, make it fast. I push a second finger inside her, thrusting harder, urging her to the edge. Her body trembles, and I slow my ministration. She’s on the edge. She pushes herself against my hand, fucking my face as she seeks her release.
“Pierce,” she cries my name over and over with a hoarse voice.
“I want you!” she begs.
I give her clit a hard suck before I clamp my lips around her pussy while I ride her orgasm.
“I need you inside,” she orders this time.
I push myself off the bed, placing myself between her parted thighs. I lower myself gently. Our gazes lock. I drive every inch of myself inside every inch of her.
The moment I hit home, I feel complete.
This is the last piece of our broken hearts fusing. As I lean closer to her and take her mouth, I seal our hearts. We kiss slowly as I fill her, and we move gently, igniting the fire between us. The flames consume us until the slow rhythm gives way, switching into an urgent, demanding thrust of passion throwing us into ecstasy. It’s wild to think how many times I can fall in love again and again with her. Wilder to know that she accepts me, even after everything I have done. It was never intentional, but fuck, I will live to make up for my mistakes.
I move faster, branding myself on her. Leyla’s moans intensify. Her warmth clamps around me. We’re both close, too close. I pump myself a few more times before the final blow that sends us to the peaks of bliss.
“Pierce,” she gasps as I growl her name.
I collapse on top of her.
We’re burning.
She glows and smiles. Her glassy eyes are lost in the pool of desire. I hold her tight and remain inside her, cherishing this moment.
Loving her.
Chapter Forty-One
Leyla
Pierce and I decide to start couple’s therapy. We’re in a good place, but we want to build a solid foundation. I’m not sure when we’re getting married yet. It’ll be something that fits us both and at just the right time.
Thanksgiving week is slow. On Tuesday, we close at three since we don’t have any appointments. I text Pierce to let him know I’ll be heading home soon. Five minutes later he’s outside waiting for me with a smile.
“Ready to go home?” he asks.
When I reach him, I kiss him and nod. “Let’s go, big guy.”
I’m tempted to ask if he heard from the urologist. They came to get his sample, but he hasn’t received an email or a call to inform him if he’s producing any sperm or not. This week we’ve been trying to keep our hands to ourselves because if he is producing some sperm, we might be able to use it next week for my insemination.
My phone rings. I frown and let it go to voicemail. I never answer the phone unless I know the person on the other line. It’s a rule. If they want to speak to me, they can leave a message and I’ll contact them later.
The phone rings again, the same number, and I decline. The third time Pierce takes the phone and answers.
“Yes?”
He frowns and looks at me. “They are calling from the Baker’s Creek shelter.”
I extend my hand and nod.
“This is Leyla.”
“This is Olga. We have an emergency, and I thought of you and the doctor,” she says. “Do you think you can come?”
“Let me get Blaire, and we’ll be right there,” I say.
“Thank you. I’m not sure where we’re going to find supplies today,” she says. “Everything is closing early.”
“We’ll figure it out,” I assure her and regret it when we hang up because she never told me what she’s going to need.
“They have an emergency. She needs me and the doctor,” I tell Pierce, and we run inside the property.
“Tell Blaire to be ready,” he orders. “I’m getting the truck from the garage. It’ll be faster than running to the shelter.”
I step inside the house. Everyone is sitting in the living room smiling, and they stop when they see me.
“Blaire, the shelter called, and they need us,” I state. “She said it�
�s an emergency.”
“Where is Pierce?” Hayes asks.
“Getting the car.”
They both grab their medical bags and follow me outside.
“Did she tell you anything?” Blaire asks as we secure our seatbelts.
I shake my head. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think about asking any details. I think that if it was important, they’d call 9-1-1.”
“Why us?” she asks.
“She mentioned supplies,” I say.
“You’re the one who stocks the place all the time,” Hayes is the one who speaks. “It might not be a medical emergency. In any case, I think it’ll be safer if I go in first.”
In less than five minutes we’re at the shelter. As agreed, Hayes is the first to enter. We follow right behind, and when I spot Olga, I’m confused. There’s no blood, the place is almost empty except for the sheriff, who is holding a white bundle.
“How can we help?” Hayes asks as we approach.
“We received this newborn at the station,” the sheriff answers. “According to the person who brought him, he was born yesterday. We’re not equipped to receive an infant. This is Baker’s Creek.”
I don’t know what that means, but I get closer and say, “May I?”
He nods. “We followed procedure,” he continues. “The person who surrendered the baby filled out the form. There’s no sign of abuse. We called Oregon Child Welfare, but they won’t be able to be here until next Monday. Miss Olga here mentioned one of you has a foster care license.”
“From the state of Colorado,” I correct him and take the baby into my arms. He’s perfect, and God if I don’t want to keep him.
“If you don’t mind, Mrs. Aldridge, could you be our emergency foster parent?” he asks.
“We don’t have a crib,” Hayes is the one who interjects.
“She does,” Pierce interrupts. “She has everything for a baby boy in the garage. We just need to get the boxes out. We can run to the general store for whatever is needed.”
Defying Our Forever (The Baker’s Creek Billionaire Brothers Book 3) Page 24
