by Amiee Louise
I force myself to look at him, and as I see the look in his green eyes, my heart breaks.
“I thought we were OK, please stop and fucking talk to me. Please don’t run from me, tell me you’ll stay.” His voice is broken. I move closer to him, and he reaches for my hand. I let him take it, and he strokes my knuckles softly. “What’s wrong? Please talk to me.”
I release my hand from his grip and put my hands to my face. I sob.
“Jesus, please don’t cry, what can I do? Tell me what I can do, angel.”
I try to gather myself. “This is all such a fucking mess, Sam, and it’s all my fault.”
He shakes his head. “Everything’s going to be OK as long we have each other; I’m not going anywhere I promise you, angel.” He moves towards me, and he pulls me into his hard chest. I cling to him and sob as he holds me close. “Tell me what’s going on in that beautiful mind of yours, angel,” he whispers.
Then Ruby’s words start to echo in my mind, “Sam isn’t Callum, babe; he’ll stand by you no matter what because he worships you. That boy would walk through hell for you; any fool can see that except for you.”
I take a deep calming breath and look up at him, my blue eyes locking on his green ones. Here goes nothing.
“I-I’m pregnant,” I choke out, waiting for his reaction. Waiting for the inevitable to happen where he walks out and leaves me. He doesn’t say anything at first, and I start to tremble with fear in his arms.
“Hey, shush, I’ve got you, angel,” he soothes. “You’re pregnant, wow!”
The biggest dimpled grin spreads across his handsome face. He cups my face in his hands and presses his lips to mine.
“Angel, you have just made me the happiest fucking man to walk this earth! I’m going to be a dad!”
A feeling of relief washes over me like a tsunami. I sag in Sam’s hold; he releases me and holds me at arm’s length.
“You thought I was going to leave didn’t you, angel?” he says so softly I barely hear him. “Look at me, baby.” I look up at him and nod, my eyes brimming with tears. “How could you think that, angel? After everything we’ve been through?”
“I don’t know I just panicked. I was terrified.”
“I’m not going anywhere; you’re stuck with me.” He smiles his dazzling smile and his green eyes sparkle. He lifts up my t-shirt and strokes my bump gently. “How far gone are you?”
I watch his hand trace my small bump; I put my hand over his and smile.
“Twelve weeks.”
He takes a breath, curses to himself, and walks over to the balcony. He pulls open the doors and drops down on the lounger. He is visibly annoyed, and I don’t blame him for one second, I follow him.
“Why the fuck didn’t you tell me, angel? That night you told me about Callum I promised you if that ever happened to us I would stand by you.”
He scrubs his hands down his face. I hang my head, and I actually feel ashamed that I have kept this baby a secret for almost three whole months. Three months where he could have supported me, through the morning sickness, and through the hospital appointments. That thought makes me burst into tears again, and Sam wraps me in his strong arms.
“Shhh, it’s going to be all right, angel. I promise we’ll be a family. The three of us, you, me, and our little rock star!”
He laughs.
“What if it’s a girl?”
Sam cups my cheek and kisses me on the end of my nose.
“Then she is not leaving our house until she is at least thirty and I’m not letting any boys near her!” We both laugh, and I let out a yawn, suddenly feeling exhausted. “Tired, angel?”
I nod. He picks me up and carries me into the bedroom.
“I can walk you know; I do have legs!”
He laughs.
“I know, but you’re carrying precious cargo!”
I chuckle softly. He sets me down gently on the bed and lies down next to me. He pulls my back to his chest and wraps his arms around me. He gently rests his hand on my stomach and snuggles into my back. At that moment, I know everything is going to be all right. We will be a proper family and finally get our happily ever after.
13
Peyton
The next morning, I turn over to find Sam’s side of the bed empty and my phone ringing. I look at the clock—eight AM. Who could be calling me at this hour? I reach for my phone and see Lori’s name flash up on my screen. Why would Sam’s mum be calling me? I swipe my finger across the screen and answer with curiosity.
“Hello?” I try not to sound like she has just woke me up.
“Peyton, good morning, sweetie. I hope I didn’t wake you,” she says in her familiar cheery American drawl, and I clear my throat.
“No, of course not, Lori, is everything OK?”
She pauses. “Yes, everything’s fine, honey, I’m just calling to remind you and Sam that I’ve organised a birthday dinner for him.”
I knew Sam’s birthday was coming up, but he hasn’t mentioned anything. I am silent for a moment, and Lori chuckles.
“Let me guess, he hasn’t mentioned it? He is a little sensitive that it’s his thirtieth birthday.”
I smile. Typical Sam.
“He hasn’t mentioned it, but we would love to come.”
“Fabulous, darling. It’s on Saturday before the boys fly out to Vegas on Sunday. I was just calling to invite your parents, brother, sister, and that lovely boss of yours, Sebastian, too.”
I find myself smiling that our families are finally going to get to meet each other.
“That sounds really great, Lori.”
“The boys are all coming, Cole, Amy, Milo and Seth from Marley’s band. It going to be quite a gathering, I’m getting the caterers in.”
I start thinking to myself that it isn’t any normal gathering and what do I get for the man who has everything for his birthday?
“Wow, that sounds amazing, Lori.”
“Tell Sam I’ll call him later, sweetie, and I’ll see you on Saturday.”
“See you on Saturday, bye.”
I hang up, and Sam walks into the bedroom with a pair of dark jeans hanging off his narrows hips, a black t-shirt that clings to his muscles. His hair is wet from a recent shower, and he is barefoot. He is clutching a mug of coffee, and he leans in the doorway.
“Good morning, beautiful, how are you and our little rock star this morning?”
I chuckle softly. “Good morning handsome, we’re all good, thanks.”
I rub my stomach and suddenly feel a wave of nausea hit me. I leap up off the bed and run into the bathroom. I sink to my knees and throw up in the toilet. Sam is instantly at my side rubbing my back soothingly and holding my hair out of my face.
“Jesus, are you all right, angel?”
I manage to nod.
“I’ll be fine babe, honestly, just morning sickness, that’s all.”
Unexpectedly, I hear a woman’s voice. “Sam, are you here, sugar?”
I recognise it as Amy, Cole’s fiancée. Shit. The last thing I want is for someone to see me throwing up and putting two and two together, especially since we haven’t told our families about the baby yet.
“She is bringing my washing back that’s all, angel; she has a key in case of emergencies,” he says, as if to clarify my unspoken question. I hear tiny footsteps running through the apartment.
“Uncle Sammy!”
Addison’s voice shouts and Sam chuckles.
“I’ll be right back, angel, I promise.”
He steps out of the bathroom and blocks the doorway with his large frame.
“Hello, beautiful!”
Sam scoops Addison up in his arms and she giggles. It makes me wonder what Sam will be like with our baby, and it warms my heart that we’re going to be parents to a little me or little Sam.
“Found him, Mummy!” she shouts and looks over Sam’s shoulder at me on my knees practically hugging the toilet. Nice.
“Is Aunty Peyton sick Uncle Sammy?”<
br />
Sam swings her around.
“Aunty Peyton isn’t feeling well right now, Princess, so we have to be really quiet.” Sam lowers his voice and put his finger to her lips. “Shhh, can you be a quiet little mouse while Aunty Peyton is sick?” She nods. “Good girl.”
He kisses her on the end of her nose, and he strides out of the bedroom with her in his arms. Twenty minutes later, I feel the sickness starting to wear off, splash my face with cold water, brush my teeth, and run a brush through my sleep-mussed hair. I pull on a cream jumper with a black &? Logo across the front and a pair of loose-fitting black jeans. I walk through the apartment and into the kitchen where Amy is perched on a stool drinking coffee with Sam. She always looks immaculately dressed, with her flawless coffee coloured skin and wide eyes. Her curly black hair sets off her tall, slim frame dressed in a black pencil skirt, a pink silk camisole, and black heels. She looks like a catwalk model. Sam has Addison sitting quietly on his lap with her colouring book and crayons.
“Hey, hon, are you feeling better? Sam said you weren’t feeling too good?” Her voice is filled with concern. I smile and nod.
“Yeah, I’m good thanks, Amy. I feel much better now.”
She eyes me suspiciously and Addison tugs on Sam’s t-shirt.
“Uncle Sammy, can you take me to look at your shiny bikes?”
Sam laughs.
“You had better ask your mummy, baby girl.”
Sam turns his green eyes onto Amy, and she rolls her eyes.
“Go on then and don’t spoil her, you!”
Amy laughs, and Sam salutes. He lifts her up, piggybacking a giggling Addison down to the garage, leaving Amy and me in Sam’s kitchen.
“Congratulations by the way, hon.”
My eyes widen. How did she know? She chuckles.
“Sam called Cole. Don’t look so worried, your secret’s safe with me.”
She winks, and I smile. I feel happy to share our news with someone other than Sam and Ruby.
“How far gone are you?”
I stroke my stomach. “Twelve weeks.”
She nods and regards me intently.
“Wow! I’m so happy for you both, babe,” she says brightly and brushes my arm.
“Thank you, it means a lot.”
She takes a sip of her coffee. “Please don’t hurt him, Peyton, that boy worships you. I’ve never seen him like this with a woman ever, he is crazy about you.”
“I would never hurt him, I love him too much. He has made me feel alive again, and I can’t imagine my life without him in it.”
She smiles.
“I remember the night Addison was born. Cole almost missed the birth because he was working a gig with the boys. They were halfway through the gig when Cole got the call from my dad. Sam caught Cole’s eye, and he knew straight away that something was wrong; he jumped off stage and cut the show short. He drove Cole to the hospital, and he made it just in time.”
I smile, and it warms my heart to think that Sam did that for his friend.
“He was one of the first people to hold her, ever since that moment he was smitten with her. He is her godfather; they love the bones of each other. She is at that stage where she wants to follow him everywhere; she is the most popular kid in her class at nursery because her godfather is in a famous rock band!”
We both laugh. I can see Amy and me being good friends. She is warm, friendly and easy to chat to; I feel as if I have known her all my life.
“She bosses him around, and he is total and utter mush around her. She has definitely got him wrapped around her little finger. Both of you are going to be great parents. Sam and Cole have been friends for a long time. Cole has seen the highs, the lows and everything in-between, but he won’t give up on him no matter how much he screws up. But these past few months since he met you it’s like looking at a completely different person, he is changed so much, because of you, babe.”
I am so grateful for the insight Amy is giving me on Sam.
“The boys, their crew, they’re all like family and for them to accept you into their fold is a victory in itself, honey. Even though they don’t show it, the guys all love you, and they speak very highly of you.” I smile shyly. “They’re just typical boys, babe, you clearly know how to handle them, they need a female influence around them, and you’re the perfect woman for the job, trust me.”
She brushes my arm reassuringly, and I am grateful for her kind words. I feel as though I have been accepted into an extended family and it feels good to belong.
“Lori called this morning, she has organised a birthday dinner for Sam next weekend.”
Amy chuckles.
“Ah, the infamous Newbolt birthday dinners, you haven’t lived until you have been to one. Lori goes all out; she is a force to be reckoned with, trust me. She has each and every one of her boys wrapped around her little finger, Sam included, even though he swears she hasn’t.”
I smile, and I am looking forward to getting to know Sam’s family better.
“It’s Sam’s thirtieth birthday, what do I get the man who has everything?”
She takes my hand.
“Just you being there is a present in itself, babe, that and the fact that you’re now carrying Sam’s baby. He might be a rock star, and he might like extravagant things, but the simple little things have more meaning behind them, trust me on that one.”
I smile, and Addison runs into the room with Sam trailing behind her.
“I winned, Uncle Sammy!” she declares and giggles. Sam pretends to catch his breath.
“You beat me; you’re just too fast for me, sweetie.”
He winks at me, and I feel my stomach flip. After all this time, he still has that effect on me. He has the power to turn my insides to jelly with just a look. At that moment, I know that this is the beginning of a beautiful future with Mr. Samson Newbolt.
***
A week passes, and we are busier than ever at the shop, it’s all hands to the pump. Reluctantly, I have asked Harley Hernandez from Black Tiger Ink to step in while Seb is tying up a few loose ends with the new shop in California before his return to the U.K to join us to celebrate Sam’s thirtieth birthday. Over the week I have officially moved out of the flat I shared with Ruby, and I have permanently moved into Sam’s apartment. I expected it to take a while for us to adjust to living together as a couple, but it has all just fallen into place.
Today is the twelfth of November, Sam’s thirtieth birthday, and I wake to an empty bed. As his birthday has drawn ever closer, Sam has woken before me every morning and put his body through a daily gruelling three-hour workout. It is as if he keeps himself fit enough he’ll avoid turning the big three-oh. His muscles are looking more sculpted and defined, his shoulders are broader, his arms and neck are thick and corded with muscle. He walks into the bedroom taking a long pull on his water bottle and a black towel around his neck. He is wearing a grey vest covered in sweat with long black shorts. He looks good enough to eat; I lick my lips sleepily at the sight of him. Instantly becoming more alert and aware as I take in his large frame. Being pregnant, I am so horny, and I crave Sam’s body like a drug.
“If you keep looking at me like that, angel, I’m not going to be held responsible for my actions,” he rasps, and I feel heat pool between my legs. God, I want him so badly. He chuckles softly. “You are insatiable, baby.”
I bite my lip. “Only for you.”
He sits on the edge of the bed and plants a soft kiss on my lips. I move forward to deepen the kiss, and he moves back.
“Easy, angel.”
I pout. He throws his head back and laughs.
“That pout is adorable. How are my two favourite people this morning?”
Swiftly changing the subject, he strokes my stomach softly. Over the course of the week, Sam has been attentive and treating me like glass as if I am going to break at any second. I explained to him that I’m pregnant, not ill. After a lot of gentle persuasion, lots of epic shagging, and mind-n
umbing blow jobs, I seem to have placated his neurotic side. He kisses the end of my nose and gets to his feet.
“I’m going for a shower, angel.”
He goes into the bathroom. Time for me to put my birthday surprise into action. I decided to go with Amy’s idea, the simple things mean more. So with that in mind, I strip naked and tie a length of pale yellow ribbon around my stomach in a neat bow. I run my fingers through my sleep-mussed hair and lie back on the bed. Ten minutes later, Sam steps out of the bathroom with a towel hanging loosely off his narrow hips. His mouth drops open as he catches sight of me.