Conceited Concierge: A Hero Club Novel

by Renea Porter

“Aubrey. Chance. You guys made it.”

  I reached around to hug them both.

  “Looks like you and Levi made something yourselves.” Aubrey pointed to my stomach right as Levi and my brothers came down stairs to join us.

  “We made twins, actually. I’m twenty weeks along.”

  “That’s amazing. Congratulations. You guys will be great parents.”

  “Did you get the baby gift I sent?”

  Aubrey had a baby boy six weeks ago.

  “I did. And thank you so very much. Sorry, I haven’t sent out thank you cards yet.”

  “Oh my god. Don’t worry about that. These two guys are my two older brothers, Constance and Simon.” Then I looked toward my brothers. “This is our friends, Aubrey and Chance.”

  I watched as they exchanged pleasantries.

  “These are great,” Simon said as he looked at the photos on display. His comment made Aubrey and Chance curious as they walked over to investigate.

  “Wow. Rylee, you look amazing. Stunning,” Aubrey beamed.

  “Thank you.”

  Looking toward the door, I spotted an older woman and a gentleman walking in. Levi saw them right away as he walked over to hug the woman and shake the man’s hand. I made my way over to see who it was.

  “Rylee, this is my mom and her fiancé, James. Mom and James, this is Rylee.”

  We greeted each other with hugs. “It looks like you’re expecting.”

  Levi wrapped an arm around my waist. “We’re expecting twins. Boys.”

  His mom covered her face in delight. “My first grandbabies. I’m so excited.”

  “We have pictures, too, if you want to take a look.” Levi pointed.

  His mom immediately took my hand as we walked over. “Levi has talked so much about you. He loves you very much.”

  “And I love him very much as well.”

  She looked over at each photo. “These are lovely. So beautiful, and you are glowing,” she told me. James smiled and nodded his head in agreement.

  Levi’s mom looked to James. “We need to move closer so I can see my grandbabies often.”

  I laughed at her comment.

  Levi stood at the center of the room. “I need everyone to gather around as I have one more surprise up my sleeve.”

  I looked at Levi suspiciously as he took my hand and dropped down on one knee. “Figured I’d do this right.” We laughed, and I covered my face in surprise. He took one hand and asked, “Rylee Raegan, will you marry me?” as he presented a beautiful diamond ring.

  “Oh my god. Yes. Yes, I will marry you.” Tears streamed down my cheeks, but I was ecstatic.

  Levi slipped the ring on my finger, stood, and hugged me tight while everyone clapped and hollered in celebration. I was a bawling mess. I couldn’t even see the ring through my tears. Once Levi separated from me, I swiped the tears with my finger, hoping my makeup wasn’t running. Holding my hand up, I was able to look at the ring.

  “It’s gorgeous. Thank you.”

  “You just made me the happiest man alive,” he exclaimed.

  Everyone came around, hugging us and shaking Levi’s hand. There was so much joy in this room and my heart felt full. I wish the rest of my family could be enjoying this moment with us.

  “Dinner is served,” the wait staff announced. We all gathered at the table. Levi sat at the head of the table with me on his left.

  The food was being served when Levi announced, “We do have some news to share.”

  I looked down at my lap for a moment before lifting my eyes back up to meet my soon-to-be husband’s.

  “A few days ago, Rylee had a normal checkup at the doctor. And she’s gonna need surgery.”

  We went through all the details to let them know what is going on.

  Aubrey reached across and squeezed my hand. “We’re all here for you guys. If you need anything, let us know.”

  I accepted with a nod.

  “She’ll stay overnight and should be home by Friday.”

  “Well, I’m gonna stay for support,” Levi’s mom announced.

  “Oh, you don’t have to,” I told her.

  “Nonsense. You’re family now. I want to be here for support.”

  “That’s very kind of you.”

  Levi took my hand and rubbed it with his thumb. “We wanted to get everyone together; celebrate the babies we are expecting. My mom is gonna be remarried soon. And I couldn’t be happier for her.”

  “And now you guys are engaged,” James announced.

  We all held up our glasses, water for me, and clinked our glasses together.

  “Now, let’s eat,” Levi stated.

  I asked Aubrey and Chance about all their kids, and was eager for the updates. I asked Levi’s mom if she and James had set a wedding date yet. But she said they weren’t in a rush right now.

  I was happy to put the attention toward my guests.

  My brothers even told us about their careers and the women they recently started dating.

  It was so nice to catch up and chat with everyone in one room.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  RYLEE

  Early the next morning, we bid my brothers farewell. I was able to walk them out while Levi hung back with his mom.

  “What do you think of Levi?” I looked to Constance then Simon.

  “I like him,” Constance said. “He apologized for the way he behaved when I first met him.”

  “Yeah. He seems like a good guy,” Simon chimed in.

  Constance added, “I know he loves you a lot.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Sorry we couldn’t stay longer for your surgery.”

  “Don’t worry about it. Nothing you can do anyway.”

  “Have Levi text us immediately after,” Simon requested.

  “I will.”

  I hugged each one and thanked them again for coming. I told them they needed to move closer so my babies would know their uncles, but I knew that was unlikely.

  ***

  Grabbing my overnight bag, Levi rushed over to grab it from me. “I’ll get that.”

  We headed to the hospital, while Levi’s Mom Becca stayed behind. Silently, I knew it would be a god send she was here to help with things. I was surprised how quickly she and I connected as she welcomed me to the family, being that she didn’t even know about me and then we sprung my pregnancy on her. But she took it all in stride.

  “Did you ever mention me to your mom before I met her?”

  “Oh, of course. I went to see her on my way to Las Vegas. And I spent the day with her and James. That’s when he asked me permission for her hand in marriage. I did talk about you and how much of an ass I was. And I told her I was trying to fix the situation. She said right then that she hoped to meet you. So yes, she did know.”

  “Well, I’m glad we didn’t spring everything on her at once.”

  “She cares about me being happy. And you make me happy.”

  “Do you think people will notice the age difference in us when they see us at the bed and breakfast?”

  I didn’t know why I was still hung up on that. I was pregnant so that problem kind of went out the window.

  “Honestly, you don’t even look like you’re in your thirties.”

  “Late thirties,” I corrected him.

  “It’s never been an issue with me. And if anyone does have a problem with it, fuck em’. Besides, everyone we know supports us. No one has questioned it.”

  I nod. “You’re right. We have these two boys to worry about now.”

  Levi pulled into a parking spot and we made our way into the hospital. Nerves settled in my body. I hoped everything turned out okay.

  We checked in, and got settled in a private room. Once the doctors were ready to wheel me back for the surgery, Levi tugged on my hand. “I’ll be right here when you wake up.” He bent down to kiss my forehead.

  While the doctors wheeled me back, I watched Levi until I couldn’t see him anymore.

  Chapt
er Thirty-Six

  LEVI

  It seemed like it was taking forever while I paced back and forth, through her room and up and down the hallway. In actuality, an hour passed before I saw the doctor approaching.

  “Mr. Bateman. Ms. Raegan is out of surgery. She’s gonna be a little groggy coming out, but everything went smooth.”

  I bent down, placing my hands on my knees. “Thank god.” Standing back up, I looked to the doctor. “Thank you so much.”

  “We’re gonna keep her overnight, then if everything is still good, she’ll go home tomorrow.”

  “Thank you. Thank you.”

  “I can take you to her where she is recovering before they bring her to the room.”

  “Yes. I want to see her.”

  The doctor took me to where Rylee was resting. I was overcome with relief. A smile spread over my face as soon as I laid eyes on her. Tears of joy sprung from my eyes as well. I took hold of her hand and kissed her fingers.

  “Hey, beautiful. The doctor said everything went smooth.”

  I sat in the chair next to her bed. She barely had her eyes open so I knew she was still trying to wake up. Keeping hold of her hand, I squeezed it a few times. “I’m here, baby.”

  “Hey. Are the babies okay?”

  “Yeah. Doctor said everything is all good.”

  She smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. The nurse came in to check on her and saw Rylee was awake and alert. “We’re gonna take you to your room now. We’ll keep an eye on you and see how you are doing tomorrow, so we can get you home.”

  Rylee nodded in response. I couldn’t be more relieved. I wanted to focus on Rylee and the babies for the rest of her pregnancy.

  ***

  “I brought you your favorite flavored milkshake,” I told her after I showed up the next morning.

  “You are the best fiancé, ever,” she stated, reaching her hand out to take the shake. When she took a sip, she looked like she was in heaven. “This is the best.”

  “Sorry I couldn’t sneak any more than that.”

  “This is great.”

  “How did you do overnight?”

  “Let’s be honest, I didn’t sleep well. I needed you next to me.”

  “Ditto.”

  “Alright, Miss Raegan. We’re gonna get your discharge papers drawn up and you can be on your way,” the nurse said.

  “Thank you.”

  It wasn’t even an hour later before I was driving Rylee home.

  “The doctor ordered you to rest the rest of the day and then you can start moving around some tomorrow.”

  “Yes, Dr. Bateman.”

  “Gotta take care of my fiancée and baby momma.”

  “Ha ha.”

  Arriving at the bed and breakfast, I assisted Rylee as we headed inside. “Welcome home,” my mom said, coming out of the kitchen. “How did it go?”

  “Everything is good.”

  “What a relief. I made some soup.”

  “You didn’t have to go through the trouble, Becca.”

  “Please. It was nothing. Go get settled in, and I’ll bring some over,” my mom suggested.

  “Let’s get you settled into bed. Doctor said you have to take it easy for three weeks before returning to normal activity.”

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  RYLEE

  It felt like I’d been pregnant for two years. Thankfully, I was near the end of my pregnancy. The nursery was completed thanks to Levi and especially to his mom who was a big help when I was recovering from my surgery. The weekly doctor visits had all been good, and the boys were doing amazing. Now I was ready to meet them.

  “All set for the ribbon cutting?” Levi asked about the bed and breakfast.

  “Ready when you are.”

  We stepped out front with some of our community looking on as we officially opened the bed and breakfast. A news crew was even there to film it.

  “You do the honors,” I told Levi since this was mainly his project and baby.

  “You sure?”

  I nodded in response and smiled wide while I watched him taking the large scissors. He was grinning from ear to ear. It was so good to see his dream coming to life. He cut the ribbon and everyone cheered.

  Once the babies came and I spent some time with them, I agreed to run the business account side of things since I would be able to do it while watching the boys at the same time. I was excited about this new venture ahead of us. Everything was changing and it was for the better.

  I joined in while everyone clapped as we unveiled the name of the bed and breakfast called The Breakfast Grove. It was perfect. Levi came over, putting his arm around my shoulders, and kissed the side of my head. I was more in love with him now than ever before. And age, well, that was just a number. He had proved himself time and time again, and I couldn’t be happier.

  Being thirty-four weeks along, I had to go sit and relieve my swollen feet. “I gotta go sit for a bit,” I told him as I started to head back inside.

  “I’ll be right behind you.”

  But right as I turned to make my way inside, I felt the liquid substance run down my leg. I was going into labor. “I think my water broke,” I told him as calmly as I could because I didn’t need him to freak out. The hospital was a short drive from the bed and breakfast.

  “Oh god. We’re having the babies!” he shouted. Thankfully, everyone was already leaving except the B&B staff. “What do I need to do?”

  I took slow breaths in and out. “I need you to grab my packed bag. I’ll be in the car.”

  I made my way over to the car, glancing in the back, thanking god we already installed the child seats. Having twins meant having two of everything. And I had tons of matching outfits because I was gonna be that mom. My contractions were coming quicker together. Levi rushed to the car, throwing my bag in the back.

  “Alright. We’re all set. Let’s go meet these babies.”

  My breaths were becoming quicker as I tried to breathe in and out like I was taught in lamaze class. Levi pulled up to the door and walked me in, explaining his wife was going into labor. I was so scared. What if something went wrong? The pain was becoming stronger. Thankfully, the nurses took me back while Levi went and parked the car.

  After changing into a hospital gown, the nurse helped me settle in my hospital bed. The doctor came in to check me often until I was ready for the epidural.

  ***

  Fourteen hours later, Levi and I were holding our healthy baby boys. It was so magical seeing them and holding them and staring at them. Tanner Gage Bateman was born at five pounds and six ounces. Liam Anthony Bateman was born at five pounds and eight ounces. I couldn’t wait to see what their personalities would be like. After feeding them and redressing them, Levi and I put them down for a nap. Thankfully, the boys got to stay in my room and Levi was able to help me. I was still trying to get a handle on breastfeeding, and handling both at the same time was challenging.

  Even when we put them down, I couldn’t stop smiling and staring at them. “You did good, Mama,” Levi said.

  We were so ecstatic. And suddenly I knew nothing else mattered but my little family of four.

  I pushed a strand of hair out of my face. “I’m sure I look like hell.”

  “You look gorgeous.” He bent down to kiss me on the lips and then on my forehead.

  The first person to come visit was Levi’s mom Becca. She cooed at how cute the boys were, and she loved their names.

  “Well, I have some news,” she said, clasping her hands together.

  “What is it, Mom?” Levi asked.

  “James and I found a house about ten minutes from you.”

  “Oh my gosh. That is so exciting,” I told her.

  “I want to be around to help with the grandbabies as much as possible.”

  “I’m so happy, Mom.” Levi hugged her, and I could tell he was truly happy she was moving closer to us.

  Becca looked at me. “Anything you need, I’m here to help. Date nights,
wedding planning, honeymoon, anything.”

  “Are you trying to plan our wedding, Mom?”

  “No. I mean, I wouldn’t mind helping with it, if you wanted.”

  I smiled wide. “I’d be happy for any help and ideas. We should do some planning, but I don’t want to walk down the aisle until the boys are at least six months to a year old.”

  “That gives us… I mean, you plenty of time to plan things.”

  Levi and I smiled.

  “Speaking of marriages, when are you and James getting hitched?”

  “We were talking about making a weekend of it and going to Vegas.”

  If only she knew the story Levi and I had about Vegas.

  “That’s a great idea.”

  “We don’t have a date set yet. We would like you both there as our witnesses.”

  “We’d love to,” I answered.

  Her attention turned back to the boys. “I got them some outfits but I didn’t want to lug them here and then you have to lug them home. We’ll drop them off later in the week.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate everything.”

  “I’m so excited to be a grandma.”

  We were so excited to be parents.

  We bid Becca goodbye when she announced she had to leave. Aubrey and Chance showed up that evening and had enough time for a quick visit. After that, we skyped with my brothers, who were now proud uncles. Tanner and Liam were lucky to have this family.

  Once everyone was gone, I fed the boys before getting what sleep I could. Levi’s phone rang and he looked bewildered when he saw the name and number. “It’s my brother,” he said.

  “Answer it.”

  I had yet to meet his brother, and as far as I knew, he hadn’t heard from him in a long time.

  “Hey, Alexander.”

  I could only hear Levi’s side of the conversation and they were talking civilized. “Yeah, we would like that.” Levi said.

  When the call ended, I wanted to know what was said. But I didn’t want to pry too much in case I was misreading the situation.

  “My brother wants to come to the house and see his nephews. Said he’s been clean for over a year now.”