Forever Moore (Moore Family Book 1)

by Frankie Page

  “Derek, it isn’t what you think. She baited me to say it all wrong, to make me sound guilty.”

  “No, she didn’t. Everything came directly from the ass’s mouth.” Derek looks over to me. “You have the tapes as well, right?”

  I look at Keith, who is about to have a heart attack. “Yes, I do. From tonight and the night he came to my shop to give me his to-do list, and mentioned again, about how I could make it all go away.”

  “Perfect, get me copies.” Derek walks up to Keith, grabbing his arm. “In the meantime, you are coming with me…” Derek reads him his Miranda rights as he is taken away.

  Jake rushes over and embraces me, picking me up and twirling me in the air. “I told you we could take care of that fucker. By tomorrow, his name will be all over the news. I am sure he won’t get the sexual assault charges he deserves. But blackmail and abuse of power—well, he is for sure going to get into a load of trouble for those.”

  “I can’t thank you enough, Jake.”

  “No need to thank me. Just remember that out of the three of us, I am going to be the best uncle ever. I maybe even deserve the role of godfather. Or if it is a boy, he should be named after me. I mean any or all of those things would be acceptable.” I look at him stunned. How did he know? “Come on, Tilly. Twins, remember? I’ve suspected it for weeks. You were giving off this vibe. Not to mention, how sick you’ve been. Then after your doctor's visit a couple of weeks ago, you are eating crazy healthy and taking vitamins, and you touch your stomach every two seconds. It wasn’t difficult to figure out. But once again, you are keeping things from me, Tilly, and I don’t like it.”

  I give him a big hug. “I’m sorry, Jake. I promise you, this time I was only keeping it a secret because Jax and I found out right before he was leaving. We wanted to tell everyone together. I promise, with the exception of Jax who only found out because he was there… Granted, I would have told him anyway… But as I was saying, I haven’t told anyone else. Not even Letty.”

  Jake gives me a giant smile, relishing in his victory over Letty. Those two… you’d think this childhood rivalry for my attention would be done by now. “Well, as long as Letty doesn’t know. Is there more? Any more secrets you are keeping from me, Tilly?”

  “Yes, but don’t get angry. Like I said, there is stuff Jax and I want to share with everyone at Thanksgiving. Please, don’t say anything to Scott or Robbie. I don’t want Jax to feel left out of the announcements.”

  “Hmm…” Jake rubs his chin, considering my request. “Fine, you can keep your secrets until Thanksgiving, and I won't mention anything to Scott or Robbie. I can’t promise I won’t rub it into Letty’s face after the reveal though. Also, I want godfather rights.”

  “I will try. We both know that Jax is going to want Scott as the godfather, but I promise you I will try.”

  “Well, if you would like, I can give you a few pointers on how to be more persuasive,” he says, wiggling his eyebrows at me.

  I push him away. “Eww, no. I do not want any sex advice from my brother.”

  “Come on, Tilly. I promise you will blow his mind.”

  “Ugh, fine. But please, don’t be a creep about it.”

  Jake breaks out into a sinister smile before giving me his “tips”. While my brother talks with me about sex (a conversation I hoped to never have with my brother) I cannot help but think, given his experience and expertise, he should really write a manual or something about it.

  Chapter 36

  Jackson

  Walking up to the two-story farmhouse, I take everything in. Coming home feels different somehow. Last time, I rushed back here because of a tragic accident. Because I didn’t have a choice. It was what was needed of me. This time, I am excited to see my fiancée and spend time with my family. I am here because I want to be and it has nothing to do with obligation.

  Tilly has all of the fall decorations out on display. It is cute with hay bales, scarecrows, and this awesome door wreath—offering varied shades of red and orange. I've only been gone a few weeks, but everything looks different. The ground is brown and muddy, and the leaves are pretty much gone from the trees. Minnesota is (unfortunately) one of those states that has an ugly time twice per year. A time when everything is dead and brown. But then, you get the most spectacular sights the rest of the year. Like those postcard winters with white blankets of snow (which most people can only dream about). It looks like a winter wonderland. Or when everything is in full bloom and you are given all those lush greens. Then finally, the beginning of fall when the colors change (but before everything dies). It is utterly breathtaking.

  I’m home a day early to surprise Tilly. I was able to wrap up the Maldives ahead of schedule and couldn’t wait to get back. I rush up the steps and ring the doorbell. Tilly answers. Her hair's a mess on top of her head, she is wearing grey jogging pants with a black t-shirt, and tied around her waist is a bright teal apron with this whimsical cupcake pattern on it. Her makeup-less face has flour smeared everywhere. The brace is still on her arm, but she is hoping she won't need to wear it at all in a couple more weeks. Needless to say, she is absolutely gorgeous. Especially when she smiles realizing that I'm home.

  “Oh my god, you are home!” she yells, jumping up and wrapping her arms and legs around me. Before I can say anything, she is devouring my mouth. Fuck, I missed her. While I enjoyed my travels in Asia, I knew that those days were behind me. They do not give me the same sense of fulfillment anymore. Everywhere I visited, I couldn’t help thinking how much better it would be with Tilly and our babies. “I missed you so much,” she manages to get out, still kissing me.

  I hear a male cough in the background, making his presence known. We break our mouths apart. I peer around Tilly’s head to see Scott standing there, looking much like Tilly in grey sweatpants and a black t-shirt. I can barely contain my laughter when I notice he and Tilly are wearing matching aprons.

  Tilly separates from me. I miss her warmth already. But I know I will get to fully embrace her before the evening is over. I look between her and Scott, trying not to laugh. Directing my question to Scott, I offer, “Do I need to ask?” He shakes his head, indicating he doesn’t want to talk about it.

  Tilly pulls me into the house. She is all-smiles, leading me by the hand into the kitchen. “Scott is teaching me to make pies.”

  “Trying to at least,” Scott says under his breath. I love Tilly, but cooking has never been her skill. But I guess it was never mine either, until I started to learn.

  “Hey, I am not that bad,” Tilly defends herself.

  Scott laughs at her. He gets back to the counter to roll out dough. “She has destroyed four pies,” he says, shaking his head in disappointment.

  Well, pie crust is tricky, but I am really good at adding filling,” Tilly announces proudly.

  “Yea, you at least got that part right. Look, I’ll finish up here. Why don’t you go upstairs and get Jax settled?”

  “You don’t need to tell me twice. Come on, Jax, I got something to show you anyway.” As Tilly tugs me out of the kitchen, I glance back at Scott and mouth “thank you” to him. As cute as she is with flour on her face, I was looking forward to getting some alone time with her. Tomorrow will be hectic with her checkup and everyone prepping for the holiday dinner. And of course, the following day is Thanksgiving. Then on Friday, I’m sure her and Letty will want to go shopping. That means it could be three or four days before we get any alone time again.

  In the room, Tilly motions for me to sit on the bed next to her. “Come here. I have something to show you.” Nice, right to business. I can’t wait. I sit down next to her, kissing her neck. “Not that, silly.” She leans down and grabs a newspaper, handing it to me. “Here, read this.”

  I skim over the headline “Scandal in Tral Lake”. I don’t read too in depth. But from a brief glance, I can see that last week Keith McCalester was arrested for attempted blackmail and abuse of power in his role as Assistant City Manager. At this time,
he is suspended from his position within the town and they are launching a full investigation. There is mention of a nameless shop owner who came forward, after he leveraged sexual favors in order to save her business. While they didn’t say her name, I know it is Tilly. “What is this? What happened?”

  Tilly goes on to explain how Jake was there when Keith dropped by a couple of weeks ago with a laundry list of bogus violations. How he had insisted by sleeping with him, they could all go away. How she had to fill in Jake on everything that was going on with Keith. And how (besides being furious for her not telling him sooner) he came up with a plan to expose the asshole. I guess over the years, Jake and Derek have become friends and so, he and Tilly explained everything to the lieutenant. They had Derek hide in the shop while they got Keith to confess everything in front of the officer; and for good measure, they made sure to catch it all on the shop surveillance.

  “Wow, I don’t know what to say. I mean, part of me is angry you didn’t tell me he was harassing you again. But the other part of me is proud that you and Jake stuck it to the asshole.”

  “I know. I’m sorry.” She leans in and kisses me. “I just didn’t want you to stress while you were away working and couldn’t do anything. But Jake was here and was able to back me up. I am honestly not sure what will happen legally, but I know for certain he will never return to any city-held position. I wouldn’t doubt that his dad will ship him out of town and try and sweep this embarrassment under the rug.”

  “Well, I guess, since you gave me a surprise tonight, I owe you one as well.”

  “Oh, surprise? Whatever might this be?” She looks as giddy as a kid on Christmas.

  I quickly go to my bag and grab an envelope and hand it to her. “What’s this?” she says, looking down at two plane tickets to Florida. “These tickets are to fly out in two weeks. I thought you’d be in South America. How are you going to have time to fly home and do all this?”

  I give her a big smile. “Simple, I won’t have to fly home.”

  “You mean, you are done? No South America? No more traveling?” I can see the hope and joy in Tilly’s eyes.

  Nodding my head, I smile. “I’m done. Greg and I came to an arrangement.”

  “What’s that?” Tilly yells excitedly.

  “Well, Greg, our current photo editor, was looking to retire. When I told him why I was leaving, he felt like it was time to pull the trigger. I was offered his position and accepted.”

  “What does that mean? Won’t you need to relocate?”

  “That is the greatest part—I can work remotely, anywhere. I can stay here, still working with a job I love, without having to leave you all of the time. Greg already had two new photographers lined up, but since I am going to be busy transitioning to his role, another photographer is responsible for any field training with them.”

  “Oh. My. God. Jax. This is perfect! I am so happy. This is actually happening.” Tilly is practically vibrating with excitement.

  “It is, and I have one more surprise for you.”

  “I am not sure I can handle much more. This is already so much.”

  “One last one. On my way from Japan to the Maldives, I ended up having a day layover in Shanghai. While there, I did a little sightseeing and wandered into a shop. In this shop, a man approached me and started talking to me about being able to see how in love I am. I briefly mentioned to him about us. He began to tell me about an old Chinese folklore—the Red Thread of Fate. Basically, the idea is there is an invisible red thread wrapped around my finger that leads to my one true love—you. After telling me his story, he showed me some items. And well, when I saw it, I knew it was perfect.”

  I shift off the bed to kneel on one knee in front of her, presenting a small red box with gold engraving. “I know I have already proposed, but still, you deserve to be presented with the ring properly.” I open the box to show her a white gold band. It has a rose gold looking rope wrapped around it, with a diamond sitting center.

  “Oh my god, Jax, it is perfect. I absolutely love it. Yes, I still want to marry you.”

  Chapter 37

  Matilda

  Finally, Thanksgiving is here and I can’t wait. I am dying to wear my ring. We decided to hold off, until we make the official announcements today. Scott has been here all week, pretty much doing a majority of the cooking. Jax has helped as well. He ended up convincing Scott to allow him to brine the turkey, something he saw on one of those cooking shows. Seeing those two in the kitchen yesterday and today has been amusing. They talk like an old married couple.

  The doorbell rings. I get up to answer it. “Hey, Scar, come on in.” I invited Scarlett to join us for Thanksgiving. We have been talking more and she is really awesome. Also, I felt bad knowing she is new to town with no family. The thought of her sitting alone at her bed and breakfast was too depressing.

  “Thanks for having me over. Here, I made a pie. Okay, that is a lie. I bought it.” I can tell she is a little nervous.

  “Thank you, Scar. Let me go set it on the counter,” I say, leading her into the kitchen.

  Everyone is here—Jax, my brothers, Letty, and Scarlett. It is weird not having mom and dad here, but we all promised to not let it bring us down. Robbie is sitting at the head of the table this year, on turkey-carving duty. We decided, since he was the oldest, the responsibility has passed to him.

  After everyone has dished up their plates, we start a round of saying what we are thankful for, making sure that Jax and I are last. When it finally comes around to us, Jax goes first. “Well, this year what I am most thankful for… is that Tilly agreed to marry me.” I quickly slide on my ring and show everyone my hand.

  “Oh my god, congratulations!” Letty immediately leans over to give me a big hug.

  “Not cool, man,” Scott interjects as all of the celebration ceases. Jax raises an eyebrow to him, wondering what his issue is. “I just always figured you would ask my permission, you know? Or at least include me on some elaborate scheme to propose.”

  The table breaks out in laughter. “Sorry, man. We had the perfect moment and I was not going to pass it up.” Everyone resumes their congratulations and I shake with nervousness.

  “Well, that is going to be hard to top,” I joke, “but this year, I am thankful to become a mother.” Now, everyone is silent and staring at me. This is probably a lot to take in, especially since we just announced the engagement. The only one smiling (besides Jax) is Jake, since he already knew. But time to blow his mind. “Well, I guess more accurately, I am thankful to become a mother… twice.” I hold up the ultrasound photo we got yesterday showing both babies. Now Jake’s jaw drops.

  Letty is the first one to come back to reality. “Oh my god, I am going to be an aunt! They are going to love me the most.”

  Jake coughs to interject Letty’s comment. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves now, Letty. I am going to be the best uncle and godfather. Not to mention I am the coolest of this lot. They will definitely love me the most.”

  Scott and Robbie sit there, tense. I give them a pointed look, challenging either of them to make a negative comment. Scott is the first to surrender, throwing his hands up in the air. “Look, I’m not going to say I am not excited to become an uncle—which we already know I will be the godfather, by the way, Jake. But this is a lot, Tilly.”

  “What we are concerned about is how this is going to work?” Robbie interjects with his poker face; the one that always seems to make me uncomfortable.

  “Well, I’m not sure on the specifics of the whole process but I am reading some books. I am sure when the time comes, my body will know what to do naturally.”

  “No.” Robbie shakes his head and shivers in disgust. “What is the plan? You live here with Jake. You run a shop. Jax travels for long periods of time with his job. One baby is enough work, but two… How are you going to manage this?”

  Jax takes my hand. “Seriously, Robbie? You really think I wouldn’t take care of Tilly or our babies?”
>
  “No, no one is saying that.” Scott tries to deescalate the situation. “But Robbie has maybe… a miniscule point. Have you guys figured out how this will work? I mean, obviously we will all help. But it is a lot.”

  “I will admit we still have some logistics to figure out, but Tilly will not be alone.” Jax raises my hand and kisses it. “I guess I have one more thing to be thankful for… in that case. I have a new job.”

  “What, really?” Scott slaps him on the back. “Why didn’t you tell me? Dude, seriously, you are sucking as a best friend recently with all this not-telling-me shit.”

  Jax chuckles. “It is very recent. I am still working for the magazine but I took over as photo editor. It is not only a promotion, which still includes travel vouchers as an employee benefit, but I also get to work remotely. Traveling will be super rare… if ever.”

  “Holy shit, that is amazing. I am so happy for you.” Scott is clearly excited that his best friend is coming home.

  We all look to Robbie, who smiles. “Congratulations, man. Sorry for being a hardass, but you get it, right?”

  Jax nods. “I get it, no hard feelings.”

  “So how far along are you?” Scar inquires, now that the family drama is over. I feel a little bad. That must have been awkward for her.

  “Not far. They estimate about ten weeks.”

  “Oh my god, I am so excited. We need to start planning the baby shower,” Letty says, looking at Scarlett before turning back to me. “When is your due date?"

  "June 26th. But with twins, it could be earlier from what I read. But then again, because this is my first pregnancy, it could be later. Honestly, the books on the subject are super confusing. There is really no definitive information. It is all speculative.”