Bound Together

by Lydia Rose

  “Can you take a picture and send it to me?” Jessica asked.

  “I don’t know. Hold on.” Taylor asked the nurse through the glass if she could snap a picture. The nurse nodded and Taylor snapped off a picture. “It’s on the way, Jess.”

  “Let me grab my iPad.” Jessica opened the picture and made it bigger to get a better look. “She does have your eyes. I’m sure you’ll make beautiful babies too, Taylor.”

  Taylor laughed. “Have you been talking with my dad?”

  “Excuse me?” Jessica asked not understanding.

  “He was just saying the same thing a few minutes ago, but I explained I’m forty years old and it’s too late.”

  “It’s not too late, Taylor.”

  “Funny. My eggs are shriveling up as we speak.” She began to walk back to Karen’s room. “I’ll let you get back to work. Is it okay if I call you tonight?”

  “Yes.”

  Taylor pushed open the room door and walked right over to Karen. “She’s beautiful, Karen. Rose has your eyes.”

  “They are your eyes too, Tay,” she chuckled. “Dad gave them to us,” she said looking at her father.

  A nurse came into the room. “Your company is going to have to leave now so you can feed the baby.”

  “Go home and get some rest. You and dad spent most of the night and day here. I’ll be home tomorrow.” Karen kissed all the cheeks that were offered before they left.

  CHAPTER 29

  The family walked into the house and Andrea Jamison walked toward the kitchen to start dinner. “Do you want help, Mom?” Taylor asked following her mother.

  “Go change and relax by the pool, Taylor.” Her mother waved her off.

  Taylor walked into the spare room with her suitcase and unpacked. A pair of shorts and t-shirt were now on her body as she went back to the kitchen for something to drink. A glass of iced tea was already waiting for her when she returned to the kitchen. “Thanks, Mom,” she said picking up the glass and walking out the back door. Her father was already outside when Taylor made her way outside. “So how is business, Dad?” she asked taking her seat next to her father.

  “Good. Chad is very good at getting us new clients. He has built great relationships with the agents in the area.”

  “You are still doing family law?” Taylor asked looking at her father who didn’t seem to age. His grey hair and tall slender body reminded her of when she was a teenager.

  “I am, and down here there are plenty of elderly people who need guidance,” he said chuckling.

  “I’m happy it’s all working out.” Taylor picked up her tea and took a sip.

  “What about you? How is your business?” he asked as any concerned father would.

  “We are doing well, Dad. The new software we have should be ready to be released shortly and the accounting software is still selling well.”

  “So, your business life is taking off and now it seems that your personal life is coming together too.”

  “It is, Dad, but I’m concerned that it just seems too good to be true,” Taylor offered easily.

  “You deserve everything that you worked hard for, Taylor. Tell me about her?” Sam asked turning in his seat.

  Taylor let out a breath. “Jess is everything I’ve ever looked for in a partner. I was an idiot and almost let her get away. Mom was right that I jumped to conclusions.” Taylor laughed. “Don’t tell her I said that.”

  “Don’t worry, honey. This conversation is between us. What does she do?”

  “Jess is in advertising. She just started in a new firm.”

  “Is that where you met her?” he asked, interested.

  Taylor couldn’t tell her father about her first meeting with Jessica. So instead she said, “I met her at the firm that did the work for my accounting software. Jess worked for that firm, but left shortly after that.”

  “Did she leave because of your relationship?”

  “Yes and no. She wasn’t happy there and they didn’t want her dating a client.” Taylor shrugged. “Jess says she’s very happy at the new firm.”

  Sam patted his daughter’s hand. “I’m sure she is.” Her father knew there was more to this story, but he didn’t push. He knew when his daughter was ready to talk about it, she would.

  After dinner, her father disappeared into his office to do some work. Taylor and her mother sat in the living room drinking coffee. “Are you ready to tell me about Jessica?”

  Taylor let out a sigh. “Jess is everything I could ever ask for in a woman,” she said quickly.

  “Is it serious with you two?” Andrea asked watching her daughter’s face.

  “I am very serious about our relationship. I hope Jess still is,” she said softly.

  “She is giving you another chance so I would say she is.” Andrea chuckled at her words. Taylor just nodded. “Do you have a picture?”

  Taylor picked up her phone and went to the photo gallery. Finding the picture of the two of them at April and Ann’s house, she handed the phone to her mother.

  “Oh my, Taylor. She is very beautiful and I can tell from her face that she is in love with you.”

  “That was two weeks before we…” Taylor paused, “before I jumped to conclusions.” She tried to hold her emotions in check.

  “What did you do?” Andrea finally asked.

  “Her ex-girlfriend came back into her life. I thought Jess wanted to get back together with her.” Taylor sighed. “Jess let her stay with her and I was furious.”

  “Is the woman still living with her?” her mother asked softly as she reached for Taylor’s hand.

  Taylor shook her head. “Jess told her to leave and to not come back.”

  “That has to mean something, Taylor. Jess wasn’t willing to lose you over her ex.” Taylor nodded her head. “If you love her, you have to trust her. I’m going to give you the advice that my mother gave me.” Andrea smiled at her daughter. “Communication is the most important thing if you want a lifetime of love. Don’t get angry and let it fester. Talk to each other. If you can do that, you will be as happy as I’ve been with your dad.”

  “I won’t make that mistake again with Jess. I’ll talk to her before I just assume.”

  Andrea stood up. “I’m sure you will. Now go call your gal. I’m sure she is waiting for your call.”

  Taylor looked at the clock on the wall and went to her contacts.

  Jessica felt her phone buzz in her pocket. She pulled out the phone and accepted the call. “Hi. Can you hold a sec?” Jessica looked at the three women at the table. “Sorry, but I’ve got to take this call.” She walked into the kitchen for privacy.

  “If this is a bad time, Jess, you can call me back.”

  “No, it’s okay. I’m having dinner with my friends Alison, Eve and a friend of theirs.”

  Taylor laughed. “Oh, it’s a set up.”

  Jessica wrinkled her brows. “Uh, no.” Then she thought about how Nancy sat close to her on the couch before dinner and seemed very interested in everything she said. “Shit,” she mumbled into the phone.

  Taylor laughed again. “It just hit you?”

  “Yeah, I had no idea. Taylor, I’m not interested in her.” Jessica’s breathing seemed labored. “They are going to ask who I was talking to,” she said almost in a whisper.

  “Don’t be rude, Jess. You can’t hurt the girl’s feelings.”

  “Yeah, but I’m not interested in anyone but you,” her voice raised, but she lowered it again. “You have to believe me.”

  “Honey, I believe you. Do Alison and Eve know you and I broke up?”

  “Yeah,” she answered. “I was going to tell them tonight that we got back together.”

  “If they ask who you were talking to, just say it was me. I doubt they will ask any questions because they won’t want the woman to feel bad.”

  Jessica blew out a long breath. “Phew. I just hope she doesn’t hit me.” She took a breath. “Can I call you when this nightmare is over tonight? Of co
urse, if it’s not too late.”

  “Call me whenever you get home. I don’t have to be up too early tomorrow.”

  “Okay. I’ll speak with you later.”

  “Bye.”

  Jessica shoved her phone into her pocket and walked back toward the dining room. “Sorry,” she said taking her seat.

  “Who was that?” Alison asked.

  “Taylor,” Jessica answered picking up her coffee cup which had gone cold. She caught the look between Alison and Eve and as Taylor had said, not another word was said about the call.

  “Taylor?” Eve asked and then closed her mouth.

  “It is getting late,” Nancy said already out of her seat. “Thank you both for dinner.” She looked at Jessica. “It was nice meeting you.”

  “You too, Nancy.” Jessica began to carry the dessert dishes into the kitchen.

  Alison walked Nancy to the door and Eve said through gritted teeth, “Put that down. I want to know why you are talking to Taylor.”

  Jessica took her seat again. “We are dating again.”

  “You’re going back to her? I thought she broke up with you and didn’t give you the benefit of the doubt.” Eve watched as Alison came back into the room. “She’s dating Taylor again.”

  “It was all my fault. I pushed her away when Robin came back.” Her head lowered in shame. “She had every right to walk away from me.”

  “So, she took you back?” Alison asked taking her seat.

  “Yeah. I told her Robin is out of my life and I mean it this time.”

  “Well, that’s good,” Eve said. “Why didn’t you tell us?”

  “I was going to tonight. I didn’t know you were going to try and set me up.” Her hands came up and shrugged. She looked at Alison. “Please apologize to her for me.”

  “I’ll explain what happened when I get to work tomorrow.” Alison was now smiling. “Does Taylor know you’re in love with her?”

  Jessica nodded. “She knew before we broke up that I loved her. I hope she still believes that.”

  Alison reached for her hand. “You will just have to prove it to her.”

  “I hate to leave you with this mess, but I promised to call Taylor before she went to bed.” Jessica hugged her friends. “Thank you for inviting me to dinner.”

  “Keep us posted with Taylor.”

  “I will.”

  CHAPTER 30

  “Hello,” a groggy voice said into the phone.

  “I’m sorry. You’re asleep. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” Taylor almost pressed the button when a voice stopped her.

  “Don’t hang up. I said I would call you, but it was late and I thought you might be asleep,” Jessica said sitting up. She had walked into her apartment and saw that it was eleven thirty. As much as she wanted to speak with Taylor, she didn’t want to wake her up.

  “No, I wanted to hear your voice before I went to sleep.” Taylor heard the gasp on the other end of the phone. “Did everything go okay with the dinner?” she asked picking a safer topic to discuss.

  “It did and you were right. No one said anything while Nancy was still there.” Jessica tried to stifle her yawn. “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. I know you have work tomorrow. How about we continue this conversation tomorrow evening?”

  “Okay.”

  “Karen is bringing the baby home tomorrow so I’ll be spending most of my day at her house. I’ll call you tomorrow evening and I promise it will be earlier.” Taylor didn’t hear a comment and wondered if Jessica had fallen asleep. “Jess, are you there?”

  “I’m here. I’m just getting sleepy hearing your voice in my ear.”

  Taylor chuckled. “Are you telling me I’m boring and putting you to sleep?”

  “No. I just love the sound of your voice. Especially when you are speaking softly.” Jessica let out a long sigh. “You have no idea what your voice does to me when you whisper in my ear.”

  Taylor felt her stomach clench as the pinch in her heart began. “Are you trying to have phone sex with me?”

  “No, but that’s not a bad idea.”

  “Yes, it is a bad idea. My parent’s room is right next door to mine.”

  “What’s the matter? You don’t want them hearing you scream my name?” Jessica asked laughing.

  “Well, that’s debatable that I would do that when you aren’t even in the room.”

  “Do you want to test out that theory?” Jessica’s voice was low and sexy.

  Taylor knew if she touched herself, she would find herself wet with want. “I think this is my cue to say good night.”

  “You’re no fun, Taylor,” Jessica said joking.

  “I’ll show you how much fun I can be when I get home,” Taylor said laughing.

  “Promise?” Jessica asked almost panting.

  “Promise, Jess.”

  *

  Taylor spent the day at her sister’s house holding her niece. She and her mother fought over who would hold the baby and Karen only took charge when it was time to nurse. “You two are driving me crazy,” Karen said cradling the baby in her arms. “Taylor, go with Chad to pick up some food for dinner. Dad will be here soon.”

  “Are you trying to get rid of me?” Taylor asked with a smirk.

  “Yes. Now go away and take mom with you.”

  “I’m not going,” Andrea Jamison answered quickly.

  Taylor stood and walked over to Chad. “Can we get Chinese food?” she asked glancing at her mother and sister.

  “Fine,” Karen answered, waving her sister away.

  No sooner had the pair left the house, than the cellphone on the coffee table began to ring. “It’s Jess,” Karen said looking at her mother. “Should I answer?” Andrea shrugged before Karen hit the accept button. “Hello,” she said with a smile in her voice.

  “Hi, Taylor. Thought I’d try you since I just left work. How’s it going down there?” Jessica now listened to laughing on the other end of the line.

  “Jess, this is Karen. Taylor’s sister.”

  “Wow. You sound just like her.”

  “Yes, but I’m prettier than she is,” she said with a chuckle. “Say hello to your future mother-in-law.”

  Mother-in-law? Jessica swallowed hard. This was not how she planned on meeting Taylor’s family. “Hello, Mrs. Jamison. I’m happy to meet you.”

  “Dear, please call me Andrea and don’t let Karen scare you away by what she just said.”

  Jessica tried to calm herself. “I’ll try. Is Taylor there?”

  “She went with Chad to pick up dinner,” Andrea offered before Karen could interrupt.

  “She will be back soon,” Karen said leaning toward the phone. “Let’s get to know you in the meantime. So, how did you two meet?”

  Jessica wondered what Taylor had said and tried to stay with the truth. “We met at a club.” Jessica couldn’t see the look that Karen and Andrea had shared. “She was leaning up against a wall where I was standing and we started talking.”

  “My sister the wallflower,” Karen said laughing, then added, “I thought she met you at your job?”

  “We really didn’t share names at the club so I didn’t see her again until she walked into our offices. I wouldn’t have known her except for those gorgeous eyes of hers,” Jessica laughed. “Taylor didn’t recognize me because my eyes are not distinctive like hers.”

  “My sister is usually very good with faces.” Then it hit Karen what Jessica was insinuating. “Were you both wearing masks?”

  Shit. I’ve said too much. “Kind of,” she answered.

  “What was it, a masquerade?”

  “Uh, something like that.” Jessica could feel her palms getting moist. Abort now. “Would you let Taylor know I called and she can call me back when she gets a chance? It was nice to meet you both and congratulations on the baby, she’s beautiful. Good night.” Jessica quickly hit the end button.

  Karen looked at her mother. “What was that all about?”

  “I have no id
ea, but there is more to that story,” Andrea said laughing.

  Taylor and Chad returned with the food and Karen followed her into the kitchen. “Why didn’t you tell us that you first met Jessica in a club?” Karen asked whispering in her ear. She saw Taylor tense up with her question.

  “Uh. What are you talking about?” she asked not looking at her sister.

  “Jessica called while you were out.” A grin formed on her face. “She said you met in a club before you met her at work.”

  “Did she also tell you that we never shared names? I wasn’t there that long because one of my friends got sick.” Taylor continued to empty the packages from the bag.

  “You also had masks on.” Jessica turned her sister so she faced her. “What kind of club was this where you were wearing masks?”

  Taylor’s jaw opened and closed without speaking a word. “Uh, the usual kind.”

  “Usual kind? I know I’ve been married awhile, but I never went to a club where you wore masks.”

  Chad walked into the kitchen. “Your dad is here and I’m starving.”

  Luckily the interruption ended the conversation, but Taylor knew that her sister wouldn’t let this one go.

  Taylor and her parents left Karen’s home early in the evening. Her dad wished them good night when they walked into their house. “Sit down, Taylor,” her mother said and Taylor sat down in the living room. “Jessica sounds very nice.” She looked at Taylor. “I’m sure Karen told you she called.” She nodded her head and her mother continued. “I can tell you’re in love with her because when you talk about her it is written all over your face.” Andrea smiled. “Does she feel the same way?”

  “I think so. I thought she did before we broke up and we are going to have to take this time around slowly.”

  “Are you worried about her breaking your heart?”

  “Wouldn’t you?”

  “I’m sure she feels the same way. You can’t fall in love without taking a risk. If she’s worth it, take the risk, Taylor.” Her hand came out and clutched Taylor’s hand. “Don’t wait too long for us to meet her.”

  “I’ll try, Mom.” Taylor watched as her mother got up from the couch.

  “I’m beat. Taking care of an infant is a lot of work,” she smiled. “But so worth it. Good night, sweetie.”