by T. J. West
“I guess I’ll be looking forward to that one day soon,” June remarks.
“Times two,” I reply.
She groans, “Please, shoot me now.”
“At least with this one, I’ll be dealing with a non-middle leg.” I pat my oversized watermelon of a belly.
“It’ll be great adding a girl to the group again. Boys are overrated.” June snickers then takes a sip of her coffee.
I guess this is a good time as any to tell June my little secret. “Speaking of girls, we came up with a name.”
Her eyes widen. “Oh, do tell!”
“Addison Junith.”
She gasps. “Wow.” Then as if it hits her even harder, she covers her mouth and repeats herself. “Oh wow!” Her eyes glaze over and I can tell she’s about ready to cry. “Awesome,” she whispers. A little lone tear escapes, but she wipes it away as fast as it appeared. “You know she’s gonna grow up hating her middle name.” She wipes another tear away with a napkin.
“Tough shit.” I reach for June’s hand. “Junith is the most beautiful and strongest person I know, so she’ll just have to deal with it.”
“Thank you,” she tells me in a thick voice. I can’t help but release a few tears myself. Having my baby girl be named after my best friend is important to me. I’m so happy June likes the thought of her niece carrying her name. Once our little crying fest is over with, June says, “Onto another subject. Is, uh, you know, the party…” She let’s her sentence linger so Lucas won’t accidentally hear what we are discussing—his surprise birthday party.
“It’s all set and ready for tomorrow.”
“Sweet!” she replies excitedly. “I’ve also got Monica and her girlfriend helping with the kiddies.” Monica is June’s assistant and the girlfriend is someone Monica’s involved with.
“Perfect.”
BECOMING A FATHER AFFECTED MY entire existence. While Faith was pregnant, I was terrified of being a dad to such a tiny, helpless person, but once I held my Ax man in my arms for the first time, everything changed. Not once have I thought What if I screw my son up? What if I become an asshole of a father? What if’s went out the window the second Axel took his first breath. I knew I’d never be like my addict of a mother or the father I never knew. I was going to teach my son everything I didn’t know when I was a young boy. I was going to show him what it felt like to have a family who loved him unconditionally, and most importantly, I was going to be the father who taught him about life.
Two years have come and gone in a flash. Axel is a walking, talking, shitting, farting, and hilarious two-year-old. He may look and act like me, but he’s got his mother’s eyes. Besides my wife, Axel is the next best thing that’s ever happened to me. Not only have I vowed to teach him things, such as how to piss in the toilet, he’s taught me how to be a better man, how to laugh and to be grateful for the little things in life. He’s my hero.
Now, Faith and I are expecting our second baby—a girl this time. If I was scared to have Axel, having a girl doesn’t compare. What the fuck am I gonna do when my baby girl is sixteen and a boy comes knocking on the door to take her out? Do I ram his jaw into the ground or stare him down and give him the dad talk? I can tell you right now that no one will ever be good enough for my little girl.
Faith, Axel, and I just got home from a quiet dinner for my birthday. Since everyone is pretty busy with their new lives and raising kids, getting together for parties and such isn’t happening as much. It was a nice night with my amazing family, but I wish the whole band could’ve made it. Wayne and their son, Zane, are with Melody on her tour. They’ve been on the road for a month. I miss the big turd, but he’s supporting his wife and taking care of their son. I can’t wait to get back into the studio with the guys once Mel’s tour is completed. Since I have a big ass house now, I installed my very own studio. It’s a fucking dream to have. No more going downtown. Instead we get to record in the comfort of my own home. Plus it gives June’s new bands longer hours at her studio.
Stuffed from dinner and dessert, Axel walks in the middle of me and Faith, holding our hands as we head to the front door. After I unlock the top lock and enter, the lights from inside the foyer blind me followed by a loud, “Surprise!”
Holy fuck me!
Once I get my bearings, I realize that the entire room is filled with all of my friends and family. “Whoa! Holy fuck.” I don’t catch my cussing in time in front of my son and am frankly too surprised to even care. This is unreal.
I feel the soft lips of my wife on my cheek. “Happy birthday, rock star,” she quietly tells me in my ear.
Looking down at Faith, who now has Axel in her arms, she is beaming with this beautiful smile on her face. I’ll never get tired of it. The tears shining in her eyes tell me how much she loves me and how much this day means to her. The clapping and hollering from everyone has my son doing the same thing. I love seeing him so damn happy.
How did I get so lucky?
I kiss Faith then kiss Axel on his forehead. “Damn…thanks baby, this is incredible.” I’m overwhelmed with happiness then tell the small crowd, “Thanks everyone. I’m definitely surprised.”
One by one, people from the music industry come up to me and shake my hand, wishing me a happy birthday. Some of them I haven’t seen in a year or so. After saying my thanks to a rather large amount of acquaintances, Faith leads me into our living room where the place is decorated with silver and black balloons; this is where I’m able to relax with my close friends.
“Happy birthday, bro. Drink up.” Danny hands me a glass of whiskey. Slowly, I take a sip and savor the taste when I’m approached by Wayne. I’m pleasantly surprised to see he was able to get away from the tour.
“Mel wanted me to wish you a happy birthday,” Wayne says.
“Thanks, man. Really glad you could make it. How’s Melody’s tour?”
“Pretty fucking great. She puts on a kickass show every night. The fans love her,” he shares proudly and excitedly.
“Zane does okay on the bus?”
“Hell yeah. He’s already a fucking pro at it. But I have to admit, it’ll be nice once we’re all back in the house next month. You know how it is traveling with a baby?” I nod my head in response. “Well it’s ten times crazier with a two-year-old.”
“I hear ya, brother.” I laugh then take another sip of whiskey.
After catching up with Wayne and other random people, Gary quiets down the room. Helene stands beside him dressed in a gold, sparkly pantsuit, with her blonde hair twisted in a high bun on top of her head, holding a glass of champagne. She never seems to go easy on her appearance; always dressed to the nines, never a hair out of place, and makeup perfectly painted on her face.
Gary begins. “First off, I’d like to say happy birthday, Lucky. Having you as my son-in-law and the father of my grandson, I am one proud man. You give our family and this group of talented, devoted friends a reason to celebrate. You’re loyal to the very core of your heart and never miss a beat when it comes to music.” His speech is touching, but what happens next is the biggest surprise yet. On the other side of my father-in-law is a tall picture stand with a sheet covered something that has me most curious. What’s going here? Gary continues. “As your producer, as your friend, and as your father, congratulations on going gold, son.” He then unravels the sheet from said something, and what stands before me is JINKS’s first produced album set in gold. “And congratulations to JINKS.”
I’m sure the shock on my face hasn’t gone unnoticed. Everyone in the room is cheering for me and my guys on this amazing accomplishment. Damn… JINKS has gone gold! I walk up to the gold record and just stare at it. It’s fucking beautiful and shiny. “This is, uh… This is… Shit, I don’t even know what to say.” I laugh. “I’m truly speechless and honored. On behalf of myself and the guys, thank you.” Gary and I shake hands, but he pulls me into a hug that is more than just a hug from a friend. He hugs me like a father would their own son. I guess that’s w
hat we are to each other. Gary said it in his own words. He’s my dad in every sense of the word.
While still admiring the gold record, Jet Master plants himself next to me. “You rock, dude, congrats. This is huge for your career.” He pats my shoulder then clinks his bottle of beer against my whiskey glass.
This guy has been my mentor and idol since the beginning of my career. He’s been a huge part of my life in the last few years. I love him like a brother. “You have no idea what that means to me. Thanks Jet.”
“I believe I do.” And no doubt he does.
Shortly after, I take a seat on our enormous gray sectional sofa with my family and close friends. The sofa takes up half of the entire room and is the main the focus, including our mounted wall TV. Faith and I wanted something comfortable and inviting, making our guests feel at home. We have a theater room and a library, but this living room is fucking sweet.
“Next on the agenda…” June gets our attention. She’s excited about something and when she gets excited nothing can stop her. Not even Phillip who has this wide grin on his face. I can see him chuckling under his breath when he takes a drink of his wine. He knows his wife way too well to make her stop. Phillip and I may never become best buddies, but he’s okay in my book. He’s proven to me over and over that he’s not going anywhere and will always love his family through good and the bad. Can’t hate a guy like that. June continues. “Not only has JINKS gone gold, but Whiskey Falls’s new song, “Road to Forever”, has hit number one in America. I believe you’re ready for the big league tours. What do you say, fellas?”
Wow. This birthday just keeps getting better and better. All the surprises that have been bottled up are now spilling over like a unicorn shitting rainbows.
Justin and I finally took our songs and made an album with BT2090. It was meant to be I guess. I look to Justin. “Damn, Justin, what the hell did we get ourselves into?” I chuckle.
He smiles and shakes his head. “I don’t know, but it seems everyone is rootin’ for us to get on the road.”
Not sure with the baby coming and all that I want to go on tour right now. I’ll ask Faith what she thinks. I can sense my wife is tired with the way she’s leaning her head against my shoulder. Almost time to put her to bed. “Baby, what do you think?”
She looks up at me with her tired smile. “You know I’ll stand behind you on any decision.” It’s just like her to support me on anything. I seriously don’t know what I’d do without her. She’s my rock.
Yet, I know she’d rather I stay home when the baby arrives. “We’ll think about it, June.”
“Hey, no rush guys. More local venues in the meantime.”
“Sounds good.”
Most of the guests have dispersed around the house; music is playing in the background and the atmosphere has become somewhat quiet and relaxed. I notice that Axel is nowhere in sight, but Faith explains to me that June’s assistant and her girlfriend have come to take care of the kids. Those are good people. It’s nice to see my wife at ease and having this small break from motherhood.
Still enjoying the mood, Danny quietly brings up, “Came up with a new song today. Thought maybe we could work on it this week?”
“Sweet, bro. I’m up for it.” Creating lyrics and making it come to life with sound is indescribable. Ain’t nothin’ like it in this world.
“Same here,” Wayne says.
All our women decide to go and check on the kids, so that leaves just me and my guys. Once the girls are out of sight, Slim announces, “I’m gonna ask Lyric to marry me.” All eyes suddenly turn to him. It’s taken a long time for Slim to get to this point in his life. He and Lyric have taken things slow and at their own speed. Gotta respect them for that.
Wayne is flippin’ crazy excited. “Congrats my man! Finally gettin’ that ball and chain. Fucking awesome.”
“‘Bout time you make an honest woman outta her,” Jason quietly mentions with a grin on his face. He slowly pulls a drink of his beer.
“Needed time to get my shit together,” Slim says in his defense.
“What shit? Should’ve asked her two years ago.”
“Shut the fuck up, Jason. We weren’t ready.”
Jason grunts. “Guess you needed time to grow up some more. Couldn’t agree more.”
“Whatev, dude.”
Jason will always treat Slim and Wayne like little brothers. He’s only ever wanted to see them grow up and be responsible. So to have that finally happen, I can sense Jason is proud and beaming inside.
“It’s great, Slim. Happy for ya,” I tell him.
It feels like heaven, lying in bed in the dark with my very pregnant wife after a long evening, celebrating my birthday with great people. “Thanks for tonight, baby.” As she cuddles her beautiful belly close to mine, I breathe in her hair. It smells like coconut and white sand beaches.
She kisses my chest, which sends chills down my spine. “Did you have a good time?”
“Abso-fucking-lutely. Everyone I love and care about was here.”
Faith sits up from laying down; the moonlight cascades inside the window giving her a glow all around her, along with the dark tresses of her hair which flow over and below her big tits. Faith’s name fits my wife. She’s an angel and is fucking exquisite. Even more so pregnant. “Everyone who came to celebrate loves and cares about you too. You’re one special man, Lucas Jones. I’m so grateful to be your wife.” She places her petite hand on my face, grazing her thumb along my cheek.
“We’ve come a long way, haven’t we? A story worth reading, if you ask me.”
“A story we can read over and over again. I like that.” She bends down and kisses me. “What would you name our story if it were to be written?”
“Forbidden Faith.”
Nuzzling her nose along my jawline she seductively says, “Hmm… Sounds intriguing.”
“Ends with, Forever Faith.”
Her head pops up followed by a huge smile planted on her bowtie lips. “A happily ever after?”
I lazily play with her hair, making my way to her oversized, perky nipples. “You know it, baby.”
She moans from my touch, which instantly causes my dick to become hard. “Kiss me, rock star. Let’s happily end today’s story, for tomorrow begins a new chapter.”
How can I turn down her sexy request? I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure every chapter in her life is filled with happy times. Faith is my road to forever.
THE END
Other series by T.J. West
The Rain Series
November Rain - book 1
Purple Rain - book 2
Rain Street - book 3
Downtown Series
Forbidden Faith - book 1
Judging June - book 1.5
Harmony’s Healing - book 2
My Melody - book 3
Lasting Lyric - book 4
Releasing Rhythm - book 5
Also by T.J.West, in another pen name: Tiffany Janine
Falling for Words Series
Chasing Paige
Getting this novella out for all my readers has been a struggle. In the last year, my life hasn’t been what I thought it would be. I’ve had a lot of downs and many times I thought I wouldn’t finish Forever Faith. It took a lot of months to get back on track and to finally give my readers—YOU—the book you all deserved. Making you wait for the ending of this series, that pretty much started my fan base, has not been easy. I pushed and pushed through until I felt good enough to end this series on a good note. I’m so glad I didn’t force anything. I took my time, thanks to everyone who gave me words of wisdom and understood my reasons for delaying this story. So with that, I want to thank every single devoted reader who has given me and this amazing journey of books a chance. I really don’t believe I’d have finished Forever Faith if it weren’t for the readers.
Loredana: My amazing editor and friend. Your expertise has been very helpful in my storytelling and writing. Thank you for going down
this road with me.
Toby: Thank you for being an incredible proofreader. I can always count on you when I need another set of eyes. It’s been so helpful. I truly appreciate the time you put in for me.
Teri Kay (my partner in crime): Thank you for sticking by me. Your friendship means the world to me.
Dawn Sullivan: You’ve been up and down this battle with me from the beginning. When I needed a virtual shoulder to cry on, you were always there. I love you.
Amber: What would I do without you and our coffee dates? I will always treasure our talks.
My kids, Joey and Raquel: The light of my life. My reason for living. I couldn’t and wouldn’t be who I am if it weren’t for you. I love you more than anything in this world.
My Cowboy: Your love has inspired my writing. Your support has helped me continue writing. Your encouragement and your enthusiasm has made me beyond happy to no end. When you say you’re proud of me, I feel proud of myself, and the accomplishment of being an author, and person. I’m me and you accept that. Thank you for being my rock, my road to forever.
Tiffany is a mother of two amazing kids, a lover of reading, watching tons of ridiculous TV shows, has a passion for designing book covers, and anything to do with designing on the computer. She has a love/hate relationship with bread when going out to eat, is a dreamer of exotic islands, would love to travel to faraway places, such as the Caribbean or Australia, and can be a bit crazy when it comes to Fireball Whiskey, but mainly, Margaritas are her go to drink.
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads
Website
Instagram - Authortjwest
Snapchat - Authortiffanyjw