Bring Me Back Here

by A. M. Guilliams

  Gentry appeared behind me with a huge smile on his face as he nodded for me to go inside. His hands were placed in his back pockets, and I wondered if she’d already sent him pictures of the room.

  I opened the door and gasped at the sight.

  I noticed the ceiling first.

  White, fluffy clouds covered the whole top of the room.

  She’d painted the wall opposite of the door and the wall to the left entirely. More than I thought she would do. I was only expecting her to paint the wall the crib would be placed on. Not both walls.

  Pastel colors covered both walls. A tree was painted in the corner of the room. The branches spread out on both walls. The top branch ended just above the window. She’d given me just what I asked and then some. The tree had a swing on the wall to the left of the space.

  Chickens, cows, ducks, and horses filled walls along with a barn that was painted right above the crib. The barn door was open with a horse peering out looking like it was watching over the baby that would sit inside the crib. Horses grazed in the field along with a couple of cows just like I’d asked. A pond where ducks swam was on the other side of the window. She’d done so much more than I asked.

  She even situated the furniture just where I’d pictured it would go.

  “This is more beautiful than I imagined it would be,” I said as Gentry came around to kneel in front of me.

  He lifted my blouse and kissed the tight skin of my stomach.

  “Your room is so perfect. It’ll be even more perfect once you’re inside of it. I can’t wait to meet you, little one,” he whispered to my stomach.

  He rested his head on my stomach, and I caressed his scalp as I tried to picture this room filled with toys and our little one.

  Moments later he stood and pulled me into his arms.

  “Thank you for giving me this. Thank you for loving me. I can’t wait until this baby is born,” he said as he rested his forehead against mine.

  Damn hormones had me crying in no time.

  Especially when he said such sweet things like what he just did.

  “No tears. This is a happy day,” he said as he wiped them away.

  “They’re happy tears. I never thought I’d have this again, and I can’t picture my life any different than it is right now,” I told him honestly.

  “You deserve this. We both do. Never doubt that.”

  With him by my side, it was hard for me to doubt anything. My fears had lessened, but they were still there. Day by day they faded a little more.

  CHAPTER 26

  Ainsleigh

  T he baby’s room was officially complete. Aspen and I spent countless hours making sure all the finishing touches were placed. We ordered several items we found online, and I swore I’d drive Gentry nuts with each item I continued to buy, but he seemed excited to have each piece arrive just as much as I did. I couldn’t believe we were this prepared with two more months left to go. The first time he felt the baby kick a few weeks ago we both cried. Now I longed for each movement he or she made. Even if it was to my bladder which seemed to be every five minutes. I’d never take any kick or punch this little one gave me for granted. No matter how uncomfortable I got at night, I welcomed each and every one.

  Today Aspen and I decided to follow Dylan and Gentry into town. Dylan was helping Gentry with picking up some items for the ranch, while Aspen and I decided to enjoy lunch at a sandwich shop and go window shopping.

  With a full belly, we walked down the sidewalk. Winter was in full force, and it was freezing outside. The shops windows were covered with Christmas decorations and people hustled around us to get their shopping completed. I took a sip of my hot chocolate as we walked past one of the country stores. The owner made all of the woodwork by hand, and his pieces were beautiful.

  “Let’s go in here. I’m freezing, and I love looking around this shop,” I told Aspen as I pulled open the door.

  The smell of wood hit me as soon as we walked inside. I loved the smell of this place almost as much as I loved admiring his work.

  “This place is beautiful,” Aspen replied as she took in the beauty before her.

  He made everything from bed frames to tables to rocking chairs. My favorite was this wooden cradle that I’d been eyeing since I went shopping for the nursery months ago. The wood was stained a dark cherry. The cradle stood about as tall as my waist. I walked over to it, and I ran my fingers along the grain as I admired the piece once more.

  “Well, well, well. I see you’ve gotten your hooks in my son yet again,” I heard from beside me. That woman’s voice alone made my skin crawl. It was worse than hearing nails go slowly down a chalkboard.

  I turned to face her without showing an ounce of fear. She took in the sight of me, immediately noticing how round my stomach was.

  Her lips pursed together just before she spewed more of her venom.

  “Don’t you think one mistake was enough? You had to go and get knocked up yet again. Did you not learn enough from the last time?”

  “Listen here, you evil…” Aspen started from the other side of me, but I held up my hand to stop her. This was my fight. I loved that she wanted to fight this battle for me. But it was past time I stood up to this evil witch. She wouldn’t say one hateful word about my unborn child. Not in front of me at least.

  “I, personally, don’t care what you think. You don’t need to ever utter another word about my daughter. Your granddaughter. Or have you forgotten that lovely fact? You don’t even know what you’re mad about anymore, do you? My great-grandfather purchased that land. Get the fuck over yourself. Everyone else in my family has. The Parkhurst’s started this feud. My family wants nothing to do with it anymore. Your son has been welcomed with open arms into my family. I guess they had no other choice. Especially now that we’re married,” I seethed.

  She gasped at the last words I said letting me know she hadn’t heard the good news.

  I smiled at her shocked expression, thankful that I was the one to tell her. Seeing that made my damn day.

  “He wouldn’t have married you. He wouldn’t have crossed his father and I that way.”

  “Oh, but he did. You can even check public records. Our marriage license is on file. He even wears my grandfather’s wedding band on his left finger,” I told her, knowing she’d hate that fact even more.

  “You’ll never be part of this family. I’ll see to it. You nor that brat you’re carrying!”

  That’s when I snapped. She tried to walk away, but I grabbed her arm and gripped it as tight as I could as I turned her around so she could hear what I had to say.

  “That’s the last fucking time you say anything about my unborn child. I’m part of your family whether you agree or not. My last name is Parkhurst just like yours. This baby’s last name will be Parkhurst. Courtright and Parkhurst blood runs through his or her veins.”

  “I don’t give a damn. I’ll get my son back from your grasp.”

  “I don’t think so, lady. Your son loves me. I love him. He loves this baby. He won’t choose you. I guarantee that,” I warned.

  My stomach started to cramp from the stress, but I ignored it and rubbed my stomach as I continued my rant.

  “Your son doesn’t even care that you’re not in his life. You should be proud of yourself. You succeed in turning him against you. I had nothing to do with that. You did. And you alone. How does your husband and other children feel about that fact?”

  I let go of her and went to walk away from her. I was done with this conversation. I’d had enough of her hatred, and I felt better now that I’d stood up to her.

  “You don’t get to walk away from you me, you little bitch,” she said as she pulled me by the arm back to where she stood.

  “I advise you to let go of her now, Mother,” Gentry said from behind me causing me to jump.

  “Gentry. You didn’t hear the awful things she said to me. She started this mess,” his mother tried to say, but he wasn’t having it.

&nbs
p; “She’s a damn liar, Gentry. Ainsleigh said nothing to her until she started in on her,” Aspen said with a look of satisfaction on her face.

  I looked over my shoulder to notice that Dylan stood tall right beside Gentry, both instantly on protective alert.

  “Gentry,” his mother started to plead, reaching out to touch his arm.

  He backed away just before she could touch him.

  “Don’t even try it. This is what you wanted. Live with it. She’s my wife and mother to my children. Don’t you dare even try that innocent act with me. I’m where I want to be. You’re where you want to be. End of story. Don’t come near her again or you’ll regret it. You won’t be allowed near our child. That’s your cross to bear. Not mine. I don’t regret my choice. Do you? If so, I don’t care. I’m not coming back.”

  “You’ll give up your birthright for her? How could you?”

  “She’s worth it. I’m where I belong. Live with your decision. It doesn’t even cross my mind anymore,” he said as he linked his fingers within mine and led us out of the store.

  The coldness hit me when we walked outside and another cramp hit, causing me to stop walking and grab my stomach.

  “What’s wrong, Ainsleigh?” Gentry asked, worry filled his tone.

  “I don’t know. It started in the store. I’m sure it’s nothing,” I said, trying to stand up straight, and without the ability to do so. The pain didn’t ease up like it had the last time.

  “We’re going to the hospital. Don’t fight me on this. Dylan, can you drive my truck? I’m going to take her in the Jeep.”

  Dylan agreed as we all walked to the parking lot of the feed store.

  I tried not to let the worry show, but I knew I failed in my attempt.

  I kept my arms cradled around my stomach and prayed inwardly that I didn’t let that woman get to me enough to put our baby in harm’s way. I’d never forgive myself if I had.

  We arrived at the hospital in record time thanks to Gentry breaking every speed limit on the way. Dylan followed closely behind us and arrived just as we walked through the automatic doors. I was rushed up to the maternity floor and immediately placed on monitors. We waited patiently for the doctor to arrive to examine me.

  I looked over at the monitor. The heartbeat echoed throughout the room causing some of the worry to ease. A steady one hundred and forty-two beats per minute showed on the screen.

  “You’ve got to be okay, little one. It’s not time for you to come out just yet, okay?” I whispered to the baby while I rubbed my hand back and forth above the monitor. A soft kick greeted my caress like he or she was trying to give me sign.

  Gentry sat in the chair beside the bed. His foot bounced up and down at a steady pace. He wasn’t looking at me. His elbows rested on his knees. His hands held the weight of his head.

  “Give me your hand,” I said to him as I held out mine.

  He looked up at me with tears in his eyes as he complied.

  I placed his hand on my stomach and waited for the little one to kick yet again.

  “Give your daddy the same sign you gave me, sweetheart,” I said as I rubbed his hand over my baby bump.

  Seconds later, I felt the jolt beneath my stomach right under where his hand laid.

  “See. He or she is perfectly fine,” I tried to reassure him.

  He smiled a weak smile as he continued to rub the spot the baby had just kicked.

  Every few seconds the baby kicked Gentry’s hand.

  We sat there in silence as we both enjoyed the confirmation from the baby that everything would be fine.

  A knock sounded at the door before it opened, and the doctor walked in.

  “How are you feeling, Ainsleigh?”

  “The cramping is gone now.”

  “That’s good. The baby’s heartrate is strong, and there aren’t any contractions on the monitor. Your blood pressure was a little high when you got here, but it’s slowly going down. I’m going to keep you just a little longer before I let you go home. But I want you on bedrest for the next week and no stress. I’m not taking any chances,” she said.

  The baby was okay.

  He or she wasn’t going to be born early.

  I could handle bedrest.

  As long as the baby was okay, I’d do anything to keep him or her safe.

  I nodded my understanding before she made some notes and walked out of the room.

  “The baby’s fine,” I repeated, taking Gentry’s hand in mine.

  “This is all my fault,” he whispered so low I almost didn’t hear him.

  “How can you say that?”

  “Because she’s my mother.”

  “You can’t control that woman. She did what she did with no regard for me or our baby. You didn’t cause her to be that way. You’re nothing like her.”

  “I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself if the outcome had been different,” he admitted, but he didn’t have anything to be worried about. The outcome wasn’t different.

  “You don’t need to think about that. The baby is healthy and fine. So am I.”

  “I love you, Ainsleigh. You and our baby.”

  “I know you do. And we love you. Now please stop worrying and blaming yourself.”

  I don’t know how I hid my own concern, but I did what I needed to do to comfort my husband. He didn’t need to see that now. He needed me to be strong for him, and that’s what he got.

  “I’ll try, but I’m telling you right now. I meant what I said. She won’t like the outcome if she tries something else. I won’t let her harm you or our child.”

  “I know you did, and I love you for protecting us. Are you ready to serve me all day?” I tried to joke to lighten the mood. We’d had enough stress for the day.

  “Are you ready for me to dictate when you can get out of the bed? You know I won’t let you move unless it’s necessary,” he joked.

  Let the fun begin.

  CHAPTER 27

  Gentry

  I was sure Ainsleigh would do anything to never have to be put on bedrest again. We’d gone to the doctor a week later like she requested, and even though she’d gotten the all clear, I made her remain on bedrest for another week. I wasn’t letting her take any chances. And her father agreed with me, causing her to get even more pissed. I even got Holden on my side, and we’d taken turns to make sure she followed orders. Numerous pillows were thrown at each of our heads on a daily basis. She hated every minute of it.

  Today, we let her finally get her reprieve since Aspen and her mother planned a baby shower for her. It was going to be a co-ed baby shower, and I loved the idea of not being the only man in the room.

  Her mother and Aspen had been busy all morning getting her parents’ house perfect for the occasion. Green and yellow balloons were strategically placed in the entryway, throughout the front room and the kitchen, down the hall and into the den where the event would be officially held.

  I watched Ainsleigh’s face as she took it all in. Her mother had even incorporated our farm animal theme into some of the other decorations and the cake that was shaped like and egg. Aspen came into the kitchen where we were talking to some guests, friends of her parents whom had watched Ainsleigh and her siblings grow up.

  “Here you go, little mama,” she said as she placed a sash over Ainsleigh’s head and belly. The satin material was green and read ‘mom to be.’ She had another in her hand that I had a feeling was for me. A look of enjoyment crossed her features as she came over to me and placed the sash that read ‘dad to be’ across my reluctant body.

  “Get on board there, Gentry. Don’t be a sourpuss about this,” she warned as she turned and walked away from us.

  “She looks like she’s on a mission,” Ainsleigh whispered to me as she leaned into my side. I draped my arm across her shoulder and kept my reluctance to myself. I’d do this for her.

  Ainsleigh’s brothers walked through the back door in the kitchen, and I inwardly thanked my lucky stars that there were other
men here my age that would keep me company throughout this ordeal.

  “You look about as miserable as we feel,” Leo said as he walked over to us.

  “Miserable, no. Unsure of what to expect, yes. I can only imagine what they are going to have us doing in the den,” I tried to joke with them. Some of those games just looked downright scary. Diaper tasting. Who thought that was fun? Not I.

  “Alright, everyone. Let’s go down into the den and start on the games. Ainsleigh, I need you to follow me so I can get something for one of the games before we go into the room,” Aspen directed, and I held back a groan.

  Let the games begin. Literally.

  The furniture had been moved back to open up the space, and chairs were placed in the empty spots to accommodate everyone. There was about twenty-five people here, which wasn’t a lot, until they were all in the same room. Thankfully, her parents had a big enough space to hold everyone.

  I sat in the chair that had a blue balloon on it and a cover over top of the back labeled ‘dad’. Another chair sat beside me and was labeled ‘mom’ with a pink balloon.

  A few minutes later, Ainsleigh came into the room and laughed at something Aspen had said before she joined me in the chair next to mine.

  “Thank you for joining us in celebrating Ainsleigh and Gentry’s baby. They’ve been tight lipped about finding out the gender. And now they’re telling me they aren’t reveling the name until the day the baby is born. They’ve taken all the fun out of buying for this little one, but we’ll all make up for it once their bundle of joy arrives. Lillian and I have a few games planned for you guys, and we’re going to get started on that and then open gifts while we enjoy some snacks,” Aspen said as she greeted everyone, getting a laugh from most of the people in attendance at our expense. We stood our ground, and I was shocked Ainsleigh hadn’t caved at Aspen’s daily begging for some answers.

  The diaper tasting game wasn’t what I thought it was at all. You didn’t have to taste what was in the middle. Just guess which candy bar was melted. That seemed easy enough. Only it wasn’t when you got to the ones with nuts or almonds or whatever was inside. That was just plain gross to see. Ainsleigh and Aspen got a kick out of me gagging when I tried to figure out one of the diapers on how gross it looked. Aspen even tried to rub one of the diapers in Dylan’s face, which caused him to try and run around the room away from her.