Always been You

by Mia Scott

  "Will you—" he cleared his throat. "Will you tell her that I'm sorry and that I love her?"

  The look on Maggie's face told Alisha all she needed to know. And that was that these two (soon to be three) would be better than okay. "I will tell her." She heard the boys talking quietly on the other end of the line.

  "Big told me to ask you about your new necklace," James said, clearly confused.

  Her cheeks and neck flushed pink with embarrassment. Jake's laughter could be heard clear as day in the background.

  "I don't even want to know," James said. "Tell Maggie I'll be over soon."

  Alisha hung up the phone and handed it to Maggie, who was grinning wickedly at her. "Big Daddy's on his way over," she said hastily, scrambling to her feet. "I'll just be on my way."

  "You and Big are dirty," Maggie teased, chuckling at the poor, embarrassed look on Alisha's face.

  "Well, evidently so are you and James since you're now tin roof rusted," Alisha tossed back with a smirk that turned into a bright smile. "God, you're having a baby." She placed her hands on the sides of the blonde's face. "Mazel tov," she said, leaning down to kiss her cheek. "You'll be an amazing mother, Fabs."

  "Thanks…Aunt Alisha."

  Alisha beamed proudly.

  A couple hours later, after Big had deemed him sober enough to not make an ass of himself, James stood outside Maggie's door, a bouquet of flowers in hand and apology on his lips. He rapped his knuckles on the door and nervously waited for her to answer. What felt like an eternity later, he heard the locks being undone and the door slowly swung open. "Hey," he said softly.

  Maggie had spotted the flowers the moment she pulled the door open and her heart started racing. "Hey," she parroted.

  James handed her the flowers. "These are for you," he told her. "I know they're your favorite, because you always stop and smell them whenever we pass a flower vendor."

  She caught her bottom lip between her teeth and slowly lifted the flowers to her nose, inhaling deeply the sweet scent of the cheerful, pink gerbera daisies. "Thank you," she whispered, stepping towards him and throwing her arms around his neck. He lifted her effortlessly, hugged her close, breathing in the scent of her hair as her legs slinked around his waist.

  "I'm sorry," they whispered at the same time.

  "I don't want to fight with you," Maggie murmured against his neck.

  "Baby, I don't want to fight with you either," James countered.

  At the word baby, Maggie's nerves flapped wildly in her stomach like a thousand butterflies. She had to tell him. Leaning back, she ran her hand gently down the side of his boyishly handsome face before kissing him softly. James nipped and licked at her lips until she opened her mouth to him. He slipped inside and circled his tongue heatedly around hers, his fingers sliding into the waistband of her jeans to press against her warm skin. He kissed her long and hard until her head swam and they were both breathless. Pulling back again, she sucked in a ragged breath, her eyes slowly fluttering open.

  James looked hotly back at her and her nerves dissipated instantly, quickly replaced by a warm, familiar ache between her thighs. She'd tell him later. It wasn't like she was going to be any less pregnant after they had make-up sex. "Bedroom," she ordered, threading her fingers through his hair and resting on the back of his neck. "Now."

  His lips twitched into a crooked grin and he stepped further into her apartment, kicking the door closed behind them. "You got it, Q," he rasped.

  After they made up (three times), they lay Beneath the cool sheets with their legs tangled together. She had her arm draped over his middle, tracing patterns on his side with her fingertips. They'd had plenty of amazing sex before, but the way he'd been with her that afternoon in the gray light slanting through her room made her feel inexplicably wanted and needed, loved. He made her feel so loved that it had brought tears to her eyes. She still hadn't found the courage to tell him the big news, but she felt certain that once the initial shock wore off that they would be fine.

  As a couple and as a family.

  "James," she said quietly into the dark.

  "Hmm?" His hand idly stroked her hip.

  "I have something I need to tell you."

  "If it's that you want to go again you're going to have to feed me first. I'm starving," he said, chuckling.

  Maggie reached for the lamp on the night stand, turned it on. She sat up, wrapping the sheet around her and smoothing her hair behind her ears.

  James didn't like the look on her face and it made him feel sick. He really hoped that after everything they'd just shared she wasn't going to tell him this wasn't going to work. Sitting up, he leaned back against the headboard and grabbed her hand, linking their fingers together. "Everything okay?" he asked, concern flooding his voice, his eyes softening as they met hers. She looked terrified.

  She swallowed thickly and cleared her throat, steeling her nerves to get the information out. He squeezed her hand reassuringly. "I hope so. I'm—I," she trailed off, blowing out a breath.

  He sat forward and ran his fingers through her hair. "You can tell me anything."

  "I'm pregnant," Maggie whispered.

  James's eyes rounded and his eyebrows were nearly to his hairline. His heart flipped over in his chest and he stared at his girlfriend. The woman that he loved. The mother of his unborn child. A baby. It was definitely unexpected, but he was pretty sure, no, he was sure that he was—excited.

  "Would you please say something?" Maggie snapped, her big eyes filling with tears for the umpteenth time that day.

  "You're pregnant?" he asked, just to be sure.

  Maggie nodded soberly. "I took a test this afternoon." His expression was unreadable and it was freaking her out. She opened her mouth to say—well, what she wasn't sure, but he cut her off by grabbing her face and kissing her sweetly.

  "We're having a baby?" he asked against her lips.

  She choked out a sob and nodded again, her vision blurring with tears. "Are you okay?" she asked, holding the sides of his face, blinking up at him.

  A smile broke out over his face and he gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. "It's surprising," he admitted and her face fell into a little frown. "But, I love you, Maggie. I love you so much and now you're pregnant with a baby that's half you and half me. What's not to be happy about?"

  Happy tears streamed down her cheeks and she peppered his face with kisses. "I'm so relieved," she laughed. "I didn't know how you'd react." He brushed her tears away with his thumbs and she smiled. "I love you, James Keller, and even though I'm terrified, I already love our baby." She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him hard.

  "I'll get a new job," he said against her hair. She unwrapped her arms and leaned back. "A less dangerous one."

  "James, no, you don't have to," she insisted. "You love—"

  "Maggie," he cut her off. "I get it now—what you were trying to tell me earlier. I've got a family to think about now. I'll start looking tomorrow."

  She didn't know it was possible to love him more than she already did, but he managed to prove her wrong. With a watery smile, she ran her hands over his chest. "I love you," she mouthed.

  "I love you," he whispered back.

  Once she'd left Maggie's apartment, Alisha ran some errands and ended up shopping the afternoon away. She hadn't intended to shop for the baby, but when she'd passed by this little boutique with the sweetest display she'd ever seen in a window, she stopped and bought her friend a present. Well, two actually. For Maggie she bought this adorable and trendy purple maternity top; and for the baby, she found the cutest stuffed elephant and she just couldn't resist.

  Overall, she ended up spending too much money, but she found the most amazing pair of green heels; some luxurious smelling bubble bath that she couldn't wait to try out; a pair of jeans that hugged every curve just right; a funny book for the new daddy-to-be; a shirt for Jake just because it would make his eyes look amazing; and some underwear that would drive him insane in a couple of
weeks once they were allowed to actually have sex again.

  She was exhausted when she got home. Dumping all of the bags on the bed, she rifled through one until she found her new bubble bath, deciding that a hot bath and a glass of wine was just what she needed to unwind. She'd sent Jake a text earlier that she'd be at home and to let her know if he was coming over. He hadn't replied yet and she figured he was probably taking a nap or playing his guitar.

  Padding into the bathroom, she turned the water on full blast and dumped in a generous portion of her new bubble bath. She lit some candles and turned on some music before going to the kitchen and pouring a large glass of wine. Stripping down and throwing her clothes into the hamper, she swept her hair up into a messy bun, picked up her glass and eased down into the tub, sighing as the hot water enveloped her body. Her muscles were already thanking her. She sipped her wine and rested her head back against the little bath pillow and closed her eyes, enjoying the sounds of John Mayer floating in the air around her.

  Big knocked for the third time and she still didn't answer the door. He knew she was home by the music he could hear playing and the fact that she told him she was there. Reaching into the front pocket of his jeans, he pulled out his keys and let himself inside her apartment.

  He kicked off his shoes and tossed his jacket over the back of the couch before picking it up again only to hang it in the closet. (Fuck you, he's not whipped. He just preferred to keep the peace and not listen to his girlfriend bitch about making a mess of her apartment, okay?) Soft light was flickering in the door of the bathroom that she left ajar and he could hear her singing along with the music. Poking his head in the room, his blood swam south when he got an eyeful of Alisha relaxed back in the tub, eyes closed and one long leg peeking through the suds, her foot resting on the faucet. Naked and wet Alisha was undoubtedly his favorite.

  "Hey," he greeted loudly over the music.

  Alisha's eyes snapped open and she started screaming at the top of her lungs. Finally registering that her would-be-assailant was actually her boyfriend, the screaming subsided and she scowled at him for scaring the life out of her. "Big!" she bit out through gritted teeth, her heart hammering away in her chest. "You scared the hell out of me!"

  Big laughed and held up his hands. "Sorry, babe," he grinned, raking his eyes over newly exposed body parts (most specifically her tits).

  "God," she huffed, placing a hand over her still rapidly beating heart. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming over?" Pouting, she lay back in the tub and willed herself to relax again.

  Big's eyebrow arched up and he folded his arms over chest. "I did—check your phone."

  "Oh," she murmured, casting apologetic eyes his way. "Sorry. I guess I left it on my bed." She sipped her wine and smiled coyly at him. "Want to join me?" she asked, her smile growing naughty.

  He liked her so much it was stupid. "Baths are for chicks." She rolled her eyes at him. "I might make an exception though if you're gonna fuck me in the tub…or anywhere for that matter."

  "Jake," she sighed. "It's not that I don't want to, you know that." She arched her back and wiggled until she found a more comfortable position against the porcelain.

  "How 'bout I just sit and watch?" he asked, putting down the lid on the toilet and taking a seat. "S'pretty good show so far."

  Alisha pulled a face. "Okay, one, you're disgusting and two, I'm not even doing anything."

  His grin was quick and wicked. "But you could be. Come on, baby! There're candles, some sexy music playing and best of all, you're wet and naked. If that's not the makings of a hot show, I don't know what is," he told her flatly. He cocked his head to the side and smirked at her.

  She rolled her eyes again and barked out a laugh. "I bought you something today while I was out shopping," she said, ignoring his previous statement. His eyes lit up and she smiled. "It's in a bag on my bed if you want it."

  He wagged his brows playfully at her and walked into her bedroom. There were no less than six shopping bags scattered on her bed and he didn't know where to start. He picked one at random and pulled out a book. Turning it over, he read the title and felt like he'd been sucker punched right in the solar plexus. The Dudes' Guide to Pregnancy. "What the fuck?" He rooted through the same bag and pulled out a stuffed elephant and a purple top clearly marked maternity. "Oh, Jesus fucking Christ. This is not happening."

  "Jake?" Alisha called. "Did you find it?"

  Big stomped back into the bathroom and Alisha smiled at him before taking another gulp from her wineglass. "Put the damn wine down," he snapped, holding up the book. "Something you need to tell me?"

  Alisha saw what he was holding and spit her wine out. Coughing and laughing she waved her hand furiously. "No! Oh my God, no, you idiot! That's not your present."

  He blew out a breath and felt some semblance of order being restored in the universe. "So you're not knocked up?"

  "No!" she cried. "Absolutely not."

  "Thank fuck!" he exclaimed. He leaned over the tub and snatched the glass of wine from her hands, draining it in one greedy gulp. "I mean, no offense or anything, Shorty, but shit…"

  His face was positively ashen. "None taken," Alisha giggled. "I bought you a shirt, actually."

  "Oh." He let out a ragged breath and shook his head to get every last thought of him becoming a father out of his brain. "Thanks." He Bent over and kissed her.

  "God, you were really spooked, weren't you?" Alisha asked, reaching for his hand.

  "Uh, yeah. Want more wine? I'mma get you some. I could use a drink right now myself."

  She chuckled at his retreating back. He returned quickly with a full glass of red for her and a beer for him. "So, who's the book really for?" he asked, sitting back down on the toilet seat.

  Alisha wasn't sure whether or not she should tell him. It wasn't her secret to tell, but he was going to find out eventually. She worried her bottom lip between her teeth and he arched an inquisitive brow as he took a pull off the bottle.

  "It's—it's for James."

  It was Big's turn for a spit take and the yellow bathmat bore the brunt of the liquid assault. "James?" He coughed roughly, which only aggravated his injuries. "Son of a bitch," he winced.

  Alisha flew out of the tub and grabbed the glass on the sink, filling it with cool water. "Here," she said softly, taking away the beer and thrusting the glass into his hands. "Drink this."

  He gratefully accepted the water and gulped it down.

  She pulled the fluffy bath towel off the bar and wrapped it around her body. Turning off the music, the room went eerily quiet. "Are you all right, Jake?" she asked, breaking the silence.

  "Yeah," he said gruffly, breathing through the pain in his side. Once it had subsided, he rubbed his hand along the back of her thigh. "So, James and Maggie, huh? He didn't say anything to me."

  Alisha sighed. She felt so guilty for telling him, but at the same time, he was her boyfriend and keeping it from him didn't feel right either. "He didn't know. When Maggie called me this morning she asked me to get a test for her. She just found out."

  "She tell him yet?" His best friend was having a baby. That was fucking insane.

  Alisha shrugged. "That was the plan, but I haven't heard from her." She ran her hand over his hair. "Why don't we order a pizza, watch a movie and forget about this drama?" she suggested, only because she sensed that he really could use the distraction and frankly she could use a little one, too.

  "Sold. Can I pick the movie?" he asked hopefully.

  Grinning, she nodded her head. He was too cute for his own good sometimes. "Sure."

  He picked Goodfellas.

  She didn't mind; it was one of her DVDs anyway. He told her he was impressed that she owned "such a kick ass movie."

  Jake had been unusually quiet while they ate their pizza and the innuendos were kept to an absolute minimum. Alisha knew the news about James and Maggie's impending arrival had come at quite a shock (to her, too), but she couldn't shake the feeling that s
omething else was bothering him. She just wasn't sure what it could be. But, he pulled her close during the movie and slipped his fingers into her hair, gently running them through the long tresses. She was so comfortable lying with her head on his lap, the head massage lulling her to sleep.

  She'd just closed her eyes when Jake paused the movie. "Does my job bother you?" he asked suddenly, startling her.

  "Hmm?" She rolled onto her back so she could look up at him.

  He frowned a little that he had to repeat the question. This conversation didn't fall under the category of shit he usually talks about. "Do you have a problem with my job?"

  Alisha sat up and faced him, folding her legs over his lap. "Why would I have a problem with your job?"

  Big lifted a shoulder carelessly and stared intently at his hand that was currently resting on her knee. "I dunno. Maggie and James almost broke up because of his job and—"

  "Jake," Alisha said softly, sweetly, running her hand over his bicep, "we're not James and Maggie. I know that your job is dangerous and while I do worry about your safety, I am not bothered by the fact that you work as a fireman."

  "S'cause I'm so sexy, right?" he asked, smirking at her. She cocked her head to the side and pinned him with a no-nonsense look. Talking about feelings was just not something he was comfortable with yet. Sighing, he rubbed a hand over the back of his head. "I just don't want you to hold it in if you do have a problem with it. I'd rather have all the cards on the table and not have it come out later or whatever."

  "If I had a problem with your job, we wouldn't be together. If I couldn't handle it, I would have walked away after you were injured on the job. Your job is a part of who you are, Jake. I accept that. I'd never tell you to stop doing something that you love."

  "I don't love it," he argued. "S'just a job."

  "Don't bullshit me," she bit out.

  Big chuckled then. "I'm rubbing off on you—I like it. Okay, it's not just a job. But I didn't move here so I could become a firefighter. Coulda done that back in New York."