The Baby Package

by Sarah J. Brooks

  “I really thought you’d finally be able to relax now that you’re officially a nurse,” Devin said as he rubbed my leg.

  “No, I’m not a nurse yet. I still have my licensing exam to take at the end of summer. I’m going to be busy studying all summer long,” I insisted.

  “Maybe not all summer,” Devin said as he played with the ring on my finger. “You’ll need to wait until after the honeymoon at least.”

  Devin was right. We were on our way to pick up Ashley and her family and then heading to Paris for our wedding. Of course, I was going to try and relax and enjoy the next couple of weeks. We had a huge wedding, and then Devin and I were going to travel around Europe for a few weeks on our honeymoon.

  I’d given him a list of all the places I wanted to see, and he’d planned out an itinerary that allowed us to see every single one of them. I leaned into his chest and cuddled up next to him. He was the man I’d always dreamed of, and I was the luckiest woman in the world to have him.

  “Gross, get a room you two,” Izzy playfully taunted us.

  “Oh, yeah?” Devin said as he grabbed my face and kissed me passionately. “How about that?” he teased.

  “Dad!”

  “Ew, I know. It’s so gross. Don’t you ever go kissing any boys,” Devin said as he leaned down and kissed me softly.

  “I love you, Devin Graham,” I said softly as I looked up into his eyes.

  “I love you too.”

  Our flight was relatively uneventful as we landed in Jacksonville and had to fuel up before heading overseas. Izzy was watching out the window as we pulled into our spot, and she waved excitedly when she saw her mother and grandparents.

  “It’s her. She’s right there. Oh, my gosh, I can’t believe this,” Izzy said as she unbuckled her seatbelt and ran over to the door before they had even fully stopped.

  “Izzy, wait until it stops the next time,” Devin demanded.

  “Dad, there will never be another time when I’m waiting to see my mother after she’s spent three years in jail. Give me a break,” she said and rolled her eyes.

  Devin was about to say something to Izzy about the eye rolling, but I grabbed his arm and held my finger up to my lips so he wouldn’t.

  “She’s just excited. Let it go this time,” I urged.

  “Just this time,” he agreed.

  Devin and I moved over to the other side of the plane and watched out the window as Izzy ran down the steps and jumped into her mother’s arms. It had been three long years since the two of them had been able to embrace without a guard yelling at them and telling them there was no touching. I cried as I watched the sweet moment between them.

  Devin was also in tears, and Izzy’s grandparents were a blubbering mess as we finally got off the plane to greet them all. There were hugs all around as our little family finally got to the end of what had been an amazingly difficult journey.

  Ashley had finished her time with more dignity than I could have mustered in the same situation. She was diligent about reading books with Izzy, and they sent letters back and forth, talking about all the details of their current reads. Ashley also worked on studying and decided she wanted to be a drug and alcohol therapist after she got out. It suited her perfectly, and she clearly was going to have a lot to share with people going through similar struggles as she had gone through.

  “Thank you for taking such good care of our daughter,” Ashley said as she hugged me.

  I couldn’t hold back my emotion as I balled at her words. I did feel like Izzy was my daughter. I loved her like she was my own and always did everything I could to ensure the last three years were as good as they could be, given the situation we were in.

  “Thank you, Ashley,” I said through my tears.

  “Wow, who would have thought I’d be happy to see you some day,” she said as she hugged Devin. “You look good. I think this marriage thing is going to suit you just fine.”

  “Yeah, I feel pretty damn good,” he said. “How are you doing? You look pretty good for an ex-prisoner,” Devin joked.

  “Hell, best three years of dieting and working out I’ve ever had. They should sell the prison diet, people would love it,” she laughed.

  “Ten more minutes,” the pilot said as he stood at the top of the stairs. “I’ve got another co-pilot joining us as well and a stewardess if that’s alright.”

  “Yes, that’s fine,” Devin said as he turned to talk with the pilot. “Can you have them make sure we have some champagne on board? We are celebrating a very special day today.”

  “Of course sir,” the man said before he turned and went back onto the plane.

  It was a special day, and despite all the tears, I was so overcome with joy. Ashley was out of prison, she was reunited with Izzy, and they were going to spend two weeks getting to know each other again while Devin and I traveled.

  Devin offered to have Izzy move back with Ashley right away, but the three of them decided it was best for Izzy to stay with Devin for a little while longer. That way, Ashley could take some time to get herself back on her feet. She had ongoing counseling to do, and she wanted to get a job and go back to college, which was a lot to take on. Although I was confident she could do it, it was a bit of a relief that she and Devin had worked it out so Ashley could take care of herself for just a little while.

  “So I hear we are going to Paris?” Ashley said to Izzy as the two of them jumped up and down with excitement.

  “My friends at school are so jealous,” Izzy said. “I am going to SnapChat and Instagram the entire trip.”

  “I have no doubt that you will.” Ashley laughed. “Should we get on board and get comfortable?” she suggested.

  “I’m pretty excited too,” Mrs. Edwards said to Izzy as we all climbed back up the stairs and got onto the plane.

  It was a fun flight as we all talked and caught up during the ten hours over to Paris. Even when Izzy and her grandparents finally fell asleep, Ashley, Devin, and I continued talking all the way until the morning.

  Although Ashley and I were clearly much different people, I was bonded with her. My relationship with Devin and Izzy ensured that Ashley and I had something in common, and I relished that relationship and how it grew on our flight to Paris.

  “Are you nervous?” she asked me when Devin stepped away to grab us some snacks.

  “No. I thought I would be. But I have never been so sure of something in my entire life.”

  “Will your friends and family be there?”

  “Yes, Devin sent them all on a flight yesterday, and I heard they are all checked into the hotel and catching up on their sleep. My friend Anna is loving Paris already, and I think she might decide to stay there for a little bit if her parents agree.”

  “I want you to know I’m genuinely happy for you and Devin. I know that he and I weren’t meant to be, and seeing him with you actually makes me feel better. It’s clear that he’s the man he always wanted to be when he’s around you. I can only hope that I’ll find a match like that someday too.”

  “You will Ashley. I know it.”

  “Thanks,” she said as she gave me a quick hug, and Devin rejoined us.

  “Now this is what I like to see, two of my three favorite women getting along,” Devin said quietly.

  “Who’s your other favorite woman?” Izzy asked as she opened her eyes a little bit.

  “You sweet pea. You are my most favorite woman,” he said softly and got up and kissed her on the forehead.

  “Dad, I’m not a woman. I’m a kid.”

  “Well, you’re almost a woman, and you are my favorite.”

  “I love you,” she said sleepily and went back to bed.

  When we landed in Paris, it was morning, and we had missed out the chance to sleep. It had been worth it though to laugh and catch up with Ashley, and it gave me a closure that I needed before Devin and I were to get married.

  There was only a day before we walked down the aisle, and so much needed to get done. I was f
rantic when we finally arrived at the hotel, and I heard that the florist hadn’t confirmed their delivery yet.

  “What? Oh, I can’t get married without flowers,” I moaned as I tried to figure out what to do.

  “I’ve got this,” Mrs. Edwards said as she went up to the concierge desk and began talking to the man in French.

  Ashley, Devin, and I all looked at each other in wonder as she talked and seemed to be negotiating with the concierge. The two of them held a full conversation before she finally turned around with a huge smile on her face.

  “It’s figured out. He’s going to call them and have them deliver the flowers right away,” Mrs. Edwards said.

  “Mom!” Ashley said loudly. “You know French?”

  “Hey, I’ve been bored with you and Izzy out of the house. I had to do something with my time.”

  We all laughed at the craziness of it all. After getting our bags up to our rooms, we all settled on a time to meet back up and have a meal later that evening. Izzy went with her mother in their room, Mr. and Mrs. Edwards went to their room, Devin went to a room with his friend Jacob, while I went to a room I was sharing with Anna.

  No matter what we had been through, I still had a little superstition about spending the night with Devin before our wedding. It was fun to have a little separation from him before the big day, and I couldn’t wait to see Anna.

  “Lilli!” Anna exclaimed as I walked through the door to our room. “You have to go to the Eiffel Tower with me today and take some photos. It’s so beautiful. And let’s go shopping too. Oh my gosh, I can’t believe this place exists and I’ve never been here before,” she said excitedly.

  “Anna, I’m tired, and I am getting married in the morning. Perhaps you and I can do another trip to Paris in a few months, and I’ll go to all those places with you.”

  “Oh, yeah, yeah. I’m sorry. I forgot. You’re getting married!”

  “Can you even believe it? I never thought I’d find a guy like Devin. Hell, I never thought I’d even consider getting married.”

  “He’s the right one, Lilli. I know it. I feel it every time the two of you are around.”

  “I feel it too. I am the best version of me when I’m with him. I have no doubt about it at all. I can’t wait to be his wife.”

  “You know, I was thinking about Jason while I was walking along the river.”

  “Anna, again with Jason?”

  “Wait, here me out. I was thinking that I was going to give up my little thing with him,” she said seriously.

  “Anna, you don’t have a thing with him.” I laughed.

  “Well, you know what I mean. I’m giving up on him, and I’m going to try and find my real match.”

  “I think that’s a great idea.”

  The two of us talked and visited for a little bit, and I caught a few hours of sleep before we went down to the main dining room of The Ritz Paris. The room was adorned with flowers and ornate gold accents throughout. It was going to be our wedding reception location the next day, and I instantly felt relieved that I wasn’t going to have to worry if the flowers came or not. The ones they had in the room already were perfectly beautiful.

  Our hotel was packed with all our friends and family, and many of them joined us that evening to celebrate before the wedding. It was a scene out of a romantic love story as we all drank and laughed our night away. Devin took a moment at the end of the evening to grab me and pull me aside before we went to our rooms for the night.

  “Best thing I ever did was invite you on that date,” he whispered.

  “Best thing I ever did was to agree to go out with you.”

  “I can’t wait to marry you,” Devin said as we danced to the lounge music that was heard overhead.

  “I’m pretty damn excited to marry you too.”

  “Okay, gross you two, save it for the wedding night,” Anna said with Izzy standing next to her.

  The two girls giggled together as they pulled Devin and me apart. Devin went with Izzy, and I went with Anna as we separated for the evening in preparation for our big day.

  The morning was a blur of hair and makeup, pictures, and visits from everyone who wanted to see me and say something before the wedding. But the most meaningful interaction was the one my father and I had as we stood on the outside of the doors waiting to go into the ceremony.

  “I always hoped I would know you had found the right guy. I pictured this moment dozens of times and what I would say if I thought you were making a mistake.”

  “Dad,” I protested.

  “But you aren’t making a mistake. He’s a good one Lilli, and the two of you are going to live the fairytale.”

  “Thanks, Daddy,” I said as he kissed me gently on the cheek and the ushers opened the doors. As I stood at the end of the aisle looking toward my future husband, I felt the weight of a happy life on my shoulders. I had my dream right there in my hands, and I was going to do everything in my power to take advantage of each and every moment of this perfect life.

  THE END

  Dear reader, don’t stop now! If you’ve liked this story, you can read more about Anna, Lili’s best friend and party partner in the next book!

  The Deal

  Chapter 1

  Jason

  “Nice swim suit,” I said with a chuckle as I noticed my neighbor Anna in her back yard.

  “Thanks. Are you seriously mowing your yard again?”

  “It’s a weekly thing. Are you seriously tanning again?” I teased her.

  “Nah, I was actually going to jump on the trampoline,” she said with a wink.

  Anna Cook was my extremely tempting neighbor. Her long blonde hair and young bikini clad body were a constant in my late-night fantasies. When she put up a trampoline in her backyard, I couldn’t help laughing at the idea. What sort of adult would actually play on a trampoline? But then again, Anna was only a year or two into her adulthood, and she did love to torture me with that body of hers.

  “Don’t you dare,” I playfully protested. “I’ve got mowing to do, and then I actually need to get work done today from home.”

  “Where’s Clyde today?” Anna asked as she jumped up from her lounge chair and came over to the open gate.

  My body instantly throbbed as I took in every inch of her body. Anna’s tiny frame was accentuated by the tight strings of her bikini. Her voluptuous breasts were barely covered by the white triangular fabric that stretched over them. I closed my eyes for a moment as I took a mental picture of her licking her lips and tossing her hair back on her walk over to me.

  “Rosie took him to school today.”

  “Come on Jason, school? It’s August. Why would you do that to the poor kid?” she asked as her hand wrapped around my forearm, and she leaned in toward me.

  “Yeah, he actually really likes his summer program. It keeps him busy and gives him something to do. He’s only five. Being home with me is actually boring when I’ve got business to do all day.”

  “So, you’ve got the house all to yourself?” she asked as she pressed her delicious tits against my arm.

  I held onto the fence with my arm firmly planted in front of me. She wasn’t coming over. Anna Cook wasn’t setting a foot in my house, and not because I wouldn’t love to throw her on my bed and have my way with her. No, she was off limits because her father was the chief financial officer at a company my firm was looking to purchase. The deal I was doing with her father’s company was only in place because he and I were friends. Not to mention he happened to be my neighbor. Anna was one hundred percent off-limits to me.

  Edward Cook trusted me and had let me in on the company’s financial difficulties in an effort to get my help. The deal I was working on with his boss would help all of us. The reorganization I could offer them would keep the Cook, Sparser, and Conner Building Company operational. But succumbing to the primal temptation I had for Anna could seriously ruin everything.

  “I’m going to go mow now,” I said with the last bit of willpower
I had.

  “Sooner or later, I’ll have you, Jason,” she yelled after me as I walked away with my lawnmower.

  God, I hoped that was true. Somewhere down the line when all the business dealings were done I’d relish the chance to have Anna in my bed. But until that time came, I’d have to avoid her as much as possible.

  I started the mower, put my sunglasses on, and turned my headphones on just to separate myself from Anna as I watched her climb up onto her trampoline. The white fence between our two homes allowed me to see her yard only at certain angles, but as she started jumping up and down on her trampoline, I saw every bit of her. Her blonde hair flung around, and as much as I tried not to look, her perky young tits were bouncing as well. She bought that damn thing just to torture me, I knew it.

  With my head lowered and eyes forward, I pushed my mower up and down the back yard and looked away as I approached her side of the yard. My heart raced from the combination of heat in the air and the vision of Anna bouncing next to me in her tiny white bikini. Penthouse had nothing on me at that moment—this fantasy was strong, and I started to sweat as I thought more and more about it. How easy it would be to just grab her and bring her into the house. We could have a hot, sweaty afternoon together and then go about life as normal. But I knew better than that. A young girl like Anna would get attached, she’d blab to her father, or tell her friends. No, I couldn’t give in. No matter how hard she made me or how desperately my body ached for her. I just had to avoid her as much as possible.

  When I finally finished the backyard mowing and turned the mower off, Anna was no longer jumping on the trampoline. I didn’t look toward her house, though. Instead, I pushed the mower back toward the garage with a small sense of relief that she wasn’t jumping anymore.

  “How do you like my trampoline?” she said as she suddenly appeared in the open gate between our houses.

  “I think it’s horrible.”

  “Oh, come on now. You know you want to try it out,” she said as her hand grabbed mine, and she pulled me over. “Look, I put the sprinkler on it. Won’t that feel good after all that hard work you just did?” Her hands pressed against my chest as she tried to pull my shirt up and over my head.