Who I Am With You

by Amanda Lanclos

  Chapter Nineteen

  I don’t know what I’m going to do between Stella, Darlene and Momma. They are driving me up the wall batty. Today, they wanted to throw a baby/bridal shower at the church and I was adamantly against it. But, sadly here I am sitting with a crowd of women in the town that I barely knew and we are celebrating not only Dallas and I becoming husband and wife but parents as well.

  Darlene’s gift to us was to have someone come in and custom design the baby’s room and I was thankful that she had great taste. I didn’t worry about her doing something that I would hate, because she usually listened to me on most of my endeavors anyway. We’d gone earlier today for the final fitting on my wedding dress since the wedding was only three more weeks away.

  “You ready for this?” Stella asks as she sits down at the table beside me, squeezing my hand. I take in her appearance as she sits by me. She’s dressed in a pair of cream-colored dress pants and a light pink shirt, defending her stance on the fact that I am carrying a girl in my stomach. Her black hair is done in waves stuck to her head; I think she told me they were called finger waves or something like that. Ever since her whole ordeal with the stroke, she’s been a different woman to me. Maybe having a near-death experience really does change a person. I know it changed me, to become the person I wanted to be. Or maybe that was Dallas.

  “I guess I don’t really have a choice,” I laugh softly. I hate asking people to give us things, especially when Dallas and I work hard and have the money to afford whatever we need. I also hate wondering how many of these girls have been with my husband and are smiling to my face but secretly are wishing I was dead so they could have another shot. “I appreciate you all doing this for me though.”

  “Girl, this is all Darlene. You know she gets to show all these people what life is all about. Flaunt that stuff, baby.” Stella cackles as she does a pretty good impression of Darlene.

  I smile as I watch Stella holding her hand into the air with an elegant wave. Mom rolls her eyes from the corner as Darlene watches with an appalled expression on her face. I can’t help but laugh as the people in our small town come together and some laugh at the expense of Darlene Garrison. She is a good sport about it, but you can tell she isn’t that happy.

  By the end of the shower, I am in awe of the things people have given us. My mother of all people bought our furniture for the baby and gave me something that I would always treasure. She’d wrapped up this old rocking chair that I had as a child, but the thing that meant the most about this old rocking chair was that my father’s hands were the ones that crafted it. It even had a recording of his voice inside it that made horse sounds and the second it was opened I hit the button and sobbed. I’d forgotten just how much his voice meant to me. It’s been years since I heard it and all that made me want to do was go and watch every home video I could find.

  “I didn’t mean to make you cry,” she whispers as she pulls me into her arms. “I just wanted the baby to have something that meant so much to both of us.”

  “Momma, I’m sure glad you’re a hoarder today.” I laugh softly as I wrap my arms around her. “I used to hate it. But today, I love it.”

  “Glad I was able to convert you,” she chuckles softy, kissing my head before walking away. I see her head over to people and thank them all for coming.

  Stella and Darlene were the hosts I knew they would be, efficient in every way. The food was phenomenal as well as the decorations. I was excited to go home though, because I was ready to see just what Darlene had created in that room down the hall from my own, that I wasn’t able to venture into.

  “You ready to go see your present from Grammy and Pop Pop?” Darlene is bouncing with excitement as she asks and I realize I’m just as excited as she is.

  “Yes ma’am. I can’t wait.”

  “Well, let’s go. You’re fiancé is at home waiting to get in there as well. He’s just not as patient as you are.” She winks as she waves goodbye to everyone and pulls me away from the party.

  “Shouldn’t we help clean up?”

  “My girl, you never clean up after your own party. Ever.”

  “Oh,” I mutter as we climb into the BMW she drives around. The thing was so nice, I was afraid to sweat on the seats. It was hotter than Hades out here and I was only wearing a light cotton dress. I was thankful we only had ten minutes to go.

  I was glad when we finally turned onto the familiar gravel driveway that led up to the ranch. I loved calling this place home, seeing the porch lit up against the dark sky was always a beautiful sight. The white lights only accentuated the beautiful wraparound porch that I’d be able to rock my babies on before they were running around dirtying it up.

  “Well, my darling. Let’s go show you that beautiful room we’ve created.” Darlene’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts as I turn to see her smile. She’s full of energy and happiness as she takes my hand. “You ready?”

  Smiling, I squeeze her hand in mine before dropping it and reaching for the door handle. “I’m more than ready for this! I can’t wait to see what you’ve done.”

  We walk to the front door together as I bounce with excitement. I feel Dallas before I see him standing in the kitchen with a big grin on his face. His dimples are showing through and I take in the navy t-shirt that covers the abs I was tracing with my tongue just this morning, scanning all the way down his jean clad thighs to the bare feet poking out of the bottom. When my eyes meet his I know he knows exactly where my thoughts have been because he clears his voice.

  I blush when I realize his mom is standing beside me watching me practically eye-fucking her son. But, it’s not like she doesn’t know we have sex, because her grandchild is evidence of that. “So, shall we go check out the room where I will spend most of my time in?”

  Dallas chuckles as he takes my hand and motions for his mother to precede us. We take the stairs slowly since my stomach is bigger than it has ever been. The man is afraid I’m going to fall because I can’t see my feet anymore. Good thing we’re getting married next weekend. We stop in front of the door while Darlene opens it and moves to the side.

  My eyes meet the light yellow of the room and I gasp when I see all of the work she’s put into it. There’s a sand wood colored crib with matching dresser that I know my mother bought and in the corner is the chair Stella bought for us. It’s a white glider with a pretty green cushion that works with the theme of the room. They’ve chosen a safari theme and there are all types of animals painted on the wall. I can’t believe what I’m seeing. There’s a zebra and a hut with a monkey sticking out of the hut with a giraffe peeking over the top. They’ve even used straw to make the hut look even more realistic. There are a couple of parrots flying above the closet and in one of the other corners is a huge tree with a lioness painted on a branch sleeping. What makes me laugh though is the elephant whose trunk is right over the changing table and it looks as if it’s not happy with what it smells.

  “This is absolutely stunning,” I say through my tears. I can’t believe they went through all of this for us. For me. “Thank you so much.”

  “I’m so glad you love it. I wanted something that you could use for both genders and if it came down to it, you’d be able to use as a play room when they were older or such.” Darlene’s chest puffs up with pride and I can’t help but love her even more.

  “It is simply amazing.” Hugging her to me I cry a little more. I don’t know what I ever did to deserve so much love, but I was thankful for it.

  “Thank you mom. It is absolutely amazing. You’ve outdone yourself.” Dallas hugs his mother as he stands in the room. “That elephant is the best part.”

  “That was your father’s touch to the room.”

  “I can see it,” I laugh quietly as I run my hands over all of the stuff. “Dallas, we have a lot of stair climbing to do when everyone brings the gifts we got over today. I think we are set on diapers for three kids.”

  “Oh, you will never have enough diapers.” Darl
ene laughs. “But, at least they aren’t cloth like when you were babies.”

  “Oh no. I’m not for washing poop. I’ll gladly throw it away.”

  “I don’t blame you for one second.” Darlene pats my back before rubbing my stomach and smiling. “I’m going to let you two enjoy your night. Thank you for blessing me with another person to love. My cup runneth over.”

  “Thanks Mom, for everything,” Dallas says from my side as he pull me into him. “I’ll walk you out.” He kisses my forehead before letting go reluctantly and following his mother.

  Walking into our bedroom I yawn loudly as I pass the comfortable king sized bed that looks so welcoming. I could just bypass my shower and fall into the soft plush mattress and sleep the night away, but I know I need to shower after all the sweating I’ve done with Dallas today. After stripping off my clothes, I look back and forth between the big shower with the huge spraying showerhead that pulsates water all over my body or the claw foot tub that holds enough water to submerge myself in. Eventually my tired body picks, settling on the shower because it’s quicker. Stepping under the hot spray, I groan as my muscles loosen. I didn’t realize how tense I’d been today being put on display in front of the town.

  “You hungry?” Dallas’ voice fills my ears, making me shudder under the warm water.

  “Mmmhmm. I want a ham sandwich,” I turn my head to the side, looking at him standing outside in his sexy outfit from earlier and holding a plate with a ham and cheese sandwich with some jalapeno Cheetos. Oh my, I love this man. “You are amazing.”

  He laughs as he sets the sandwich on the counter and picks up the plush cotton towel off it. He holds it out for me to walk into and wraps it around me. “Let’s get you some food and then tuck you into bed. You look as exhausted as you’re feeling. We need to tone it down on the sexcapades.”

  “Are you okay?” I place my hand on his forehead, feeling him for a fever. This only makes him laugh loudly. “Seriously Dallas! What man doesn’t want pu-tang?”

  He doubles over, grabbing his side while tears stream down his face. “Did… you… just… say pu-tang?”

  “What’s so funny about that?”

  “Kennedy. Come on baby. Don’t,” he’s wheezing from laughing so hard. “Pussy baby. Just call it pussy. Or maybe even vajayjay.”

  “I’m going to eat my sandwich. Thanks for making it for me.” I grab the sandwich, storming into the bedroom. Putting it down on the bed, I slide on the silk nightie I love to sleep in before I climb into the bed and make love to the damn sandwich on my plate.

  “Keep eating that thing like that and I’m gonna have to find me something to eat too.” He growls from the door, standing in just a damn towel, which of course makes me want someone other than the sandwich in my hand.

  “Maybe I want to get a taste of what’s coming from that tent in your towel.” I wink as he drops the towel and takes the sandwich from my hand.

  For the next three hours he reminds me exactly of what made me so tired to begin with, but I can’t even seem to care as he shows me how much he loves every inch of me. Even the parts that aren’t so flattering anymore because of the love growing inside me. By the time we finally hit the pillows to really sleep, I am fully sated and fall into a peaceful sleep.

  Today is the day. The day my life is going to forever change. I won’t be Kennedy Miller anymore, but Mrs. Kennedy Garrison. This is the day I used to dream about as a child and I can’t believe it is actually coming true. I’m marrying the man of my dreams.

  Most of the town is sitting in the pews of the church as I stand beside my mother, waiting for the doors to open. Casey already walked up the aisle wearing a beautiful jade colored bridesmaid’s dress that I let her pick out. I’m a month and a half away from delivering the baby and I know so many people are going to be judging us. I hated that I felt so uncomfortable in the form fitting mermaid gown that I’d loved so much, because I settled on a pretty A-line dress that flowed from my bust down.

  “You ready for this?” My mother asks me, looking into my blue eyes, the same ones I got from the man she loved.

  “Yeah, Momma. You look beautiful. Thanks for stepping in for Daddy.” I mean it when I say she looks beautiful. She’s wearing a light gray dress that fits her curves nicely with a nice little jacket that’s a quarter length. It has a ruching on the side that makes her hips look wider than they are and she looks amazing at forty-seven. Her blonde hair is pulled up into a nice chignon at her nape and she looks almost as breathtaking as she says I am.

  “He’s smiling down on his little princess today,” she smiles as she fingers one of the curls hanging down from the braid Katey put in my hair today.

  Katey was one of the best hairdressers in town and luckily for me she did amazingly flawless makeup. She’d done this as my wedding gift and I was grateful. Even more so when she told me the stuff on my eyes was waterproof and the only way to get it off was with the makeup remover she’d stuck in my bag.

  “I’m ready to see my future husband.”

  “He’s a good looking one that’s for sure,” Momma smiles as H.O.L.Y by Florida Georgia Line comes on and the doors open. “Let’s get you married,” she whispers but I don’t register anything she says, because my eyes meet those of my husband-to-be.

  I smile a huge smile as he starts to shake his head, almost as if he’s saying no but then I see it. He’s trying to hold himself together as I walk toward him. Right now, I feel like the most beautiful thing on the planet, because the man I want to spend the rest of my life with is doing everything in his power not to cry as I walk toward him.

  Chapter Twenty

  Don’t you dare cry. Don’t. Damn. She’s beautiful.

  Standing there in this God-forsaken tux, I wait for the doors to open and when they do I can’t catch my breath. Kennedy looks amazing in her dress. It’s flowing and she looks like an angel. Her hair in that braid curled to the side is beautiful. Tears are running down my face and I don’t even care that I’m giving Austin something to ridicule me about in the future. I’m happy that this woman walking up to me is going to be mine forever.

  Since I first met her years ago, I knew she’d be the one I’d spend my life with. Even at that young age, I’d known that God put her on the planet for ME.

  “Good job, Son.” Dad’s voice comes through my thoughts and I can’t help but smile. He’s right. I did do a good job. I nod my head as Mrs. Lori stands before me.

  “Who gives this woman to be wed?”

  Mrs. Lori leans down, kissing Kennedy on her forehead before taking my hand, placing it on top of Kennedy’s and smiling. “I do.”

  After she takes her seat my father begins to talk about how the power of love can overcome anything at all. I stare at Kennedy as he continues to speak, not even really paying attention to what’s going on. Everything happens in a blur and then I hear my dad laugh.

  “Sir?”

  “The vows, Son. You have to say your vows.” He chuckles as does the rest of the congregation.

  Way to go, idiot. “Right.” Kennedy lets out a nervous laugh as I grip her hands and stare into her beautiful sea blue eyes. “Kennedy. From the time we were kids, I knew that I was destined to call you mine. I knew that I was the one that would give you the love you deserved and the protection you’d need. I promise you that there isn’t a day that will go by, where you won’t know how loved you are. Because not only is my love for you effortless, it’s endless.”

  She’s crying as I finish and I want to kick myself in the ass for making her cry, but my words rang true. She sniffles a couple of times before she speaks. “Dallas. You’re a man my father would be proud of. A man who reminds me so much of the man who shaped my thoughts on what a really good man was like. Your love for me has changed me into someone I love, myself.

  “I never expected to find you again, but the day I showed up on your front steps and you accepted me for me again was truly the best day of my life, until now. I promise to honor, cherish an
d sometimes obey you. We both know I’m too stubborn for it to always happen. But, even in that, I promise to love you through it all.”

  Once the words kiss the bride are out of my Dad’s mouth that is the only thing I can think about. So without further prompting I dip Kennedy back and kiss her hard, in front of the whole church. I pray whenever we right ourselves that my dick isn’t standing straight out.

  “I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Dallas Garrison. Welcome to the family, Kennedy.” Dad claps me on the back before stepping back to allow us to walk down the aisle. “Everyone, there is a reception to celebrate the two love birds at the Garrison Ranch out on Hwy 598. We hope you can make it to help us honor these two as they embark on their journey of love and life.”

  Kennedy sighs once we are in the car heading back home. “I can’t believe we are finally married.”

  “I’ll say and it only took me ten years longer than I wanted,” I pull on the tie around my neck, loosening it up some.

  “Quit doing that, or we won’t ever get out of this car. I’ve been horny as hell the last few days and you looking like sin on a stick over there isn’t helping,” Kennedy’s frustrations aren’t just one-sided though, because seeing her in that number has my cock ready to cut diamonds.

  “I know what you mean baby and after this reception, I will make sure you’re fully satisfied.” I waggle my eyebrows which makes her laugh only to see her sigh when we pull up to the house.

  Mom and Lori really went all out here with the barn done up in candles with mason jars and flowers everywhere. It’s something I’d expect out of a romance novel or a sappy chick flick, but it looks elegant as well. I don’t even care about the damn party. All I care about is getting my wife upstairs in our bed and making her remember exactly what made her want to be mine from the start.