9 Ways to Fall in Love

by Caroline Clemmons

  “Did you say something, angel?” He wasn’t paying me any mind. He was studying all the pictures that Dr. Stewart gave him.

  “I said, the heartbeat has two sides, my favorite quote from my mom.” I softly patted his hand.

  “Beautiful saying. Yes, in this case, it does. Twins! Amazing. I order girls. I want twin girls, redheaded just like you! I love you, precious angel, and I adore you,” he said as he kissed me passionately.

  “Can we go home?”

  “Are you okay?” He pulled me close to him, meeting my eyes with curiosity.

  “Yes, but I just need a little quiet time with you.”

  “I get it. Yes, we’ll go home and you can rest in my arms.”

  “Rest?” I teased.

  “Okay fine. I need more make-up sex. There. You happy?” He kissed me feverishly before I could answer.

  He made the drive over to the apartment very quickly. We were in bed in a matter of minutes. The desire I had for him had been pent up for weeks and his libido was back as well. The erection he sported told the story. After we made love a couple of times, we took a long overdue nap.

  He woke me up by drawing his finger over my belly, talking to the babies. It was so sweet, but I was struggling to grip the thought of twins. I was totally terrified. After everything we’d been through, more issues ahead was not what I wanted on my agenda.

  “Do you seriously want redheaded girls?”

  “I want anything healthy, but I prefer girls, yes! You don’t?”

  “I’m still waiting for the shock to wear off. I’m not ready to go down the road of names and décor, etc. We don’t even have room here for a baby, much less twins. This is not what we planned.” I tried to laugh.

  “We didn’t plan at all, remember. We were leaving it up to nature. So, nature says we are having two babies.” He beamed. “By the way, I’m grateful that you took me back when you did. I would’ve always wondered if we kept getting back together only when we were pregnant. It’s important to me that you’re with me because you love me and want this family with me. I’ve hurt you, and I’ll spend eternity being a better husband and father.” His eyes sought mine and his look was imploring.

  “I never stopped loving you, I just stopped begging for you. There’s a difference. I think we’ve both learned our lesson about Olivia and about making sure we put each other first, no matter what. I want our daughters to know that they were worth fighting for.” I patted my tummy, “Twins, huh?” I asked him and he just nodded his head up and down, with big eyes and a huge smile.

  “New Year’s Eve was some really hot sex. I still think it was that night, don’t you?” I murmured.

  “That was some amazingly hot sex that night, which I have not forgotten. It was the magic of those black shoes, I think.” We both laughed out loud. That was the night he told me that he had a fetish about those black shoes.

  “Being pregnant explains a lot. I should’ve noticed the signs. I remember thinking that your period was late back in January, but with everything that has happened, I forgot about it. I want to dote on you, so please let me. Allow me to take dote on you, please?”

  “Okay fine, but if I feel smothered, I will tell you to back off, and it just might be with an attitude, so don’t get in a huff, okay Daddy?”

  “Daddy. That word sounds amazing. You can say that as many times as you want!” he said before he chastely kissed me, getting out of bed to grab a shower.

  “Well, it won’t be long and you’ll have two running behind you shouting ‘Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!’ Speaking of which, I probably should call him.”

  “Are you going to tell him?”

  “Why don’t we have everyone over and tell them all at the same time?”

  “Sounds like a plan, if you’re up to it.”

  “Call Harrison and Zoe. I’ll call Monica, Cooper and Daddy. I’ll tell them we’re celebrating getting back together. When they get here, we’ll tell them together about the babies.”

  We made our calls and ordered food for the celebration. Grayson chilled some bubbly, but everyone would know when I wasn’t drinking, so he ran to the store for a bottle of non-alcoholic champagne just for me.

  “Come join me in the shower before I have to share you with everyone else. You really like this attention business, don’t you?”

  “Hmm, I’ll show you some attention, how’s that sound?” I said. He didn’t answer me, rather claimed my mouth with his.

  ***

  Harrison was the first to arrive, followed by Cooper, Daddy and Gretchen. We waited on Monica to show, but I was curious about how tense things were going to be with her and Harrison.

  When everyone finally arrived, Grayson made the first toast. “I still have much to learn, the first being that redheads are always right, no matter what. So, from now on, I have to stay on her good side. It will be good practice, since I hope both our babies have her red hair! Thank you sweetheart for coming back to my side and I can’t wait until our babies are born. Cheers!”

  Dad was next to me. I looked up to him and said, “Congratulations, Grandpa, Grandma, we’re having twins! We’re due in September.” He grabbed me in a tight hug and when he let me go, I could see a tears at the corner of his eyes. ”Twins?” he asked again, then murmured, “Twins, Gretchen, she’s having twins.” He was beyond excited.

  “Just to make things a little more lively, they’re going to be identical, we just don’t know boys or girls and won’t for a couple of months! So get prepared, it’s going to be exciting around here!” Grayson picked me up and twirled me around, making everyone move out of the way. We had hugs and congratulations from everyone.

  We had called in catering and there was a variety of things to eat, and for the first time in days, I was hungry. Funny thing, I hadn’t experienced the sickness this time. I felt fine, in fact, I felt great. I’d been running and really had just gotten back in good shape. Well, except for my boobs that were growing and my hips that were wider.

  I took note that Monica wasn’t talking with Harrison. They remained on opposite sides of the room. I decided to take her to the patio and talk to her.

  “Have you two talked at all?”

  “No, he won’t take my calls. He has sent me a few texts, mostly letting me know when he’s out of town. Generic stuff.”

  “Well, in my mind, if he’s doing that, it means he still cares about you and that’s a generic way of just communicating with you.”

  “Not in my mind. He said some really hurtful things. He thinks I cheated on him with Stuart. I tried to explain things, but you know how stubborn guys are. Look, I need to go, but I just want you to know that I’m so happy for you two. I want to be around for you and the babies. I can be in the same room with him, so it’s not going to affect our friendship, hopefully.”

  “No, it won’t, because I see you two getting back together soon.”

  We hugged goodbye and I returned to the rest of our guests while she slipped out of the apartment.

  I had devoured a plate of food and watched Grayson show my dad and Gretchen the ultrasound pictures of “Baby A and Baby B.” He was beaming, in fact, they all were. About that time, I realized that Kane and Kaliegh’s wedding was going to be sometime in October. Zoe’s baby was due in August. The rest of the year was packed full of anticipation and fun things.

  “I hate to pounce on you, kiddo, but you two better get busy and find a house. Your lease is up soon and your clock is ticking on the easy part of your pregnancy, especially with two.”

  “Gee, thanks Dad, I guess,” I said, pausing to smile at him. “You’re right on all fronts. We have to get busy.”

  “Hey Cooper, Dad says I need to find the perfect house before I am the size of a house.” The room filled with laughter. Dad denied saying it like that, but it really was what he was saying.

  “Sure thing, sis, we’ll start next week.”

  “Ouch, next week I’m in California, I leave on Sunday.”

  “What? You are
n’t traveling, Alexandra, remember, you promised?” Grayson lifted his voice with a bit of a bite. I could understand his frustration. Last time, I was kidnapped, shot and had a miscarriage. Everyone in the room just stared at us. Talk about a party downer!

  “Hey, don’t panic. I’m just flying commercial to California for a week. Everything will be just fine.”

  Dad and Grayson both raised their voices and said “No,” in unison.

  “Up until yesterday, we didn’t even know I was pregnant. I’ve already scheduled the meetings and bought the tickets.”

  “Alexandra, can you do these by webinar or skype?” Grayson asked while gearing up for a full argument. He placed both hands on his hips and forced his chest out.

  “Yes, but,” I tried to plead my case, but Grayson shot me down.

  “Look, Alex, here’s the deal,” Dad was teaming up with Grayson. I had lost the battle before I even had a chance to saddle up.

  “Okay fine, you’re right, I won’t go. I made those plans before I knew, but I’ll change them.” I agreed to their terms and smiled at both of them. Grayson’s protectiveness ion made me feel all warm and comforted.

  Grayson took my hand to his lips and kissed my fingers, and mouthed thank you to me. I knew he was relieved when there was no fight about the travel, but I was also certain Drew was going to regret the day he ever hired me. The drama kid from Chicago had struck again.

  Our crowd had dwindled to just Zoe and Brent, Harrison and us. Of course, there were cheers and hugs. Zoe had been having a good deal of morning sickness, and had to spend a week in the bed, which finally subsided. She just hadn’t felt well, but was finally getting over the hump and really showing now. They had just found out it was a boy and were thrilled. They quickly made their departure, leaving Harrison alone with us.

  “I’m really happy for you both. Back together and having babies. Wow.” Harrison said with a tight face.

  “Speaking of back together…”

  “Don’t go there, Alexandra. It’s none of our business.” Grayson pulled me close to his side and looked at me sternly.

  “It is when I love them both.”

  “Alex, I appreciate what you’re trying to do. There’s things that I need to work through. I care about her, but she needs to resolve her feelings for her ex. I really don’t want to talk about it.”

  “Fine, I’ll leave you two to chat while I clean up the kitchen.” I walked back into the kitchen from the patio and couldn’t help but feel sad for them. They loved each other, I just knew it.

  ***

  The twins’ birthday was coming up the following weekend. I had an idea of what I was going to get Grayson, but I wanted some sisterly advice. Monica agreed to go shopping with me. We slipped out early in the morning to go shopping for the birthday present. If only they were still a couple, I thought to myself. It would be so much fun shopping each year for them together as twins.

  I decided on a Tag Heuer Carrera watch. They were able to make a special inscription on the back for me. I couldn’t wait until Grayson opened it. He was going to be surprised. We had to wait for the engraving, which gave us time to do some more shopping.

  Chapter 19

  We joined Dad and Gretchen for the weekend at the Rockwall house where we celebrated Grayson’s birthday. We’d planned a special birthday lunch.

  “I’ve been thinking you need to quit PMC as soon as you can, so that you can focus on the move and getting ready for two babies.” Dad was showing his fatherly concern, but he was also being a busy body.

  “I know, Dad. I was thinking the some things would have to change, I just wanted to wait until I was in the second trimester before I made the announcement, unless you’ve already told them. Did you tell them?”

  “Well, maybe I did say something about becoming a grandpa on the conference call today with Phillip.” Busted! I knew he couldn’t keep his mouth shut.

  “Dad, what did I tell you? Stay out of my career! You just don’t learn, do you?” I was frustrated with him. He was worse than Grayson when it came to bossing me around. “This pregnancy is still early, Dad. I don’t want to go there with the what-ifs, but I can’t just quit my job. We’re going to Venice for PMC at the end of April. After that, if all is well, then I’ll give them notice to hire my replacement for a June or July departure. That is what Grayson and I’ve decided. Are you okay with that?”

  “No, I’m not. I don’t think you should travel. I think you should stop now, find a house, and settle down, Alex. You should know better than anyone what’s at risk!” He was incredibly mad at me. He rarely raised his voice to me. In fact, I don’t recall the last time.

  He was right. I knew that better than anyone. I looked up at Grayson and it was what he wasn’t saying that said everything. I felt like I had just been the victim of an intervention!

  “Fine, then. I’ll give notice next week. I’ll work from home helping them with a replacement when they’re ready.” Dad and Grayson cheered. They won. They beat me down until they won, but still, they got their way, all the same.

  We had a great lunch out by the pool at Dad and Gretchen’s new home, and it was neat to have the fire, the pool, and the lake all together for a view. It was a magnificent home and I felt a twinge of jealousy. I would’ve loved to have lived there, but chasing twins up and down the steps to the lake and the fear of them getting in the water... No way. Thank goodness karma intervened.

  Gretchen had ordered a six-layer German chocolate cake for Grayson. When we found out that was his favorite, she had to call several bakeries before we found just the right cake.

  When I handed him my gift, he looked at me, intrigued. “You’re giving me the most precious gift I could ever want. Two babies the first go around. I don’t need anything else, but I love surprises. What’s in the box?” He was practically beaming and he hadn’t even opened it yet. He ripped the wrapping paper off and opened the gift and admired the watch. “It’s beautiful. I’ll cherish this forever. Thank you, I love it.” As he unfastened the buckle, he noticed there was an inscription:

  Two sides of a heartbeat. LU 4ever, AEB

  “Come here my darling, I love you. My heart has two sides to it as well. I love the watch, and I adore you.” He kissed me passionately with one hand on my neck, his thumb tilting my chin to him, the other on my ass pulling me tightly to him. Obviously, he forgot for a moment that we were in front of Dad and Gretchen, but we didn’t really care.

  ***

  Giving notice to Drew was very difficult, although he agreed it was for the best. He didn’t want me working and felt it best that I concentrate on family after everything that we’d been through. They would look towards the outside to hire someone and he would appreciate being able to send them to Dallas for me to train them when the time came. Of course, Grayson was staying on as Medical Director and would be speaking for them, so I would see them at different venues, but now only as a spouse, which wasn’t the same. I was trying to embrace my independence, but it was slipping through my hands. I had to remember that I was getting exactly what I wanted: a family.

  The week went fast and as Thursday rolled around, I met Cooper for lunch and a review of houses for sale that he had pulled. I had to admit, he truly outdid himself. He found over a dozen houses for me to see. There were quite a few in our area on the market that met with our lengthy wish list.

  After the better part of two days of viewing, I narrowed down my choices to three. We made appointments to see all three on Saturday with Grayson. The Preston Hollow home was my favorite, and I knew that Daddy would like it because it was in a gated community.

  While looking at the houses with Grayson, Dad, and Gretchen, I was surprised at their reactions to them. It was not at all like I predicted. Grayson chose the Preston Hollow house. When I asked him why, he said he had two reasons. One, because it was safer, since the bedrooms were on the same level as the master and the playroom and computer area were upstairs.

  “And the second?” I as
ked, curious at what he liked because he really didn’t say a lot when we were there. He leaned in and whispered in a low sexy voice, “It has a perfect place in the man’s closet to hang my collection of your boudoir photos!” His answer completely caught me off guard. I’d forgotten about those photos. He had ordered prints of several of them, but when they came in, he stowed them in his closet. Outta sight, outta mind.

  We made an offer on the Preston Hollow house and it was accepted. We had a house, and soon it would be moving time.

  ***

  Moving day came quickly. We hired movers because Grayson needed to work and he didn’t want to worry about me lifting a thing. Then he asked Dad and Gretchen to be my watchdogs. He went way overboard being overprotective, but I let him have his way since it was easier than an argument. The new house had been empty for almost a year, so we were lucky in that regard. Coming from an apartment, we didn’t have a lot of furniture so it wasn’t a monstrous move like Dad had experienced.

  It was going to be fun filling it up with new items that Grayson and I picked out together. He thought he was a great decorator, but my jury was still out and our tastes differed. The room that I was most excited about was the nursery and I couldn’t wait to find out the sex, but he wanted to wait and find out at delivery. He knows I’m a planner, so that wouldn’t work for me.

  I felt blessed in so many ways. The house was an amazing wedding gift from Dad and Gretchen. He wasn’t taking no for an answer, even though we tried to argue with him. It was going to be fun filling it up with a lifetime of family memories.

  I sat down on the sofa to take a break for lunch, when I felt something knock on my tummy like a door. Knock, knock, who’s there. Babies! The babies were kicking, one or both of them. I was so excited, I ran to the car and drove to the office without even thinking. I had to show Grayson. I hoped he could feel it like I could from the outside. It was a strange feeling, but simply wonderful.

  On the way there, I talked to them and encouraged them to do it again and I felt it a few more times. Waltzing through the door, I found Grayson and Zoe in his private office on speaker phone with someone. It was Millie. She was doing very well, the tumors were responding to the chemo, and she felt like she could come back one day or so a week. She was so excited for all of us and all of our baby news. Millie was thrilled to be called Aunt Millie. I promised to go by and see her on my way home and we made plans to have her over, just as soon as we got settled in the new house.