People know they’re showing up for a birthday party for me, it’s supposed to be a surprise. They just don’t know that I know. Annie made me promise to be surprised. And I guess I can’t deny her anything. Even something like this.
It’s a Friday night and we’re on our way to the bowling alley. I just hope there aren’t a bunch of teenagers running around. That drives me wild, I wanted to go earlier but Annie insisted we had to do the “black light bowling”. Where they shut off all the lights and they turn on spotlights, colored lights, and black lights.
Pulling into the parking lot, I find an empty spot and park the Jeep. Turn off the car and turn in my seat towards the pretty girl next to me. She has the visor mirror open, apparently her hair doesn’t look perfect enough to get out of the car just yet.
“Sweetheart, stop it. Your hair looks fine!” Scolding her.
She snaps the visor up, “Fine, let’s go. I don’t know how long I’ll be able to stay up.”
She’s getting closer to her due date, only two weeks away. It’s a good thing she hasn’t been working since early in her pregnancy. Whenever she sits down for more than ten minutes, she falls asleep. It’s so funny to walk in the house and see her on the couch with her Kindle on her chest, mouth open, and soft snores coming from her. But if you ask me, she never snores.
“I told you to make everyone meet here earlier.” I tell her, and get a glare in return. She pointedly looks at the door and then back to me. Well if that’s not a hint to get out I don’t know what is. So being the gentleman I am, I get out and open her door for her.
“After you, m’lady.” I bow and hold my arm out for her.
“Knock it off, you look ridiculous.” Said with a huge smile. I would do anything to see that smile on her face all the time.
“Oh, you know you love me.” Putting my arm around her, I guide us towards the door. And my Hell for the next couple hours. I told myself I wouldn’t drink since Annie can’t. But damn, I could really go for a beer right about now.
We get inside and everyone in the back corner gets really quiet. Okay guys, real stealthy. When we get within ear shot, they all scream “happy birthday” at me. Yay. Everyone walks towards us and gives me either a hug or a pat on the back. Once all the pleasantries are over, we get to the bowling.
Annie picked out this hot pink ball, not surprising. Someone made sure to get the bumpers all set up for her, too. I get my ball and get set up with her in our bumper lane. Making sure to get her all riled up by telling her that I’m going to totally kick her ass.
She bumps her shoulder into mine while we’re sitting putting our shoes on.
“I always hate these things, you never know whose feet these have been on. So disgusting.” God, ain’t that the truth. I should buy us our own pair if we plan on bowling anymore after tonight.
“Yeah, I know. I just try not to think about it though.”
“Gah, at least one of us can. I can only imagine that the last person who had these on hadn’t showered in weeks and left behind their nasty foot sweat.” She gags. Even making gagging noises she looks adorable.
I stand up and help her up, I look around to all of our friends. Friends who were brought together because of Annie getting pregnant. I can’t help but to think about how lucky we are to have all these people supporting us. Richardson especially, he’s been hanging out with Brandy a lot. They seem good together, he’s quiet and she’s his polar opposite. They seem to balance each other.
I bowl first, and thanks to the bumpers didn’t get a gutter. But it wasn’t great. The whole night went on like that. Annie wasn’t doing much better than me, sometimes her balls didn’t even make it down the lane. But tonight was probably one of the best nights I have in a long time. I laughed a lot. Annie snorted a lot, which in turn made me laugh harder. Everyone had a great time, but after a couple hours it was time for me to take Annie home. She looked like she was ready to fall asleep standing up.
After telling everyone our goodbyes, I practically had to carry my Thunder to the car. I had Jonah follow with the gifts and shove them in the back of the Jeep. Putting her in the car, I get her all fastened up and shut the door. As soon as the door shut she rested her head against it and closed her eyes.
I turn to Jonah, “Thanks for everything tonight, man.”
“That was all your girl. She did everything.”
I turn to look at her through the window. “Yeah, she’s pretty great. Isn’t she?”
“You’re a lucky bastard. This situation could have turned out so much worse than what it did.” He slaps me on the back then walks towards his car, yelling a goodnight.
He’s so right. This could have turned into a statistic. Where I only see my boy every other weekend and one night during the week. I’m so happy that didn’t happen. That we actually get to raise our child together. As a couple.
I walk around to the other side and hop in. Starting the car I throw it in drive, and head towards home. I reach over to the passenger seat where my pretty girl has fallen fast asleep. I run my hand through her hair, and smile to myself. I sure am a lucky son of a bitch.
Annie
It’s just a couple days before Christmas, it’s still hard to get used to the no snow thing down here. Growing up we almost always had a white Christmas. Now, I’m not complaining about the warm weather, but I do miss the snow. I would like to see it once, then come back home.
We actually just finished putting up the tree and all of my decorations a couple days ago. I’ve kept my presents hidden from Jayden, I don’t want him to know how many things I bought until Christmas morning. He keeps trying to bribe them out of me though. And he’s so good at bribing, I’ve almost given in every time. But the thought of actually surprising him with something excites me.
He’s definitely not an easy person to buy for, the guy has everything he could possibly need. I bought him a couple Under Armour shirts for working out. But the main thing I’m excited for him to open up is a remote start and a car alarm system for his Jeep. He keeps saying he wishes he had a remote start for some reason. It’s not cold here, so I have no clue why he wants it. Boys and their toys.
I’m still trying to figure out what to make for our dinner here Christmas Eve. But Christmas Day will be spent at his parents’ house. I’m so excited to be around a “family” Christmas again. Brandy has gone to Shawn’s parents’ house out of town. So it’ll be just Jayden and I Christmas Eve. I asked Jonah if he wanted to come over but he said he has to go to base for something and didn’t know for sure when he’s going to be done.
Jayden texted me earlier and told me he was going to stop at the store and grab stuff for dinner tonight. That he’s getting sick of pizza, but will get me something that has tomatoes in it. Silly man. Just as long as he’s cooking I could care less what I eat at this point.
I’ve been going to weekly appointments now. My due date is in nine days, and I’m only one centimeter dilated. I’m getting more and more miserable. Daily. It feels like I’m carrying around a bowling ball underneath my shirt. Jayden tries to help me relax, but at this point until the baby comes it’s a lost cause. I don’t sleep well, and when I do fall asleep I wake up to pee. I swear this child lives on my bladder.
“Jayden!” I yell across the house.
“Be right there.” I hear him stomping through the house. I’m still just sitting on the couch, “What’s up?” he asks as soon as he gets into the living room.
“What did you get your parents for Christmas?” I don’t know why I haven’t asked him this yet.
“Jonah and I went in on a weekend getaway to the Outer Banks.”
“Oh, that’s nice. So… are you going to put my name on the card, too?” I smile big.
“It already is you goof.” He laughs as he tells me, “And we got Jonah a gift card to Best Buy.”
“OH! That’s good, he’s always talking about that tech nerdy stuff.” Jayden raises his eyebrow at that.
“Tech nerdy stuff?” he questions.
“I happen to know that a certain someone loves her ereader. And her iPhone.” The dimples are on display. Every time he looks at me with those dimples I lose my train of thought. Combine that with when he’s naked and I’m a goner.
“Shut up. Just because I like two technological things doesn’t mean I’m a nerd.”
“Of course not, sweetheart.” He tells me obediently.
I narrow my eyes at him, and he just grins bigger. And all of a sudden, I’m lost in his green eyes. Those eyes that seem like they see straight into your soul. They completely render you speechless. He senses the shift in my mood, too. It’s amazing how in sync we are with each other after such a short time together.
He leans his head down and softly touches his lips to mine. Mmm, too bad my soldier doesn’t know I want it rough today. I walk to the wall closest to us, and spin us so he’s leaning back against it. I come in as close as I can and start to kiss him, letting my hands roam everywhere. I run them up the inside of his shirt, relishing the feel of his hard muscles. The muscles that roll and clench with every thrust into me.
His hand pushes into my hair and pulls out my pony tail holder. Running his hands through my hair root to ends. All while he’s still kissing me. I push his shirt up over his head and let it fall to the floor. He does the same to me, but leaves my bra on. Pulling the cups down under my breasts and cupping them both, rolling and pinching my nipples in between his fingers. Causing a moan to slip from my lips.
I reach blindly for his pants the same time he reaches for mine. Trying to force our pants down, I only get his to the middle of his thighs when he suddenly turns us so I’m facing the wall. I brace my hands and let my head rest on the wall. He finishes getting my pants off and helps me step out of them. He runs his hands down my back and then over my ass, giving it a sharp smack. Making me cry out.
“Ohhh, does my Thunder enjoy having her ass smacked?” he coos.
“Mmm, yeah.” Barely able to force a coherent word out of my mouth.
He rubs his hand over one cheek and then delivers five rapid smacks, and then he’s soothing the spot with the same hand. He grabs my hips and pulls them back and taps the inside of my thighs, wanting me to spread my legs. I willingly comply. He runs his finger down my crack, making goose bumps spread all across my skin.
His hand makes it to my entrance, and he starts to work a single finger in and out of me.
“You’re so goddamned wet. You’re always this wet for me. This is all for me.” With that he pushes a second finger into me, making my moans come louder. I couldn’t form words right now if I tried.
“That’s right, sweetheart. You’re all mine, every single part.” He pulls his fingers out and I hear him suck my juices off.
He pushes my back down and pulls my hips towards him so he has better access. And without warning he lines himself up and slams home. I scream at the sudden sensation. He’s huge, like really hung, so the sudden fullness is almost crossing that point of too much pain. He doesn’t move right away, giving me time to adjust. But the pain slowly fades away, and as it does I start to move back against him. Giving him the go ahead to fuck me. And fuck me he does.
Holding onto my hips he doesn’t start slow, he pulls out and slams into me again and again. Setting a relentless pace. I start to meet him thrust for thrust, forcing a groan out of him. He slips a hand in front of me and starts to rub my clit. Making me see stars.
“C’mon, sweetheart. I’m close, I need you to come with me!” he grunts out on every thrust.
It doesn’t take but a few more thrust and him rubbing my clit for my world to explode. All sounds are blocked out and all I can hear is my heart thumping wildly in my chest. I close my eyes and rest my head against the wall again. My whole body is tingling, if it weren’t for Jayden holding me up, I would probably fall. He follows me soon after with a guttural moan.
“God, sweetheart, your pussy is gripping my cock like a fucking vise. This is how we were meant to be. You’re fucking made just for me.” His voice husky.
His words hitting me straight in my heart. To hear him say that I was made for him? Nothing could have made me happier at that moment.
It’s Christmas Eve finally. I’m getting so damn excited for tomorrow morning. I’m almost tempted to give him one of his presents to open tonight. I’m not the most patient person in the world, and when I get excited over something it’s even worse.
I’ve just gotten my cranberry chicken out of the oven when Jayden comes stomping down the stairs. Jesus he sounds like a herd of elephants walking anywhere. He comes into the kitchen, and walks over to me placing his hand on my belly.
“Not too much longer, sweetheart. Are you ready to finally not be pregnant?” He leans over to kiss my head.
“I’m so excited, for a lot of things.” I tell him vaguely.
“Oh yeah? What’s that?”
“Christmas is tomorrow, duh.” I say flippantly.
He’s laughing at me now, nothing new there. Seems all I do is make the Miller men laugh at me. I roll my eyes in his direction. Finding dimples at my eye level. He’s bent down to look me in the eye.
“I love you so much, Thunder.” Swooning.
“I love you too, baby.” Smiling at him, I turn back to getting the food all set on the table so we can eat. He starts helping me by grabbing plates and silverware for us. After I get the food set, he pulls out a chair for me and I sit. I’ve been on my feet for a while cooking, so my feet are starting to hurt.
He serves the food for us both. Smiling my thanks to him I start to dig into the food. I’m pregnant, what do you expect? And once again, I’m moaning around my food. I try to stop myself, but damn this chicken is just so good. I glance over to my soldier and his shoulders shaking with silent laughter.
“You ass, just let it out. I know Jonah told you about when I first met your parents.” I hiss before shoving another bite in my mouth.
“Sweetheart, you’re amazing.” He tells me.
I grin. “What you see is what you get, baby.”
He shakes his head laughing again. But we leave our conversation at that and finish our food. Once we’re done we get up to put food away and clean up some. I want to go to bed early so I can wake Jayden up earlier than normal. I’m too excited to open these damn presents.
“Okay, sweetheart. Go grab you a jacket, we’re going on a little road trip.”
What the fuck is he getting at? A road trip, it’s fucking eight o’clock at night. It’s time for bed! Not a road trip!
“Where are we going?” I ask him skeptically.
“It’s a surprise, now go grab a jacket. I’m driving.” Fucker, he just grabbed his keys and walked out the door. He’s lucky he helped me clean up.
Muttering under my breath I stomp around the finding my purse and a jacket. He better stop and get me ice cream or something for this. I lock up the front door, and head to the Jeep. And like the gentleman he is, he’s standing there on the passenger side with a bouquet of flowers. Daisies, my favorite. He’s got something planned. I fucking hate surprises for me.
“Why thank you, kind sir. To what do I owe this to?” I say in my best British accent, which is horrible. I sound ridiculous. He smiles at me and shoos me into the car and shuts it behind me. I’m not enjoying this at all.
He hops in the driver seat, starts up the car and backs out of my driveway. A few minutes out of my driveway he turns the radio on and turns the volume up. He must be trying to distract me to not ask any questions. I huff and cross my arms over my chest. Sneaking a glance at him, I see him with that grin like it’s frozen on his face. I’ll give him this. Let him feel like he has the upper hand. But fuck if it isn’t killing me to do so.
Jayden
This was a spur of the mo
ment decision for a last minute Christmas gift. I was walking through the mall with Jonah and went into the jewelry store to just look around. And ended up in front of the engagement rings. Jonah just looked at me knowingly and grinned.
I sat there for a good two hours having them pull out every different size and style of ring. Trying to figure out how I feel about the possibility of getting married. And oddly enough, it doesn’t make me panic at all. It feels right. We went about everything so backwards, but this is the first thing that has felt totally right for us.
And it was also REALLY spur of the moment to propose on Christmas Eve. We have the night to ourselves, so it just clicked for me. I needed to propose tonight. So here we are, in the Jeep driving to Hilton Head. I heard from Brandy that she drove down there when she found out she was pregnant. To try to take it all in and figure out what she was going to do. So I thought I would take her back there and make it a better memory for her.
We’re about halfway there and Annie is still sitting there with her arms crossed staring out the window. I smile to myself, she’s either going to be really happy. Or be really pissed, and I hope she isn’t feeling very violent tonight. She’s a feisty one.
I’m not very nervous. I’m pretty positive she’ll say yes. Things have been going pretty great between us. I start humming along with the song on the radio, trying to keep her from asking any questions. I’m not great at keeping secrets, this has been really hard for me to keep my mouth shut on.
When we got off on the exit for Hilton Head, she looks at me, curiosity burning on her face. But she still doesn’t say a word. Even when we pull into the parking lot, which I’m positive she’s familiar with. But, still, no words. My Thunder is restraining herself tonight. Maybe she knows that I need her cooperation tonight.
I turn the car off, and get out before she can aim any questions at me. I need her to relax for a little bit longer. I get to her side and open the door for her, holding my hand out for her to grab onto, which she does without hesitation.
“Babe, what’s going on?” Ah, the questions are starting.
Unexpected Series: Box Set Page 11