Closing Time

by E. L. Todd

  Sean brought me the bowl of ice cream.

  “Does it have every flavor?” I asked.

  “Yes. Chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla.”

  I took it from his hands. “Where are the nuts?”

  “Under the whipped cream.”

  “There’s no cherries…”

  He rolled his eyes then snatched the bowl back. “You’re lucky you’re so damn hot.”

  I smirked while I watched him walk away. “Thanks, honey.”

  He added the cherries then came back. “Is this better?”

  “Yes.” I took the bowl and shoved the ice cream into my mouth. “So good.”

  He eyed me then flipped through his car magazine.

  “You aren’t going to have one?”

  “No.”

  “Why?” I got a spoonful of each flavor along with the whipped cream and nuts.

  “You like my body. I want to keep it that way.”

  I rolled my eyes. “You can treat yourself once in a while.”

  “Nah, I’m good.” He looked at an image of the new Lamborghini. “How pissed would you be if I bought another car?”

  “As in, we’d have three cars?”

  “No. I would trade in my Ferrari for a Lamborghini.”

  “But you’ve only had it for a year…”

  “Yeah, but these cars are so bad ass.”

  I shrugged. “Sean, it’s your money. Do what you want.”

  “Our money,” he growled. “And I value your opinion.”

  “Both of those cars aren’t exactly family friendly…”

  “I need a man toy. I love being a family man but I need my escape once in a while.”

  Understandable. “Then do what you want.”

  He closed the magazine then took the empty bowl away from my hands and placed it on the coffee table. “You doing okay?”

  “I feel fine.”

  He touched my stomach. “What’s taking her so long?”

  I shrugged. “I’m supplying her with so much food that she never wants to leave.”

  He chuckled. “You might be right about that.”

  We settled into the couch and I kept checking my phone.

  “Baby, what’s up?” Sean asked.

  “Ryan hasn’t called…”

  “Because he’s on his honeymoon,” he said firmly.

  “He’s supposed to come home today. He didn’t even let me know if he was okay.”

  “He’s a big boy, Scarlet.”

  Like Ryan could hear us, he sent me a text message.

  Had a great time. Wanted to share this with you, but if you show anyone I will make your daughter turn on you and hate you. He attached a picture of Janice on the beach, showing her backside in a thong. Judging the picture, Janice clearly had no idea he took the shot. I rolled my eyes then deleted the image.

  “What?” Sean asked.

  “My brother…”

  “He contacted you, so you should be happy.”

  “But you don’t know what he sent me…that pervert.”

  “What?” he asked.

  “A picture of Janice in a thong bikini.”

  Sean laughed. “That’s romantic. I’d never let you go out with your ass hanging out. I’d have to murder every guy on that beach.”

  “Ryan isn’t like that, obviously.”

  “Well, I give him props.”

  I typed back a message. You’re gross.

  My fascination with my wife’s ass isn’t gross.

  This conversation could go on for a long time. When will you be home?

  We’re getting on the plane now, so about six hours.

  Have a good time?

  Oh yes. We only left the room when Janice forced me.

  All he ever cared about was sex. See you when you get back.

  Skye still tucked away?

  Yep. We just had ice cream for lunch.

  You really are a fat ass.

  Go to hell.

  Keep her in there until I get back.

  Because I have any control over that…

  Just do it.

  I put my phone away. “They’re on their way home.”

  “Good. They’ll be here before Skye arrives.”

  “If she ever does,” I said with a sigh.

  He rubbed the back of my neck. “I know you’re uncomfortable, but she’ll be here soon.”

  “Yeah…”

  “And you look so beautiful, baby.” He kissed my forehead. “You glow brighter than the sun.”

  “You don’t think I’m a fat ass?”

  “No,” he said seriously. “You’re hotter than you’ve ever been.”

  “That’s not possible.”

  “But it is.” He continued to massage me. “I’m so thankful this happened. I was okay with not having children if we had no other options, but I’m really grateful this is finally happening for us.”

  “Me too.”

  “Thank you for giving me my family, Scar.”

  “You’re the one who put her in there to begin with.”

  He rubbed my stomach. “But you’ve taken care of her for the past nine months. I know you’ve been uncomfortable and in a lot of pain, but you toughed it out. And when…she…threatened you, you protected Skye with everything you had. You’re going to be a terrific mother.”

  My eyes softened. “You think so?”

  “I know so.”

  “You’ll be an amazing dad.”

  He chuckled. “Until she hits puberty.”

  “Even then.” I rested my head against his shoulder and hooked my arm around his, snuggling into him. Even though the past few months have been hard and uncomfortable, spending time with Sean every single day has been nothing but wonderful. I don’t know what I would do without him.

  “I love you,” I whispered.

  “And I you.”

  Even though I was enormous, so big I couldn’t see my feet, Sean was insistent we make love, just like he was every night. His body was chiseled and defined. I knew the image of his abs so well that I could pick them out in a police lineup. His chest was wide and strong, and his shoulders were sculpted with lines that defined every muscle. His thin hip showed the V that moved to his groin. How this exceptionally sexy man could ever want to have sex with me, a pregnant cow, was beyond me. But he did.

  I could only lay on my back, and even then, I couldn’t move much. Sean pulled my hips toward him then put my feet over his shoulder. Then he slipped inside me and rocked me gently. He was no longer aggressive in bed, just easy and slow. His cock moved inside me repeatedly, giving me dull sensations of pleasure. I just lay there and enjoyed it, not having to do a single thing. Sean pressed my legs to his chest while his ass contracted and thrust into me. When I looked at the vanity across the room, I could see his reflection in it. I stared at his ass as it tightened then relaxed. I loved his ass. It was so nice.

  Sean stared at me while he kept going. He knew what I was looking at.

  Despite how hot I was all the time, and the constant pain of my feet and lower back, Sean brought me into a climax of undeniable pleasure. I watched his muscles work to make it last as long as possible. I lay my head back down and gripped his thighs, loving how good it felt.

  His chest dripped with sweat, and my hands moved up to feel the beads. It was slippery and warm, making me dig my nails into the skin to hold on. He grunted while he sped up, trying to reach his threshold. I wanted to do something to please him, but I was pretty much handicapped. Quickly, he took a deep breath then moaned while he filled me, his cock becoming even thicker as he released. He leaned on his knuckles and made his final thrusts. When he was finished and satisfied, he lay beside me and caught his breath. I kept my distance because he was hot, but trailed my fingers down his chest.

  “You have a really nice ass,” I blurted.

  He smirked. “I saw you staring at it.”

  “Well, I like it.” I pulled the covers over me then turned on my side, the only position that was slightl
y comfortable.

  “Good. I like your ass too.” He came closer to me after he cooled off then tangled his body with mine. Sean wasn’t a cuddler in his previous relationships. Even when he was with Penelope, they stayed on opposite sides of the bed. But with me, we were so mixed together that you couldn’t tell us apart. I liked feeling his warm body next to mine, listening to the sound of his quiet breathing.

  “Thank you for being so wonderful to me,” I whispered.

  “How could I not be? You’re carrying my baby.”

  “But a lot of guys would find any reason to leave the house just to get away. They wouldn’t want to be intimate because the belly would be such a turn off, and they certainly wouldn’t be so sweet.”

  “Well, I’m not like other guys.”

  “I know.”

  “I think your body is perfect. And those tits…they never disappoint.”

  I felt my heart swell with warmth. “You’ve made me feel beautiful even when I looked like a hideous troll. You took care of me without ever complaining. And you took time off of work just to be with me. I really appreciate it.”

  “I know, baby. Now you know I’ll always be there for you.”

  “I already knew it.”

  His hand moved to my lower back and he rubbed me until I fell asleep.

  Sometime in the middle of the night, I felt a flash of heat and a strong pain in my stomach. It lasted for a few seconds then it was gone. I was vaguely aware of it, but being asleep, I dozed off again and forgot about it. But then it came again, jolting me awake even though I wanted to fall back asleep. Then I felt my stomach and sat up. The sheets beneath me were soaked in sweat, my forehead was damp, and my back was killing me. “Sean…”

  He sat up, his eyes still half closed, and then reached for me. “Baby, you okay?”

  “My stomach hurts.” I leaned over the bed, trying to catch my breath.

  Sean threw the bedding off then jumped to his feet. “You’re having contractions. The baby is coming.”

  Oh. Contractions. Duh. I feared something horrible was happening again.

  Sean pulled on a change of clothes then grabbed the bag he already packed. The car seat was in the BMW and everything was ready to go, except me. He came to me then helped me changed into a dress. “Can you walk?”

  I nodded. “But I need help.”

  He grabbed my hand with the bag over his shoulder. “I got you. Come on.”

  We waddled down the stairs until we reached the front door.

  “Is she coming?” I asked.

  “Yep. Our baby is finally on the way.” He grabbed his keys and wallet then chauffeured me to the car. He gave me a boost into the seat then checked my safety belt. “You’re doing great, honey. Just keep breathing.”

  “Okay.”

  He got into the driver’s seat then headed to the hospital.

  “We need to call everyone.” I pointed the AC at me so I would cool down.

  “I will when we get there.” He grabbed my hand and held it. “Through your nose and out your mouth.”

  I breathed like he told me to.

  When we arrived at the hospital, Sean got me a wheelchair then pushed me inside. I was freaking out about going into delivery, but Sean was calm and in charge. Every other time we’d been to the hospital, he was a crazy mess. But right now, he was collected.

  After Sean checked me in, I was given a private room in the labor and delivery department. Sean had the nurse call our doctor for the delivery, and I changed into my gown then lay in the bed that thousands had laid in before me. When I looked out the window, I saw the distant rays of the sun emerge, meaning the morning was almost here.

  Sean came back into the room then sat at my bedside, his hand in mine. “Everyone is on their way. And they are excited.”

  “Ryan?”

  “They just got off the plane. After they drop off their luggage, they are coming straight here.”

  I breathed a sigh of relief. I didn’t want my brother to miss this. “I hope Skye doesn’t hurt me…”

  He smirked. “If she does, I’m sure it isn’t intentional.”

  “Yeah…”

  He pulled the hair from my sweaty face. “If it’s unbearable, we’ll get a surrogate next time.”

  “No,” I said immediately. “Being pregnant was tiring and uncomfortable, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’ll have a connection to my daughter that can never be taken away.”

  He kissed my hand. “You will.”

  When another contraction came around, I squeezed his hand with everything I had.

  He didn’t react to the pain. It didn’t seem like I hurt him at all. “Keep breathing.”

  When it passed, I sighed and lay back on the pillows. “Should I get to the delivery room?”

  “The doctor is going to examine you first.”

  “When the hell is she going to be here?” I snapped. Whoa…that came out of nowhere. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to snap.”

  He laughed. “It’s okay, baby. I know you’re under a lot of stress. Snap at me all you want, but just try to keep everyone else out of it.”

  “I shouldn’t snap at you. You’re the sweetest man in the universe.”

  He gave me a cocky smile. “The universe? Not just the world?”

  “The galaxy,” I said with affection.

  “Well, I do have a nice ass.”

  I laughed and almost peed myself. “Don’t make me laugh again.”

  The evil gleam came into his eye. “I can’t promise anything…”

  “Sean Preston,” I said firmly. “If you make me laugh again, we won’t have sex for a very long time.”

  He laughed. “I’m sure.”

  “I mean it.”

  “Whatever.”

  I growled at him. “Why don’t you believe me?”

  “Because you’re a slut—only for me.”

  I couldn’t bluff with my husband. He knew me too well.

  The doctor came in and she shook Sean’s hand. “Your wife looks ripe.”

  “She’s ready for Skye to arrive,” Sean responded.

  After the doctor washed her hands and put on gloves, she placed my feet in the stirrups then sat at the end of the bed. She lifted up my gown and touched me down there. I didn’t react but I was still comfortable. “She’s dilated seven centimeters. She still has a little way to go.”

  “How long do I have to wait until I start pushing?” I blurted.

  She shrugged. “It could be hours. I’ll check on you regularly and keep a close eye on you.” She disposed the gloves then washed her hands. “Let the nurse know if you need anything.”

  I sighed in annoyance. “When Cassandra had her baby, it slipped out of her the moment she got to the hospital.”

  “Well, she’s loose,” he joked.

  I glared at him.

  “Okay…now isn’t the time to joke, apparently.”

  My emotions were all over the place. Tears welled into my eyes faster than I could stop them. “I just want her to be here…I want my baby. I’ve waited so long and have been through so much shit! I just want her here, in my arms! Why is that so hard?” I covered my face and cried.

  Sean flinched at my outburst then sat beside me. “It’s okay, baby.”

  “I’m sorry.” I couldn’t look at him. I was too embarrassed.

  He pulled me into his shoulder and rubbed my back. “Just be patient. Skye is eager to be here too. It’ll happen. We’ve come this far. Let’s not lose our cool now.”

  “Our cool?”

  He kissed my forehead. “Scarlet, she’ll be here soon. Can I get you something in the meantime?”

  “No.”

  He grabbed my wrists and pulled them from my face, exposing me. “Don’t ever be afraid to cry in front of me.”

  “I’m just embarrassed. I can’t control how I feel.”

  “And I understand that. You’re going through a lot right now. I’m not judging and I’m not thinking less of you.”

&n
bsp; I sniffed. “You don’t think I’m a…bitch?”

  “Never.” He rubbed his nose against mine then wiped my tears away. “This is a very happy time for us. We’ve finally found each other despite taking ten years to figure it out, we finally have our baby, who’s perfectly healthy and beautiful, and we have an amazing family to support us. We’re so blessed, Scarlet. Keep that in mind.”

  He was right. “I know.”

  His fingers slowly moved through my hair.

  The closer Skye came to being here, the more Sean changed. He became more mature and responsible, for me and everything else in his life. The days of his youth were long gone. No longer was he immature and selfish. He was a fine man, someone I was proud of. And he reminded me of someone. “You remind me of your father—in a good way.”

  “I do?” he asked in surprise.

  I nodded. “When you say things like that, you sound like him.”

  His smile stretched. “Thank you for the compliment.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “And you’re hot-headed and annoying like your brother.”

  I laughed. “Thanks for the compliment.”

  He chuckled. “Anytime.”

  “Here it is!” Ryan said from the hallway. He walked into the door, looking ridiculously tan, while Janice came behind him. “Phew, we made it. Scarlet is still fat and ugly.”

  “Shut up, Ryan. And whoa…what the hell happened to you?”

  Janice smirked. “This idiot got tanning oil and sunscreen confused.”

  Ryan’s face was as dark as an Aztec. He and I were naturally pale with white skin that was sensitive to direct sunlight. “You look…weird.”

  He glared at me. “If Scarlet 2.0 wasn’t on the way, I wouldn’t have shown my face for weeks.”

  “Months,” Janice added. “That coat of color is going to last a long time.” She laughed while she stared at his dark face.

  Sean stepped back slightly. “You look like you just came out of a coal mine.”

  “Can we just talk about Scarlet right now?” Ryan said irritably. “You know, the woman having your baby?”

  “She’s not having it right now,” Sean snapped. “And you can’t just walk in here looking like that and not expect us to make fun of you mercilessly.”

  “Payback,” I said. “For all those cow jokes you made.”

  Ryan turned to her. “My skin may be dark but it will fade. You, on the other hand, are a fat cow and you’ll be one for a while.”