Baby Business

by Brenda Novak

  Maybe she should spend the next two hours going to the hardware store to purchase a dead bolt for her bedroom door.

  “Have a great time,” she said, giving the wriggling, excited Haley a kiss. Her daughter waved goodbye and promptly took Thad’s hand to lead him away.

  “We’ll be back soon,” he said, leaning close to add, as a whisper in her ear, “In the meantime, any chance you could dig out those silk pajamas you wore on our wedding night?”

  Macy gulped and looked down at her rounded tummy. She just bet she’d make quite a sight in a size four at six months pregnant. But that didn’t stop her from finding out, once they left. Standing in front of the mirror, she adjusted the beige silk shorts several times, but nothing she did made them look any better.

  Unfortunately, none of her sexier lingerie, also leftovers from her first marriage, made much improvement. She had no waist. Now, breasts…well, breasts were another story. She’d gone up two bra sizes in the past three months.

  But none of that mattered, right? Because Thad wasn’t going to see her wearing anything but her mother’s cast-off nightgown. Unless she could find one of Edna’s many housecoats. One of those cotton snap numbers would be enough to drive the lascivious thoughts out of any man’s head. Thad would take one glance at her, realize she looked more like June on Leave it to Beaver than she did his perfect, beloved, long-lost Valerie. And he’d run for the hills again.

  Better that than to have him reject her while she was wearing something in which she felt cautiously hopeful. Then she’d feel completely unappealing, the way she did after the last incident. Only this time would be worse because she weighed an extra fifteen or twenty pounds.

  The baby began to squirm inside her, and she smiled ruefully at her undulating middle. “I’m not blaming you,” she said aloud, rubbing it affectionately. “It’s just that daddy of yours. He makes me crazy.”

  Crazy in love, she admitted, but only to herself.

  * * *

  THAD HELD Haley on one knee during the movie so she could see over the row of people in front of them—and because he liked the feeling of being her dad. He’d fought for six long months to forget Macy and Haley, but getting them out of his blood had been virtually impossible.

  Now he enjoyed the peace of giving in to his attraction. They belonged together. He believed that now. He believed that the time he’d spent feeling bereft and alone since Valerie’s death was about to come to an end.

  The animated characters on the screen burst into song, and Haley’s smile widened, her eyes shining with rapt attention. Children were so easy to please. Thad only hoped Macy would prove as open to him as Haley had been. She’d once told him she loved him, and he’d thrown the words back in her face. That would be tough to forgive, but he was determined to make it up to her.

  He glanced at his watch, suddenly impatient to get home. He wanted to crawl into bed with Macy, feel the skin he’d longed to touch for so long, have her turn to him and put her arms around his neck and let him make love to her for the first time. Then maybe he could dispel some of the fear that he’d lost her for good.

  “Daddy?” Haley asked, twisting to face him.

  “Hmm?” he responded, his thoughts still on Macy.

  “Why does Grandma Edna call you a putz?”

  Thad chuckled. “I guess your mom isn’t the only one I have to win over again, huh?”

  * * *

  “OMIGOSH, I think he’s here.” Macy pulled the telephone cord with her as she crossed the living room to peek out the window. Sure enough, the headlights of Thad’s car blinded her for a minute, then the purr of his engine died and the lights flashed off. “It is him. Oh, no! What am I going to do? I never made it to the hardware store.”

  “Calm down,” Lisa told her. “You don’t need a lock. You need a tranquilizer.”

  “Are you kidding? My mind has to be sharp. He said he’s staying here tonight, and I just know that I’ll sneak into his room if he doesn’t sneak into mine.”

  “Macy, listen. You guys are married. It’s about time you came to this. There’s no reason to say no. Obviously, if Thad’s back, he’s ready for a more serious relationship.”

  “That isn’t obvious to me at all. What if I scare him off again? When he gets close, or kisses me, he makes me say…things.”

  “Things?”

  “Horrible things that come from somewhere deep inside me, somewhere I’ve never heard from before.”

  “Like?”

  “Like ‘I love you more than life itself,’ and like ‘I want to have your baby, do your laundry, scrub your back and pick up your underwear.’”

  “Jeez, what’s so horrible about that? Robert would love it if I said that.”

  “No! It makes Thad realize he doesn’t feel the same about me. He doesn’t want me out there buying curtains and messing up Valerie’s fancy decor.”

  “I think telling him how you feel is the right way to go. At least you’re being up front with him. At least he knows your terms from the onset. As a matter of fact, I admire him for not taking advantage of you six months ago.”

  “Lisa?”

  “Yeah?”

  “What if I want him to take advantage of me?”

  “You said you’re wearing your mother’s housecoat. You must not want it too badly.”

  Macy could hear Haley’s voice as they came up the walk. “I’ve got to go,” she whispered, and slammed the phone down, wondering if she had time to dash to her bedroom before she had to open the door. She’d been lying about the housecoat. She was wearing her robe, but underneath she had on a sheer white nightie, a definite giveaway.

  Jingling at the lock told Macy that Thad still had his key. She didn’t need to answer the door. She could hide in her room. She started down the hall, then realized how cowardly it would appear for him to find her huddling beneath the quilts. She was a millennium woman, right? Sexually mature. She could handle this situation like an adult.

  Clearing her throat, she turned on the light and smiled as Thad and Haley came through the door.

  “Hi, Mommy!” Haley launched herself into her arms, taking Macy by surprise. She stepped back, but the force of the impact pulled her robe open a little in front, and Thad’s gaze immediately dropped to a section of white lace that showed through.

  He grinned. “It’s not the silk pajamas, but I have a feeling I’m going to like it even better.”

  “It’s flannel. It just looks like lace,” Macy said, tightening the belt.

  “Uh-huh.”

  Macy felt her cheeks heat and cursed her own weak will. “Anyway, I was just trying it on.”

  “Right. Should I put Haley to bed or should you?” he asked, moving in close, his breath smelling faintly like spearmint gum.

  Taking her daughter by the hand, Macy retreated to the bathroom, where she helped Haley brush her teeth. Then they moved to the bedroom, so Haley could put on her pajamas and say her prayers. Macy took an extra few minutes to read her a book, even though it was far past her bedtime, because part of her hoped Thad would fall asleep waiting for her.

  The other part knew she’d kill him if he did.

  When she shut Haley’s door behind her, she found Thad in the living room, watching the sports news. He clicked off the television the moment he saw her standing in the hall.

  “I put clean sheets on the bed in the guest room,” she said.

  “Uh-huh.” He stood. His jeans clung to all the right places, but Macy tried not to notice.

  “Let me know if you need anything.”

  “Uh-huh.” He started down the hall toward her.

  She swallowed, her throat suddenly dry, and held up a hand to keep him from getting too close. “I think I’ll turn in.”

  “But you said to let you know if I need something. I do need something. In fact, I’m fairly certain I’ll die without it.” He took her hand and put one finger, then the next, into his mouth to tickle the sensitive pads with his tongue.

  “Wha
t’s that?” she managed to say, the sensation and its attendant wet warmth triggering other images in Macy’s mind and making her breathing quicken.

  “You.”

  “But…there’s Haley. And I don’t think…I don’t think it would be wise to—”

  He was close enough to put his arms around her and draw her to him. Instead, he slipped his hands inside her robe and beneath the sheer fabric of her nightie to reverently caress her protruding belly. He watched her as he touched her, a look of wonder claiming his face. “You’re having my baby.”

  “Yes.” Her voice was a hoarse whisper. “But Haley’s just right down the hall—”

  “And you’re my wife.”

  “I know, but—”

  “Mommies and daddies sleep together. I don’t think Haley will have a problem with it.” Lowering his mouth to her neck, he kissed her lightly all the way up to her ear. “God, you taste good. I think I’ve dreamed of claiming you as my own since the moment we first met.”

  His words added fuel to the fire smoldering low in Macy’s stomach. She thought if he touched her again, she might melt into the floor.

  He lifted his head from where he’d started to caress her breasts with his lips and pulled her robe open all the way so he could see her. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more beautiful sight,” he said. “You’re gorgeous and you’re mine, Macy Winters. We belong together.”

  Together sounded good, better than it ever had. Macy forgot her apprehension and self-consciousness. She could tell by the look on Thad’s face that he was sincere. Pregnant or not, he desired her as much as she desired him.

  Pulling his head toward her, she kissed him, letting her tongue meet his. Her hands lodged in his hair, tugging him closer, feeling the warmth and strength of him surround her. She wanted to feel him inside her. She wanted to wrap her legs around him and become one, and she knew she didn’t want to wait very long to do it. It had been too long already.

  As though her impatience had somehow communicated itself to him, he swung her into his arms and carried her through the hall and into her bedroom. He set her on the bed and quickly peeled her robe away, then feasted on the sight of her in her sexy lingerie. “How can you look even better to me than before?” he whispered, gently teasing her hardened nipples through the sheer fabric of her top with his tongue.

  “I’m not going to tell you I love you,” she blurted, balling her hands into fists and trying to hang on to the anchor of that one thought amidst the onslaught of sensation coursing through her.

  “What?” His hands paused in stripping them both of their clothes, and he pulled back to look in her face.

  “I’m not going to tell you I love you,” she repeated stubbornly, meeting his gaze.

  His eyes narrowed at the challenge as he ran a finger lightly over the swell of one breast all the way to its tip. She groaned and arched toward him when he pulled away, feeling as though he’d suddenly deprived her of air, and he grinned. “Oh, yeah?” he whispered, rolling her carefully onto her back. “Then I’m going to make love to you until you do.”

  * * *

  THAD AWOKE EARLY, feeling more contented and relaxed than he had since Valerie died. He half expected some kind of remorse to hit him when he thought of her—he’d blown past all barriers and committed himself to Macy, with his heart, his soul, his body—but strangely enough, he felt only happiness.

  Macy was nestled beside him, sleeping in the crook of his arm. Her wild, tousled hair made him smile. She’d been phenomenal last night. Passionate, responsive, soft, sexy. He loved her now more than ever, and he’d told her so, over and over again. The first time they made love, he’d whispered it in her ear with every thrust, until, at the very pinnacle of pleasure, she’d finally relented and moaned the same thing to him. In the aftermath, he’d cupped her face in his hands, kissed her eyes, her nose, her mouth and promised he’d never hurt her again.

  “What are you smiling about?” Macy’s eyes were open now, and she was staring up at him.

  Thad traced the outline of her cheek with one finger. “You, last night.”

  She shyly returned his smile. “I’ve never experienced anything like what happened last night.”

  “It was perfect, because you’re perfect.” He kissed her, the beginning of desire flaring again at the feeling of her smooth legs entwined with his own. He wondered if they had time to do anything about it before Haley woke up and decided they probably didn’t.

  “You told me you loved me last night,” she said, rolling up onto her elbows. “Did you mean it?”

  He tweaked her nose. “How can you even ask me that? I must have told you a hundred times.”

  “I guess I’m just wondering what it means.”

  His hands worked their way up her firm backside and pulled her closer. “It means we’re a family now. It means we share Haley and this baby, that we take turns with our son’s midnight feedings and diaper changes—if I decide to let you help me,” he teased, grinning up at her.

  She arched a brow. “I’m going to nurse the baby, so you’d better be nice. You might need me more than you think.”

  “I already need you far more than I ever dreamed possible,” he admitted. “I love you, Macy Winters. I’m glad you’re my wife.”

  Macy smiled at that, but after a moment her smile disappeared and she started chewing her lip.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  “We don’t have to live in your house, do we?”

  He chuckled. “No. I put my house up for sale. I thought I’d buy us something up here, close to the university, at least while you’re finishing school. That way Haley can stay in the same elementary school.”

  “That could be fun. I’ve never owned a house before.”

  “Then I think you should get to pick it out.”

  “We’ll pick it out together. Something with lots of potential and character.”

  “Oh, no!” he groaned. “I can already see our weekends filled with sanding, painting and plastering.”

  “It’ll be fun.”

  “As long as you give me plenty of incentive.”

  “There will always be that.” She delved her fingers into his hair. “Until then, will you stay here?”

  “Every night.”

  Her hand dropped to cup his whisker-roughened jaw. “You’re something else. You know that? What made you change your mind about me?”

  He nuzzled her neck, kissed her ear. “I never changed my mind, Macy. I just moved some things out of the way. And it feels right, don’t you think?”

  She nodded, but then her eyes clouded again. “You know how badly I want to become a doctor, right? You won’t expect me to give that up?”

  “I don’t expect you to give up anything, except perhaps your medical-transcription work. I think, between the kids and school, remodeling a charming old house in the Avenues, and a demanding husband who’ll want every extra minute you can give him, you’ll have your hands full, don’t you?” He rolled her onto her back and kissed her belly, starting at her belly button and moving up through the valley of her breasts.

  She played with his hair, twirling the locks around her fingers. “I don’t know. All those hours of tedious typing might be tough to let go of.”

  “Yeah, I can tell you’re pretty broken up about it.” His hand closed over one breast, and he groaned at how wonderful the weight of it felt in his palm. “What time does Haley normally wake up?”

  “Seven.”

  Thad checked his watch. “Darn, it’s past seven now.”

  Macy chuckled. “We could always tell her to watch a few cartoons,” she suggested. “Or, if we’re really quiet, maybe she’ll sleep late.”

  He nestled his face in her breasts and breathed deeply. “I like the way you think,” he said, his voice muffled, but before he could act on her invitation the phone rang.

  They banged heads in their rush to answer it before it could wake Haley. Macy fell back, rubbing her forehead and laughing while
Thad answered.

  “Hello?”

  Silence.

  “Hello?”

  “Thad, is that you?”

  “Mom, what are you doing calling Macy at seven o’clock in the morning on a Saturday?” he demanded.

  “I just wanted to see if she needs me to watch Haley while she studies for a few hours. What are you doing there?”

  “I live here now.” He winked at Macy, thinking that might throw his mother, but good old June didn’t skip a beat.

  “It’s about time you came to your senses.”

  “Sometimes I’m a little slow.”

  She laughed. “Is that Macy I hear in the background?”

  “Uh-huh. She wants me to thank you—”

  “Mommy? Daddy?” Haley asked, her voice coming through the closed door.

  Macy jumped out of bed to dress, and Thad sighed. “—for waking Haley.”

  “I could take her for the day, give you two some time alone,” his mother said.

  Thad got out of bed and pulled on his own clothes. “No, we appreciate the offer to baby-sit, but we have other plans today.”

  “We do?” Macy turned to look at him as she let Haley in.

  Haley rushed right past her mother and threw her arms around Thad’s legs. “You’re still here!”

  “I’m still here, angel,” he said, mussing her hair. “And I’m not going anywhere.”

  “What are we going to do today?” Macy persisted.

  “We’re going to fly kites.”

  “Kites?” his mother echoed. “It’s November.”

  “I don’t care. I feel like flying kites.”

  “Just like in my dream!” Haley announced.

  “Only better,” he promised.

  * * *

  MACY STOOD at her dresser gazing into her jewelry box. Her body felt as light as a helium balloon after all that had transpired. Every time she thought of Thad and the tender, passionate way he’d made love to her, she smiled. Their initial relationship might have started out as a business deal, but she felt certain she’d gotten the better end of the bargain. Because of him, the doctors had been able to save Haley’s life. Because of him, she was happier than she could imagine.