by C. J. Welles
“Don’t be sorry, babe. These are our family and friends. You tell them anything you want to.” Bryson looks to Jace with a smirk. “Just don’t tell them how good I am in bed, as Jace might get jealous.”
“Ha-fucking-ha,” Jace replies as he shakes his head.
"Oh, Casey. This is amazing. I'm beyond happy for you both,” Callie says to Bryson and Casey. Callie gives Casey another hug then Bryson one as well.
When Callie goes to sit down, Bryson whispers in Casey’s ear. She nods then he walks away with Jace beside him.
With everything they have been through, Casey and Bryson deserve this more than anyone else I know. They've been through hell and have come out the other side as better people and stronger than ever.
Once we’re all seated again, Jolene talks first. “What is worrying you about it?”
"Well, I had talked myself into thinking the test would come up negative again, then when it wasn't, I was speechless. I was so stunned that I just stood there staring at it for a few minutes before the tears began."
“That’s understandable. It’s been a long process. But it can only go up from here, can’t it?” Kaylee asks.
Casey’s silent for a little bit as she sips on her wine. “What if Gabbie miscarriages? That’s what I’m worried about as there is still a chance. What if something happens and our baby isn’t healthy and is stillborn?”
Callie places her hand on Casey’s arm and gives her a sympathetic look. “I don’t know hun. They’re questions no one can answer for you as anything can happen. I guess we all just have to remain positive. I know you’re hesitant due to the past, but you need to hope everything will be okay.”
“I know, I guess I’m just expecting the worst because if something does happen, I’ve already prepared myself for it.”
I shake my head. “I know what you mean, but that’s no way to live. Gabbie being pregnant is a good thing. We’re all going to pray for the best and all of us are here for you and Bryson. You have a great network with family and friends, and we’ll be with you every step of the way, no matter what happens.”
The other girls all agree, and Casey looks at us all with tears in her eyes. “Thank you. I truly appreciate it. I’m glad I told you tonight. Even though it’s a good thing, it’s still overwhelming and emotional.”
“Of course it is, hun. It’s not an easy thing to go through even when it’s successful. Gosh, becoming a parent naturally is overwhelming as well. Ella’s three and some days I feel overwhelmed and just need an hour to myself. What you’re feeling is normal,” Callie says.
“I know. I think I just need it to sink in more. We’ve waited for this moment for over a year, and now it’s here and I think I’m just shocked.”
“We understand. Just remember, anything you need, you come to us. Any of us. We’re all here for you for the good and the bad,” Jolene says.
“True. You want to go clothes shopping, I’m your girl. You want to cry over Bryson being stubborn about baby names I’m your girl. Pray to God it doesn’t, but if anything bad happens, I’ll be there for you in a heartbeat,” I say with a warm smile.
“Me too,” everyone else says.
“But,” Callie adds. “If Bryson gets stubborn over baby names and wants to call it some ridiculous name, you tell me, and I’ll go give him my two cents. I’ll happily kick his ass.”
“Callie, you’re too short to kick anyone’s ass,” Jolene says with a laugh.
“I can at least try.”
We all laugh at her stubbornness.
As I sit here and drink with my friends and family, I’m reminded that eventually everything will be okay in life. We go through hiccups and our paths change, but in the end, we end up okay.
Bryson and Casey are an example of that. They went through something I wouldn’t wish on anyone, then lost their way before finding each other again.
Now, they have a baby on the way.
Chapter 8
"Christmas, my child, is love in action.”
— Dale Evans
Jolene
“Night, Ella,” I say as Callie carries her daughter to Jace’s mom’s car.
“No go, mommy,” Ella says to Callie as she goes to place her in her car seat.
“Darling, you have to. It’s cold and late, and so grandma is going to put you to bed.”
“Daddy. I want daddy.”
“Ella Bella, I’m here,” Jace says from where he’s standing behind Callie. Callie steps out of the way and Jace moves into the space in the open door. “What’s up, baby?”
“No go, daddy. I stay with you.”
Jace leans in and hugs Ella then starts doing her seatbelt up. “You have to go with grandma. But mommy and daddy will be home before you know it and I’ll come say goodnight.”
Ella pouts but eventually nods her head. “I love you, dad.”
“Love you to, baby. Always. Now, you be a good girl for grandma and get ready for bed like she’ll ask.”
“Okay,” she replies with another nod of her head.
Jace steps away with one last kiss to the forehead then Callie says goodbye.
“Uncle Bry?” Ella calls out just before Callie closes the door.
“Here, Ella.”
“Night, uncle Bry. Night Aunty Kay-Kay.”
“Night,” they both say back.
Ella could never say Casey, so she called her Kay which turned into Kay-Kay.
“Get some sleep and we’ll see you tomorrow. Remember you have to go to sleep as Santa will be bringing your presents soon.”
“Okay, uncle Bry.”
With one last wave, Ella let’s Callie close the door then Jane says goodbye and they’re off.
“She’s just so darn cute,” Makayla says.
“I know. It’s hard to be strict with her. Especially when she bats her big brown eyes as me,” Callie answers. “She’s definitely a daddy’s girl and has Jace wrapped around her finger.”
“Just like her mom does,” Jace mutters but we all hear and laugh.
Soon enough, we’re all settled back in and everyone’s talking and relaxing. You can see the difference with everyone. We were all having a good time and having a few drinks, but now that Ella has gone, we’re all that bit more relaxed. Especially Callie and Jace.
I’ve just finished a bottle of water, and am heading to the cooler to get a drink of lemonade when Casey pulls me aside. It’s been an hour since she told us about hers and Bryson’s news, and I’ve been waiting for her to do this.
“I’m sorry. I’m a terrible sister. I should have told you first before the others. Hell, I should have told mom and dad as well as Bryson’s parents, but I just needed to tell someone. It came out. I tried to stop myself, but I felt like I was going to go crazy if I didn’t tell someone.”
“I’m not worried about that. I’m just so happy it’s finally happened. I couldn’t care about the little things in life like that. The main thing is that you two are having a baby,” I reply.
I mean every word I say. I honestly couldn’t care if I was the last to know, I just want my sister to be happy. I want her to get the thing she has always wanted.
The one thing that was taken away from her and Bryson.
“Thank you,” Casey says as she gives me a hug.
“What’s the next steps?” I ask.
“The next step is an appointment next week where the doctor will confirm the pregnancy. We technically shouldn’t know yet. It’s only because we’ve became close to Gabbie and her husband, and that Gabbie agreed to come over that we know already.”
I’ve only met Gabbie a few times, but she’s nice and what she is doing for my sister and Bryson is amazing.
I would have offered to be a surrogate mom for Casey and Bryson, but between being pregnant with Luna and this second baby I had no choice. I’m glad they have Gabbie though, as they’ve become friends.
“Keep me updated. I want to know all the news throughout this pregnancy. I can’t wait to see you
as a mom. You’re going to be great at it, and you have no need to worry.”
“Thanks. I needed to hear your words more than anything. Those girls are great,” she points to the others who are still sitting at the bonfire. “and I truly appreciate every word they said but they aren’t my sister. You say the same things as them, but they mean that bit more from you.”
“Just like it will with mom,” I say. “When are you going to tell them?”
“I was going to suggest to Bryson that we ask mom and dad to come over to Bryson’s parent’s house tomorrow morning and we can tell them all then. I want to get in before anyone else lets the news slip.”
“Mom’s going to be thrilled. You know her and Caroline are going to start planning things once you tell them. Give it a few months and they’ll have the nursery already set up. Even before the baby shower.”
“Oh, God I know,” Casey answers with a sigh, but smiles at the same time.
We talk for a few more minutes, then head back to the rest of the group. I go to where Nathan is now sitting on the tailgate next to Ryan. The pair of them together are striking with the identical looks. But no matter how alike they are, Nathan has always been the one to hold my heart. From early on he stole it and never gave it back.
I lean against Nathans legs, and place my chin on his thighs then look up at him. I know it’s only ten o’clock, but I’m nearly ready to go. I was up early with Luna this morning, and after running around getting everything ready for tonight and tomorrow, I’m worn out.
As much as I have enjoyed tonight, I need to get home.
“Are you ready to go?” I ask Nathan.
“Yeah, babe, when you are.” He places his beer down beside him and then holds my head in his hands as he looks down at me.
“Now would be good. There’s still lots to do and I’m tired already.”
“I know. If you wanna go say goodbye to the ladies, I’ll talk with the guys for a moment.”
“Thanks,” I reply, then step back.
Nathan jumps down from the tailgate, then lands a kiss on my lips. “I love you,” he says as he pulls away from me.
“I love you too,” I say back.
“If you need help with anything, I’ll come with you,” Ryan offers.
“I think we’ll be fine. We just need to wrap a few more presents, but thanks for the offer.”
“No worries.”
Once I reach the others, I sit down in an empty chair next to Callie. “Thanks for tonight. It’s been good to catch up with everyone. I know we’ll all be together tomorrow, but it’s going to be more hectic.”
“Tonight wasn’t just me. It’s a group effort. Plus, the guys done all the hard work with building the fire and hauling the furniture down here.”
“I know. But you’re the one to make sure everything is where it’s meant to be and makes sure we’re all here.”
“It’s nothing,” Callie replies. “I just enjoy spending time with us all. I never had anything like this while growing up, so I make sure to cherish the times we can have together.”
Callie’s told me a little about her past, and I know it wasn’t pretty.
“Well, I thank you.” I stand up and look at all our family and friends together. “I’ve had a good night, but we need to go.”
Casey stands up and gives me hug. “Thank you. Have a good morning with my niece.”
“I will take lots of photo’s.”
“I hope so. We’ll be there sometime after ten once we’ve told our parents the news.”
After saying goodbye to everyone else, Nathan and I leave to get Luna from my parents.
Tonight was good. I enjoyed sitting around with everyone as it doesn’t happen much anymore now that we’re all busy and some of us have families.
*
Bryson
Once my youngest twin brother and Jolene have left, I make my way over to Casey who is sitting with the other ladies next to the fire.
“Hop up, babe,” I say as I tap her on the shoulder.
When she stands up, I sit on her chair then drag her down to sit on my lap. Nuzzling my nose into her neck, I inhale her sweet scent. The smell of her vanilla body wash and coconut shampoo fills my nose and I sigh.
“Are you right there, Bry?” Callie asks. “Sniffing your girl like a drug sniffer dog at the airport.”
“I’m perfectly fine,” I reply then kiss the side of Casey’s neck.
Casey twists around on my lap until she’s straddling me. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Just wanted to feel you in my arms.”
“I love you, Bryson fucking Miller.”
“Me too, baby. Me too,” I reply with a laugh as I kiss her on the lips this time.
Apparently, Casey referred to me as Bryson fucking Miller when we meet again after years apart. One night when she was drunk, she told me, and I laughed. Since then she says it often. Some people use sweet terms of endearment when they want to express how much they love someone. When Casey says that, I know she’s telling me she loves me with every cell of her body.
“Look at you lovebirds over there,” Makayla says from my left.
I look up at her with a smile on my face. I don’t give a shit if I look like a love sick fool. It’s taken a long time and a fuck load of heartache for Casey and I to be here.
When Casey walked out on me years ago. I thought that was the end of us. I had wiped my hands of her. But now, eight years later I love her more than I ever have and we have a baby on the way.
“I don’t care. I’ll happily show everyone how much I love Casey.”
Casey turns around on my lap and faces the rest of our group. I wrap my arm around her waist and pull her back until she’s resting back against me.
“It’s sweet,” Callie says.
“Just as sweet and sickly as you and Jace,” I toss back at her.
We all laugh when Callie just shrugs. Callie and Jace are the worst. They often have their hands all over each other or their lips attached. They’ve gotten better over the years but when they first met, Jace wasn’t afraid to maul her in front of us all. A few times we had to stop him before he nearly ripped Callie’s clothes off in front of us.
“Nothing wrong with that,” Jace replies as he does the same as me, and gets Callie to stand so she can then sit on his lap.
“This is nice,” Callie says as she looks around the group. “Spending the night together. We need to do it more often. Not just on Christmas Eve.”
“It’s hard with us all being spread across the state and now Kaylee’s moving to California,” Makayla says.
“I might move home one day.” Kaylee says.
“No way. Your job is too good to walk away from,” Makayla replies.
Kaylee’s going to California to be a personal assistant to Sarah Cornwall who is the CEO of Bliss cosmetics. Her job comes with more perks than imaginable.
“I know, but one day I might be back here,” Kaylee says with a yawn, then stands. “I’m going to get going. Does anyone need a lift?”
“I’ll come with you. I’m ready for today to be over.” Ethan stands up and says goodbye to us all then makes his way to Kaylee’s car.
“Are you right to drive?” Callie asks. She’s the youngest here but she always mothers us all.
“I’ve only had three wines all night, I’ll be fine.”
“Okay, call one of us when you get home.”
Once they’ve gone, it’s just Jace, Callie, Makayla, Billy, Ryan, Casey and I.
“What’s Ella getting for Christmas this year?” Makayla asks.
"You don't want to know. Someone is spoiling our little princess," Jace replies.
"Me? What about you? You bought her a horse," Callie says as she sits up and points her finger at Jace.
"It's an awesome present."
"Ella's only three. She's too little."
"She'll grow into it," he replies with a shrug. As if him buying their three-year-old daughter a $5000 horse is nothing.
“Destiny is a beautiful horse, and you and Jackson assure me it's in excellent shape health-wise and temperament, so I can see your reasoning for buying it. But still, she’s only three.”
“Whatever, she’ll love it,” Jace says.
"I know, but don't go pointing the finger at me when it comes to spoiling her."
“What else is she getting?” Casey asks.
“A trampoline that still needs to be put together, as Santa doesn’t deliver trampoline’s in boxes to the kids. A dolls house and furniture, a new bike, and a heap more.”
“Do you want help putting the trampoline together?” I ask. “We can do it once we leave here.”
“I’m happy to help as well,” Billy says.
“Thanks, guys. That’d be good. Otherwise it might still be in pieces when she wakes up,” Callie replies.
“Well, that depends on how drunk you get me and weather or not you drag me away to bed,” Jace says.
“There will be no bed or kinky time until her presents are fixed up.”
“Kinky time, hey?” I ask.
“Sex. I just mean sex,” Callie quickly says.
“I don’t believe you,” Makayla says. “My guess is that you like it kinky. It wouldn’t surprise me if you all like it a little kinky as you guys are hot alpha makes.”
I only just catch it, but Ryan and Makayla’s eyes flick towards each other, before Makayla looks at Billy and snuggles in closer to him.
“I think the kinkiest is Nathan,” Casey says then turns to look at me. “Sorry to tell you that about your brother, but he is. Some of the stuff Jolene has told me will make your eyes bug out. I’m not just talking about having sex where you might get caught or a bit of ass slapping. I’m talking handcuffs, blindfolds, the whole lot.”
“Yeah, thanks. Didn’t need to know,” I mumble.
“Me either,” Ryan adds with a scowl on his face.
I’ve heard a few things about Nath over the years, but I like to pretend I haven’t. I’ve also heard things about Ryan as well, but not as much as Nath. Which surprises me that Makayla bought the subject up. Ryan is sitting here, and if he wanted to, he could say anything about their past.