by Marie Ahls
I swallowed hard. “I never thought I had a chance. And now, I’m naked, in your bed, wrapped in your arms… And you’re talking about wanting to adopt a baby?”
“Parker, I’m not trying to freak you out. And I get it, it all sounds really sudden. But I have wanted you since training. I’ve been in love with you since we joined the same station. There’s no one else in the world I’d want to start a family with.” He sighed, a slight frown curving the corners of his mouth down. “Admittedly, I figured it would involve a lot more of the naked part up front, before we added a third person to the family, but life doesn’t always deal you the cards in the order you expect.”
My heart pounded against my chest as I realized just what he was saying. This wasn’t some joke, or Jack jumping in without thinking. He really wanted to do this. “We’d have to change a lot of things around. We couldn’t exactly leave a baby alone for twenty-four hours at a time. Where’s she going to sleep? How would we explain this to anybody? It’s mad.”
“You’re considering it?” His eyes lit up at the possibility, and his hands slid down to grab my ass, pulling me over onto his lap so that I was straddling him. “You want to adopt a baby with me?”
“Jack, I love you. You’re my best friend, the only person who really knows me. And damn it, I think I’m in love with you too.” I leaned down and kissed him hard and demanding, my lips crushing against his as I dug my fingertips into his shoulders and pressed every inch of skin against him that I could. “It’s crazy, and insane, and I don’t know how we’re going to do it, but from the moment I held Briana, I felt like she was my second chance. Like she was meant to be in my life. And giving her away this evening nearly ripped me open inside. Yes, I want her. I want to make a family with you.”
Jack hugged me tight, his hands sliding down over my ass again as his lips found mine.
It wasn’t fast, or desperate. It wasn’t about two friends scratching an itch.
This time, it was about me and Jack, about everything we’d never said to each other.
Chapter Four
It took three months.
Three glorious months of dating Jack, of kissing and touching and finding out all the sexy little ways to drive him crazy.
Three months of making our lives ready for Briana.
If it weren’t for Jack, I probably would’ve given up on the whole process a few times. Between the background checks, rearranging the apartment, babyproofing, and buying new furniture, it felt like we were going through all the nesting of a pregnancy, in an accelerated timeframe.
It was exhausting.
But when I finally got to hold her in my arms as my daughter, as our daughter, all that fell away.
“I’d like to officially introduce you to Briana Marie Bishop.” The social worker, Laura, that we’d been working with these past three months smiled softly as she stepped back, leaving us in the office alone, just our little family.
Jack wrapped his arms around me and rested his chin on my shoulder as he kissed my cheek. “Just in time for Mother’s Day.” He grinned as he gently swayed with us both. “I have a surprise for you.”
“More surprises? I don’t think I can handle any more, Jack.” I cuddled Briana close, smiling so widely my face was starting to hurt. “She’s perfect.”
She’d gotten bigger every time we saw her, but Laura was good about making sure that we got to see her, to hold her, every time we met. And it seemed like Briana had started to recognize us too.
Jack pulled away and I heard him shift behind me, until I felt his hand brush against my lower back.
As I turned around, I gasped to see him down on one knee, looking up at us like we were his everything.
“Parker Steele, mother of my completely gorgeous daughter, there’s only one thing left to do for this family to be everything I want in my life.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet pouch. “I think it’s only fair, if we’re going to be a family, that we all share the same last name.”
I swallowed hard, a lump of emotions forming in my throat as he shook a simple silver band out of the bag and reached for my left hand.
“What do you say, Steele? Be my wife.”
“Steele’s good. A little non-traditional for you to take my last name, but who am I to argue?” I winked at him. “Of course, we did just finalize all that paperwork to make Briana a Bishop.”
He jumped to his feet and pulled me into a hug, careful not to crush our daughter between us as his lips found mine. “I don’t care what last name we have, as long as we all have the same one.” He slipped the ring onto my finger and then kissed me again before murmuring against my lips, “Happy Mother’s Day, Parker.”
As Briana grabbed ahold of my free hand, and reached for Jack’s too, it seemed like she was trying to do exactly what she’d done since the very first day she came into our lives. She brought us closer together. Made us all a family.
Together.
About the Author
McKenna Rogue is a fearless duo who defy expectations every day. These two awesome romance authors are best friends who bonded over a love of writing, nerdy things, and hot men. When they’re not busy giving characters Happily Ever Afters in their contemporary or paranormal worlds, McKenna is usually found having a movie or TV show marathon, dreaming about world travels, or rocking out to music. They live and write in Denver, Colorado, with their hyperactive dog, Kaylee, and their obstinate calico cat, Freyja. No matter what they’re up to, McKenna Rogue always aims to misbehave.
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The Real Thing
by Harmony Joy
Julie Lyle was an art therapist who was more than content with her life while Davis Aryes felt his life was out of control. Love-if this was love- could certainly wait. Couldn't it?
The Real Thing
by Harmony Joy
Chapter One
Apprehension and excitement gripped Davis Aryes as he stood at her door. He knew he only had a few minutes before she looked up. One more moment before everything changed but until then he just wanted to look at her. Thirty-one-year-old Julie Lyle was in some ways the same as when he saw her last when she was sweetest girl at campus at twenty-one. She was still slender yet curvy with long brown hair and wide hazel eyes, but he could see the differences as well. On the surface her clothes style had changed and while that might seem superficial it was both intimidating and disappointing.
When they first met she was in her junior year and had transferred in because of a special art grant bequeathed to the University from some art patron. At twenty she still loved learning and every aspect of education with the excitement of a kindergartner on her first day while he four years older and working on his post grad thesis to get his Masters, frankly by then he was just tired of it all. Even then he was both drawn to her and a bit frightened as she had so much pure joy. She radiated it and he was always worried he would eradicate that somehow.
Still in spite of his fears they managed to stay together three years, past her graduation and then the following year he received his post grad degree. Everyone had assumed he would step into his family's business as a broker at the firm his great grand-dad had built but instead he had followed his former college room-mate into 4J U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, OK. When he presented himself to Julie after enlisting instead of yelling at him for throwing his life away-as his mother did -she told him his newly shaved head made him look handsome and she was proud he was going to serve his country.
He had blown up and told her he was never serious about her, that the relationship had always just been a joke and his way of sowing his wild oats. He had ranted for twenty minutes not letting her get a word in edge-wise and when he was done he waited for her to snap. Instead she gently pointed o
ut that he must be hurting to have come up with all of that.
The week before he was going to basic training was her art expo. Julie was showcasing her sculptures while her classmate was having a photo exhibit and other alumni was selling oil paintings depicting the fields of Oklahoma filled with golden-rods and prairie flowers. He had shown up with some blonde, to this day he could not remember her name. He rarely drank but he had that afternoon and fueled by liquid courage, fear and his own idea of twisted love he broke up with her again. This time to make there would be no forgiveness he had called her art insignificant, laughed at the idea that they would have married and made his parting words as harsh as possible when he said, “I'm glad I will be stationed thousands of miles away so I will never lay eyes on you again!" Now a decade later he was back in Glenpool and he wasn't just laying eyes on her he couldn't look away.
"Davis?" Is that really you?"
Recognizing him instantly she watched as he took a step backward.
Davis could not have responded even if he wanted to. The muscles in his tongue refused to form words-as if he could think of words to say-which he couldn’t, like he had been so many times around her, he felt tongue-tied. She moved from the side of the desk and met him at her door-frame, her hand coming to rest on his arm. "I'm so glad you are safe. I heard you did a second term in Afghanistan then no-one heard where you were.” Willing himself to behave normally even though his head was spinning and his stomach churned he swallowed through his tight throat ,squared her shoulders ,and lifted his eyes to meet hers. "The last time I saw you, you were dressed like a rainbow." Lifting an eyebrow and giving a quick nod to affirm the fact that she once had a dress of many colors she replied. "That was at an art show. This is a counseling center, so this is more suitable." she explained as he glared at her less then glamour gray suit and her boring white blouse.
If she had been a bitter person she would have pointed out he used to make fun of her more festive outfits even though she knew he liked them, but she could never stay angry at anyone least of all Davis Collin Aryes.
For Julie it was love at first sight and even after a decade of his absence her heart still gave a flutter." Speaking of which as wonderful as it is to see you I have a 4 o'clock meeting with some parents so maybe you can leave me your number and we can catch up later."
Ignoring her request for his number he tugged his arm away and explained that she was her appointment. As her mouth fell open at the idea of him being a man with a child his face turned red.
Children were the root of his problem...of their problem but he had never trusted her enough to really tell her.
"Paxton Smyth is not my daughter, she is my god-daughter, when Stu, her Dad is deployed she stays with her mother and grand-mother. Her mother had a work opportunity that would take her out of town for a few weeks which was still fine because she had her granny ...."
"And her grandmother?" Julie asked doing her best to sound professional now that she had learned Davis's visit was not a social call.
"Her grand-mother fractured her pelvis. It is not serious but she can't be driving Paxon here and there so I said I would help out. Her teacher suggested counseling at the beginning of the year when her parents separated but group therapy hasn't worked out. She enjoys art so art therapy was recommended. Here is the paper-work. I knew it was with Dr. Lyle, but I never thought you as teaching. I thought of you...."
Julie plucked the papers from his hand scanning it without really seeing the words. Donning a fake smile, she let out a long, slow sigh." I already know what you think of my art-work but rest assured I am a good art therapist. I will go over your god-daughter's file and come up with an indivisible plan and be back with you by Monday. Nice seeing you again. "She finished by shutting the door. "Good-bye" he mumbled softly, too shaken by her sudden coldness to say anymore.
It was another two hours before she was done for the day having missed lunch she was looking forward to dinner and some meaningless sitcom on T.V. so she was racing through the parking lot when she heard. "You have a minute?" Startled by both the voice and having a man step out of the shadows, Julie’s hand flew to her mouth, her heart thudding against her chest like a ricocheting tennis-ball l. "Are you nuts D you scared me." He paused at hearing the old nick-name." Without thinking he took hold of her hand and slipped it into the crook of his arm. Sorry, scaring you was not my intent. Do you have a husband or a boyfriend waiting at home?" Jill pulled her arm away and frowned at him." Do you believe you have the right to ask that?"
"No but you never wore rings on your fingers because of the clay, you would have on earrings, bracelets that jangled like wind-chimes, toe rings and all those ribbons in your hair but never on your fingers so I couldn't tell if you were married."
"You seem to remember a lot about what I wore." she stated hauntingly.
"I remember everything about you. Look. I was hoping we could talk, take my car or yours whatever makes you comfortable, I just want to talk.... apologize not start an argument and open old wounds. You mentioned talking earlier. "He reminded her.
"Today I thought I was meeting an old friend, not a guardian of a client. It wouldn't be professional, and I take my job seriously", she explained as she rubbed at her temple with her hand. “I am sleepy and hungry so I am heading home but I assure you I will treat Paxton well, I am glad you are fighting for her."
Narrowing his eyes and trying to appear in control, even though his heart was clamoring inside him, he said softly. "I am sure you will do a wonderful job and I do care about her but what you said about me not liking your art .I loved it .I always did .I owe you an explanation and if I have to wait until after she gets done with your counseling that is fine or we can be adults and just have a lunch .We can invite your husband I just want to clear the air ."
"I don't have a husband, alight and it will be one lunch. I have your phone number on file and will call you Saturday." Davis expelled a deep sigh and then turned to go.
Chapter Two
The Julie he saw walking into the restaurant was more like the one he knew from years ago. Her skirt was of some sort of swirly skirt in a bright yellow with a bright orange top and high-heeled silver boots. He rose to his feet and smiled when he saw her even though he was a bundle of nerves.
"There's so much I want to tell you, but I want to get it right, so I brought these." he said once she was seated. She took the bundle of pamphlets.
"Huntington’s disease? “she asked.
"My uncle and my dad both developed the disease Generally, if someone has Huntington’s disease, their children have a 1 in 2 chance of developing it. I didn't want that to happen so the week I turned eight-teen I went and got a vasectomy that way I never had to worry about passing it on. I have no idea years later I would meet you. Trust me when I say I get sick to my stomach every-time I think of the way I treated you like a possession instead of a person, took your emotions for granted and let you think one day we would be husband and wife just because that was what I knew you wanted to hear. I know I don't deserve your forgiveness but I did love you even if I didn't say it then in fact I never truly loved anyone then came you, no matter how I treated you- you openly loved me so that last week I tried to push you away, yell you and scare you away." "Why?" she asked clearly confused." The main symptoms of Huntington’s disease are: physical symptoms, such as stiffness, involuntary movements, changes in balance and co-ordination, loss of control of bodily functions such as swallowing and speaking, and fatigue. We were used to my dad having to deal with that. We all knew that Huntington’s disease is progressive, meaning it worsens over time. While there is no cure, treatment can alleviate symptoms and most days he seemed well but that week I found out my mother had been having an affair. I was not sure at the time how long it was going on, but I walked in on her and my dad's friend. The man was like a second father to me. He tried to explain that my dad's changes in thinking such as difficulty concentrating, and deterioration of memory and loss of empathy was why
my mother was unfaithful. I didn't want us to end up like that the more I thought about it the more I wanted to shield you from it all."
"So, you tried to push me away and when that didn't work you joined the Army?” Julia asked. "And when that didn't dim my thoughts of you I did another four years. Dad died 40 months ago, and I have been at the brokerage firm in a job I seem to be good at even if I hate it. Life isn't horrible but it doesn't have you in it I know that you have no reason to believe we could ever start over but if we could at-least be my friend could be happy." "A real friend would never run out on you just because of an illness", she told him,” so now I don’t know what part of our relationship the real thing was.”, Davis knew he wanted too much. He wanted to touch her hair to see if it was as soft as he remembered. He wanted to run his hands through it wrap it around his fist and draw her into his arms. He wanted to tell her not to push herself at work because she didn’t need to save everyone, and he wanted to assure he that for him she was the real thing. Instead he made some comment about the weather.
The dinner was finished in near silence, later curled up in her living room sofa she finished the pamphlets he gave her. She learned genetic testing can reveal whether a person carries the gene for Huntington’s disease. This can be used to confirm a diagnosis once symptoms appear, or when a person at risk of Huntington’s disease wants to know if they have inherited the gene. Davis had told her he never bothered to get tested because his future didn’t matter as it was something he could not change but she was sure this attitude was in part whatever had happened between his parents.
As the weeks past and she saw him show love and patience with Paxton, Julie let her heart open to his again. Even as it was bending the rules they would meet for coffee or a quick lunch. She never discussed Paxton anger at the moves and changes in her life and he never asked Julie to disclose the pre- teens confidence. By the time Paxton’s mother had returned from her sales trip and the grandmother was on the mend Julie and Davis had- renewed their friendship.