Everly always sticks to her plans.
She promised we’d make things work. But I knew it was bullshit. Her intentions were good, but life gets away from you. Things happen. Long-distance relationships never work, and we didn’t have the foundation to put ourselves through something like that. So, we ended things. I ended them. It broke my heart. It still hurts every fucking day, but she wanted London and I wanted us.
It’s been five months and it doesn’t look like she has any interest in coming home.
We don’t talk anymore. She’s not coming for Thanksgiving. She gave up before this ever got off the ground.
I glance at my plane ticket and throw it in my satchel. I can’t believe she’s making me do this. I didn’t want to drag her back, but it looks like she leaves me no choice.
Sixteen
Ever
“Are you sure you don’t want to know?” The doctor smooths the paddle over my belly and asks again if I want to know the sex of the baby.
I shake my head. “I’ll let it be a surprise.”
Naturally curious, I gaze at the baby alien on the screen and try to figure out if I’m looking at a girl or boy. I see nothing. Nothing looks familiar except for the head. Truth is, I’m dying to know, but it’s not fair that I know so much and Linus knows nothing.
I had my chance to speak up. Shortly before he ended things, I had it on the tip of my tongue. But I let it go. It felt wrong speaking up afterwards. Like I wanted to trap him into staying. And that’s not what I want. I don’t know what I want.
That’s not true. I want this baby. It’s not part of my big plan, but it’s part me and part Linus. Whether it was conceived at The Plaza Hotel, in the backseat of a Honda SUV, or some random place in New Haven, his or her parents loved each other for a little while.
At least I like to think so.
I walk into the chilly air, rush down the steps and head into the underground. It’s a quick hop to Earl’s Court. The streets are always busy in London, but midday isn’t nearly as bad as rush hour. I need to get home, unwind and chart out my birth plan again. Mom wants me to come home before the baby arrives, but San Francisco doesn’t feel like home anymore. I’ve promised her I’d consider New York. There’s no way she’s putting up with me having her first grandchild across the Atlantic. I’m five months in. I need to make my mind up soon.
Maybe I’ll move home for Christmas. Spending the holiday in the city will be nice. Linus should know. I’ll say something eventually and New York is close enough for him to visit, if that’s something he wants to do.
I take a deep breath and chew my lip to keep it from quivering. Maybe, he won’t want anything to do with me or his baby. He made a clean break. He must have moved on with his life. I hold my belly while I walk and think about those deep green eyes, those big hands and that wicked smile that piqued my curiosity from the start. Maybe, my baby will look like him. You never know. Maybe, that will make him want to be in its life. Or not. Who knows?
You’ve got important Mom stuff to plan. Stop fantasizing about silly things.
I smooth my belly and smile. “We’ll be okay, kiddo. I’ve got your whole life planned out. But you’re welcomed to deviate.” My chuckle fades and my eyes shoot up when I hear a deep voice directly in front of me.
“What the hell am I looking at?” Linus Barnes is here. Standing in front of me. Stunned. And possibly angry.
I button my coat. It hides nothing. “What? Linus, what are you doing here?”
He marches towards me, but I scurry away. His long legs catch up quickly and his hands immediately reach for my belly. My huge, pregnant belly.
“What is this? Everly, what the hell have you done?” He stammers in disbelief.
“What have I done?” My mouth falls open. “You did this!”
“I don’t mean getting pregnant. I know how you got pregnant. How could you keep this from me?” He’s furious. His pale face looks like he just took a severe slapping.
I shake my head and start walking home. He follows, but I can’t answer. If I talk, I’ll cry. This is London. I can’t cry in public.
“Ever. Say something.” His voice is heavy with sadness. I didn’t mean to hurt his feelings. I didn’t want to keep something so big from him. But I chickened out.
“I’m sorry, Linus. I’m sorry I kept his from you.” I climb the steps to my townhouse and try to unlock my door. My hands shake. Tears blur my vision. I need to get away from him. This isn’t good for the baby. Or me.
He takes my keys and unlocks the door with his steady hand. Swinging it open, he lets me through and follows close behind.
“Baby, why did you keep this from me? You know I would have come months ago. I would have dragged you back. Is that why you didn’t say anything? You didn’t want me in your life? You didn’t want me talking you into coming home?” He fights tears as he falls on his knees and hugs my swollen abdomen. His baby. Our baby.
Now, I cry. Five months of tears rain down while I explain how terrible I’d been about taking the pill before we had sex. I was always late. I missed days at a time. When he first kissed me, I became more compliant, just in case something happened. But even then, it was hard to stay regular when I wasn’t having sex. I found out the baby three weeks after I arrived in England and two days before he ended our failing relationship. I tried to call him a hundred times, but I just couldn’t do it.
“I’m sorry.” I wipe my tears on my sleeve. “If I didn’t tell you, I didn’t have to hear you tell me you didn’t care. Or that you didn’t want him.” I sniffle.
“Is it a boy?” His eyes grow big.
I shake my head. “I don’t know. I didn’t find out. I felt bad knowing so much before you knew anything. And a part of me wanted to find out together.”
“But you were going to tell me, weren’t you? You weren’t going to have it in secret and tell me when he or she was ten years old, were you?” Our sad eyes meet before he presses his lips to mine. We kiss through tears and my dormant heart awakens. I missed him. He was wonderful and I walked away just to say I kept my plans. But I knew even then, they weren’t plans I wanted to keep.
I wanted him. I wanted us.
I brush the hair off his face and kiss his chin. “I would have told you before the birth. I planned to move home by Christmas.” I slump down in my couch and try not to look at his direct gaze. He looks pissed. He should be. I’ve done a shitty thing.
“You’re coming home now, Ever. Enough bullshit. How could you think I’d reject you and our baby, when you know I wanted this?” He sits next to me and tugs me on to his lap.
“No, Linus. I’m huge.” I bat him away, but he drags me on.
“You’re not huge. You’re beautiful.” While his giant hand caresses my tummy, my heart melts into a thick, slow-moving puddle. Tears unleash, sobs ensue and my head falls to his shoulder.
“We’re getting married, Everly. No arguments. You’re coming home. That’s an order. You’re not doing this alone. This is our baby. I’ll take care you both. Not your parents. Do you understand?” He rocks me against his chest and for the first time since I arrived, I feel happy. I feel complete again.
“I still can’t believe you kept this from me, Everly.” He snaps.
“I love you, Linus.” I nuzzle my head into his neck and kiss him.
“I love you. But I’m still mad, little girl.” He rests his head on mine.
“Our baby loves you. I told it all about you.” I clutch my heart and take a heavy breath.
“Nice one. You’re still in trouble. No more plans, okay? From now on, we make plans together.”
Seventeen
Epilogue- Four Years Later
Linus
“Linus...” She shivers in my arms. My tongue invades her mouth while my fingers graze her skin, tracing the curve of her breast until they reach her taut nipples. When I tug and roll her rosy flesh, she trembles and melts into me.
“I love you, Ever.” Love and lust flood my se
nses. I groan as my mouth explores her body. She gasps with each kiss, writhing with an ever-building desire that rises as I move down her torso.
We’ve been married four years. Shortly after I brought her home, we moved to New York and for six months I commuted to New Haven. That was a pain in the ass, but more than worth the trouble. Everly worked hard to finish school and build a career. She moved home for me, I could move to New York for her. Anyway, after the spring, I transferred to Columbia and things got much easier.
Not that easy. We have two little ones under the age of three. Jackson is three and a half and my angel, Bethany just turned six months. She’s adorable. Looks just like my Everly, with auburn hair and blue eyes. We may or may not have another. Only time will tell. We try not to make too many plans.
At the moment, I’m enjoying having my wife all to myself.
She tries to speak, but each touch makes her whimper. Each nibble makes her quiver and pull me closer. She reaches for my shoulders, seeking purchase to steady her trembling limbs. Sliding her on my lap, my heart beats wildly. My pulse races. Her thighs spread and when I guide her on to my cock, she loses it. Overcome with pleasure, she submits fully and revels in this orchestrated chaos.
My mind swirls with unbridled love for my Everly. I watch her body undulate and seek my attention. She knows I’ll always give her what she wants. She doesn’t have to ask. Our eyes meet for a moment and my heart flutters. We move as one, but she takes over and chases her release. She rides my cock, grinding and slamming into my hips as she tumbles into the depths of pleasure and skyrockets into an insanity of euphoria.
She’s so fucking beautiful when she comes.
And she still rules my fucking world.
The End
About the Author
I write sweet, steamy romance for nerdy girls-- because that's who I am.
My heroines are always smart and sassy. My heroes are always Alphas- Guys who know what they want and don't need to play games. Cause who has time for that?
I write A LOT of OMYW, cause that's just my bag, but no matter what kind of story it is, my ladies are always adored and my endings are always HEA.
I've transitioned shorter stories to my second pen name Mia Barrett. Check her out!
Please head to my blog to learn what's in the final stages and will be coming out soon! I welcome feedback and I welcome suggestions, questions, and ideas.
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Also by Matilda Martel
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Bad Professor Page 4