Misty Reigenborn Romance Boxed Set
Page 38
Kimber squeezed his hand. "That sounds like a great idea baby. I'm sure the kids will be excited."
"Good."
They spent a lazy day together watching movies. It was a nice day and Kimber found herself looking forward to many more to come.
Luke
Luke wasn't sure what to think when Paul called him on Sunday morning and asked if he and Sierra would like to have dinner with them on Sunday evening. His beautiful wife was convinced that it meant Paul had proposed to Kimber, but he had been thinking more and more that it was time that he and Paul sat aside their differences. He was sure the other man was feeling the same way. Since he had promised Sierra that he would try, he figured Kimber had extracted a similar promise from Paul and he was sure dinner was more of a step towards a truce than anything, though the thought that Sierra may be right about an engagement did enter his mind.
Kimber
Kimber was nervous Sunday evening, though she wasn't sure why she was quite so nervous. The thought had briefly entered her mind that tempers could get hot and the men might come to blows, but she could hardly imagine Luke in a fistfight, let alone Paul. And they would be having dinner with the children, so she was sure that nothing too bad would happen. Paul looked almost as nervous as she felt, and she squeezed his hand as they left the house, trying to offer him what comfort she could.
Paul
Paul felt a little like he was going to throw up Sunday evening as he drove to the local Italian restaurant that was a favorite of not only him and Kimber's but of the children as well. He saw Luke and Sierra waiting in Sierra's car outside the restaurant, and made the decision to talk to Luke alone. He pulled into a parking spot and shut the car off, his heart beating fast. He was so nervous he felt like he was asking Kimber's father for her hand in marriage, and he realized how much the blessing of both his ex-wife and Kimber's ex-husband meant to him.
He leaned over and gave Kimber a kiss. "Is it okay with you if I talk to Luke alone before we go in?"
"Of course baby, whatever you think is best. I will go collect the kids and Sierra and I will find a table for us."
Paul gave her a smile. He loved her so much and she was so understanding. "I love you Kimber."
"I love you too."
She squeezed his hand briefly and then left the car. Paul's thoughts were racing as he watched his beautiful fiance approach Sierra's car. She spoke briefly with Luke and then Sierra and the kids got out of the car. The kids all waved at him before turning towards the restaurant with their mothers. A smile touched his face as he waved back at them, but it fell away as he took a deep breath and then let it out as he exited his car.
Luke had gotten out of the car and was leaning against it, looking to Paul to be about as comfortable as he felt.
Luke nodded at him. "So what's up man?"
"Well, we obviously need to learn to get along for the kids, but I wanted to be the one to tell you that Kimber and I are getting married."
Luke snorted. "Do you think you need my permission?" Then he shook his head and sighed. "I'm sorry. That was out of line. I wasn't happy about you and Kimber being together at first, but she seems happy and I have to give you credit for that. Even when she was her happiest with me, it was always based on a lie. I feel terrible for the way I treated her. I didn't appreciate the way you treated Sie either, but they've come to their own peace with the past. What right do we have to still be bitching about all of it when they've moved on? Kimber deserves a good man that will make her happy for the rest of her life. I didn't want it to be you, but I have no right to tell her who she can and can't be with. My kids even seem to like you, so we might as well man up and try to act like men instead of jealous teenage boys who happened to have traded girlfriends."
Paul let out a sigh of relief. "That was a lot easier than I thought it would be."
Luke chuckled. "Just be good to her okay? No one would like it very much if I had to kick your ass."
Paul fought an urge to roll his eyes, and instead reached his hand out to Luke. They shook hands.
"Congratulations Paul. Now can we go inside? It's freezing out here."
Paul laughed and followed Luke to the restaurant.
Kimber
Since she and Paul planned to get married on Valentine's Day, they had a lot of planning to do in a short time. With the holiday season coming up as well, there was even more for her to do and the days seemed to pass quickly. But they were happy days. She and Paul planned to move into a five bedroom house they had found on the outskirts of town, figuring that any miles they could save on driving when trading the kids off would be good for all of them. The house had a huge yard and the kids loved it, happily choosing their bedrooms. Both her house and Paul's sold relatively quickly and everything seemed to be going better than she could have ever hoped for. The sizzle was still definitely there in their sex life and Paul was even learning to be spontaneous in bed which made her even happier.
Valentine’s Day
Paul
Paul was nervous on his wedding day. It was one of the happiest days of his life, and he couldn't wait until he could call Kimber his wife. But his heart was pounding so hard he thought it was going to pound right out of his chest.
They had booked a local community center for the wedding, and it was decorated beautifully. The children were all sharing the tasks of "throwing flowers" again. He was proud of all of them as he waited for Kimber to walk down the aisle.
Kimber
Kimber's heart was beating fast as she walked down the aisle, her eyes locked on Paul. He looked so handsome and so happy. Her eyes grew moist as she approached him, and she could see tears standing in his eyes as well as he took her hands in his own.
It felt almost dreamlike as she repeated her vows, but it was no dream as Paul kissed her for the first time as her husband. Everyone clapped and Luke even let out a hoot, winking at her when she looked at him. She shook her head at him and he smiled.
The reception was very nice but Kimber couldn't wait for it to be over. She was anxious for her honeymoon and very much looking forward to spending many blissful hours in bed with Paul.
Sierra
When Sierra walked into work the day after Paul and Kimber's wedding, she could immediately tell that something was wrong. Mrs. Peterson avoided her eyes as soon as she walked in, and no one else seemed to want to look at her either.
Her stomach was already a little queasy and it only got worse when Mr. Moran called her into his office.
He motioned for her to sit down. She sat uncomfortably on the chair across from his desk and waited for him to begin, wondering if she was losing her job.
Moran cleared his throat.
"I want you to understand that this isn't easy for me Sierra. The children adore you and you're so good at teaching them."
Her heart sank even further.
"We've had to make some tough decisions lately. I know that you were told we would be able to hold your position for you until you returned from maternity leave."
He sighed. "But unfortunately we just found out that we're going to be losing further funding at the end of the month. We'll have to cut back to two teachers, and since you'll be leaving in another few months anyway, we're going to have to let you go Sierra. I'm sorry."
Sierra's temper made her want to tell him to go screw himself since she had caught him trying to look down her shirt on several occasions, but she held her tongue. She wasn't sure what he expected her to say, but he was giving her a look that told her he expected her to say something.
"I understand."
She didn't really, but she gave him a tight smile as she stood, though her heart felt like it was breaking in her chest. She was beginning to think that the universe was against her having a job. It pissed her off almost as much as it saddened her.
"Is there anything else Mr. Moran?"
"No. We'll have a party on your last day for the children. We will all miss you Sierra."
"Right."
The day was hard for her as she knew that every day of the last two weeks she spent with her students would be. She adored each and every one of the children that she taught.
Between her overall unhappiness with the day and her pregnancy hormones, she was close to tears most of the day. She let herself cry a little when she got into her car after work. It seemed to help a little, but she was in tears again by the time she pulled into her driveway and found herself unable to stop crying.
Luke
Sierra was in tears when she walked in the door and Luke was glad that the kids were upstairs in their rooms. If it was hard for him to see the woman he loved cry, he knew it would be even harder on both the kids and her if they saw her crying.
He immediately took his pregnant wife into his arms. "Oh baby, what's wrong?"
Sierra had to take a deep breath and let it out before she could speak.
"I got fired Luke."
"Oh baby, I'm so sorry. I thought they told you they could hold your job for you."
He handed her a handful of tissues.
"Moran said funding got cut and they had to eliminate a teaching position. And of course since I'm already leaving, they chose to eliminate me. Dammit Luke, why does it seem like the whole damned world is against me having a job?"
"Ahh baby. It's gonna be okay."
"Don't try to put me off Luke, this job was important to me. It's pointless to look for another job when I'm going to be having a baby in a few months."
"So you'll find another job after you have the baby. I know it sucks Sie, but it's not the end of the world."
Sierra got a dangerous look in her eyes then, and Luke knew that he'd said the wrong thing.
"You sound just like Paul. You don't need a job Sierra, you can be a baby maker. I love being a mother Luke, but I want more from my life. It doesn't mean I love the kids any less."
"I know Sie. I'm not Paul and I'm not going to tell you how to handle your career. Do you want to take the kids to the movies?"
Sierra sighed. "I'm in such a bad mood. I don't want to spoil it for everyone."
"Would you like to rest while I take the kids to the movies?"
Since Kimber and Paul were on their honeymoon, Luke and Sierra had all three kids.
"I think I'd like that. I'm sorry Luke. It's been such a shitty day. I'm gonna miss my kids so much."
He squeezed her hand. "I know baby. You'll find another job. An even better one."
Sierra gave him a weak smile. "I hope so."
"You can look for a job anywhere you want babe."
She brightened a little. "I didn't think about that. It would be nice to be closer to your kids. Easier on all of us all around too."
"See baby, sometimes the shit that life throws at us can be a blessing in disguise."
Sierra laughed. "I love you Luke."
"I love you too beautiful. More than you'll ever know."
"I'm going to go check on the kids. They seem quiet."
"I fed them lunch a little while ago. The boys might be asleep, and you know Alexis hardly ever gets into mischief."
"How did your daughter turn out to be such an angel?"
Luke chuckled. "They get that from their mom. I think Nathan must get his angelic side from you too."
Sierra snorted. "You're sweet Luke, but be serious."
He smiled. "I love you Sierra. Go check on the kids and then take your beautiful butt to bed or the couch or wherever you plan to relax."
"I love you Luke. Are you sure you can put up with me for the rest of our lives?"
"As long as you can put up with me."
"I think I can."
Sierra gave him a quick kiss and then headed for the stairs. He was glad her mood was somewhat better at least and was sure that by the time he and the kids returned, she would be more like herself.
Paul
Paul had never had as much sex in four days’ time in his life as he did on his honeymoon with Kimber. But it was so wonderful that he couldn't imagine not wanting to make love to Kimber. He even found himself fantasizing about what she would look like when she was pregnant with his child. Sierra had looked even more beautiful to him when she'd been pregnant with Nathan, but he'd been so afraid to hurt her or the baby that he hadn't wanted to make love to her. He knew that things would be different with Kimber though. He could talk to her about anything, and was looking forward to sharing his life with her.
Kimber
Their honeymoon was amazing. Kimber felt like she was walking around in a state of perpetual bliss. She was sad to see it end, but she knew that it was time to go home and start their lives together as man and wife.
When they picked the kids up from Luke and Sierra, they got the news that Sierra was going to look for a teaching job closer to where she and Paul lived after her maternity leave. Paul smiled so wide she thought his face would split and she was happy they would be closer together too.
Sierra
When everything seemed to fall into place almost immediately after her last day at work, Sierra started to believe that losing her job had been meant to be. She did miss her kids, but the loss of her job stung a lot less as the days passed. She was happy at home with Luke and the kids and her pregnancy was going well, no bed rest this time. They found a house close to Paul and Kimber and made plans for their move after the birth of the baby. Sierra found several teaching jobs that looked promising and all in all life was good.
Luke
When Sierra gave birth right on time to a healthy baby girl, he cried. He was a little embarrassed, but he was so happy that his wife and child were doing well that he didn't care that a hospital room full of people saw him crying.
They named the beautiful six pound four ounce baby girl who had Luke's darker blonde hair and Sierra's gorgeous green eyes Taylor Sienna Stone. All three went home from the hospital together and spent a few days alone. Paul was thrilled to have extra time with Nathan and Sierra knew that her son adored his stepmother.
Everything went as planned with the move, though their old house didn't sell right away. They didn't exactly need the money, especially since Luke had managed to write another hit song. When the house still hadn't sold several months later, they agreed to donate it to a local organization that provided a temporary place to stay for men that had been physically abused by their partners.
Sierra secured a job at a local head start program. Her new job made her very happy, even more so since Luke was taking care of Taylor. The job didn't pay that well, but she loved the children and there had always been much more in life that was more important to her than money. Nathan and Halden were very proud big brothers and Alexis adored her baby sister.
Paul loved his new job and the extra time he had with Nathan was very good for both of them. On the one year anniversary of his wedding Paul got the news he was going to be a father again. Life had never been better for him or Kimber.
While things weren't always easy for Sierra and Luke and Kimber and Paul, the twists of fate that had brought them together and blended their families seemed to be meant to be. And they all lived (mostly) happily ever after.
Girls of Gabe’s Place 1: Brandy
Misty Reigenborn
Copyright 2012
By Misty Reigenborn
Chapter 1
Brandylynn was lying in bed in her bra and panties watching a movie. She heard her boyfriend walking around in the living room and called out to him “Chad. C’mere baby.”
Chad stood in the doorway to their bedroom. “What’s up Brandy?”
“I need a line babe. Just one. I promise I’ll be really good to you in bed tonight.”
“You’re always good to me in bed Brandy, but I don’t have any coke. I need to go out and restock my supply.”
Brandy gave him a pout. She sat up in bed, tossing the sheet aside. She tossed her dark hair
over her shoulder and gave him a look that she hoped showed him how much she was pleading with him and how sexy she was at the same time.
“Please Chad? Don’t tell me that you don’t have one line. I’ll be even better in bed tonight. I’ll let you do that thing to me that I never let you do because I think it’s nasty.”
Chad smiled, but then it faded. “I seriously don’t have anything babe. That’s why I gotta get out of here.”
Brandy looked at the clock. It was close to midnight. “You’re going to go buy drugs at this time of night? Do you have gas money? I might be able to get my mom to send me some money if you have a calling card. And don’t take too long being gone. I’m horny.”
Chad laughed. “You’re always horny Brandy. Those chick flicks you watch all the time might as well be porn. I have gas money babe. I gotta have money to buy drugs don’t I?”
Brandy made a face. “I miss you when you’re gone. This apartment, this life we’re living is nothing like you promised me when I left town with you.”
Chad crossed to the bed and kissed her. “I’m sorry baby. I don’t have a calling card. I don’t think your mom wants to talk to you anyway.”
“Thanks a lot Chad. You’re an asshole, you know that?”
“Never said I wasn’t babe. I really gotta get outta here. It’s silly of you to ask if I can buy drugs at this time of night, but these guys only stay up so long. I’ll bring you back some coke, I promise. Try to go to sleep. Before you know it, I’ll be back.”
“Yeah right. Sometimes you’re gone all night. I worry that you’re in jail or something. My mom really wouldn’t give me the money to bail you out. She doesn’t like you.”