by Vicki Green
“Well, hello, Kaelyn Lorena,” Jax says with reverence. I turn and look at him, his smile wide, and that damn dimple of his is making a huge appearance. Is it wrong of me to want sex right now? I feel a swift kick in my stomach. Guess so. Jax becomes a blur through my tear-filled eyes. His thumb rubs against my hand, and I smile. “I’m so proud of you.” Leaning over, he kisses me, and even though I’m extremely happy, feel so loved by this man – I miss Gram.
In the next month, our house is completed. I’ve been working on all things Kaelyn’s room. We figured out my old living room would make too big a playroom so we made a smaller part into a room for Willy, the true king of our castle. Jax built him a bigger castle and we moved his food and water bowl in there, although he still prefers milk. Secretly, I still think he thinks he’s a cat.
Molly and Addie are throwing me a baby shower tomorrow night at our house. Since I’m as big as a humpback whale, they thought it would be easier on me. They’re coming over around noon to decorate, and Molly is making cupcakes. I would love to say my appetite has curbed but – not so much. Not many will be here but that’s okay. More food for me!
All of Kaelyn’s bedroom things will arrive the day after the shower. Jax already painted her room, alternating light mint green and pale yellow walls. Yeah, I’m not one of those women who like pink, of any shade. I won’t have her room look like Pepto Bismol threw up all over it. Part of her things coming are decals of Disney baby characters, the bedding for her crib the same colors as well as a matching mint colored cushioned rocking chair. Seven months pregnant and I waddle like a duck but I’ll get everything done in plenty of time. I’m just really, really slow and may take a nap everyday now. I think the hardest part of this pregnancy, other than the morning/afternoon/evening sickness and breaking my foot, has been the giving up of my mocha coffees. At least for right now, taking off on maternity leave has helped since I don’t have to smell the amazing aromas at my shop. Even Jax gave up drinking coffee for me. Now, that’s love. I still can’t believe he’s mine. My own real life book boyfriend. And my sex drive? I’m slow but not dead. Just sayin’.
The next morning, I’m filled with excitement. It’s gonna be a very long day waiting for my baby shower to begin later this afternoon. You all know how hard it is for me to wait for surprises and knowing I’ll get gifts for Kaelyn is already making me crazy. Jax left to get ice and the things needed for a sherbet punch, a list Molly gave him. She said it would give him something to do. I’d texted her this morning, laughing about how crazy he’s making me even more. I think he’s as excited as I am.
I was slow in taking my shower, putting on a pair of maternity yoga pants and a cute long maternity long sleeve t-shirt. My hair has gotten so much longer, not sure if baby hormones have played a part in that. So, after drying it, I put it up in a low ponytail. Yeah, this girl is gonna be comfy. I’d gone into the kitchen to get a snack, since Kaelyn apparently likes when I always have a little something in my tummy, and carried out a bowl of mixed fruit, walked into the living room and sat on the couch.
Looking around, I still can’t believe how much has changed in the last several months. My entire world morphed in the blink of an eye. Sadly I had to say goodbye to Gram and found myself living alone in my condo with Willy. And just like so many romance books, even though fiction, I went from being a klutzy, stammering idiot around guys – okay, that hasn’t changed completely but I’ve gotten better – to running my own coffee shop with my best friend, to falling in love with my very own real life book boyfriend, to getting ready to have his baby. Due to one of my best friends being a famous author, we all need bodyguards. It makes me feel like I’m living in my own romance novel. I mean, who lives like that? It’s like a fairytale or novel come to life. My life!
And before you ask, because I know you are wondering, Addie’s Dream series is all about her and Jax’s lives. Growing up with their foster parents and following her life of solitude afterwards. How she’s a mysterious author, and that she’d hit over a million copies sold of her first book. It even talked about her agent, and how Jax was in the Army Reserves. It followed him finding the perfect girl – me, and how they fell in love. Of course she’d finished Believe in Dreams before finding out I was pregnant. I knew Chasing Dreams, her second book in the series, seemed so much like Jax’s life, I’d begun to wonder. She had put quite a bit of fiction surrounding the real life stuff so I’d shrugged off the similarities. Silly me!
I eat my fruit and turn on the TV, flipping channels for something good to watch. Suddenly, I hear a strange noise, looking around the room and out into the foyer. I snort internally when I call it the foyer but that’s what Jax calls it. This isn’t a mansion by any means, but it’s definitely a lot larger than it was. I hear the sounds again and quickly sit up, place my bowl on the coffee table, and push onto the back of the couch to stand. Yes, I’m that big and can’t even sit in the oversized chair anymore if no one is around to help get me out of it. Once I’d gotten stuck in it for two hours before Jax got home from running errands. I had to pee so badly! Finally, hoisting myself up, I waddle out of the room and into the foyer (snickers) and stop, waiting to see if I hear it again.
After standing still for a few minutes, I need to go to the bathroom, so I waddle to the closest one next to our office/library and do my business. I’m washing my hands when I hear the noise again. What the hell is that? It sounds like someone or something is hurt. I quickly dry my hands on the towel hanging across from the counter, then walk out into the foyer again. Nothing. Silence. Okay, this is making me a little crazy. Am I imagining things? Wouldn’t surprise me with these pregnancy hormones. They certainly are insane!
It sounds again, a little louder this time. It almost sounds as if someone is – crying. I might be a little freaked out right now, considering I’m the only one home. Looking around, my body shaking, I walk to the entry closet, looking for something I can use as a weapon. There’s nothing much here that I can use that would do any bodily harm. I pick up the umbrella that’s hanging on a hook, turn around and hold it like a bat, my hands already becoming sweaty. The sound goes off again, like it’s coming from Kaelyn’s bedroom. Something or someone is haunting my house, and it is in my daughter’s room. Oh no you don’t! I won’t have my baby taunted by spirits! Motherly instinct hits me with a force, and suddenly I’m not afraid. Okay, maybe a little.
Gripping the umbrella tight, I start walking toward the hallway, ready to take on whatever it is. I creep toward Kaelyn’s room when I hear the sound, snapping my head to Willy’s room. Is he hurt? My heart begins pounding against my chest, fear overwhelming me. Slowly, I open the door to his room, loving how Jax put in a doggy door so we can keep his door shut. I walk over to his castle, below the front window. The castle is so big that it extends from wall to wall. Jax again. He built it himself, saying every king should have an enormous castle. God, I wish Jax was home right now.
I have to get on my knees in order to see inside. I’ll never be able to get up by myself. Bending over, the sound becomes louder and louder. I peek inside, but it’s dark. Grabbing my phone from my pocket, I turn on the internal flashlight and point it into the abyss. My eyes widen when I see what’s inside. Willy’s laying on his side with five tiny puppies feeding from him. Him? “Oh, my God! You little bugger! All this time – you’re a girl?” He – I mean she, gives me the stink eye while licking the top of one of the puppy’s heads, cleaning it. “Well, I’ll be damned.”
“Coffee Girl, where are you? Rylie?”
I look up when I hear Jax walking around, calling my name. I don’t know how long I’ve been sitting in here, leaning against the wall. “In Willy’s – uh, room!” Shit! He’s a she. How can we call him Willy now? The damn vet was wrong, although she had said she wasn’t one hundred percent sure. Guess she was right that he was older than I’d originally thought. Uh, she. Shit! “Where did you go and get knocked up, Wil
ly – err, shit! What do I call you now?”
“Rylie?” I look up as Jax’s voice sounds in the room. He’s standing in the doorway, his eyes wide as he sees the little puppy in my lap. “What the?” I nod, fully understanding. It is quite the shock. Walking inside, he sits down in front of me, reaching inside the castle, slowly, and petting uh – Willy. “We need to change his, er – her name. How can we call her Willy now?” He laughs.
I shrug and let out a snort while petting the little puppy in my lap. “We change the spelling to Willie, short for Wilhelmina.” Wow! Sometimes I surprise myself. I just thought of that!
“Hey, girl. Good job. You’re a momma now.” Jax talks to her, soothingly, and of course, she basks in the attention. He picks up a puppy, cradling it in his large hand. “With Kaelyn almost here, what are we gonna do with five puppies to take care of? Not that they aren’t sweet,” he says raising his hand to get a closer look at the little thing. He’s got such a kind heart. That’s one of the reason I love him so much. I hadn’t even thought about what it would mean to take care of puppies and trying to give birth to a baby. So many things to juggle. Then an idea strikes, not that it will take care of everything but….
“I think I have an idea.” He raises an eyebrow in curiosity. “Of course, you need to play along when I bring it up.”
“Just what do you have in mind, Coffee Girl?” His mouth turns up into that sexy grin and suddenly – I’m horny. Go figure.
“Oh, you’ll see.”
We spent over an hour in there, petting and watching Willie with her babies. It’s so strange how one minute I’m getting ready for my baby shower and the next I discover Willy’s a Willie with five puppies. By the time, we leave Willie to tend to them and go wash up, people start arriving for my baby shower. All our employees show up, including Duncan and Alan, who have now become a “thing”, along with Molly and Addie. It’s small but cozy with people I feel like are family. I told Molly I didn’t want any of those silly games, not her style anyway. So we feasted on the most amazing lunch, talked and laughed, and then I got to open presents. Of course, that was my favorite part. I got so many awesome things for Kaelyn. She’s gonna be dressed to the hilt, have so many toys, and just think, Christmas is around the corner too. She’s gonna be so spoiled. What surprised me the most, some of my favorite authors, who are also the biggest supporters and customers of my Coffee Shop on the Go, sent me gifts for Kaelyn too! Aleatha Romig, Pepper Winters, AL Jackson, and Mia Sheridan. Of course, my now number one author, J. Stearns, gets to be here with us. I’m the luckiest woman and reader in the world!
“So, Willie had puppies this morning,” I blurt.
Mouths drop open, Duncan spews a mouthful of his punch, and Addie sighs. Molly snorts. “Um, Willy’s a boy. Boys can’t have puppies, Ry.” I roll my eyes as I shake my head. Oh really?
With perfect timing, as we had planned, Jax enters the room. “Then, what’s that?” I look over at Jax carrying in one of the puppies. All heads turn.
Addie yells, “Oh, my God! How cute!
“I need one of those!” Duncan proclaims.
My smile grows as they run over to Jax, petting the cute little thing.
“I thought the vet said he was a male?” Molly huffs. She’s speaking to me but can’t take her eyes off the little cuteness in Jax’s hand.
I want to keep at least one of them but there’s no way we can keep all five. “She said she thought it was a male but he was so little it was hard to know for sure,” I reply. “Trust me, we were just as shocked when we found the puppies this morning. Willy is now spelled W-i-l-l-i-e.”
Let’s just say, by the time everyone had left, two of them were taken, when they get old enough that is. But everyone said they’d chip in and help us take care of them. I have a feeling Jax will be busier than he thinks, being a new daddy and helper of all things puppies. Addie already picked out one saying she needed a guard dog. I know she’s seen how small Willie is. I had to hold in my snort. Duncan picked his out too saying they are just too cute to pass up. Molly hasn’t said anything but I caught her unable to take her eyes off the one that is mostly black with some white spots. I know she’ll be taking it. Trust me.
“Well that was easier than I thought,” Jax says, holding me in his arms as we lay in bed. “Of course, there’s still two more to find an owner for, if you’re still wanting to keep one.” I hold up one finger. “No. Addie and Duncan each took one that leaves two and one for us.”
I shake my head and smile. “Molly will take one. She wants the black and white spotted one. I can tell. She won’t be able to resist it. Trust me.” I snuggle into his chest and let out a loud yawn. I missed my nap today.
It did not take me long to fall asleep, even though I was so horny.
The next day, another whirlwind. But so much fun! While waiting for furniture, clothing, decals, and other accessories to be delivered, I washed all the baby clothes I got yesterday. Such cute little outfits, sleepers and socks. All so little. Thoughts and excitement swarm me. I can’t wait to hold her. I can’t wait to see what she looks like. Can’t wait to see the look on Jax’s face when he sees her for the first time.
As the deliveries came in, Jax and I set to work. He put together Kaelyn’s crib as I washed the bedding. Then, he put together the matching dressing table as I multi-tasked between making her crib with the freshly cleaned bedding, putting all her clothes away in the matching dresser, and checking on Willie and her puppies. By the end of the day, I’m exhausted, and even Jax isn’t up to cooking dinner. So, we order Chinese to be delivered. It feels somewhat weird that Tony has to retrieve it from the delivery guy out at the front gate. He’s such a great bodyguard but better yet, he’s quickly becoming a good friend. He ate with us in the living room, watching some sci-fi movie. I read on my Kindle while they watched.
With good, there always seems to be bad. The next morning, I go to check on the puppies while Jax makes breakfast. Jax had put a chair in there so I could sit down because it takes him or a small crane to get me back up from the floor. As soon as I lean down to look, I see Willie nudging one of the puppies. It doesn’t move. Doesn’t flinch. My heart plummets. My hand shakes as I reach out and pet Willie’s head, tears falling quickly. “I’m sorry, Willie,” I whisper.
“Hey, I called you for breakfast.” I look up when I hear Jax’s voice, my chin quivering. He looks down in concern as I pick up the little sweet puppy that didn’t get a chance to live. It wasn’t one of the puppies that my friends had picked out to take and that makes me even sadder.
“I would have kept you, little one,” I whisper through my tears. I rub my thumb gently over its little bald head.
“Hey, baby. I’ll go find something to put it in and we’ll bury it in our backyard. Okay?” I nod, sniffling.
While Jax got everything ready, I sat here, petting the sweet puppy, and cried my eyes out. Our entire day was filled with sadness. Before Jax came and got me, I laid the puppy back next to Willie, letting her say her goodbyes. We then took the puppy out to the backyard. I caressed my stomach not able to fathom losing a child that you carried in your womb for so long. Not ever seeing them grow up, being able to really get to know them as they turn into their own personality. I wasn’t able to eat at all, feeling so melancholy once we buried the sweet baby. At one point during the day, I heard Willie howl then whimper with her cries, and I knew she was mourning her baby. I don’t think I’ll be the same after today. That night, Jax and I laid in bed, holding each other, both of us feeling this dreadful day.
The next day was more of the same, but I tried to do what I could. I found myself sitting in the rocker in Kaelyn’s room, a lot, thinking about my life. That afternoon, I laid down to take a nap. When I awoke, no light was coming into the room from the slits in the blinds. Huh. I must have slept longer than I realized.
After going to the bath
room, then pulling my hair back into a tie, I walk out of our room, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. Suddenly, I’m starving as I take in the aroma filling the area. Is that spaghetti? My nose leads me into the kitchen but I stop quickly when I look around. The lights are dim, candles aglow in the center of the kitchen table, causing a warm glow over the perfectly set table. A small vase holds fresh lilacs. Where in the hell did he get fresh lilacs in winter? He’s amazing. He’s gorgeous. He’s my Hot Tamale on a stick. And he’s mine.
“’Bout time you got up, Coffee Girl. My sweet sleepyhead.”
I turn around and see Jax walking up behind me. He puts his arounds around me and my head lulls back onto his chest, his lips kissing me hard then sweet and gentle. Taking my hand, he leads me over to the table, pulls out my chair and helps me sit. Such a gentleman. Looking at everything, I take it all in. Instead of taking his own seat, I watch as he kneels down before me. My hand covers my mouth, and I gasp as he looks up at me with such love in his eyes.
“Ryland Lorena Clark….” He begins.
Suddenly, I’m embarrassed. “Wait!” I scream and he laughs as I pull out the tie in my hair, running my fingers through the snarls. At least I have on a decent pair of maternity yoga pants and nice shirt. Alas, no makeup, swollen fingers and hands will have to do. “Okay! Sorry!” He laughs again and takes my hand.
“Coffee Girl. I’m not sure exactly when I fell in love with you.” I raise a brow. “I know that I loved your stuttering and stammering when I placed my first order. The way you scorched your hand with my coffee as you nervously stared at me.” I purse my lips, trying not to laugh. “It might have been when you turned around and fell on top of me, my Hot Tamale pressed against your stomach.” Oh shit! Okay, I couldn’t help the snort that leaves my mouth on that one. “The way you always look at me with such love filled eyes. The way you kiss me like your whole heart belongs to me. The way you take care of everyone and everything without a thought, like it’s your soul mission to do so.” He nods. “Yes, without a doubt I think I fell in love with you when we first met.” My eyes fill with tears as my chin quivers. “Rylie? My Coffee Girl. Will you do me the utmost honor of being my wife, the mother of my children….” Did you notice he said children in plural? I know I did. “And make me the happiest man in the universe?”