by Kimi Flores
Josh opened his eyes and stretched as far as he could before touching the warm body in bed with him. He looked over to see Bri’s face covered by her beautiful dark hair. He gently removed enough strands from her face so he could have a better view.
So much had changed in a short amount of time. He finally understood why he was given a second chance at life. He’d found a reason to let go of the guilt he’d been carrying for so long, and he was going to make sure he made the most of his life.
As Bri started to stir, her light snore turning into one big snort, he belly laughed, which woke her.
Pushing her upper body up with her elbows, she had fright in her eyes. "What are you laughing at?"
Holding on to his stomach, he laughed even harder. "You just made a noise, and it was freaking hilarious. Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."
She sat up quickly, horror and a deep blush covered her face. "What? Why is that funny? I had cheese yesterday, and it hasn’t been settling well lately."
Rolling onto his stomach, he barked out an even louder laugh, slapping his palm on the mattress.
"It’s not funny, Josh. Stop laughing!" She swatted him on the ass.
"Bri, you didn't fart. You snorted," he could barely get out. His stomach muscles started to hurt from laughing so hard.
"Oh, thank God." Relief washed over her face. "I'm so paranoid about that."
"Well, get over it. Everyone does it and now that you’re pregnant, I’ve heard it happens a lot. Hell, you’ve already heard me let loose." He managed to sit up, chuckling.
"Girls are not supposed to. Especially in front of guys." She gave him a stern look, crossing her arms over her chest.
Oh shit, another hang up from her mom. As much as that worried Josh, he wanted to help her, not baby her. He figured he would try something new since she seemed to love their playfulness as much as he did, but he also wanted to be careful not to push her beyond her limits.
“Are you saying you’re never going to cut one in front of me? I can help you get over that really quick.” With a sinful gaze, he added, “You know I’m up for a good challenge.”
She gasped. "What do you mean?"
“It’s just us, babe. You’re gonna have to get past your embarrassment with me. I’m going to see you give birth.” He slowly crept over her, causing her to lay back down as he straddled her. "If I tickled you long enough, you’d get over this fear."
"You wouldn't." Her eyes bulged out.
He watched her, careful to gauge her reaction, making sure she wasn’t going to freak out. Determined, he needed to help her through the hang ups her mother created without pushing her over the edge.
"Don't challenge me, Bri. You should know me better by now." He gave her a wicked grin and slowly brought his hands down toward her ribs.
"Ahhh, don't you dare. Get off of me! You’re going to make me pee, not fart." She yelled out, trying to wiggle away from him without success.
"Okay." He placed his palms beside her head on the pillow and leaned down to give her a surrendering quick kiss, then he rolled off of her. “That’s not the result I was looking for.”
Josh jumped off the bed as she came after him, slapping his ass once more. "Don't ever do that again. I'm very ticklish, and it isn't a funny ha ha kind of ticklish. It's an 'I'm going to rip your arms off and beat you with them' kind of ticklish."
Josh covered his head in surrender. "Okay, okay, I give. Won't do it again." He gave her a sideways glance, smiling, and pulled her into his arms. She didn’t move away, which was a good sign. “You’ll get over it soon enough on your own, I’m sure.” He went in for a quick peck before grabbing her butt. “For now, we need to get ready to head over to the vineyard. What do you think about walking?”
She watched her finger trace the lines on his tattoo, then looked up at him. “You just bought us a new car and you want to walk?”
“Yes. It’s just down the road, plus I have something else to show you.” He kissed the tip of her nose and headed into the bathroom.
Following, she said, “Wait, you never told me what we’re supposed to bring today.”
He turned on the shower, waiting for it to warm up. “I already dropped some pies off yesterday.”
“Well good thing. Nobody wants me cooking anything. That’s for sure.” She chuckled.
“Don’t tell my mom that. She’ll have you in the kitchen cooking in no time.” He felt the warm water, then dropped his underwear and stepped into the shower.
The corner of her mouth creased up as she leaned against the wall, watching Josh through the glass door. “That sounds nice. I’ve never had someone willing to teach me how to cook.”
“If you started cooking with my mom, my waistline would expand much quicker than yours.” He let the water trickle down his hair and watched her daydreaming. “I’m sure she’d love to teach you everything she knows though.”
Her smile grew a little. He would never get tired of it, that smile, those lips, and he realized he’d do anything to make her happy. Even let his mother teach her how to cook.
I guess I’m going to gain the sympathy weight anyway, why not do it while fulfilling another one of her dreams?
Bri sat on the edge of the couch, zipping up the back of her Gianvito Rossi suede, heeled sandals. When Josh ran down the stairs, she glanced up at him.
His brows furrowed. “Babe, I’m not complaining. Those heels are sexy as hell. But are you going to be okay walking in those to the vineyard, standing all day, then walking home?”
“Please, Josh.” She waved him off. “I’ve worn heels for years now. I could probably run a marathon in these.” She looked down at the leather ties that laced up the front. “These are actually one of my more comfortable pair.” She stood up, letting her loose-fitting black dress fall just below her knees as she pointed to the boxes on the entryway table. “Do you mind carrying those?”
Narrowing his eyes, he looked at the wrapped gifts. “What are they?”
“The square one is for your mom, and the rectangle one is for all the guys.” She smoothed down her skirt, making sure nothing was tucked into anything it wasn’t supposed to.
He picked up each package, giving each a curious shake, finally taking notice of her disapproving glare. “Okay, I won’t ask. Let’s go.”
With the door closed and locked behind them, they walked hand in hand down the driveway toward the gate. They were difficult to see during the day, but the lights were still twinkling from the night before. She still couldn’t believe he’d had Christmas lights installed all around the property.
Pointing to the trees, she said, “We forgot to turn those off.”
“That’s okay. They’ll be on when we get home later.” Josh smiled down at her, but something was off. He was giving her a weird vibe.
What’s he up to?
As soon as they stepped through the side gate, and it was locked behind them, Josh stopped, placing the boxes down on the small side wall, then he grabbed her hands. “Do you remember what you said to me while we were going down the driveway, the first time you came here?”
Oh crap, I was supposed to remember something?
She bit her lip nervously, trying to remember, but she shook her head.
He chuckled, smiling. “You said you were surprised I didn’t have some kind of emblem or initials on the gates.”
“Yeah, you didn’t want anyone to know you lived here.”
“Well, I do now.” He turned her around, pointing to the new monogrammed letters, J B on the front of the gates. With a goofy dramatic flourish, he added, “I want the world to know we live here, together.”
She lifted the hand with her new engagement ring on it to her chest. “How did I miss that last night?”
Standing behind her, he placed his hands on her hips. “I think you were distracted by the lights and everything else that followed.” He kissed her shoulder.
She turned her head, smiling as she kissed his jaw. “You’re gonna to have to st
op spoiling me like this, or I’m likely to get used to it.”
“Good.” He grinned. “Because I’m not stopping anytime soon.” He reached for the packages, then started pulling her away, but she kept staring.
“I love it, Josh. Thank you.”
“Like I’ve said so many times. You are worth everything I do and feel for you.” He lifted her hand, kissing her knuckles as they started down the road.
Feeling the stones beneath her feet, she wondered if she should’ve rethought the shoes. I hope I don’t twist my ankle on this uneven path.
No sooner did they make it to the vineyard before she had to go to the bathroom again. Strolling through the empty parking lot, she remembered they were meeting at the house, way down at the end of the driveway.
Shoot, I hope I can hold it. She quickly squeezed her legs together.
When Zachary’s furry dog came trotting down the driveway to meet them, Josh leaned down, rustling the fur on his head. “Hey, Buddy. How ya doing?”
Buddy loved attention. He made sure to greet everyone that came around. Making his way behind Bri, he licked her fingertips until she patted his head as well, then he strolled alongside as though he was there to personally escort them to the house.
“I’ve never met a dog with so much personality before.” Bri grinned down at the pooch.
Josh pointed to the sedan parked in front. “My parents have been here for hours now. Mom’s cooking and refuses to bring a cold dry turkey from home.”
Bri smiled. Mine would be cold and dry, even if we ate it where I cooked it.
A small white French bulldog came scampering out from the side of the house, sniffing loudly at Bri and Josh’s feet.
“Who’s this?” Bri asked, squatting down to pick up the little snorting puppy. She was thankful she hadn’t peed all over herself with that simple move.
Josh scratched its head. “I don’t know, but it sounds like you when you’re sleeping.”
Scrunching up her face, Bri retorted, “Not funny and definitely not earning you any brownie points.” She cradled the dog like a baby in her arms.
“Well, I think I have a few to spare right now.” He chuckled before planting a kiss on her lips.
“Oh, there she is.” Dani came out of the front door, her eyes zooming in on the dog in Bri’s arms. “That damn perito is going to give me a heart attack. She keeps escaping.” Dani hugged Bri and took the dog. “Hey, Josh.” She leaned in, hugging him as well.
Confused, Bri asked, “Who is she, and where is she escaping from?”
Dani held the dog up in the air, looking at her fondly. “This is Stella.”
Bri petted Stella’s back. “I didn’t know you got a dog.”
They began to walk into the house, while Buddy kept his eyes on the little dog. Dani laughed, pointing to Buddy with her lips. “He thinks she’s his to protect. I got her to keep me company, shortly after you moved out.”
Bri raised her eyebrow at Josh, a small smile appearing on her lips. Leah was right. Dani does seem at home here. She even brings her tiny mutt along.
They entered the huge white Tuscan Styled home, and Bri really had to go to the bathroom. She patted Josh’s arm. “I need to use the restroom, babe. I’ll be right back.” Walking away, she clenched her legs together hoping she made it or Josh was going to have to go home and get her a change of clothes.
I guess I’ll have to start carrying an emergency pair of panties from this point on. How depressing.
Josh followed Dani into the kitchen, watching as she walked out of the side door that led to the backyard. As predicted, his mom was slaving over the oven in her normal holiday frantic buzz. It always amused him how she would put days of work into a meal that was devoured in twenty minutes.
Hugging her, he planted a kiss on her cheek and reached for a goody on the tray she was arranging. “Ouch,” he yelped as she smacked his hand. “Well hello to you too, Mom.” He smirked as he gave her another peck on the cheek and turned to see who else was there.
His dad and Zach were seated at the dining table. He moved to sit with them, setting the gift boxes on the empty chair. “I take it this is the on-call section for us men?” He laughed, reminded of his mother’s mantra during the holidays in a house full of men.
‘Stay out of my way in the kitchen, but be close enough to hear me when I call you for help.’
Josh’s dad chuckled. “You know there isn’t much I wouldn’t agree with to get your mother’s cooking.” He winked at his son.
“Hey, I thought Brad was coming.” Josh hadn’t seen him on their way in.
Maryanne came over to the table and wiped her face with a towel. “He just got in from doing that talk show in New York, so he’s in the guest room takin’ a nap.” She clapped her hands together. “Well, it shouldn’t be too much longer before we’ll be ready to feed the masses, Zach.”
Zachary rose to his feet. “Then I’d better go help Dani get the tables ready out back. Thanks, Maryanne, for all of your help. I’m glad Dad and I decided to have Thanksgiving with everyone this year. Hopefully it’ll be our new tradition.” He went out of the same door Dani had, just moments before.
Josh was glad they’d decided to have it here too. Thanksgiving held bad memories for Zach, so he and Uncle Joel usually sat in front of the TV, watching the football games, followed by some sort of get together the next day.
Bri came into the kitchen, greeted his parents, seemingly careful to keep her ring hidden, then took her place on Josh’s lap. Digging his phone out of his back pocket Josh slid his finger across the screen and brought up some pictures. “So Mom, you’re always saying I never take any pictures. I have a few in my phone I thought you might like to see.”
Maryanne’s face lit up.
Oh, this is going to be priceless.
Looking down at the table, he went on, “I've felt a little of a shopping high lately.”
Bri shook her head, rolling her eyes, knowing how much he hated to shop. With a giddy wave of the hands.
Maryanne laughed, also well aware of his tendency to avoid anything related to shopping.
His dad, on the other hand, wore a look of concern. “What sort of purchases are we talking about, son?”
Offering his phone to his parents, he watched them study the images.
“Oh Josh, the house looks beautiful with the lights.” Maryanne gasped as she swiped the screen for the next image.
The new SUV was the next one, and his dad spoke up. “Great choice of cars. I’ve been reading up on those and was thinking about trying to convince your mother to let me upgrade my own ride.”
Elbowing her husband in the gut, Maryanne flipped the pictures and let out an audible gasp. “Well, shut my mouth. You added your initials to the front gate.” Her bottom lip quivered a moment as she stared a little longer at that picture.
Josh took in Bri’s beautiful smile as she saw the genuine love and acceptance his mother had about them living together.
“Keep going, I wasn’t done shopping yet. Oh better yet, give me my phone. I’ll just show you.” Taking the cell, he placed it on the table and reached for Bri’s hand, holding it out so the ring was in full view for his parents.
“Good heavenly days. That’s a ring!” Maryanne yelled out with bugged eyes.
Bri shook her head, hiding her face in her hair as she giggled.
“Don’t go getting all shy on me now, babe,” he whispered in her ear.
His dad got up and went to shake Josh’s hand. “Son, I’m so proud of you.” Turning, he gave Bri a fatherly kiss on the top of her head. “Welcome to the family, sweetheart. I couldn’t have picked a better daughter-in -law.”
Her eyes welled with tears. “Thank you. Hey, wait a minute. Are you trying to butter me up so I’ll be on your corn hole team next time?”
Wayne barked out a laugh as Maryanne whipped around the table. She grabbed Bri with one arm and Josh with the other, squeezing them toward her. “I am just over the moon excited f
or you two. I finally have another girl in this testosterone-filled family.” Maryanne quickly claimed Bri like she was her very own. Moving back to her seat, his mom spoke a mile a minute. “You have got to tell me how he purposed. He got down on one knee, didn’t he? Josh Tucker, if you didn’t, so help me God.”
Bri full out laughed and looked at Josh.
He gave Bri a devilish look. I wonder if she would still be laughing if I answered all of Mom’s questions with the truth.