Embracing Us (Embracing Series)

by Delisa Lynn

  Our wedding is in a little over four months. I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time. Seeing her in a beautiful dress, knowing that she is only mine, and having her carry my last name. I’ve been working on a pretty big murder case, and I haven’t spent much time with her lately. But once we move and I start working with my buddies that will change.

  Well speaking of buddies, it looks like Evan is calling now.

  “Hey man, how’s things going with you and Tatum?”

  “Things can’t be better. We are going to have a baby in about six months or so. So did you talk to Nikki yet?”

  “That’s great Evan, you will make a wonderful father. I did talk to Nik, and looks like we will be moving there in about three months.”

  “Perfect timing. Do you still want to look at that land with me? I will only need about five or six acres of it. So the rest would be yours if you wanted. Zander may want some of it, not sure. But it’s only about ten miles or so from where the practice will be.”

  “Yes, I haven’t ran everything by Nikki yet. She is actually in California looking at wedding dresses, her and Li-...um she will be home in a few days.”

  “Brody, you can say Lila’s name. Nikki called me looking for her earlier this week. How is she doing? I’m really glad she recovered well. She deserves to have a happy life with her family. I’ve moved on, and you know how long I’ve loved Tatum, don’t get me wrong, I was in love with Lila and I’ll always love her. She broke me dude. I thought I needed her to heal, after I realized I couldn’t have her. But then she just used me, borrowed my heart, and my fucking time. I loved being with her, but Ta is my forever and I realize now, that’s why all that shit happened.”

  “It’s just awkward man, I know you love Ta, and have for as long as I can remember. Hell you would have been with her sooner if that bastard was never in the picture. Yes, they are doing well, this is the first time Nikki has been there in months, so not sure what was going on.”

  “I would have, sometimes I just sit and think of all the times, I saw Ta and all the times we talked. It makes me want to kill that mother fucker, she has told me so many stories. I can’t believe that I didn’t put a stop to it when I went to Rochester that night. Sometimes I feel it’s my fault for allowing her to go back to him.”

  “You can’t blame that shit on yourself man, he had her scared to death. I’m glad that she got out when she did and I’m even happier the two of you are together. Nikki really likes her. She said the other night that she wanted to see if Tatum wanted to help them plan the girly party they are having.”

  “I know, it’s just in the back of my mind that I should have done something about it. That’s great, Ta would love that. She likes Nikki, too. She was very excited when I told her y’all may be moving to Alabama with us. We are going to stay in the old house at the farm until ours is finished. Ta doesn’t know, but it will be done before the baby gets here.”

  “That’s fantastic, let me know if you need me to help with anything, or if you need me to fly out and look at the property with you. I better go, I have this case I need to finish up before the move. Give Ta Nikki’s number, and have her call her about that party.”

  “Will do thanks brother. I’ll talk to you soon.”

  My girl is coming home today, I’ve missed her so damn much. She called me this morning and her voice made my dick twitch. I have plans to take her to The Spaghetti Warehouse, she loves that place, and they have a train caboose booth that she always has to sit in. I have to say it’s one of my favorites as well. She has been bugging me to see the new Channing movie with her. I guess I can take her. I’m not a fan of romantic movies, but whatever makes my lady happy. On my way to the airport, I stop and pick up flowers and Anthony Thomas Chocolates. Those are also her favorites. Hell, I can eat half the damn box myself.

  Standing in the middle of the Port Columbus international Airport waiting for Nikki, brings back so many memories of the first time I came to Columbus. I left here one pissed off man, but not today. Today I’m going home with the most beautiful and sweetest woman I know.

  “Hey, sweets, I missed you so much.” She says as she kisses me. Damn I missed her lips, her touch her scent.

  “Uh-huh, sure you missed me. You were maxing out the credit cards, how could you miss me?” I say as I wrap my arms around her.

  “Yeah, your right, I did. But I missed you. We got all the dresses. Oh, Tatum called me this morning.”

  “That’s great, did you leave them there? Yeah, Evan gave her your number hope that’s okay?”

  “They will ship them to Lila’s, I figured instead of shipping them here then us taking them back that would be better. I’m glad she called, I’ve been thinking. I would really like to ask her to be in the wedding, you can always ask Milo to be in it also.”

  “I’m glad you like her. You could ask her, but she is pregnant.” She turns and looks at me with a surprised look. I hope she wasn’t upset because we’ve been trying, but I’m happy for my friends. “You okay Nik?”

  “Umm, yeah fine. Well, Lila is pregnant, also. It just took me by surprise. Must be something in the water.” She says with a shy smile.

  “Babe, we will be next. I know you are ready and so am I. Maybe once we get moved we will focus more on getting pregnant. We can start tonight, I’m so ready to be in bed with you and have you wrapped around my-...”

  “Okay Mister, I haven’t had you inside of me… for over a week and I think I just came. So get me home, so I can make sweet love to you all night.”

  “Sounds good, but we have dinner plans first. Then you can do as you please with me…afterwards.

  We go to dinner as planned, I can tell something was bothering Nikki, she just isn’t saying what it was. So the only way I’m going to find out, I’m t just bluntly asking her.

  “Nik, please be honest with me baby. What’s the deal with all of the doctor appointments, I know it isn’t about getting pregnant now. What is it?” I ask, as I place my hand across the table on hers. She gets tears in her beautiful eyes.

  “Brody, I may have Ovarian Cancer. I’ve been trying to deal with it on my own, but I can’t anymore. I was afraid to say it out loud, the doctor thinks that radiation will help, or they said a full hysterectomy may help.”

  “Jesus, Nicole. You wasn’t going to tell me about this? When did you find out and why am I just finding out? How could you keep this from me?”

  “I found out a couple months ago. I’m scheduled for more tests to possibly see if a hysterectomy would be the best option. Brody, I was going to tell you, I just didn’t want to worry you.”

  “If they do a hysterectomy, will that cure the cancer? I’m not sure I fully understand this. Do you have cancer?”

  “Yes, if they do the surgery it will remove the cancer. So far they aren’t sure if I even have it. But if I do and have this done, I will never be able to carry a child.”

  “Have the surgery. I would rather have a life time with you, than children without you. We can adopt.”

  “Brody, adoption isn’t always a good thing, what if you want a biological child of your own? I can’t give that to you. Do you understand that, I’m taking this away from you?”

  “I don’t care about children, Nicole! All I care about is you, us. You are my life. I cannot live without you, goddamn it.”

  I’m ready to go home with my wife, she may have cancer and she couldn’t tell me. I want to slump down in my seat and cry like a two year old. She is my world, and to think this may kill her, is killing me on the inside. I feel like someone has just knocked all of the air out of my body.

  “Okay, I’ll have it done if I need to. I have an appointment tomorrow, can you go with me? They are giving me my test results then.”

  “Of course I’ll go with you. I can’t believe you have been doing all this alone. So no one knows?”

  “No, just you now.”

  The drive home is very quiet. I’m sure what to say or do. I love this woman so
much. And she tells me she may have cancer. I want to cure it for her. I just want to wrap my arms around her and make it all go away. Take the pain from her, make her feel better. I’m nothing without her, she is my reason for waking up every day. My life is all is her.

  “Brody, please don’t make this weird. I’ll be okay, I promise. We are getting married in three months. I will walk down that aisle and become Mrs. Brody Dean Lewis. We will live the rest of our lives as one, and maybe on a farm. We are moving to a farm, aren’t we?”

  “Yes, we are. Actually a very large farm if you want it. I can get as many acres as we want. Evan and Tatum, will be very close to us. Possibly Zander, too. Evan called yesterday and wants us to come out and look at the land, it’s about forty to fifty acres. So we all can have ten or more.”

  “I can deal with ten acres, which means I can have my reading room. Can I help design the house?”

  “Of course you can baby, you can help build it if you want. But will you wear a pair of cowgirl boots and a hat for me?”

  “Oh, Brody, I love you so much. Now let’s get home so I can have my way with you!”

  We aren’t even half way through the door and Nikki is undressing me, she starts with my shoes, then my shirt - I think she even breaks a few buttons. Her mouth never leaving mine, she moves her hand to my pants, and unzips them and pulls them straight off. I slide my hands up her legs, until my fingers reach the lace between her thighs. In one jerk the thong’s on the floor, she moans in my mouth as I open her legs.

  I move my mouth away from hers and down to her breasts and look into those beautiful eyes, “I need to taste you baby. It’s been too long.” I say as I sit her on the table in the foyer. I place her legs over each shoulder. The anticipation was taking over, I don’t waste any time before my tongue makes circles around her clit. The taste of this woman was the sweetest I’ve ever tasted. Her hands go straight to my hair, pulling it hard, not a gentle tug, it’s a hard pull letting me know she wants more.

  “Brody… Oh… God, I’ve needed you, this. Please baby, right there don’t stop.” She moans.

  I love pleasuring her, she’s the only woman I’ve ever made sure was taken care of. Even when we just met, I knew she was so much more than the rest. I will always make sure she is taken care of.

  “Mmm… Brody… In me… Now… Please…”

  I slide back up her body and take her head in my hands. I’m very hard, and I know she is ready for me to be deep in her. She wraps her legs around my waist and scoots close to me, trying to grab my length and insert me in.

  “Nicole Paige Lassiter, I love you more than life itself. You will never keep anything from me ever again. Promise?” I say as I kiss her nose.

  “I promise you, Brody. Now, please, I’m begging just take me now, here. I can’t wait any longer.”

  I start kissing her, and push my throbbing length inside her. The feeling of her wrapped around me, inside and out has me ready to come instantly. I make love to her like I haven’t in months. The sounds that are escaping her let me know how much she’s enjoying it and how much she loves me. Nothing in this world would mean anything to me without this woman.

  “Baby, you ready for me to fill you up?” I ask as I know she is. She can’t do anything but moan and I feel her juices running down me. I give her one last thrust, just then we come in unison.

  “Brody, never stop making love to me like that.”

  “Never, baby. Never.” I say as I kiss her.

  NIKKI

  Today is my appointment to find out the results of my test. I’m so nervous. I’m glad I finally told Brody, I wasn’t looking forward to going alone. I know he will always stand by my side, no matter what. He has loved me since the first time he saw me. I think back and feel bad for running back to Cam, he is no Brody Lewis, that’s for sure.

  “You, look great. I like that dress on you. I made you breakfast. We need to eat before going,” Brody says as he walks in the bathroom, and kisses my cheek.

  “Oh, thanks love, but I’m not sure I can eat. My stomach is in knots. But I should eat a little I guess. Nothing heavy right?”

  “Waffles, strawberries, and blueberries.”

  “Oh, so you made me frozen waffles?” I say as I swat his ass.

  “Well darlin,’ you think I turned into a cook over night? That’s your job. Now give me some of those sweet kisses.”

  “No, you’re messing up my lip gloss.” I say as I try fixing it.

  “The way that dress looks on you, I want to mess up more than your sexy lips. Now let’s eat, before you have to cancel that appointment.”

  “I love you so much, Brody. I can’t wait to be your wife.”

  “I love you more, and I can’t either.”

  We go into the kitchen and on the breakfast bar is heart shaped waffles with whip cream and berries on top. With a glass of apple juice. This man knows the way to my heart for sure. He even put a smidge of powder sugar on top.

  “Do you know how happy you make me?” I ask as I take a bite of my amazing breakfast.

  “As happy as you make me I hope. I told you, we are a team. You and me.”

  Arriving at Dr. Welton’s office has me so nervous. Brody hasn’t let my hand go since we left the car. I hope and pray that this test comes back negative. My grandfather passed away from lung cancer, and that is the scariest thing ever.

  “Hi, my name is Nicole Lassiter. I have an appointment with Dr. Welton.” I say to the receptionist.

  “Please have a seat, they will call you back shortly.” She says as she hands me back my I.D. and insurance cards.

  Brody and I sit over in the corner of the office. My knees are shaking and my palms are sweaty. Brody can feel my body shaking. He wraps an arm around me and places the other on my legs.

  “We will get through this baby, you and me.” He says as he places a kiss on my temple.

  “I know, thank you.”

  “Nicole Lassiter, please follow me,” a woman in scrubs says as she opens a door. “My name is Danielle and I will be your nurse today. It looks like you are only here for test results, is that correct?” she asks.

  “Yes, ma’am, that’s correct.”

  “Have a seat, and Dr. Welton will be right in.”

  We sit here for what seems like hours, I keep hearing the clock tick. With every tick and tock, I feel my heart sink to my toes.

  “Nikki, how are you dear? Is this your fiancé?”

  “Hi doctor, I’m good, and yes, this is my Brody.”

  “Nice to meet you, Sir.” She says as she shakes Brody’s hand.

  “I have all your results here, I was just going through them. Everything has come back normal. I see no signs of cancer anywhere. Even all of your hormonal test were fine.”

  “So I don’t have cancer? I’m fine?”

  “Yes dear, no cancer. We did have one test come back positive and that was the pregnancy test. So I would like to examine you today and do an ultra sound. Just to be sure. I will send Danielle back in to prep you. Then I’ll be right back.”

  “Pregnant but how? I thought that I can’t be because of the test?”

  “Well in between the first test and the second you must have conceived. Okay dear, I will be back in shortly.”

  “I don’t have cancer, Brody. Maybe a baby though. I’m so confused right now.”

  “Nik, sometimes test have errors and that maybe what happened. If you are pregnant that will explain everything. The tiredness and dizziness you’ve been feeling. Make sure to let them know that.”

  “Okay, I’ll tell them.” I say as I place my arm around my waist. A baby, I may be having a baby.

  “Okay Nicole, if you can put this gown on. I will be back in a few minutes.” Says Danielle.

  I walk into the little room, slide my dress over my head, and stare in the mirror, my breasts, that’s why they are tender. I run my hands over my stomach, which really doesn’t look different. I walk back in the room, sit on the exam table, and Brody grabs
my hand as Danielle walks back in.

  “Nicole, I’m going to use this monitor and go over your stomach with a fetal wand. With this we will be able to hear the baby’s heartbeat.”

  I lie back and Danielle straps a band around my waist and turns on a machine. There is just a faint little sound, ‘thump-thump,’ I can feel my eyes open wide.

  “There it is, that’s your baby’s heartbeat. You aren’t too far along. Maybe six-eight weeks tops. The doctor will be back in to do a pelvic exam and an ultra sound. So you can just stay in that position.”

  “Brody, we are having a baby.” I whisper yelled.

  “Yes, we are. Are you feeling okay love?”

  “I’m just shocked, I came here expecting the worse thinking I was dying. But I’m not, I’m having our baby.”

  “I love you so goddamn much, Nicole.” Says Brody.

  “Okay, let’s get started shall we?” asks Dr. Welton

  She does the very uncomfortable pelvic examine. Brody holds my hand the entire time. She squirts cold jelly on my belly. One look at the monitor and I’m in love. It is the smallest baby I’ve ever seen.

  “Looks like a pinto-bean,” says Brody.

  “Looks like you are eight weeks. So I would say you will be due around January first.” Says Dr. Welton.

  “A week after Christmas, that’s perfect.” I say as I look up and see tears in Brody’s eyes.

  “Okay, Nicole, let’s get your prescriptions and you will be all set. If you have any questions or concerns please call me.”

  It’s been a week since we found out we were expecting. We haven’t told anyone just yet. I’m ready to tell them all. Lila is due in August, Tatum is due in December, and me in January. This is so damn exciting. We will be in Alabama by then, we are driving out there next week. Brody wants to get the house started immediately. I need to see if I can get my wedding dress altered, there will be no way I can wear it in three months.