Night Moves (G-Man Series)

by ANDREA SMITH

  "They'll get over it," he replied. "After all, it won't do for them not to welcome their soon to be son-in-law with open arms."

  "And open minds," I mumbled under my breath. "Wait - hold up. Was that a proposal?" I asked, jerking my foot from his grasp. "No - I think you can and will do better than that Easton Jamison Matthews!"

  He pulled me onto his lap, brushing the hair back from my face.

  "Darcy Nicole Sheridan," he said quietly, gazing into my eyes. "Will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?"

  Of course, you all know what the answer is, right?

  ~ Friday, January 13th ~

  It was official. My aversion to 'Friday the 13th' had been forever banished. Never again would that be a sign of bad luck or karma. This Friday the 13th had been perfect. Our son had made his debut into the world on Friday the 13th - my new lucky day.

  "Mrs. Matthews," the nurse greeted me, coming into my hospital room with yet another large bouquet of flowers, this one in a baby-blue basket containing a brown stuffed teddy-bear wearing a baby-blue bow tie and hat in it. "Looks like this little fellow already has a fan club," she finished with a smile. She set the latest delivery down on the table that was nearly full of flowers, stuffed animals, balloons, and musical planters playing all kinds of popular nursery rhymes.

  "Yes," I replied, smiling and wondering where the hell Easton was with the baby. I'd waddled to the bathroom for a quick sitz bath at the nurse's direction and when I'd returned, Easton and the baby were both gone.

  "Would you happen to know where my baby is?" I asked as she prepared to take my blood pressure again for the umpteenth time since I'd delivered our 7 lb, 6 oz bundle of joy three and a half hours prior.

  She pumped the rubber ball, inflating the cuff. "No worries, sweetie," she gushed. "Oh, that husband of yours sure is serious about his responsibilities as a new daddy. He's down with a couple of the other new fathers at "Daddy Training" offered by the pediatrics ward. We encourage it so they can be of help to Mom and Baby once you both go home."

  Easton had easily won over all of the female nurses, aids, technicians, dieticians since our arrival. They had gushed, blushed, flushed and openly gawked at him, not giving a shit whether I saw them or not from the time we'd arrived at the hospital. I suppose the fact that he'd been constantly fussing over me the whole time I was in labor and throughout the delivery had further ingratiated him to the staff.

  I'd no complaints, though. He'd been awesome with me throughout my pregnancy. True to his word, once we'd returned to D.C., he'd stayed at Eli's and my apartment until he found permanent living quarters for the two of us. He'd opened up to me about some of the horrific things that had occurred during his childhood and shared some memories that weren't so pleasant. I'd been given the facts which of course, had differed from Lacee's version relative to Bianca.

  He insisted we be married before the baby arrived, promising me a lavish ball to celebrate our nuptials once the baby got here and I felt up to it. So, we'd flown to Monte Carlo for a long weekend, becoming husband and wife in a private and intimate ceremony.

  My parents had taken the news better than I'd anticipated. It probably had helped that Easton did all of the talking, relaying to my parents our mutual love, respect and commitment. I'd kind of hung back, Easton's arm wrapped around me, watching my father's expression go from shock, to numb, to acceptance once Easton explained (amidst my deep blush) that anything they'd overheard in Belize the previous year was certainly not indicative of the current love relationship we shared.

  I think it had sealed the deal when he assured them we'd be making our home in the States, having a home in New York and another one in D.C., so that they'd have plenty of interaction with the first of many grandchildren we planned to give them. I'd raised my eyes to look at him, my mouth going slack momentarily at that one. He'd only squeezed me a bit tighter, the corners of his mouth turning up.

  I was glad we'd found a new home not far from my parents house once we returned married. It worked out well for Eli, too. Cain had moved into the apartment and those two were as 'in love' as Easton and me. My old room was now serving as their "walk-in" closet, Cain being every bit as much of a clothes whore as Eli, possibly worse. They'd hosted a bridal/baby shower for me.

  Lindsey had come to terms with the death of her father. Her grandmother was serving time in prison and Lindsey said she hoped the old bitch rotted there until hell wouldn't have her. (Not sure exactly what that meant, but knowing Lindsey and the way she always tried to see the best in people, I'd say she parted with some of that naivety that didn't seem to work in her best interest at times.)

  Taz, of course, had seen to it that Lindsey wasn't made aware of the fact it'd been Slate that took the rat bastard down. My money said Sammie had likely fucked Slate raw all night long after she found out though.

  Lindsey had felt so damn guilty and repentant that she'd involved me in the drama. I had to keep reminding her that it was at my insistence I'd gone with her that day, and the fact that Easton was so freakin' possessive and had that clit jewelry imbedded with tracking software, just may have saved both of our lives. Hey, it was her dad's choice to run with her as a human shield rather than give his sorry ass up.

  Taz and Lindsey were expecting a baby boy in mid-May. I figured Taz had gone out of his way comforting her after the scene that night in the park, giving her another baby in the process. She was so happy, especially since they had a home under construction that would be ready in mid-April.

  She and I'd decorated the nursery for my baby in primary colors that were gender neutral. Easton had insisted we be surprised and not know the baby's gender until it was born. I had really wanted to know the sex of the baby beforehand because I was dying to shop for baby couture, but I'd finally relented and agreed on one condition: if the baby was a boy, I selected the name, if the baby a girl, he selected the name. He agreed on the condition the baby not be a 'junior' anything.

  Problem solved . . . almost. Once Easton had shared his girl name choice for me I was tempted to devise a sure-fire scheme that would allow me to successfully pull off a baby-swap at the hospital if necessary.

  So, are you ready for this?

  Easton's girl-name selection: 'Prudence Stormy Matthews.'

  I know, right?

  He seemed to think it reflected her conception beautifully: It was a stormy night and he'd used good judgment (prudence) in comforting me with his body.

  I'd refused to divulge my name selection until 'Junior' made his screaming debut. I was all about making sure that a baby's name matched their looks, and I was hoping like hell it was a 'Junior' and not a 'Juniorette' because I was so regretting the deal I'd forced on him.

  Just then the proud daddy came into my hospital room, cradling our son against his chest, cooing softly to him, as the baby's finger was curled around Easton's thumb. The nurse had fluffed my pillows, checked my temperature and pulse, and was on her way out. She stopped to gaze at the baby, giving him a smile and murmuring how much he favored his daddy.

  Yeah - okay, thank you very much, but I can actually see some of me in his cute little face.

  "Easton," I said, holding my arms out. "Do you think you might allow me to hold our baby at least once?"

  His smile lit the room as he came close, carefully transferring the baby into my waiting arms. I loved both of them so much.

  "Make sure you support his head, sweetheart," he cautioned me and then quickly catching my eye roll, continued. "Hey you, I'm sorry, about disappearing like that," he said, taking his place on the edge of my bed."I didn't want to miss the class. The nanny teaching it was brilliant. I even changed his nappy." He beamed proudly.

  Probably a first for him - and likely the last . . .

  "It was even a bit of a pooey one," he bragged, "So on those, you'll need to be extra vigilant with boys," he explained. "Make sure you put something over his Willy whilst you're cleaning his bum, Darcy, otherwise, you're likely to get whizzed on." He was bea
ming like a fool that'd single-handedly discovered fatherhood.

  Who'd a thunk?

  If I hadn't realized it before, I did at that moment. Easton truly had shed the demons of his past: his mother, Bianca, Miss Gennifer (the fucked-up, perverted bitch!) We'd discussed his overly-possessive tendencies, and I'd explained to him that while I loved gifts of jewelry, I'd prefer from here on out they not contain track-ware. Easton had finally learned to trust women. I'd finally learned to trust love.

  I looked over at my husband who was clearly mesmerized by the little baby sounds and movements coming from the newest member of our family.

  "Thank you for the diaper-changing tips, Easton," I replied, smiling down into my beautiful little cherub's face. He had a mass of nearly raven-black hair and dark, smoky blue eyes. "Tell me, Easton? Did they show you how to feed him?" I teased.

  He cocked his brow, gazing at me, as I unhooked my nursing bra and got the baby situated to latch on. He nuzzled into me, his little head rooting and bobbing until I helped guide him on to a successful latch. I gave Easton a smug smile as I one-upped him.

  "Don't tell me you're jealous of the attention I'm giving our son?" Easton asked, leaning forward to brush his lips against my cheek, his fingers, pulling an errant strand of hair behind my ear, and then kissing me softly there. "I love you, Darcy," he said gently. "And I adore the son you've given me. Well done, sweetheart."

  I traced my finger softly against the baby's finely arched eyebrow. It was just like Easton's. I was glad. I looked up at my gorgeous husband as he watched me, fascinated by the closeness and the cute little, sucking noises our baby was making as he nursed.

  "Maybe you're the jealous one, Easton," I teased him softly. "Someone else seems to be enjoying one of your favorite places."

  I saw Easton furrow his brow and I couldn't stifle a giggle. "Yes, well the doctor said six weeks, but I assured him you're a quick healer, Mrs. Matthews."

  "I love you, too, Easton." I sighed. "I adore our baby and the life we have together. And, Mr. Matthews, you deserve some credit here, too. I mean, I couldn't have done it without you, right?"

  He nodded. I could tell he was getting kind of choked up with us being a little family now and our baby making that part of it official. Easton took my free hand in his, raising it to his full lips, kissing each one of my fingers softly. I hadn't seen him quite so emotional since our wedding night.

  We'd taken a walk on the beach after the ceremony, talking and making plans about where we'd look for our new home. Easton had stopped suddenly, a look of determination on his face as he pulled something from the pocket of his trousers. It was a ruby encrusted, gold-filigreed ring. He looked at it for only a few seconds and then hurled it into the waves of the ocean. I'd asked him about it, curious as to what the ring had meant. He told me it had meant nothing, that everything that meant anything to him was within inches of his reach.

  "So, Mrs. Matthews," he said now, his eyes smoldering as he looked into mine. "Do you plan on keeping me in the dark forever as to what name we're giving this little chap?"

  I shifted the baby a bit, looking at his face to make sure the name I'd selected fit. That had been important to me. I decided it fit perfectly. I only hoped Easton liked it.

  "Weston Jamison Matthews," I announced proudly, watching Easton's expression for a reaction. "I think it signifies 'east meeting west' and making it work out," I explained. "Do you like it?" I asked tentatively.

  He leaned in, capturing my lips with his. "I love it, babe," he said, between his soft kisses. "It's perfect. And we can save the name 'Prudence' for one of our daughters."

  I kissed him back, making sure he could feel the smile passing from my lips to his.

  "I think I'm going to want more sons, Easy-E."

  Andrea Smith is a native of Springfield, Ohio, currently residing in southern Ohio. Ms. Smith is the mother of two grown sons; grandmother of four. The 'Baby Series' trilogy is Ms. Smith's first self-published work. Having previously been employed as an executive for a global corporation, Ms. Smith decided to leave the corporate world and pursue her life-long dream of writing fiction.

  Indie Authors appreciate readers taking the time to leave reviews on Goodreads and Amazon to help raise awareness of their books. Here are the links to leave your review:

  Amazon:

  http://www.amazon.com/Andrea-Smith/e/B00A1MLQGY/

  Goodreads:

  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6869343.Andrea_Smith

  Ms. Smith's Other Books Include:

  "Diamond Girl" (Book #1 in the G-Man Series)

  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17788556-diamond-girl

  http://www.amazon.com/Diamond-Girl-G-Man-Series-ebook/dp/B00CB6AS26/

  "Love Plus One" (Book #2 in the G-Man Series)

  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17800073-love-plus-one

  http://www.amazon.com/Love-Plus-One-G-Man-Series-ebook/dp/B00D0KBCRC/

  The Baby Lite Series

  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18169078-maybe-baby-lite

  Maybe Baby: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EMKJIA2/

  Baby Love: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EQJMCUW

  Be My Baby: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ESJDEOS/

  Baby Come Back: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EVC4B0I/

  COME JOIN ME ON FACEBOOK FOR A CHAT!

  http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1813277078