She doesn’t even put up her usual fuss about getting ready for bed, her mind still focused on the fun she plans to have at the zoo.
“Night, Isabella, I go bed now so we go to zoo!” She throws her arms around Isabella’s neck.
“Good night, Madison. Sweet dreams,” Isabella answers as I scoop the happy toddler up in my arms and head down the hall.
43
Colt
“Isn’t it past your bedtime?” I tease Isabella after I finally read enough bedtime stories to Madison to last a lifetime.
“Ha-ha,” she answers flatly and sticks out her tongue.
I settle down beside her on the couch and smell her hair as she snuggles in against my arm. The familiar scent of roses after rain teases my nostrils as I rest my cheek on her head. “That was a pretty great thing you did tonight. Madison is pretty excited about the zoo.”
“I’m glad. I think we’ll have a fun day. I’ll probably take her on Thursday morning. I don’t imagine it will be super packed then.” She clasps my hand, rubbing my thumb over her dainty fingers, smiling when I touch the cool metal of her engagement ring.
“I just hope you know what you’re in for. Going anywhere with Madison can be exhausting, let alone when you’re about to pop.” I laugh.
“Hey, I’m not a water balloon!” She sticks me in the ribs with her elbow playfully and smiles up at me.
“I heard what you were telling Madison about your aunt. I had no idea you stayed with her for a while.”
Isabella’s smile fades, her eyes turning down toward our joined hands.
“Yeah, we’ve never really gotten into all of that, have we? Now that my folks and I are getting along, I kinda just want to leave that stuff where it belongs, in the past. Everything I told Madison was true, but I left out the part where my mom turned her back on me and pawned me off on her sister.” Her face twists up into a knot as she thinks back on darker days for her family.
“Well, you want to know what I think?”
Isabella looks up at me, waiting for me to continue, but I find my thoughts are scattered as I take in her beautiful pout.
God, she’s so sexy. “I think you walked through the fire and came out on the other side forged like steel. You’re stronger now. I wouldn’t wish the pain from your past on anyone, but I know our girls are going to be better for having such a strong mom to look up to.” I run my hand over her belly as she smiles wistfully.
“You’re still convinced we’re having a girl, huh?” she prods.
I shrug. “Time will tell, I guess. I’ll be happy either way.” I run my thumb over her lips and my cock twitches when she opens them up and exhales, closing her eyes and throwing her head back. “You’re absolutely amazing, do you know that?”
“What do you mean?” She opens her twinkling brown eyes. She knows perfectly well the effect she has on me.
“Well, let’s see. You’re a kick-ass mom, a stunning woman, and a damned near perfect fiancée. I’d say that makes you pretty amazing.” I lean in and kiss her, savoring her sweet lips like it’s the last drop of champagne on New Year’s Eve.
Isabella suddenly pulls back and cocks her head to the side. “What do you mean ‘near perfect’? Hmmm?” She raises her eyebrow as she enjoys putting me on the spot.
“Did I say ‘near perfect’? See, you’re even an amazing listener! Is there anything you can’t do?” I smile innocently, making her laugh.
Is there anything better than the sound of her laughter? Oh yeah, there’s one thing I like to do more than make her laugh… make her cum.
I wrap my hand around the back of her head, drawing her into my lips. I pull her bottom lip in with my teeth and give it a little tug, making her gasp with desire. Isabella abruptly pulls away, looking me dead set in the eyes, and makes quick work of peeling off her shirt, up over her head, in a single tug. She stands up in front of me, wiggling her hips, teasing me, and I almost pull the button off her pants when I rip them off of her.
Standing in her bra and panties, she’s a vision. With her plump, firm breasts and her growing belly, she looks like a goddess. I unbutton my shirt impatiently and toss it to the end of the couch. My pants hit the floor not even seconds later. Isabella gently pushes me backward, so I plop back down on the couch.
I wrap my arm around the small of her back and pull her toward me, leaning in and leaving a trail of kisses over her stomach down to the fabric barrier of her panties. I open my mouth and breathe heat over her panties before pressing my eager tongue against the lace. Her natural perfume is making me crazy, and I tug the delicate lingerie easily down over her hips until her sex is exposed.
My tongue swirls from side to side, devouring her sweet juices as Isabella moans and leans into my mouth. I wrap my hands around her round ass and hold her steady as I thrash my tongue over her clit. Her moans grow louder as she rocks forward by pushing herself up on her tippy-toes, like she’s torn between trying to escape my tongue and chasing her pleasure. Sucking her clit in past my lips, I flicker my tongue over her sensitive nub relentlessly until her hands are twisting in my hair as her cries of passion are filling my ears.
Isabella slumps down over me, holding herself up by propping her hands on my shoulders. She’s panting in my ear as the trembles of little aftershocks run through her smooth skin. Once her breathing slows, she stands back up and shakes her panties the rest of the way down her legs. As soon as they hit the floor, she kicks them away with her toes.
Placing each of her legs astride mine, she lowers herself down until her wet pussy slides down my throbbing cock. I grunt at how tight she feels against me as she bucks her hips slightly and grabs my shoulders for support. Using nothing but her strong legs and the support of my shoulders, she slides up and down my cock, totally in control. The fire in her eyes is unmistakable. It’s the look of a woman who knows exactly what she wants and will stop at nothing to get it.
Picking up speed, Isabella begins to make small circles with her hips like she’s twirling an invisible hula hoop as she continues to ride me like a bronco. Her tits bounce in front of my face, and I bury my head between them, kissing one and then the other. Isabella throws her head back and groans loudly as her pussy squeezes my cock tight. My balls tighten as my orgasm tears through me like a back draft in a burning building. I hold her down against the base of my cock and fill her with my seed.
When our bodies stop twitching together, and our hearts stop beating like we ran a marathon, Isabella stands up and tugs me up by my hands from the couch. I’m surprised by the devilish glint in her eye as she quickly bundles up our clothes and nods toward the hall.
“What do you think? You got another round in ya?” she purrs, pulling my hand down the hall toward our bedroom.
Christ, she’s insatiable!
“Only one more? I can do this all night,” I murmur.
“I’m glad you said that”—she looks over her shoulder with a sly smile—“’cause that’s exactly what I had in mind.”
44
Isabella
So much for Thursday morning being a slow time at the zoo. There was no way I could predict there would be class field trips happening today. I swear it’s as if every elementary school in Manhattan sent their classes to the Bronx Zoo just to make my day more challenging. As Madison tugs on my hand, I waddle over to the elephant exhibit.
Now that I’m into my eighth month of pregnancy, I should be joining the elephants behind these bars. I remember when I was worried because my belly hadn’t popped yet. Now I’m counting down the days until I can see my toes again.
Madison is the perfect tour guide for our zoo exploration today. Her little legs are easy to keep pace with. She and I travel at about the same speed now. It’s nice to get out and walk around for a bit.
“Isabella, look at the lala-fonts.” She points excitedly at the elephants slowly eating leaves. “Brrr-roo, brrr-roo!” She flaps her arm in front of her nose wildly, imitating their trunks. “Look, I’m a lala-font too.”
Her eyes sparkle with the magic joy that comes with childhood.
“Wow, you sure are. People are going to get confused and think you should be in there with them.” I jab my thumb toward the herd. Madison giggles at the idea like it’s the funniest thing she’s ever heard. “You know, Madison, elephants are my favorite animal in the whole wide world.” I admire the giant beasts on display. I’m amazed by their grace despite their enormous size.
“Really? Why?” Madison keeps her eyes on the pack and starts jumping up and down like she’s hopping on an invisible pogo stick. “Look, Isabella, there are baby lala-fonts too!” Sure enough, from the center of the herd a couple of adorable elephant babies hobble out to woo the crowd.
“Elephant babies stay with their mom’s for five years, which is a long time for animals. I love elephants because they're super smart and in their packs it’s the moms who are in charge. They all stick together like they are right now and help each other out like a big family. Also, I love that they are peaceful giants. They scare lions and other animals away just by standing tall and sticking together.” I spout off my reasons, hoping to give Madison an appreciation for these majestic animals.
“Isabella, which one of the big ones is the baby lala-font's mom?” Her eyebrows knit together as she studies the herd, trying to find a match for the baby elephant rolling in the dirt.
“I’m not sure, honey. One of them is its mom, though. Don’t you worry about that. However, all the big elephants help look after the babies. It’s one of the ways they help each other out.”
Madison bites her lip like she’s in deep thought about the family dynamics of elephants. “Isabella, that baby la-la-font misses real mama.”
“I know, Madison. It can be tough sometimes for babies, can’t it? Sometimes people don’t always notice how they’re feeling, which can make it difficult to talk about it.” I crouch down beside her so I can look her in the eyes. “You know, I bet that elephant is really happy with its aunts too. Maybe they do fun things together and play with My Little Pony toys at night when everyone goes home. What do you think?” I smile as a goofy grin spreads over her face.
“No, you silly. They no play ponies. They eat hot dogs! And ketchup! Isabella, can I have a hot dog, pleeeaase? With ketchup too?”
I’m regretting squatting down right now as I struggle to get back to my feet. I completely understand women who say they feel like beached whales in their final trimester now. “Sure, Madison. I’m pretty hungry too. Maybe we can share a hot dog.”
“Yay!” She dances in a circle and waves her hands around happily.
“Okay, you need to hold my hand again. We’ll go to that cart right over there.” I point at the hot dog stand ten feet away with a line and antsy, loud children growing in front of it.
She slips her tiny hand in mine, melting my heart as her fleshy, peach fingers wrap around mine. We mix in among the crowd of boisterous kids, and I immediately remember everything I hated about school. Ahead of us are three preteen girls standing in a close-knit huddle whispering and pretending not to notice the boys. Meanwhile, the young men in question, with all of their genius brain cells put together, have decided that the best way to impress the girls is to hit each other with hats and call each other names.
Seriously?
An elderly woman with short, dyed red hair and sagging, pale skin watches the scene with her face twisted in a knot. She turns toward Madison and me and nods toward the school kids. “We sure picked a great day to come to the zoo, huh?” She rolls her milky blue eyes exaggeratedly and hunches her shoulders like this line is the last battle of her life and she just lost. Her gaze flickers down to Madison and a smile pastes across her jowls. “Well, hello there. And what is your name? You sure are a cutie, aren’t you?”
“My name is Madison Grant, and I two years old.” Madison holds her hand over her heart as if she’s pledging allegiance to the flag.
“Oh my, you sure are sweet!” The woman laughs.
The elderly woman goes back to focusing on the boisterous teens ahead.
Madison and I have never spent this much time alone together before. It’s nice to see she’s becoming more accepting of me in her life. Maybe the ‘special day’ trick my aunt Jill used on me is actually working with her too. I smile down at her, and Madison swings my arm back and forth playfully, grinning at me. Maybe this is what it’s like when a toddler calls a truce.
I hope so.
45
Isabella
“I was due five days ago, Isabella. Five days! Seriously, kid? Pack your bags and get out already.” Julia frowns at her huge belly. Her pink maxi dress flows around her like a tent. We sit at the table with our dishes of caramel chocolate chunk ice cream, both of us easing down into our chairs like a couple of geriatrics.
“I’m amazed you’re still out and about when you could go into labor at any second,” I talk around the spoon in my mouth. With only nine days left until my own due date, I feel for her. I’m already itching to give birth and stop feeling like my body is an orchestra of pains, twinges, and swollen limbs.
Julia looks up from the bowl and smiles. “I’m hoping staying active will jolt the little one into action. If I have to spend one more day pregnant, I’m going to lose my mind. Then, on top of this”—she points her finger at her belly accusingly—“my stupid doctor just keeps telling me not to worry. She says that until the baby is three weeks late there’s nothing to be concerned about. I feel like telling her my sanity should be a concern, you know?”
“Don’t worry, your baby will come soon. In the meantime you need to keep yourself distracted. If you focus on it all the time, it will make it worse.” I dip my spoon into my bowl for another scoop of ice cream but see I’ve devoured it all without even noticing. How does that keep happening?
“We’re home!” Colt shuffles through the apartment door with Madison on his hip and an armful of shopping bags. “Did you miss us?” He winks at me and puts Madison down on her feet.
“Of course. Julia and I have just been counting the seconds until you guys came back. Right, Julia?”
“We sure have,” she jumps in. “I know Isabella thinks I came over here to visit her, but I’ve really been waiting to see this little cutie-pie right here!” She smiles at Madison warmly.
“I got present at store,” Madison announces, rummaging through the bags at the door, looking for her gift. “Here it is!” She pulls out a little T-shirt and holds it up proudly. On the front is a sweet design of stars and hearts with the words ‘Awesome big sister’ sprawled across it.
“Oh my, that is a nice gift,” Julia coos at her. “Are you excited you’re gonna be a big sister soon?”
“Uh-huh. I gonna hold baby and sing songs and share pony toys too,” she rambles excitedly and hugs her little shirt tight against her chest.
“Wow, it sounds like you’re going to do a great job, Madison.” Julia smiles.
“Okay, let’s get you ready for your nap. You’ve had a big morning, but now it’s time to rest.” Colt gently guides Madison to her room as she clings onto her shirt like it’s her new favorite toy.
“Bye! I nap now,” she announces and waves enthusiastically to Julia and me.
As soon as she’s out of sight, Julia turns to me and smiles like she’s in her favorite dream. “You’re so lucky you’ve already got a head start on your family. I can’t wait to have more children.” Her eyes glaze over.
“Are you kidding? You literally just finished complaining about waiting for this kid to come along.” I laugh. “You’re all over the place.”
“Whatever, I’m over nine months pregnant. You can’t hold anything I say against me right now.”
“Fair enough. I guess you have a good excuse. I know you’re right, though. Sometimes I look around here and take stock of my life and just how much it’s changed in the last year. I am lucky. Not just because of Madison, but Colt is amazing, and now I have my parents back in my life too… thanks to you.” I look up at Julia
as a mist clouds my eyes. To think that less than a year ago I was working my ass off at the diner with no direction and no real connection to my family, it’s hard to remember just how lonely that life was. “I want to thank you.” My voice is tight as I try not to let my emotions get the better of me. “I know I was pissy when you invited my mom to our baby shower, but you were right to do it. And if you hadn’t, this little one”—I hold my tummy—“wouldn’t have the relationship with my parents that it’s going to have now. Not to mention how much better it’s made my own relationship with them.” The mist builds into little tears, and I wipe them away with my fingertips.
“Don’t cry. You’re making me cry!” Julia’s cheeks are glistening as her emotions overwhelm her. “You don’t have to thank me. I only did exactly what you would have done for me. I love you, lady.” Fat tears roll down her cheeks, and she laughs at herself as she smears them away. “God, would you look at us? A couple of emotional basket cases about to pop. We’re a wreck.” She smiles, and I can’t help but laugh.
“You’re right. I swear every Pampers commercial and sappy song makes the waterworks burst. I’m a walking hormone.” I look up at the clock in the living room. “What do you think? Do you want another bowl before Parker comes?”
She looks at the empty bowl in front of her and then over at the clock. “Nah, I really shouldn’t. It’ll make me too tired. Like I said, I need to keep moving until this baby learns it’s getting an eviction notice.”
I shrug and pick up our dirty dishes, then place them in the kitchen sink. “How’s Parker holding up these days? Sometimes I think I must be driving Colt crazy with my moods and constant exhaustion.”
“Parker? He’s never been happier!”
I raise my eyebrow in an unasked question.
His Promise Page 18