Vulnerable Pieces (Cape Isle, #4): A Cape Isle Novel

by Allie Able

  “Then why are you so nervous?”

  Is it not obvious? Does she think I don’t want to be here? I stand from my chair and make my way to the table. I stand between her legs and look down into her confused face. “Because I’m scared something could be wrong with you or the baby. I’ll calm down once I know everything is okay.”

  Her eyes get glossy again and it takes everything in me not to smile. Not because I think her tears are funny, I don’t. My heart hurts watching her cry. I want to laugh because my tough, guarded girl has cried more in the past week than she probably has in her entire life.

  I bend down and kiss her forehead. “My poor girl is really having a tough time with these hormones.”

  She sniffles once and it’s so damn cute. “Damn hormones,” she mumbles as she wipes under her eyes.

  There is a knock at the door and the doctor walks in a second later. The very young doctor. The very attractive male doctor.

  Oh fuck no.

  I know he’s here just doing his job. I know he probably sees a ton of woman every day, but this is Jenna. This is my Jenna and I don’t want this guy anywhere near the parts I consider mine. Am I acting like a caveman? Probably. Do I give two shits? Nope. Besides, he’s really fucking young. Too young to be the person reassuring me that Jenna and the baby are okay.

  Jenna shoots me a look of warning, like she knows exactly what I am thinking. I step back away from her and reach my hand out to him.

  “Parker Hamilton.”

  He smiles and shakes my hand. “Hi, Mr. Hamilton, I’m Dr. Weldon.” He lets go of my hand and turns to Jenna.

  “You must be Ms. Hudson. It’s nice to meet you.”

  Is it just me or did he just put too much emphasis on the ‘Ms.’? I watch as he shakes her hand before sitting down on the stool and grabbing her file. I cross my arms over my chest and watch as he asks her a bunch of questions.

  “Well, since you have irregular periods, after the exam we will do a sonogram to try and narrow down the due date.”

  Jenna smiles over at me. “We get to see the baby today.”

  That smile almost erases all of the irritation I feel at knowing this guy is about to be between her legs. I smile in return and bend over to kiss her cheek. I don’t care who is in the room, when she smiles at me like that, I can’t help but touch her.

  Dr. Dipshit opens up the door and calls the nurse back in. They start pulling stuff out of the drawers and I feel like I’m in the way, so I make my way back over to the chair. I sit down and watch Jenna as she fidgets nervously on the table. Maybe I should have asked her if she was comfortable with me being in here?

  The nurse hands her a blanket and she puts it across her lap, as she scoots to the end of the table and lays back. I’m up by her head, so I can’t see between her legs. She stares up at the ceiling and I watch the doctor get in position. The nurse hands him stuff and he gets to work. Thankfully he doesn’t want to make small talk while he’s between my girlfriend’s legs. I’m not sure I could handle that right now.

  I watch Jenna wince in pain and I almost stand up, but it’s only for a split second before her face smooths back out.

  “Almost done,” he says, as he hands something over to the nurse.

  He gets up from the stool a minute later and comes to stand beside her. He opens her gown and starts feeling her breasts and I have to suppress a growl.

  I know it’s a standard breast exam, but shit. I hate this.

  He closes her gown and she ties it back before sitting up.

  “Everything looks great Jenna. We will get the sonogram done and then you are good to go. We will call you if the tests come back irregular, otherwise I’ll see you back in four weeks. Do you have any questions for me?”

  “Is the it normal for her nausea to be so extreme?” I ask.

  He looks over at me and smiles. “It is. Some women are very lucky and they have mild morning sickness. In Jenna’s case, she just happens to be one of the unlucky ones. It’ll pass soon. Saltine crackers and ginger ale will help. Make sure you drink lots of fluids so you don’t get dehydrated.”

  I nod my head because we are already doing all of that.

  “Any other questions?”

  “Having sex won’t hurt the baby will it?”

  Jenna shoots me a glare, but I don’t pay her any attention. These are things I need to know.

  He smiles again and chuckles. “No, having intercourse will not harm the baby.”

  “Thank you, Dr. Weldon,” Jenna says sweetly.

  “You’re welcome. If you have any questions or concerns just call the office. I’ll see you in four weeks.”

  I watch him gather the file and walk out of the room.

  “Really?”

  I look over at her as she gets up from the table and starts getting dressed again. “Really, what?”

  She rolls her eyes. “Having sex won’t hurt the baby will it?” She lowers her voice to imitate me.

  I laugh, as I watch her slide her jeans over her legs. I get momentarily distracted and I have to remind my dick of where we are.

  “I thought it was a good question.”

  She doesn’t respond, but continues straightening out her clothes.

  The same nurse comes and gets us a second later and leads us to the ultrasound room.

  “Sorry, but you’ll have to take the pants off again, sweetie. Just put this blanket across your lap and the technician will be in shortly.”

  Jenna nods her head and takes the blanket. I sit down in the chair beside her head and chuckle. “They sure do get you naked here a lot.”

  Once again, I just get an eye roll in response.

  The technician comes in a minute later and gets to work. They do what she calls a Trans-Vaginal Ultrasound where they stick a long probe thing inside of her. The image that comes up is grainy at first, but then I start to make out a little shape.

  “Is that the baby?” I choke out.

  “That’s the baby, daddy.” The technician smiles.

  Daddy. Oh my God, I’m going to be a daddy. There is a little human growing in Jenna’s belly. I mean, I already knew this, but seeing it makes it so much more real.

  A noise fills the room and I look down at Jenna, but she’s looking at the screen.

  “Is that sound the heartbeat?” she asks.

  “Yep and it’s a strong heartbeat.”

  Jenna turns her head and looks up at me. There are tears in her eyes and I can’t even try to pretend they are just from the over active hormones because I can feel the moisture in my eyes too. We created a little life.

  We both turn back to the monitor and watch our little bean move around. This has to be one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. If I thought I was possessive of Jenna before, that has nothing on what I’m feeling now.

  “You look to be almost twelve weeks, give or take a few days. Your date of conception looks like it was around August seventh and your due date is going to be April thirtieth.”

  Jenna looks up at me in shock and I know exactly what’s she’s thinking. She must have gotten pregnant one of the first times I didn’t use a condom, but to be honest I don’t give two shits. I am so unbelievably happy right now. I wouldn’t change a thing. I know it wasn’t planned, but I can’t imagine my life to be any different than the way it’s going. I’m still nervous and I still have no clue what to do with a baby, but I know we will figure it out together.

  “Everything looks perfect. I’ll print some of the pictures out for you to take home.”

  Jenna smiles over at the technician before looking back at me. “We’re going to be parents.”

  I wish I could freeze time and just stare at the look on her face right now forever. I have never seen this look on her. I’ve seen Jenna make hundreds of different facial expressions, but this one is new. This one is a look of peace. This is a look of a mother who just saw the baby growing inside her. This is the moment that Jenna really realized she was going to be a mommy. I really wi
sh I could freeze time, but instead I bend my head and lay my lips against hers. I place my hand on her belly and rub slow circles.

  “We are going to be the best parents ever.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Jenna

  I’M STANDING IN MY BEDROOM in front of my mirror when Parker walks into the room. I watch him as he leans against the doorway and looks at me, a soft smile playing on his lips.

  “What are you doing, Freckles?”

  I know I probably look half insane right now. I should already be dressed and packed to go to my parents’ house for the weekend, but instead I’m standing here in my bra and panties while I stare at my stomach.

  “I don’t think I’ll be able to hide this much longer.” I run my hand across my growing belly and look over at him again nervously.

  It’s been two weeks since my doctor’s appointment. The nausea and vomiting are completely gone and in its place is a hunger like I have never felt before. I swear, I want to eat everything I bake. My once flat belly is now swollen and hard. Most of my clothes are starting to get tight and my breasts are spilling out of my bra’s.

  Parker walks over to me and wraps his arms around my waist. His hands come to my stomach and he rubs his thumbs gently across my skin. I shiver in response and my panties instantly get wet. That’s another thing, I am horny all of the time. I practically attack him every night when he walks through the door. We still haven’t really talked about our relationship and I feel like that’s probably something we need to do. Especially since we will be telling my parents about the pregnancy this weekend.

  He bends his head and kisses my shoulder before looking back at me through the mirror. “We will start telling everyone else after we’ve told our parents. We are telling yours this weekend and mine on Monday.” I already know this but it makes me breathe a sigh of relief to hear him remind me in his soothing voice.

  I don’t know why I’m so nervous about this. We are both adults with great jobs. I guess I’m just scared of disappointing my parents.

  “It’s going to be fine,” he reassures me, reading my mind

  I have to believe him, otherwise I’ll just drive myself insane with worry. I turn around and stand up on my tip-toes. My mouth meets his and his hands drop to my ass. He squeezes the flesh in his hands and I moan into his mouth.

  “Much more of that and I’ll have you on this bed in two second, Ms. Hudson,” he murmurs against my mouth.

  My hand drifts down to his hard cock and I stroke him through his suit pants.

  “Is that a threat or a promise?”

  Instead of answering, he crushes his mouth to mine, his tongue immediately sliding inside. God, I love the way he kisses me. It’s the perfect mixture of soft and hard.

  His hands on my ass lift me up and I wrap my arms and legs around him. He turns and in three long strides he has us on the bed and his face is between my legs.

  I think we are going to be a little late getting to my parents’ house.

  * * *

  We finally pull up to my parents’ house at about eight o’clock that night. We both only worked a half day today, but the drive from Cape Isle to Franklin, Georgia is about four hours. Of course we had to stop a few times because my bladder seems to be the size of a peanut these days.

  I glance over at Parker as we pull up my parent’s driveway. I’ve never really told him about where I come from, but something tells me he already put a few of the pieces together because his face holds no shock. My parents live on a large sprawling estate and the house is massive. It can be a little intimidating, but Parker looks as calm as can be.

  “This is beautiful.”

  “Thank you.”

  He smiles over at me and takes my hand in his. He kisses the back of it, before resting it in his lap.

  “Are you still nervous, baby?”

  I nod my head. “Yeah. The last thing my parents knew was that I’m single and working at the bakery. My mom has mentioned you a few times since she met you, but I kept telling her we are just friends. Now I’m bringing you home with me and we are telling them I’m pregnant.”

  He frowns and continues driving up the driveway.

  “What is it?” I ask.

  “That arrangement. I wish we hadn’t have started like that.”

  Before I can respond, he is parking the car and getting out to come open my door.

  He helps me out and I look up at him. “How do you wish we would have started?”

  He opens his mouth to answer, but my mom’s voice has us both turning around to look at her.

  “I can’t believe you’re both here.” Her smile is wide as she makes her way down the steps of the house towards us.

  I guess that relationship talk will have to wait until later.

  “Hey, Mom,” I say as I wrap my arms around her.

  She pulls back and cups my face in her hands. “You look stunning, Jenna. I swear you are glowing.” She surprises me by turning to hug Parker. He folds his arms around her shoulders and just seeing them like that melts my heart.

  Damn hormones, don’t start now.

  Mom looks over at me and gives me a wink. “Just friends my ass.”

  My eyes bulge out in shock and Parker throws his head back and laughs.

  “That sounded just like something Jenna would say,” he says after he gets his laughter under control.

  I’m still at a loss for words, as she smirks at both of us. “Come on in. Dinner is almost ready. I think your dad is still in his study.”

  Parker gets our bags out of the truck and we follow my mom inside and through the house.

  “How was the drive?”

  “Long. Do you mind if we go freshen up right quick?”

  Mom waves her hand towards the staircase. “Of course not, darling. Dinner will be served in about thirty minutes. I’m going to go find your dad and tell him you’re here. You know the way to your room. I’m assuming Parker will be with you? If not, you can show him to one of the guest rooms,” she winks at me again, before walking towards my dad’s home office.

  Parker continues to silently chuckle beside me. “I really like your mom.”

  “She is being weird,” I say, watching where she disappeared.

  “Maybe she just likes me.”

  I look up at him and smile. He’s probably right, but I’m not sure how much longer they will like him after they find out their only child is pregnant out of wedlock. I quickly push those thoughts away.

  “Come on,” I say, leading the way up the stairs.

  “Did you ever slide down the banister?”

  “Many times. I think I gave my mother a heart attack every time she saw me doing it.”

  I turn to the right and lead us to the right wing of the house where my bedroom and two other guest bedrooms and bathrooms are located.

  “Jesus. This place looks huge on the outside, but it’s even bigger once you get in here.”

  I nod my head. “Yeah, this house has been in my family for centuries. It was always just a little too much for me though.”

  Once we get to my room, Parker sets the bags down and looks around.

  “I can picture you in here as a little girl,” he says, smiling over at me.

  “My parents always said I was mischievous.”

  “Oh yeah, I can totally see it,” he laughs.

  We both quickly freshen up and go back downstairs to meet my parents in the formal dining room.

  My mom must have cooked because I don’t see any of the servers around the house. My dad stands from his chair when he sees us walk in.

  “Hey, Doodlebug.” He smiles and wraps his arms around me in a hug.

  I smile up at him and kiss his cheek. “Hey, Dad. You remember Parker?”

  His eyes leave mine and go to Parker. “Of course. It’s good to see you again, son.”

  They shake hands and we all sit down.

  My mom serves our plates, while dad fixes our drinks.

  “Parker, do you drink wine?
” Dad asks.

  Parker glances over at me before answering. “Yes, sir.”

  Dad waves his hand. “None of that sir stuff. Just call me Randy.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  Dad laughs and turns to look at me.

  “Red or white for you tonight, Jenna?”

  I respond before I can even think. “None for me.”

  You could hear a pin drop in the dining room. My parents know how much I love wine. My mother is the same way. I’ve had wine with almost every dinner I’ve had with them since I turned twenty-one.

  “Are you sick?” Mom asks, with a worried expression.

  I glance at both of my parents faces before looking over at Parker. He gives me a reassuring smile and I look back at my mom.

  “Not exactly.” I fidget in my seat and I feel Parker’s hand come to rest on my leg. I guess it’s now or never.

  “I’m pregnant.”

  It’s kind of funny how those two words can bring everyone and everything to a screeching halt. I might as well be saying, ‘I’m moving to Russia and I’m going to start training to become a spy.’

  “Wait, what?” This comes from my father who is shaking his head like this doesn’t make any sense.

  I get it, Dad. I totally get it.

  Parker clears his throat and shifts in his seat. “Jenna and I are going to have a baby. We are going to have a baby at the end of April to be exact.”

  My mom still hasn’t said anything, but my dad starts pouring the wine. He would usually leave the bottle in the chiller over to the side but he brings it with him this time. He hands my mom her glass, before sitting down in his chair.

  Mom takes two big swallows of her drink, before holding the glass out to my father to fill up again. He does so without hesitation and I squeeze Parker’s hand under the table.

  Finally, mom sets her glass down and looks over at me. “Are you okay?”

  Well, that’s not the first question I was expecting. I nod my head. “Yes.”

  “Is the baby okay?” This question comes from my dad.

  I look over at him and nod my head again. “Yes.”

  “How far along are you?” Mom asks, and I glance back over at her, but Parker answers.

  “Fourteen weeks.”