Something Precious

by M. Clarke

Jace squeezed the stuffed turtle, seemingly needing comfort. “I feel a little better. I’m thirsty.”

  I grabbed the water bottle from the nightstand and helped him to drink from it. Placing the bottle down, I asked, “Are you hungry?”

  “Little bit.” His voice sounded hoarse.

  “Want some chicken soup?”

  He nodded.

  I jumped off the bed, feeling relieved. After five minutes I came back with a bowl of warm soup, sat him up, and fed it to him with a smile on my face. “Thanks, Rachel, for taking care of me.” He gave me the warmest smile and his dimples deepened. “Mommy never fed me soup in bed before.”

  He took another sip. “I’m sure there was a good reason.” I cringed, questioning myself as to why the hell I was sticking up for her.

  “I love you, Rachel,” he said, looking at me with so much warmth and love pouring from his eyes.

  My heart melted and I felt tears sting my eyes. I fell in love with the sweetest, well-mannered, sometimes stubborn boy. I may not have been his biological mother, but he saw me as a mother figure. And that meant the world to me. I wasn’t trying to replace his mother; I only wanted to be accepted. And I felt it that day. I felt it deep in my soul...so this was what being a mother felt like.

  Jace was back on his feet. He was a little weak, but his fever had died down. Just like Becky had said, it was a twenty-four-hour bug. After dinner, we sat together and watched television on my bed, waiting for Jax’s phone call.

  “It’s Daddy,” Jace exclaimed excitedly when the phone rang.

  I handed the phone to him.

  “Hi, Daddy.”

  Silence.

  “I got sick,” he pouted, giving me a sad face. “Rachel took care of me. She fed me soup on your bed.” He laughed mischievously, as if he were doing something he wasn’t supposed to do. I couldn’t help but smile and laugh at his expression.

  There was a long stretch of silence.

  “Uh-huh. Yes. I’m the king.”He laughed again.“I’m feeling better. Can I go to daycare tomorrow?”

  Jace was quiet.

  “Okay. I love you, Daddy. Goodnight.”Jace handed me the phone.

  “Hi, babe,”I greeted.

  “You’re amazing. Thank you for being so good to Jace. I’m sorry he got sick.”

  “I have to say, I was worried because this was my first time taking care of a sick child, but I think I did all right.”

  “Then I’ll make sure to reward you when I get back home.”His tone became flirty.

  “Oh, believe me. I can’t wait.”

  “I’m going to reward you with my lips, tongue, and my hands...touching, kissing, sucking, and fucking every inch of your body.”His tone was thick, heavy, and possessive.

  Holy, Jax!I swore I felt my clit twitch.“Okay,”I whimpered. It was all I could say when Jace was staring at me, probably wondering why I had a huge dorky smile on my face, so I changed the subject.“How was your day?”

  “Busy. Josh and Nathan are here as well. We did our thing and went out to dinner together, and now we’re at a bar. I’ll call you when I’m back at the hotel.”

  “It’s okay, Jax. Have fun with your friends. Jace and I are going to bed. I think he’ll be okay to go to daycare tomorrow. And plus he’ll be close to me, so I’ll check on him every so often.”

  “Thanks, babe. I’m so lucky to have you. I love you.”

  “I love you too. Goodnight.”

  “Goodnight.”Then the phone went silent.

  Chapter 9

  Rachel

  The week went by quickly. Jax came back from his trip. Chloe hadn’t asked to see Jace so far, but I was certain that wouldn’t last. Hendrix and Stacey were flying to Kauai on Sunday, so we invited them over to dinner.

  “Don’t let the bitch get to you,” Stacey said, helping me take the side dishes to the table.

  I looked around for Jace. Not having children, Stacey would often forget and slip in a cuss word here and there. When I didn’t see him in the kitchen or the family room, I looked outside. Jax was grilling the steaks and Jace was in Hendrix’s arms. The sun was starting to set and the weather was perfect today—shorts and T-shirt perfect. It was strange to wear shorts in the fall, but Los Angeles weather was like that, so unpredictable and wavering. With a sigh of relief, I continued to set the table.

  “She knows exactly which buttons to press. I can’t help it. I have this feeling she wants Jax back and she’s using Jace to get to him.” My face burned with agitation.

  Stacey looked at me as if I’d told her I was an alien. “You’re kidding, right?” She fanned her hand. “It doesn’t matter. You’re marrying Jax, not her.” She dropped the wine on the table, purposely making a clunking sound, expressing her anger. Stacey had stopped me in my tracks. Then she changed the subject, “How are things? Don’t sugarcoat it.”

  I looked over my shoulder to see if anyone was there. Seeing the coast was clear, I spoke, “Things are hectic. Jax and I have moved past the honeymoon stage. I feel like I’ve skipped months, years even. Don’t get me wrong, I love them both very much, but I feel like I jumped from being single to being practically married with a child within a blink of an eye. Maybe we shouldn’t be living together; maybe we’re rushing this marriage. Jax and I are still learning things about each other.” I released a breath I was holding. Had I said too much? I probably had no idea what I was talking about due to all the stress of working, taking care of a child, and now Chloe.

  Stacey brushed my hair back from my face. “I’m going to be honest with you. It’s a lot to handle all at once. Adding a child into a new relationship can be stressful. I get it. If you’re not ready to get married, then you should let Jax know. I’m sure he’ll understand.”

  My lips twisted to one corner in a scowl. “I don’t think he’d understand. I’m trying to see it from his point of view. If he told me he wanted to postpone to a later date, I don’t know how I would take that. Not very well, I suppose.”

  “You have three months. Is three months enough for you? It’s not like you’re inconveniencing a bunch of people. It’s just your parents, Jax’s parents, and the siblings. I’m sure they will understand. It’s just a matter of phone calls.”

  I shifted my legs, giving weight to my other hip. “It’s not just a matter of phone calls—there are tons of phone calls. I have to call the hotel, the caterer, the minister, and I can’t remember who else, but there’s a long list. Arranging a wedding is a lot of work.”

  “Is Jax helping?”

  “Yes, but he always says it’s up to me. I don’t know. What if Jax doesn’t understand? Will it make a difference if I wait another six months or a year? My love for them won’t change. It’s just a stupid paper to make it legal, right?”

  Stacey’s smile grew too big for her face. “I think you get the point now. I could’ve told you that, but you needed to know for yourself. You don’t need to wait. Nothing will change. You’re just postponing the inevitable.”

  “Thanks.” I headed to the kitchen. “You’re very good at letting me come to my own conclusions.” I sounded half sarcastic and half grateful.

  “Your own conclusions for what, babe?” I heard Jax’s voice as he entered the kitchen. He leaned down to give me a kiss. That kiss confirmed how much I loved Jax.

  “My own conclusion that I love you.” I kissed him back on the lips.

  Jax pinned me against the cabinet in one swift motion. Heat infused through me when his hands ran down my back to my ass. How could I think I could ever sleep without his body next to mine? His nibbles on my neck made me laugh.

  Jax turned to the sound of giggling, moving his arms higher. My face flushed with warmth seeing Jace and Hendrix gawking at us like we were some kind of a freak show.

  “What’s Daddy doing, Uncle Hendrix?” Jace snickered.

  “Getting ready to eat his dessert.” Hendrix cocked a brow and let out a snort.

  “Where’s the dessert? I don’t see the dessert.” Jace lau
ghed again. “Daddy isn’t eating his dessert. He’s tickling Rachel.”

  “I wish I was innocent like you, then I could have a different image of my brother and my soon-to-be sister-in-law. Come on, buddy. Let’s eat first.” Hendrix held Jace’s hand and led him out of the kitchen.

  Jax and I looked at each other and started busting up. While Jax grabbed the plate of corn, I grabbed the napkins.

  “Smells good,” I said, trying not to blush again. Jax pulled out my chair next to him and I smiled before I took it. He was such a gentleman and good to me like that.

  “I helped.” Jace looked so proud, pointing a finger to his chest. Then he dug into his baked potato.

  Jax ruffled Jace’s hair and kissed him tenderly on his head. “You sure did, buddy. Next time you can cook and I’ll help.”

  Jace’s eyes sparkled, releasing a boisterous laugh. His laugh was too adorable. “That’s funny, Daddy. Mom said I shouldn’t go near the fire. I’ll burn myself.”

  Jax shifted his attention to me. “You mean Rachel?”

  “No, Chloe Mommy.”

  “Oh,” we said in accord.

  “That’s right. Listen to your mommy,” Jax said, placing his arm around Jace.

  I didn’t know why that put a sting to my heart. He’d never told him to listen to his mommy before. Then again, Chloe had been out of the picture for a while. Knowing I was being overly sensitive, I dismissed it.

  “Am I going to see Mommy on Monday? She said she’s going to take me to the park,” Jace said, pretending to feed one of his stuffed turtles.

  The air was too quiet. I sat still, waiting for Jax to answer. He didn’t look at me, nor did I look at him. Jace spending time with his mom wasn’t the problem. The fact that Jax never discussed the issue with me was. What if I had plans for us?

  “The B is asking?” Hendrix scowled. B stood for bitch, meaning Chloe. “I was pretty sure we gave plenty to keep B away.” Hendrix’s tone was sarcastic. His brown eyes darkened and his shoulders tightened. It seemed as though Jax hadn’t told his brother either.

  Hendrix was a great brother. Though Jax was responsible too, Hendrix was the older one, and as long as I’d known him, he was always willing to give practical advice. He never told Jax what to do, but he made sure Jax saw the whole picture.

  “Who is B?” Jace asked. Jax shoved a piece of filet mignon he’d just sliced into Jace’s mouth to keep him from talking.

  “Jace, could you go get the other two Ninja Turtles from your room? Auntie Stacey would love to see them.” I purposely asked to distract him and to keep him from hearing our conversation.

  Jace’s face lit up as he jumped off the chair and ran upstairs.

  Jax took a sip of his wine. “We did pay her to stay away. But a part of me feels bad for Jace. I’m not doing this for Chloe. I’m doing this for Jace. Regardless of what I think of Chloe, she loves our son.”

  Our son—those words cut deeper into my heart that was already bleeding.

  Hendrix tugged at his jaw and ran his hand down his face. “She loves herself more.” He pointed his fork at Jax. “And you know I’m telling you the truth. I’ve been through hell with you because of Chloe, so I know everything there is to know about her. I’m giving you a warning. Just be careful. And I don’t want her near Rachel.”

  Jax placed his hand on my thigh, meeting my eyes. “Rachel is no pushover. She can handle herself. Regardless, I wouldn’t let anything happen to Rachel.”

  I wanted to say that I shouldn’t have to handle her. Jax didn’t see anything wrong with this picture, but Hendrix surely had his concerns. Was I overreacting? Was I being the jealous fiancée? Did I need to worry?

  Jax took a bite of his asparagus and swallowed. It was quiet for a second until he broke the silence. “I think Chloe has changed. She offered to give back the settlement money in exchange for seeing Jace once a week.”

  Stacey and I jerked when there was a loud slam of something hitting the table, and so did the liquids in the glasses. I had never seen Hendrix so fierce like that before. “Hell, no! You want to see Jace in the hospital?”

  Jax clenched his jaw and he squeezed my thigh. When I winced, he realized what he was doing and released it and then rubbed to let me know he was sorry. In his calm tone he said, “Jax isn’t your son. I’ll do what I think is right.”

  What he thought was right? Did that mean I would never be involved in the decision-making when it came to his son?

  Stacey and I looked at each other without a word. I was pretty sure she saw the concern and hurt expression on my face.

  “Okay,” Stacey said, breaking the tension. “We’re leaving tomorrow. So, let’s all be nice.”

  “I’m being nice,” Hendrix said through his gritted teeth and then shoved a bite of steak into his mouth. Clearly, he loathed Chloe. Hendrix had always been on my side, not that there was a side to choose.

  Jace bounced down the stairs. “I forgot where I put them. I finally found them in Daddy’s room. I forgot I was sleeping there last night.”

  Jace stood there frozen and looked at all of us, glancing from one face to another. We must have looked ridiculous, showing all our teeth. Jace was smart. He knew how to spot a fake smile. Shrugging his shoulders, he sat on Stacey’s lap.

  After dinner, we got comfortable on the sofa. We talked about the wedding, Jax’s new modeling contract with the Knight clothing line, my trip to New York, Jace’s birthday party in two weeks, and what Stacey and Hendrix would be doing the next three months until our wedding. The topic of Chloe never came up, and I was more than happy not to talk about her.

  “I’m going to miss you,” I said, giving Stacey a hug.

  “Me too. But we can talk on the phone, so don’t forget to call me, especially when you need to vent.” Stacey’s eyes shifted to Jax. “Take care of my friend.”

  Jax wrapped his arms around me from behind, rocking us from side to side. “You don’t have to remind me of that. I love this woman.”

  “My turn,” Hendrix said, pulling me away from Jax. “If you change your mind, you can come home with me. Stacey won’t mind. I can take care of both of you.”

  Stacey crossed her arms. “Really?”

  Hendrix released me. “You know I’m playing, babe. You’re my one and only. I’m just teasing Jax. What are big brothers for?”

  Jax yanked me back into his arms. “Some big brothers are a pain in the a—” he stopped, looking at Jace in Stacey’s arms, “—butt. Your uncle is a big butt.”

  Jace let out a loud laugh, squeezing tightly to all his stuffed turtles. “Butt, butt, butt. Sometimes Daddy says shit.”

  Dead silence sliced the room. Then one by one, we busted out laughing. Jax rubbed the back of his head, looking guilty. “I really need to watch what I say. Don’t ever say that word, Jace. Got it?”

  “Shit, shit, shit. You mean that word?” Jace smirked. He looked just like Jax when he did that. With those cute little dimples, he was going to be a heartbreaker.

  Jax raked his hair back, trying to keep cool. “Yes. Please don’t say that word. Say goodbye, Jace.”

  “Goodbye.” Jace waved, smiling.

  I wondered what his little mind was thinking, especially when his lips curled with a hint of mischief. We walked them out the door and watched them get into their car. We waited until we could no longer see them.

  Chapter 10

  Rachel

  Monday morning wasn’t so bad. Though I would rather have been home with Jax and Jace, I loved my job. I loved the challenge of bringing out the best in models, alternating the poses and lighting, and using different props if needed.

  “Ready for Thursday?” Matthew entered my office, looking sleek and debonair.

  “Ready, boss.” I smiled, sitting up tall. “This is my first time with the company, so I’m assuming the hotel arrangements and air tickets are all set?”

  “Hotel arrangement, yes, but we’re taking the company’s plane. You should get the itinerary today. If
you don’t, ask my assistant. Have a good day, Rachel.” Matthew grinned and headed out the door.

  My brother-in-law was amazing. He was always making sure I was comfortable and everything was going well. I grabbed my bags and headed to my appointment at Santa Monica Beach. It was a gorgeous day. There was not a cloud across the vast blue sky. Something about the ocean and the view gave the feeling of peace and serenity. I inhaled a deep breath of the fresh breeze and enjoyed the warmth the sun provided.

  When I reached my destination, the far end of the dock, I could see everything was all set. Perfect! The umbrellas, the lighting, and a little tent for changing had all been set up by the ten-person crew as instructed. They were wonderful.

  “Rachel.” Shane greeted me with a kiss on my cheek as if it was a routine. “Do you need any help?”

  Shane was sporting black-and-white swim trunks without a shirt on. Oh my!

  I soaked in his accent and his body, reaching down for my camera in my bag. “I’m fine, thank you.” I cleared my throat, looking back at him. It was difficult not to stare at his perfect chest. I’d worked with many male models. Although they all had nice bodies, some were too perfect—dizzyingly perfect.

  “Your bag seems so heavy. You should get the crew to help you carry it,” he suggested.

  Shane always seemed concerned about me, which was sweet of him. Knowing Jax didn’t like our friendship, I tried to stay away. But it was difficult when we were working for the same company.

  I placed the strap over my head. “Thanks, Shane. I’m fine. Maybe next time I will. But we should start shooting. Everyone is waiting.” I did a quick glance at the bystanders around us, watching us. Because the shoot was going to be outside in a public place, we had needed to place a boundary line so they knew how far to stay back, especially for the women that seemed to be gawking at the male models.

  “Sure.” Shane stepped aside when another male model approached me, shirtless and wearing blue-and-white trunks.

  “You must be Rachel. I’m new. My name is Stan.” He extended his hand.

  I shook it and dropped my hand. I needed to get to work. The sun was in perfect position. “Nice to meet you. Could you stand by Tania? I think I’ll start with you two first.”