“We are expanding at PMC, Alex. The beta test with you and Jennifer has worked out judiciously. The numbers you ladies are posting are over target by 60%. We have decided to go full launch and will be placing a Marketing Director to run our launch. That would be you, Alex, if you want the position. I am going to Fed-Ex you the packet, so that you can take a look at the job description and compensation. I will attach it to email as well, if you decide to take the position, sign the offer and send it back to me. I think you may have been in the process of telling me that you weren’t planning on working much longer, but once you get the Marketing offer, you may change your mind. It will be something that you can do remotely. That ultimately will provide you more time at home. The travel will be doable with a little one for a long time. It will also mean a promotion for Jennifer, which I will call her about only after you accept the offer. This is a great opportunity for you, Alexandra, many congratulations for a job well done. You are well-deserving, as your performance in such a short time has been beyond measure. Take your time mending this week and just look over the offer when you get it tomorrow. I don’t need an answer for at least a week, so give it some thought. I would hate to lose you, but to lose you to MOMMY status beats losing you to a competitor.”
“Wow, boss, I don’t know what to say. I am at a loss for words. Thank you for the kind words and certainly for the support that you have provided over the last few months with everything that has happened. You are correct, I was about to tell you that I was not sure how I would be able to continue this position once the baby comes, but with this opportunity you have placed in front of me, it is possible that my mind could be changed. Grayson is fine with me working or not, it is up to me. Although I know that NOT working is his preference, but we are not married and I plan on figuring out how to take care of me and the baby. If traveling is mostly for conferences, I could figure that part out and the position is truly my dream job.”
“Normally, we would not promote before an employee has 1 year under their belt, however, this is an unusual situation and you are perfect for the role. Take your time, get some rest and let’s touch base next week. In the meantime, if you need anything from me, please give me a call, and Alex, truly, I couldn’t be happier for you and Grayson!”
Wow, that really did just happen. My dream job offer when I was just about to let him know that I would be leaving. The stars must be aligning for me. I decided to text Grayson and let him know how my day was going.
Missing you luv, just had a great talk w/Drew, he has made me an offer, we can discuss over dinner. Order in whatever u want me to eat :) LU+1, AM
Response from Grayson...
Red, I’m not a great texter, what do all those characters mean?
Seriously, too funny, I must fill him in.
L means love
U+1 is YOU plus one (our baby)
Love you too plus our baby
Response from GB...
T U 4 educating me, Love YOU+1
Wanting to be rested when Grayson came home, I decide to try and take a nap. I went to lie down and saw Grayson’s t-shirt on the bench and decided to put it on, as it smelled of him, such warm and cozy thoughts came over me. Lying there thinking of our new family coming soon, I was finally able to drift off. I am not sure how long I slept, but I woke feeling rested and excited that Grayson would be here soon. I was thinking about Drew’s offer for me to go back to Chicago, get my things and come home. I couldn’t think of any better surprise than to show back up on Wednesday. Grayson wouldn’t expect me to go and come in the same day, if I packed quick, I could be back before dinner. I jumped up and called Dad’s pilot to see if he could pick me up on Wednesday at noon and return me later that evening. I haven’t relished in the luxury of having a pilot at my beckon call, when I refused assistance from my dad, I always chose to fly commercial. However, with all the recent events, it has been more comforting to know that I have Dad’s team available.
I could hear Coop making noise in the kitchen and decided to go hang out with him since it hadn’t been the two of us much lately. “Hey Coop, whatcha making, smells heavenly?”
“Hey girl, glad you finally decided to get up and join the rest of the world. I am making lasagna, Caesar salad and garlic bread for dinner, just getting a jump on my lasagna.”
“That smells delicious and sounds awesome. Grayson and I were going to order out, but I will text him and let him know that you are cooking. I haven’t had your lasagna since before we left Chicago, yummo!”
The smell in our kitchen was amazing. Italian sausage and garlic, yes, yes, my stomach was growling already.
“Actually, I have already sent Grayson a text and he knows I am cooking,” giving me that I am in control look.
“Coop, what is it with you two, some kind of twisted threesome we got going on here and I don’t know it?”
“Alex, he texted me earlier when he couldn’t get you for awhile and wanted to know if you were okay or if you were down resting, that’s all. You gotta keeper there and you know it, but you two need to get your own place, you are too noisy, especially when you are using all the hot water!”
“COOOOOOP, we do no such thing!” I was embarrassed, but couldn’t hide my happiness.
“Alex, love and preggers agrees with you, you are glowing. I can’t wait to get you styled in maternity, and you are finally getting those boobs you always wanted, ha!”
“Cooper Roberts, stop it! Ya know, Grayson said the same thing. My boobs are bigger, but everything else is smaller. I can’t keep food down for long. It will be awhile before I need maternity clothes, but I know that you, Monica and some of the other stylists will keep me cute!” Pausing, “I can put some music on for us to set our Italian mood, and I suppose I better check my phone and answer the stalker, or he will be having a panic attack!” I went to put on some Italian music, Jeff Steinberg’s Romance in Tuscany and looked for my phone. It was beginning to smell, and now sound, like an Italian Bistro
1 message and several missed texts...
Grayson: Hey, Red, missing u, shower was boring w/o u
Hope u r getting some rest, lu+1, GB
PM clinic almost over, b home about 5:30, LOVE YOU ANGEL +AIO
I replied:
Had a long nap, dreamt of U, what is AIO?
His response:
Great! Angel in waiting! See you soon, LUB, GB
Oh he is really getting into acronyms, I have no idea.
I respond: LUB?
His response:
LOVE YOU BOTH!
“Hey Coop. I have an assignment if you are interested?”
“That depends, where are you going, so I will know how to dress that tall, tight-ass of yours?” A smirk on his face.
“It’s not an event, it’s a home. Would you start looking for a home for us? We want you to be our realtor!”
Cooper is usually not the giddy type, but my offer of being our realtor seemed to make his day. “Sure, I would be honored. We can discuss your wants over dinner and see what area Grayson had in mind. Do you have a time-line?”
“Well, yes, Grayson will anyway. His lease is up in November and he can go month-to-month until we find something. You know that I have no idea about homes or locations around here, but I am sure that he will let you know his preference.”
“Alex, I know your preferences like the back of my hand. You like traditional or old-world styling, rich colors, nothing white, brown, brown and more brown!” He says laughing at me. Really, does he have to laugh at me about liking brown? Redheads don’t do red, we do orange, yellow, cream and BROWN!
“Seriously, are you poking fun at me?” I wanted to yank him up, but he was bigger than me, so I elbowed his ribs.
“Ouch, take it easy on me or you won’t have anything to eat for dinner, Alex. I am going to run to the market to grab some wine, be back momentarily!” He walks out the door, rubbing his ribs. I do know how to get the best of him, he hates being tickled. When I want my way, I just ti
ckle him, chasing him if I have to. I love Cooper in that special, brotherly bond way. We can get mad at each other, and we have plenty of times, yet, we get over it. We don’t always agree, but we decided a long time ago that we really only had each other, so we needed to keep our fights fair and for the most part, that’s worked.
In reality, I had family, I just never could relate to them, especially Gretchen’s kids, Bethany and Kane Tate. When Dad married Gretchen, I was only 16. Bethany was 22, a senior at Northwestern, and Kane was 24, out of college and already on his own. Oh, they filtered in for family holidays, but they always brought friends, so I was odd girl out. Now, they both live back in Chicago with careers that keep them busy, so Dad and Gretchen really only have “family” at holidays, but now, I have these feelings of wanting to change that. I want my baby to know my extended family. Hopefully, this little girl or boy, will give Grayson and I something that has been missing for both us, for a very long time, and help pull our family together.
“How is my angel plus 1, doing?” Grayson calls out as he comes in the door from work, perky enough to run a marathon.
I am so happy to see him that I run to him and jump up, putting my arms around his neck and straddling his waist with my legs! “We are happy to see you, love you, missed you today.” Kissing him hard on the mouth and taking his tongue to mine.
“That’s the welcome I want every day, love, you smell yummy!” Taking a deep breath in my neck, kissing me back and laying flowers on the bar. “Ah, flowers for me, how thoughtful. I love you, I love flowers and they are my favorites.” They were beautiful fall colors, yellow and orange roses with tiny green mums. Looking for a vase for the flowers, “I asked Coop today if he would take on the task of finding our first home, but after I did it, I realized I should have asked you first and I am sorry. I am still getting used to the WE thing, I hope your okay with it, if not, I will let him know and I understand” Giving him the through the eyelashes look, hoping that I am not in trouble.
“Angel, I don’t have a problem with it at all, but he is new to this market, so he may not have all the connections to properties not yet listed. I must say though, this comes as a bit of a shock, which indicates that you have made a big decision and haven’t let me know?” Pulling me in for a big hug and kissing my neck.
“Well, yes, I am close to making several, would you like to hear them?” Trying to wriggle free of his caresses, but he will have none of that. In fact, he reaches over and turns the water off for the flowers, picks me up and carries me to the bedroom. He starts kissing me hard and hungry on the mouth while removing my t-shirt, bra and pulling off my yoga pants, leaving me in my panties. He lays me back on the bed and removes his scrub shirt, and joins me, kissing my mouth, my breasts, my tummy, then peels off my panties and goes for exploring my body. “Grayson, aren’t you the least bit hungry?”
“Red, I am hungry alright, I am hungry for you, right now, this is what I want,” as he proceeds to tantalize me with his tongue, his thumb, his teeth, rubbing, biting and sucking me until I arrive at an amazing climax in his mouth. Yum, that feels so good, my toes curl! As he sits up in the bed, pulling me up into his lap and covering me with the blanket, I ask him to please never stop doing what he does to me. It feels so good.
“Red, I have every intention of keeping you completely satisfied, glad to be of service,” kissing me. As we kiss, he whispers sweetly on my lips, “I really missed you today.”.
“I missed you too. I love you Grayson Brooks!” Wrapping my arms around his neck and getting my hands full of his thick, dark hair, before settling back into his lap. “Hey, I want to hear about these new decisions you’re making, which better include me, so fill me in on your day.”
“Well, for starters, I spoke with Drew this morning about my need to bring my work back to Dallas, sooner rather than later. But, that was after I told him we were pregnant. He extends to you congratulations, daddy. He also said to take whatever time off I needed. And he offered me a promotion. The packet will arrive here tomorrow for us to look at for the Director of Marketing position being created. On top of that, I have decided to move back to Dallas this weekend and I want to move in with you, if that is what you still desire for us until we find a home?” Catching a glimpse of Grayson’s expression causes me to catch my breath, there are tears in his eyes.
Taking my face in his hands and his lips barely apart from mine, “Oh Angel, you have just made me the happiest man in the world! Yes, I want you with me, as soon as possible. I love you so very much! Now let’s get you and my little tutu something to eat!”
Dragging me off the bed as I put my clothes back on, “Tutu...?” I asked.
“Yes, well, that is what little girls wear, isn’t it? I remember Zoe having little tutu’s?”
“Yes, Grayson, little girls do wear tutus for dance, but what about a little boy?” Raising my eyebrow at him questioningly.
He broke out in the biggest grin, showing his perfect white teeth, “I think it’s a little girl, just sayin’,” as we head back to the kitchen to join Coop for dinner. He was still smiling and walking with a strut, obvious to me that this man was happy.
We sat around the table, enjoying Cooper’s fabulous lasagna dinner and wine, well I didn’t get wine, but the guys enjoyed it. Conversing over what area we would like to live in and decided that we would like to find a home in this same area. Cooper knew of a couple listings within a mile of the area that had just come up, so it was game on for house hunting. Grayson didn’t have a particular style request and indicated that I had full control of style, as long as it fit within budget, and preferably no remodeling needed. Well, that part wasn’t hard anyway. Our likes were the same from shade trees to swimming pool even down to a basketball hoop. Either he was being very amenable, or our harmony went even deeper than I could imagine. I realized that our relationship was still very young and we had much to learn about the other. I tried to remind myself that one can live a lifetime with another and never really know them, like me and my dad, for instance, which is a saddening thought. I often wondered how well my dad knew my mom. They always seemed happy until she got sick.
I cleared dishes and the guys went out to get a movie, but returned with a movie and Pralines ’N Cream ice cream. Well, it looks as though all three of us are eating for 2 these days. As Grayson and I snuggled on the sofa and Cooper in the club chair, we dove into watching a guy flick. Yes, they forced The Hangover on me. However, this time, I watched the movie with a different perspective. If we were to get married, how was Grayson going to behave, especially if Coop was organizing things. Marriage... That was on the bucket list way down at the bottom. It wasn’t something I thought about very often. I had been deep in thought about the whole family thing, when my phone rang. I got up to retrieve it, oh boy, it’s Harrison. I suppose my face gave me a way, as Grayson’s eyes met mine. “Something wrong, Alexandra? Are you going to answer it?”
“Uh, no, it can’t be important, I will return the call tomorrow,” as I tried to nonchalantly bounce back over and get comfortable. Grayson didn’t acknowledge anything else, so I suppose coast clear, and I am certain an argument avoided, thank the stars!
The evening was getting late, I couldn’t keep from yawning. In the pregnancy packet, it mentioned extra sleepiness in the first trimester, which I am now noticing to be true. However, I believe that energy sparks more energy, so tomorrow, I would plan to go for a morning walk/run and I couldn’t wait. Getting back to a more physical day would help me feel more productive and feel more awake. Grayson looked tired, I could tell that he needed a good night’s sleep, Tuesdays are long for him in the office, which gives me an idea, and maybe I could surprise him with lunch. “Alexandra, you are yawning, I think you need to get your booty in bed,” as he pulled me up off the sofa and into a warm, big, cuddly hug. All I could do is snuggle deep into his neck, such a comfortable place to be. As we made our way to the bedroom, I noticed my phone flashing again, as I checked it, a text message f
rom Harrison.
Alex, concerned about u. Is all okay?
Replying:
Yes, will call u tomorrow.
I plugged my phone in to charge and headed to the bathroom to join Grayson as he was brushing his teeth. “Care to tell me what that was all about?”
I could tell he was concerned or maybe slightly suspicious about something. “Oh, just some calls I will need to do tomorrow,” trying to pacify him without causing alarm. To mention Harrison at this point would only start a war. Grayson turned on the hot water and turned to look at me with those sexy, wanting eyes. “How tired are you, Ms. Morrison?” raising his eyebrows.
“I think I still have some spunk left in me, Mr. Brooks, is class in session?” flirting back with him. He didn’t give me an answer, rather took me in his arms and started kissing me passionately. I could feel his desire through our clothes and I knew that he needed me to satisfy his urge of wanting me, as much as I wanted him. Since we were still on sexual restriction for another day, I decided to take matters into my own hands and take control of him first. Opening the shower door, I pushed him in and immediately went to my knees taking him in my hands first, then all of him in my mouth, so desiring him, wanting to please him and satisfy his need for release. Looking up at him, I could see that I caught him off guard, but he sure didn’t seem to mind. He was rubbing his hands in my hair with one hand, holding onto the wall of the shower with the other and was moaning, “Red, please don’t stop what you are doing, that feels so damn good!” As I continued tantalizing him with my lips and my tongue, I could hear his breathing coming in shorter breaths and I could feel his pulse getting faster. As his stiff shaft tightened in my mouth, I knew that he was close to finding his release, allowing me to slowly suck harder on him until I could taste the warm saltiness of his satisfaction. He was still breathing hard and uttering a slight moan as he helped pull me to my feet and into a warm embrace. We just stood there for the longest time, with the warm water running down us. “Ah, Alexandra, I love you so much, it hurts. All this talk about getting a home and starting a family makes me want you so much more than I could ever imagine. Tuesday cannot get here soon enough!” Grinning back at him, I knew exactly what he meant and I couldn’t agree more. Just the thought of having him inside me, made me warm, wet, and tingling down to my toes. We finished up the shower and I quickly dried my hair. I was just about to pull on a cubs t-shirt when I saw Grayson go into my closet. He came back out with a beautifully wrapped big box. “What is this and how did you get it past me?” Opening the box, I found a luxurious cream short nightgown, cream lace panties and matching robe. My eyes lit up, “This is the first time I have received this kind of gift from a man. I love it, I will put it on!”
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