by Tessa Teevan
“I’m not going anywhere, Branson.” I step back, pulling the ring out of my dress pocket before holding it out to him.
He holds his hands up, misunderstanding me. “No, I don’t want that back. I meant what I said. It’s yours.”
“Take it, Branson,” I tell him, forcing it into his palm. Then I hold my left hand out for him. “And place back on my finger for the last time.”
A slow smile spreads across his face. “Ariana Covington, I will love you until I take my last breath, and I will ask this as many times as it takes. Marry me. Be my forever. Be my permanence. Be mine for the rest of our lives.”
“For the third time, and I will say this as many times as it takes… Yes, Branson. I’m yours. Permanently.”
He slips the ring on my finger and pulls me into his warm embrace, his nose nuzzling at my neck. Everything that’s been wrong shifts, and my world is right again. There’s just one more thing…
“Hey, Branson,” I murmur against his chest.
“Hmm?” is all I can make out as his breath tickles my bare skin.
“It’s a good thing you’re okay with my not being a trophy wife.” I wait a beat, and he doesn’t respond. “It’s just… In about seven months or so, I’ll be as big as a house.”
I feel him stiffen, and I have to bite my cheeks to keep from laughing. He pulls back and looks at me, his eyes shifting back and forth between mine.
“Meaning…” he says, trailing off as he puts it together. I nod in confirmation. “But…how? We’ve been safe since the beginning.”
“Ironic, right?” I tease, grinning up at him as I bite my lower lip. “Are you happy? I know it’s soon.”
He picks me up and whirls me around. “Are you kidding?! I’m going to be dad!” he yells, and I have to shush him, but it’s no use.
Everyone heard him, and the rest of the Wellingtons join us in what I can only call a weird, massive, pile-on group hug, shouting congratulations as laughter and tears fill the night air. This is what I’ve been missing my entire life, and I feel extremely blessed that my child will grow up surrounded by so much love.
Branson pushes us out of the foray and pulls me closer to him. His hands cup my cheeks, and my heart flutters as I look up into the eyes of the man I love.
“We’re having a kid,” he whispers almost in disbelief. “When did you find out?”
“Just before I came here. I had a feeling, and I wanted to know, so I made a pit stop and took three different tests. All positive. The perfect ending to a perfect evening.”
“Baby, it’s perfect, but this is only the beginning. I’m never letting you go again.”
And as his lips cover mine, I know he’s right.
This is only the beginning for us, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.
Five Years Later
AS I walk into my brother Knox’s place, chaos greets me, and all I can do is grin. When I greet my sister-in-law and her girlfriends, they rag on me about the time Charlie put me in that arm bar. Seriously, six years later and I’m still not living that one down. I’m not looking forward to the day my brothers tell my kids that story.
Cohen walks up and slides an arm around my shoulder, and I tease him about his upcoming marriage. He takes it all in stride, giving me a wide grin. “I’ve been waiting to make Andi a Wellington for a long damn time. How about you, Bran? Are you ready for this? To be a dad…again?”
Slapping his shoulder, I can’t help the grin that spreads over my face. “Man, I love the hell out of my little girls, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t wrapped around their little fingers. But knowing there’s about to be another boy in the house? I can’t fucking wait.”
As if on cue, Dad walks into the bedlam, my oldest, four-year-old Katie, wrapped around his foot and the soon-to-be middle child, Elizabeth—who we affectionately call Libby—squirming in his arms. I’m grateful that my parents have given us a break the past few days. As Ariana’s due date approaches, we need all the time in the world to be alone. Don’t get me wrong. I love my kids, and the fact that Ariana and I are yet again expanding our family has me ecstatic. But with trying to get Katie ready for preschool while potty training Libby, we’re mentally and physically drained. Thankfully, my parents have decided that retirement means full-force grand parenting, and they give us the much-needed breaks we need.
All the kids see Grandpa Wellington, and just as they move to attack him at full force, I take Libby into my arms, loving as she gives me a big, sloppy kiss on the cheek.
“Hey, princess. Have fun with Grandpa?” I ask, and she gives me a toothy smile as she nods profusely. I tickle her belly, her giggling melting my heart. “Did you miss me? Miss Mommy?”
She nods again and looks around, presumably for Ariana. Her sweet, little face falls when she doesn’t see her.
“Mommy’s sleeping, sweetie. She has to rest until your new baby brother gets here. Why don’t you go play with your cousins?”
When I set her down on the ground, she runs after her older cousins, joining in on their attack against my dad.
“Dude, I don’t know how you’re about to have your third,” Knox says as I sit down on the couch between him and Jace. “I can barely handle my twins as it is.”
I smile as I remember when Ariana and I announced that she was pregnant for the third time in less than five years. Knox joked that we were trying to catch up with him, and I couldn’t help the fact that our rampant sex life didn’t cool down even after the birth of our daughter. What can I say? I love my wife and can’t keep my hands off her.
The kids start a game of Candy Land with Dad as the guys set up a poker game. Libby ends up in my lap, unable to keep up with her older cousins, and my little good-luck charm helps me win almost a thousand bucks.
Just as I’m about to go all in, my phone buzzes. Ignoring it, I play my hand, making the guys read them and weep. We play a few more hands when Dad runs into the kitchen, holding his phone out for me. I hold it to my ear, shocked to hear my mom yelling at me.
“Branson Andrew Wellington! Ariana’s water broke! I’m taking her to the hospital now, so get your ass in the car and meet us there!”
She hangs up on me, and I jump up, passing Libby off to Dad. “Holy shit. Holy shit. Holy fucking shit!”
“Howee shit!” my precocious two-year-old repeats, and I curse under my breath, knowing Ariana will kill me if our little girl starts swearing like her old man.
“Dude, calm down. You’ve done this before,” Knox says, and I shoot him a glare.
When I look to Dad, he gives me a nod.
“I’ve got the girls.”
That’s enough for me, and I run out of the house and race to my car, ready to meet my unborn son.
THE LAST thing I wanted was to miss Andi’s bachelorette party, but when I woke up this morning with Braxton Hicks, I knew there was no way I was leaving the house, let alone dolling myself up for a night out on the town. I’m still four weeks away from my due date, but both Katie and Libby were early, and with this little guy, I’m not taking my chances.
Branson, however, was not missing out on a night with the guys. He tried to stay home, but since his parents were dropping the girls off at Knox’s later, I practically pushed him out the door, telling him that I wanted to soak in the tub before verging out on chick flicks. He tried to protest until I mentioned watching About Time—my current movie obsession. After that, he gave me a quick kiss on the cheek and was out the door.
As I lie on the couch, my eyes watering as I watch Rachel McAdams, once again, fall in love with her future husband, I feel a sharp pang in my stomach. Or, well, below my stomach. I squeeze my eyes shut and focus on my breathing until the pain subsides. Even though I’ve done this twice, I pretend I’m not on labor. No, this is too early. But as another wave of pain hits me, I groan, cursing my children and their early arrivals.
Just as I think it’s a false alarm, I feel a wet warmth between my legs, and I know my water’s broken. Clutchin
g my pillow as I breathe through the next contraction, I’m given relief, if only for a moment.
Snatching my phone up, I hit Branson on speed dial, cursing when I get his voicemail. I try him two more times and he doesn’t answer.
“Fuck!” I scream at the ceiling as another contraction rips through me. Why did I let him leave? This is what I get for thinking I’d get one last night of peace and quiet.
My phone rings, and I snatch it up.
“Where the fuck are you?!” I nearly scream, only to be met by silence.
“Ariana? Are you okay?” Amelia’s voice fills my ear, and relief washes over me.
Through gritted teeth, I speak. “My…water…broke…”
She gasps. “Sweetheart, I’m on my way! Knox took the girls to Clarksville, but I stayed behind. Hold on.”
I shut my phone, thankful that help is on the way. Forcing myself off the couch, I go to the bedroom and find my hospital bag. By the time Amelia shows up, I’m sitting on the front step, waiting for her.
“Ariana! What are you doing?”
“I’m having a baby,” I say, unable to help the sarcasm.
She rushes towards me and helps me into the car, holding my hand the entire way to the hospital. As I’m wheeled in, I see a familiar face and almost cry at the sight.
“Hi, Ariana,” Nurse Kim says, giving me a warm smile. “I always wondered if I’d see you again.”
“Kim!” I cry, knowing I owe everything to her. “I’m having his baby.”
She knows exactly what I mean, and she beams as she leans in close. “I was kind of hoping that was the case.”
“This is number three,” I offer, and her smile widens.
“I love a good happily ever after,” she says.
So do I.
I DON’T want to push. Branson’s been here for every single important moment of my life, and I can’t do this without him. At the same time, the doctor’s telling me that I need to push. Amelia’s gripping my hand, rubbing my forehead, whispering words of encouragement.
“Ariana, you’re fully dilated. We can’t wait any longer. I need you to push, and I need you to push now!”
Tears stream down my cheeks, and just as I’m about to give in, the door opens and Branson fills my line of vision, looking sexy as hell in scrubs and a mask. He leans in and gives Amelia a kiss on the cheek before he gently pushes her aside.
“Sorry I’m late, baby,” he says, peering down at me, running a hand along my cheek. “But I’m here now. Are you ready for this? Are you ready to meet our son?”
With renewed strength, I nod. “I love you.”
“I love you, too. Now, let’s do this.”
I take his hand and turn my attention to the doctor, giving him a nod. With a deep breath, I clench my jaw, tighten my hold on Branson’s hand, and push.
“That’s good, Ariana. Very good. Let’s try again.”
It takes every ounce of energy and strength I have, but after four more pushes, my son enters the world. My son. A sob escapes me as I watch the nurses take him to a corner to clean him off and check his vitals before wrapping him in a blanket and crossing the room to place him in Branson’s arms.
As exhausted as I am, I feel renewed energy as I watch father and son look at each other for the first time, falling even more in love than I ever thought possible. I sigh dreamily, and Branson’s eyes shift to mine, full of love and happiness. He sits on the edge of my bed, placing our son in my arms.
“I love you so much, Ari. Katie, Libby, and now this little guy? You continue to make all my dreams come true.”
Gazing up at him, I smile. “I love you, Branson. Katie, Libby, and Andrew. I love you, and I love our family.”
“Andrew?” His voice is hopeful, and I nod in confirmation.
“Meet your son. Andrew Knox Wellington.”
Tears fill his eyes as he leans down and places a soft kiss on our son’s head before reverting his gaze to mine. “It’s freaking perfect.”
The End…For Now
The Conflagration- Stone Soure
Afraid- The Neighbourhood
Maps- Maroon 5
I Need You Now- Olly Murs
Stranger- Secondhand Serenade
What If I Was Nothing- All That Remains
I'm A Mess- Ed Sheeran
Shatter Me- Lindsey Sterling featuring Lzzy Hale
I Found You- The Wanted
Stay- Shaun Reynolds
But I Can't Let You Go- Meredith Edwards, David Nail
The Reason- Hoobastank
Who I Am With You- Chris Young
Echo- Jason Walker
Sadist- Stone Sour
You and I- Avant featuring KeKe Wyatt
All You Never Say-Birdy
Heaven- Theory of a Deadman
Life Support- Sam Smith
With Love-Christina Grimmie
Breaking Inside- Shinedown
Love Someone- Jason Mraz
When We Make Love- Ginuwine
Never Gonna Leave This Bed- Maroon 5
No Lies- Jason Reeves featuring Colbie Caillat
Sugar- Maroon 5
Derek-As always, I appreciate your patience while writing, especially with how much this one consumed me. I love you and can’t imagine living this crazy life without your love and support!
Sarah-This book probably wouldn’t exist without you. Thanks for encouraging me to tell Bransons’s story. I owe you, big time!! All our late night chats were so important to me, and I appreciate you always being there to be my sounding board. And thanks for being willing to allow the rest of the world to love Branson as much as you do. Ha-Like that’s even possible.
Teri Beth, Michelle, Bianca, and Mara- You guys are the best beta team ever and I hope you never quit me. Thanks for listening to all my ramblings, encouraging me, and helping me shape Branson and Ariana’s story until it was perfect. I couldn’t do this without you guys!
My FBGM gals, Ella, Harper, Crystal, Rochelle- I love you four ladies so hard! My life would be so boring without you. In such a crazy industry, it means the world to me that I have you four to always have my back. And I’ll always have yours! Not a day goes by that we don’t chat, and even though it sometimes messes with my productivity, I wouldn’t change it for the world. Literotica forever!!!
I'm a twenty something book junkie who decided that there were too many stories in my head to keep to myself. It’s a crazy, busy life, and I love every single second of it.
If I’m not writing or looking through tons of photos of hot men, all in the name of research, then you can probably find me curled up with my Kindle, ignoring the rest of the world. I love my sports almost as much as I love my books. My other obsessions include red wine, hot men, country music, and all things Grace Potter.
I LOVE to hear from readers, so please feel free to contact via any social media site listed below.
Website: http://tessateevanauthor.blogspot.com/
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/Tessa_GGBR
Email: [email protected]
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7170636.Tessa_Teevan