“Good morning, sweet girl.”
“Well good morning to you too, handsome.”
“I brought you breakfast, want some?”
“Smells great, what do you have?”
“I brought a little bit of everything. Eggs, bacon, toast, fruit, and some French toast. I hope there is something that you will like here.”
“Good news is I like everything you brought, but I think after last night’s dinner I will just stick to some fruit and toast.” I peck him on the lips, and he sets the tray on my lap.
While I am eating, he lets me know the plan for the day. We are going to go back to Portland after we get cleaned up and dressed. I finish eating, get dressed, and am ready to go. We walk downstairs and meet up with Jackson.
“Thank you, Jackson, for everything. I hope we have the chance to get to know each other better soon,” I say.
“I hope so too, Kat. I am glad that you are okay. I am so sorry that you have been dragged into this mess.” He gives me a hug and whispers in my ear, “Now get this guy looking human again and give him a chance” He pulls back and winks at me then says to James, “Take care of her. If you need anything, let me know. The trash has been taken care of and shouldn’t be a problem for you any longer.” He gives a guy hug to James.
“Thanks, James, good to know. We will see you again soon, I hope on better terms next time. Thanks for everything you did yesterday.”
“No problem, brother, have a safe trip home. Max has insisted on driving you both home, and he is ready and waiting in the car.”
We all say good-bye again and walk out the door. Once we are settled into the back seat together, I ask James for his phone. I missed my appointment yesterday, and I need to reschedule for as soon as possible. Once I locate the number and make the call, I have a new appointment set for four this afternoon. When we get home, James carries me up to my apartment so that I can take a shower and put on some clean clothes. After I am all ready and I grab my purse and phone that had been left behind yesterday, we go over to his place so he can do the same. After we are all back to being human, James takes me to the coffee shop so he can check in. Bren is there at the counter getting a crash course in the art of making coffee from Grace.
“Oh, my God, you are back, finally,” we hear Bren say as we walk in the front door. Bren comes rushing over to me to give me a hug and to give me a once-over to verify I am okay. Once confirmed I am okay, she looks toward James. “Thank you for bringing her back, but here are your keys and I need a nap.”
Bren gives me another hug and then grabs her bag and heads out the door for her nap. Once James checks in with Grace, he leads me to his office. “I have to catch up on a few things, and then I will take you to your appointment. Do you mind hanging out for a while? I really don’t want to let you out of my sight right now.”
“That’s fine, James, I have to stay off my feet anyway until I am cleared from the doctor, so I’ll just make myself at home in this big comfy chair.”
James gets his work done and then we head off to my appointment a couple hours later.
“James, I wouldn’t be surprised if they ask if you are the dad. I haven’t been to this office before.”
“Kat, it is okay. I honestly wish I was the father. No matter what, I will be there for the both of you for as long as you will let me. I will let you decide what I am to your child, though, so I will follow your lead today.”
With those words, he just melted my heart. I wish he were the father too. Today, I won’t even cross that subject unless I need to, I just need to make sure that the little one is okay. But I do let James know what he just did to my heart.
“James, you have no idea what your words mean to me. I so wish things were different, but your words make me fall even deeper for you. I love you, James.”
He takes my hand in his, and we ride the rest of the way in silence except for me giving him directions.
Once I am checked in and have filled out all the new paperwork, my name is called. I feel the hesitation from James if he should stay in the waiting room or come with me, so I take his hand and lead him back with me. I go through the normal routine before being led to a room. Once we are in the room, I am directed to get on the table and have my vitals taken and also the nurse takes measurements of my stomach. Not too long after the nurse leaves, the doctor comes into the room with the ultrasound tech behind her with her machine.
“Hi, Kat, I’m Dr. Johnson. How are you doing today?”
“I really am feeling good. I’m ready to get off bedrest and back to normal as long as I can before the baby comes.”
“Well, everything else is looking good. Let’s get you lying back so I can take a look.”
Dr. Johnson feels my stomach, lets me know that my uterus feels like we are measuring correctly, and then she brings the tech over to take a look inside. She puts the cold gel on my stomach and starts the machine and running the wand across my stomach. Before too long, I hear the heartbeat, and it is a strong one. I take a look over at James, and he looks like he is getting teary eyed as he stares at the machine. A few minutes go by and the tech stops looking. She brings Dr. Johnson over and points at a few images she had taken.
“Kat, from what I see here it looks like the tear that was there has healed on its own. That is great news. On to other matters. It is usually a bit soon, but would you like to know the sex of your baby? We seem to have gotten a clear shot today”
I look over to James, and he has a huge smile on his face, and I know in that moment he is the father that matters in this baby’s life. He catches my eye and he nods. He really reminds me of a giddy schoolgirl with his expression on his face.
“Yes, Dr. Johnson, we want to know.”
I catch the surprised look on James’ face when he realizes I have said we, not I, but I continue to go with the flow of the appointment.
“Well, Kat, you are measuring at eighteen weeks and four days now, and from the picture we have captured here today, you are going to have a little girl. Congratulations.”
The tears are instant the moment she says what I will be having. I look over to James, and he has tears in his eyes too. I’m going to have a little girl.
“A girl. I am going to have a girl.”
“Yes, Kat, you will be having a girl,” Dr. Johnson says with a slight chuckle to her tone. “Kat, I want you to know that the tear is healed, and I will take you off bedrest, but I still don’t want you to lift anything or do too much. Before you even ask, yes you may have sexual relations but try not to be, what’s the word I’m looking for? I guess aggressive.” She laughs.
“Thank you, Dr. Johnson. I am so excited, and I will be careful in all areas suggested.”
We head out of the office after checking out, and when we get to James’ car he turns me around and kisses me hard and fast he takes my breath away. When he pulls away, he just looks at me with a smirk on his face. “A girl who will be as beautiful as her mother,” he says.
He helps me get into the car, and we head toward home. When he pulls behind the alley to park, we get out, and again, he takes me in his arms and kisses me, this time not fast and hard, but still with all of his emotions pouring out into this kiss. When he pulls away, he settles his hands on my cheeks and looks right into my eyes.
“Kat, I need to close up the shop tonight, and I need to get some work done before that in my office. I want you to go and celebrate with Bren, and tomorrow you are mine. I wish I didn’t have to work, but I do. Will you be okay, or would you like me to walk you up to your place?”
“I will be fine, James, go do your work, and I’ll go find Bren. I will see you tomorrow, just let me know what time.”
James pulls me into his arms and hugs me. When he pulls away, he kisses me on the forehead—his signature kiss for me. He pulls away, and reluctantly, we head in separate directions.
James
We are back to reality minus a few people who needed to be gone.
Once I get the
drawer figured out from the day before when I had to take off, I am free to make my calls. I have a plan, and I need help.
I dial Jackson, and he answers immediately, “James, is everything okay?”
“Everything is fine, I just need a favor or two. I am planning on asking Kat to move in with me tomorrow, and I plan on taking her to the park where I made her come home with me after that party I told you about. Bring a picnic lunch and everything just a nice date day but I need help in my place. I want to change my guest room into a nursery but not decorate it now just get the crib, changing table, and the comfiest chair possible. I won’t have any time to do that then I want to bring her back and have the place all set with candles and a romantic dinner catered. I don’t trust anyone else to help me. Do you have any guys in town still that would help and can get the place set up and let the caterers in?”
“Max is still in town; I think he has a thing for your girl’s friend Bren. Why don’t I call Max and then have him get a hold of Bren and then they can work together to get it all set up? Who do you want to bring the food? And any idea what furniture you want? You just worry about the date during the day, and we will get the rest taken care of.”
“Thanks, Jackson, I like your idea. I was thinking the Old Port Bistro for food. I also got a Tiffany bracelet when I was in New York for her. I want to marry this girl, and I will one day, but right now I want her to have a place that is safe for both her and the baby with enough room. I will send you a link to the furniture I want so you can pass it along. I’m sure Bren will have fun with this. I just feel bad about asking her to move out on Bren, but I think she will understand. Well, I hope so.”
“You got it, James, I’ll have Max call Bren to get it all set up. You just worry about your date; come back to your place around six tomorrow.”
“Sounds great, thanks, man.” I get off the phone with Jackson and go out into the shop. I am greeted by Bren and Kat standing at the counter.
“Hey, ladies, I thought I sent you to celebrate with Bren, Kat?”
“We are celebrating. I needed my one coffee allowed each day, and then we are finally going to go shopping and maybe even buy a baby girl outfit.”
Bren pipes in at this point, “I’m so excited I’m going to have a little niece. Time to spoil her.” She is bouncing on the balls of her feet clapping her hands together with as much as excitement as anyone else. This time of day I have another girl working and Bren questions it, “Hey, by the way, where is Jayce? I haven’t seen him in a few days?”
Kat and I both look at each other and decide in just one look that we need to tell Bren what happened. So I suggest we head back to my office to talk and hopefully not ruin the day for her and Kat.
“Bren, we have to tell you about what happened and who took Kat the other day. It wasn’t just Trent; Jayce was involved, actually he was the mastermind behind it. I know I told you about my family while I was trying to keep Kat safe, but apparently my dad had hired Jayce’s dad as his right-hand man, and when things went down and my dad died his dad lost it and killed himself. Jayce blamed me, and even though Trent wasn’t on the payroll anymore to hurt Kat, Jayce put him on his. Trent grabbed Kat and Jayce brought them to Boston. Jayce and Trent won’t be coming back, ever.”
“Oh, my God. I can’t believe it. Jayce never mentioned anything like that. Wow,” was Bren’s response.
“I know you liked him, Bren. I’m sorry it ended up being this way.” Kat leans over and gives her best friend a hug.
“That explains a lot, though. I thought Jayce was still into Kat with the amount of questions he would ask me about her. I guess it makes sense now. Too bad; he was kinda cute.”
We all laugh at that. Bren takes that information a lot better than I thought she would. I send the girls out to enjoy the celebration of Kat having a little girl and go about the rest of my day doing what I can in the shop since we were now short an employee. I close up for the night, do the drawer, and then lock up and head up to my apartment. Once settled in, I text Kat about tomorrow.
James: Be ready by 11
Kat<3: Okay Luv U Night
James: Love you too Night
I get ready for bed and introduce my head to a pillow.
Katarina
After we left The Java, Bren and I finally headed to Target to get some of the things we have been talking about to decorate the apartment. When we got there, she received a text she wouldn’t tell me about, but I saw her sly smile on her face. I figured if she wanted me to know she would tell me.
About an hour later, we are walking out the door and to the car. Next stop we make is a drive away. We drive over to the outlets in Freeport and do some baby shopping. I am so beyond excited to be having a little girl. I have had so many different emotions over this pregnancy, but now I think that I am completely ready to take on the challenge. It would be nice to be raising a baby in more than a loft apartment with my best friend, and I worry that a baby will be too much for Bren to handle once she arrives. We will just have to see what happens then, but right now, I am going to get my baby shopping on and enjoy and celebrate.
We walk into the first baby store we can find, and Bren is like a mad woman running around and looking at all the kid’s clothes. Picking things up, saying how tiny and cute they all are.
I walk over to a display of newborn clothes and pick up this amazingly soft pink jumper and decide that this is what I need to get her. There is also a matching headband that goes with it, and I decide I will splurge and buy both things. When I look over at Bren, she has her arms full and looks at me with a what expression on her face.
“I told you I was going to spoil her.”
“That you did, my friend,” I reply with a laugh.
We both check out at the register, and I honestly have no idea what all she bought. Once we are back in her car, it is most definitely dinner time so we decide to go grab some food at the local chowder house in Freeport. Once we are seated and get comfortable, we can finally talk about everything that has been going on.
“Bren, you sure you are okay? I had a feeling that Jayce and you might start to date. I know you liked him more than a friend.”
“Kat, you are right, I honestly thought that we might be heading somewhere, but obviously I was wrong, he was using me to get to you and James. I will be okay. He was just a guy. I am more concerned with you. Are you sure you are all right? I see the sad look in your eyes sometimes.”
“Bren, I am sad sometimes, but I will be okay. It just sucks that I finally find a guy like James who has been by my side when I let him be and he isn’t even the dad. I see it in his eyes too he wants to be the dad. When we were at the doctor’s office and they asked me if I wanted to know the sex I said yes we would. It scares me how much I see him as the dad, but he hasn’t run away with any of what I told him and he is still here by my side, as if he was the dad. Bren, what do I do? I don’t know what happened to Trent, nor do I want to, but when this baby is born, what do I do? I can’t list the dad as Trent, and I can’t list James as the dad, either, can I?”
“Kat, I would just leave off the father’s information on the birth certificate. You and James aren’t married, and what happens if you two spit up? Just be the only parent on the certificate, it will make things a lot easier, and then if you get married down the road, you can have James adopt your baby girl.”
“Kat, this is why you are my best friend. You seriously always know what to say to me.”
We get our food and eat, and then once we are finished, head back toward Portland and our little apartment. It has been a long day, and I am tired. Once we get home and lug all of the bags upstairs, we get into jammies and put on a movie. Soon after the movie starts, I get a text from James telling me what time to be ready tomorrow and Bren also gets a series of text messages. I end up saying goodnight to James while Bren is sitting there texting away with a goofy grin on her face. This is the look of a girl plotting something. At this point in the day, I am way too tired
to care and head toward my room.
“Goodnight, Bren. Love ya.”
“Night, Kat.” She barely looks up at me when she says it. I close the door set an alarm and go to bed.
The next morning, I wake up and stretch. I pick up my phone and notice I have a text message.
James<3: Good Morning. See you at 11
I shoot back a quick reply.
Kat: I’ll be ready.
Then I notice the time and I rush out of bed and run toward the bathroom to shower. My alarm didn’t work today of all days. I have an hour to get ready; I can’t believe I slept that long. Once I’m out of the shower, I grab clothes to get dressed. I try and put on my favorite jeans, and they won’t fit. Since I have been on bedrest, I have been wearing yoga pants that stretch, and now I realize I have nothing I can wear except a dress. I hope until I can go and get some new maternity clothes. I find the least form-fitting dress—a maxi dress—and it fits. Thank God for that. I’ve never been too into the whole makeup and hair thing so I call for Bren to help me.
“Bren, you out there? I need your help.”
A perky Bren comes bounding into my room fully dressed for the day and giddy. I’ve started to wonder what is going on with her between her expression last night with the text messages and today’s behavior. Bren is never this energetic and giddy about anything.
“What do you need my help with, Kat?”
“James is picking me up in about thirty minutes, and I need help with hair and makeup. Can you help?”
“Sure, what are you two up to today? Oh, my God, where did that belly come from?”
“First, I have no idea what we are doing, and second, I know; I have no real clothes that fit me anymore. I need to go shopping for new stuff A.S.A.P.”
The Night He Saved Me Page 16