Ridge

by Scott, S. L.

  He pulls a shirt over his head and glances at me. “I like when your lips are bold.”

  “Cheeky.”

  When he rolls his eyes, I laugh. I love that I’m rubbing off on him. He asks, “How long until your British-isms wear off this time?”

  “I hear the snark. I might hold on to them just to torture you, love.” I let my voice lilt up at the end just to add to my point. “I’m giving them one more day to deliver my luggage before I start throwing a fit.”

  “It’s all replaceable.”

  In the bathroom, I drop my head, sucker punched. “Damn it. Darcy just gave me a new Vivian Westwood dress and my Louboutin heels were in there.”

  Standing in the doorway, unfortunately dressed, he leans against it, and says, “It’s. All. Replaceable. So don’t stress. If they find it—great. If they don’t, we can buy all new stuff.” He kisses my cheek before sitting on the edge of the tub.

  I start putting on lipstick while he watches. Turning toward him, I ask, “How do I look?”

  “You’re making it hard to leave this room.”

  “Good.” I kick out my hip and walk with a wiggle out of the bathroom.

  * * *

  By the end of the meal, I’m stuffed and about to bust the button on my jeans, but when I look next to me, I’m relieved to see Dave isn’t faring much better by how he’s rubbing his stomach. Italian food. “I’ll be working this off for a week.”

  Dave says, “I’m so tired from traveling that this pasta is gonna knock me out for the night.”

  His mom laughs, smiling with pride just from looking at her son. “When do you fly back to LA?”

  Dave glances at me and then reaches over to hold my hand—on top of the table for all to see. He does his best to blend in like any other patron of the restaurant, but with his movie star good looks and the charisma he exudes, he still gets unwanted attention. “We’re in no hurry. Once I’m back, I’ll be back in the studio. We want some time together just the two of us.”

  His dad asks, “Why did you decide to meet in Austin?”

  “Why did we?” I ask, leaving it to him to reply.

  Dave says, “Neutral territory. As much as I knew the decisions we had made, I wanted to make sure Meadow made them where she would feel comfortable.”

  Leaning forward, I tease, “And he wanted me to help him finally clean out his apartment.” That garners a good laugh, but I think we’re all tired at this point. His mom is still following her treatments, but she looks better than ever with more energy and a smile that isn’t put on for anyone. It just shines from the inside.

  We hug them goodbye, but his mom whispers, “Take care of him.”

  I intend to with my entire heart and life on the line. I will love this man with all I have to give. “I will.”

  “You ready?” Dave asks.

  “My whole life.”

  * * *

  “I tend to talk a lot on flights,” I warn him. “It’s a nervous habit. I blurt things out like they’re everyone’s business.”

  Dave chuckles, and his hand tightens around mine. “You have nothing to be nervous about, but if you do want to talk, I like listening to you.”

  “You had me at Ding Dongs, so the rest is just gravy you’re laying on me at this point.”

  “I’m happy to lay on you. Ever hear of the mile-high club?”

  After sleeping in, eating, talking about everything, laughing, making love, and making the most of this reunion for over a week, I purse my lips and narrow my eyes at him. “I have, but you better not be a member.”

  “No, but we can initiate each other if you want.”

  “It’s a tempting offer until I think of how small and gross the bathrooms on planes are.”

  “Good point.”

  I suck in a hard breath, my hand going over my heart. “Speaking of sex—”

  His head whips to the sides to see if anyone heard. “Meadow, you’re so loud.” His laughter makes me laugh.

  I grab my bag from the floor reflexively, but stop myself from digging through it. “Sorry, that’s my nerves.” My tone turns frantic. “I just realized something.” Oh my God. Do I tell him now? On a plane? Or wait?

  “What?” When I don’t answer, he sits Forward and asks, “What’s wrong?”

  “My pills.” My gaze goes up as I try to remember the last time I took one. “Dave, I have to tell you something.”

  “Okay.”

  My hand covers my mouth and the realization sets in.

  He leans in, panic written in his eyes. “What is it? Tell me, Meadow.”

  I slowly look his way, feeling sick to my stomach from what I’ve done. “I . . . I stopped taking my pills in London.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean I stopped taking my pills in London. I ran out of them and needed to get a refill over there, but didn’t.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because I wasn’t going to have sex with anyone, so I figured I’d give my body a break.”

  The same realization I had dawns on him. “You’re not on the pill?”

  “No. I guess I fell out of my pill routine and I’m so used to being with you without using anything else that I didn’t even think about it.” Tears fill my eyes while a lump clogs my throat.

  In a lowered voice, he says, “We’ve had sex like ten times in the past week.”

  “I know. That’s why I’ve been so distracted.”

  “Shit. What are we going to do?”

  The pilot comes over the intercom. “Buckle up and prepare for takeoff.”

  42

  Ridge

  “So now we know you can’t shout that you’re pregnant on a full flight without everyone around us hearing. It’s sort of like yelling anal in a crowded bar. These are a few things we should just keep between the two of us.”

  “Got it. I’ll try to be better, but—” She can’t seem to stop from laughing “It was funny.”

  “Glad you’re in good spirits.”

  She rifles through the drugstore bag and then looks up displeased. “How many tests did you buy?”

  “Five.”

  “Five boxes, but each has two tests.” Pulling out a pack of Ding Dongs, she says, “You do love me. You bought a lot of those too.”

  “Well, you might be eating for—”

  Pointing a finger in my face, she threatens, “Don’t you say it.”

  I take that finger and kiss the tip. “No matter what happens, remember we’re in this together.”

  In the back seat of this SUV, she rests back. “I know I should be freaking out, but I’m not.” Exhaling, she sets the bag on the floorboard. “But there’s nothing I can do in the back of a Suburban.”

  Her calm eases me. I’m not freaking out, but I’m not sure what to think. I haven’t even had a chance to give her the gift. “Except eat a Ding Dong.”

  “True,” she says, unwrapping one. “Bite?”

  I take it and sit back. We’re due to Rivers and Stella’s soon, choosing to stay there instead of the hotel suite. Meadow’s idea of starting new, and she said we’ll look for a new place tomorrow. I have a surprise first, and when I look out the window, we’re getting close.

  Angling toward her, I take her hand, causing her to turn to look at me suddenly. She asks, “What’s up?” sensing my anxiousness.

  “I have something for you.”

  The SUV comes to a stop. I push the remote, and tell the driver, “It’s fine. Go on up.” The gate opens, and we drive up to the house.

  Meadow runs her cherry pendant back and forth on the chain while looking out the window in curiosity. “This isn’t Stella’s house.” Our eyes meet, and she asks, “Where are we?”

  Shit. I didn’t expect to be so nervous. “No, it’s ours.”

  Looking back at the house, her mouth opens, and then her eyes fill with tears, the glassy surfaces reflecting the light that’s coming in. “What do you mean it’s ours?”

  I nod toward the house, and then pop
the door to get out. “Come on. Let me show you around.” Moving around the back of the vehicle, I reach her door and help her out.

  She takes my hand as I lead her toward the front door. “What do you think of the outside?”

  “It’s the most amazing house I’ve ever seen.” She stops before we reach the porch and looks up.

  “It’s modern in architecture, but the front’s not the best part. I like the privacy it provides to the street if anyone looks over the gate.”

  “I like that too, but I love the clean lines. It reminds me of my apartment in that way.”

  “I thought the same. I kept that in mind when I was looking.”

  Squeezing my hand, she asks, “You thought of me?” her voice getting raspy.

  “Always.” Pulling her close again, we move onto the porch, and I open the front door. “Let’s go inside.”

  Holding the door open, she comes in and I hear her suck in a large breath. “Dave?” she says, glancing back at me over her shoulder. “This can’t be ours.”

  I shut the door and follow her further inside the empty home. With my hand on her lower back, I guide her to the wall of windows that overlooks what appears to be all of LA. “I’ve had the offer accepted and put a deposit down. It’s ours if you want it.”

  “It’s not only my decision; it’s ours together.”

  “I love this house because I can see us living here.”

  Turning into me, she starts to cry against my chest. I hold her and kiss her head. “So you’re not mad at me?”

  She laughs through her tears. “Mad? How can I be mad? You picked out a house for us, one that I can tell you had me in mind. I’m not mad, Dave. I’m the happiest woman in the world right now just like you promised.”

  I try to have faith. My mom’s words come back to me. “I bought this house in good faith, the same faith I held on to for us.” Always believe in the possibility. “I always believed in you, but to know you believe in us means everything to me.”

  She lifts up and kisses my chin. “You’re an amazing man.” Her happy bubbles over. “I want the tour. Start with the bedroom.”

  That’s my girl right there.

  After giving her a tour of the kitchen and master bedroom, I show her the last two bedrooms. “The house is only a three bedroom, but we can always move when we need more space.”

  I steal a glimpse of her eyes, catching her peeking up at me. Stepping into the bedroom closest to the master, I say, “I’m not sure what you’re plans are for these rooms, but if we need a . . .” I blow out a breath as the reality of what could be hits me. “A baby room, this one gets nice light.”

  Her hand covers her stomach, but the smile on her face reaches her eyes. “You did all this for me?”

  “No, I did it for us.”

  “But you didn’t know I was coming back until two days ago.”

  “You’re right, but I went to you, and if that meant staying in London, I’d let this house go and put down roots wherever you were in the world.”

  “What about the band?”

  “I would earn a lot of frequent flier miles.”

  She releases a happy sigh looking out the window. Turning around, she rests on the windowsill. “How will I ever give you something as amazing as this?” She still has no clue that she is my world. Her heart, her soul, her mind . . . her body. I had no idea this was how good it could actually feel, that I’d know this level of love, but thank fuck I do. How will she ever give me something as amazing as this? My beautiful sunshine.

  “You already did,” I reply, settling between her legs. I cup her face and lean down to kiss her. “I got you.”

  When we return to the living room, our bags are just inside the door. She rushes to the door and opens it. “The SUV is gone. I don’t want to leave, but we told Stella we’d be there by now. We’re late.”

  “Good thing we live nearby.”

  “We do?” Her green eyes shine with excitement.

  “Figured like Rivers, I’d like to be home instead of commuting across LA.”

  Still peeking outside, she asks, “Why is there a black Range Rover and silver sports car in the driveway?”

  Spinning the keys around my finger, I say, “Want to go for a ride in your new car?”

  “Holy crap! You did not do that.” Running outside, she drags her hand along the spoiler of the sports car. “Can I drive?”

  Wait . . . “The Range Rover, right?”

  Hugging the Porsche, she closes her eyes, enjoying my car a little too much. “Is this my graduation gift because I just fell in love for the second time in my life. Toss me the keys to my new car.”

  My hand tightens around the keys. Damn. I think I just lost out on my new car. I special ordered that loaded Carrera GT, a car I’ve wanted since I laid eyes on it. But I don’t have the heart to tell her differently. “Here you go. She’s,” I say, whimpering, “all yours.”

  She runs in and grabs something from inside with her purse, then runs by and snatches the keys. Jumping in the driver’s seat, she says, “Come on. Let’s go.”

  Shit. I really did lose it, but no way in hell am I taking it away now.

  I fold down into the sexiest car I’ve ever seen and buckle in. She starts the car, but we don’t go anywhere. I watch as she plays with the gear shift, not moving it, but tinkering with it. “You don’t know how to drive a stick shift, do you?”

  Too stubborn to admit the truth, she replies, “I’m a quick learner.”

  Thirty minutes later, we’ve barely reversed twenty feet. There’s no way she’ll be able to turn it around without taking down a tree or two and a large cement planter. After I’ve been cringing while she grinds the gears, she flexes her fingers around the steering wheel, and says, “Fine. You win. I’ll take the Rover.” She cuts the engine and gets out. “But I’m still driving.”

  I park the Porsche and then come around and get in the Rover where she’s waiting on me. As soon as she backs out and turns around in the driveway, she says, “I’m going to learn how to drive a stick shift and then it’s all mine, right?”

  “It’s yours whenever you want it, baby.”

  The gate opens, and she asks, “Which way to Stella’s?”

  I look right. “That way.” She turns onto the street and drives, but I add, “Stop.”

  Startled, she slams on her brakes. “Geez Louise, you scared the crap out of me, babe. What is it?”

  “We’re here.”

  “What do you mean?” Leaning forward, she looks out the windshield. “Oh my God. You did not.”

  “I did.” I pop my imaginary collar.

  “You bought the house next door? To my sister?”

  “I did. Lucky we love it, huh?”

  “I love you.”

  “I know. Now go. We’re already late.”

  The melody of her laughter fills the new SUV, making me the happiest man in the world.

  * * *

  Three hours later, the whole gang is sitting in chairs in the backyard. Stella says, “We can install a gate in the wall over there so we can cut through.”

  “We can do that, right, babe?” Meadow asks, such comfort in her body language. She’s talked about the house and car, me, and even hinted at the major change coming our way.

  Pacing the bathroom upstairs, she says, “Three minutes and then we’ll know.”

  “C’mere.”

  She comes to me, where I’ve been waiting on the bed in the guest room where we were supposed to stay, and sits on my lap. “What if—”

  “No what-ifs. Only why not.”

  “You’re okay if I’m pregnant?”

  “It may not be what we chose to do at this exact moment in time, but maybe it’s part of the master plan for our lives.”

  Her arms loop around my neck. “How are you so wonderful?”

  “I’m nervous because it will be a big change, but there’s nothing I would change about us, so whatever happens, we’ll deal with it.”

  “You wou
ldn’t even redo the desert redo?”

  “Nope. If that didn’t happen, I wouldn’t have you.”

  She kisses me, and then says, “It’s been five minutes.”

  I stand, her feet landing on the floor. Before we go to look at the results of the test in the bathroom, I add, “It doesn’t matter what it says. I love you, and you love me. Together there are no wrongs or rights, mistakes or accidents. Whatever it says, we’re together, and we’ll face everything together from here on out.”

  “I love you.”

  “I love you.” I feel her nerves, so I bring her hand to mouth and kiss it. “Ready?”

  “Never more.”

  Just as I take a big gulp of my beer, Alfie runs outside and announces, “Dad, someone’s pregnant.”

  Beer is spewed everywhere, but not just by me, but by Rivers too. Eyes dart from one person to the next while Hannah runs to Alfie and takes the test from his hands. “Where did you get that?”

  “It was in the trashcan.”

  “Ew. Don’t take things out of the trash.”

  Everyone is dead silent, until a quiet murmur sweeps across the group. Tulsa leans over toward Nikki, and says, “Tell them, darlin’,” just as Rivers says, “Should we say something?” and Meadow says, “Oh my God,” all at the same time.

  My heart stops beating in my chest, and my eyes go wide in astonishment. Meadow stands up and points at her sister. “Are you pregnant?”

  Stella bursts into tears. “I am.”

  Meadow can’t stop saying oh my God as she runs to her sister, and they embrace each other, both now crying. Then she turns to Nikki. “Are you pregnant?”

  Nikki nods, and the women go to her, sobbing to each other. Hannah joins in with tears streaming down her face. I set my beer down and shake Rivers’s hand. “Congrats, man. That’s awesome.”

  “Thanks.”

  Tulsa hugs his brother, and they congratulate each other while Jet joins in the hug fest. Alfie is jumping up and down, singing a song about having cousins when Meadow comes to me. I tuck her under my arm while she’s still crying and kiss her head. “Do you want to say anything?”