Uncovering Stone

by T. Saint John

  “Water for me also,” I respond.

  “What’s up with the water orders?” Maddox ask.

  “Baby number two is on the way,” Evan proudly blurts out, and the whole gang stops talking and looks at me. I feel like the spotlight is on me, so I break the silence.

  “What?” I ask, acting all innocent.

  “Wow, I’m...shocked,” says Kerrigan. As my long time best friend, she of all people knows I never wanted children.

  “Well you shouldn’t be. You can’t have sex with a Stone brother and not get knocked up,” I say jokingly. I turn to Molly, who looks like she’s about to cry. Did something happen with her baby? I take the cue and announce that I need to go to the restroom. The girls immediately recognize our code for ‘We need to gossip’, so they all excuse themselves and follow me into the bathroom.

  Evan

  I can’t believe how easy it was for me to announce that I was going to be a father again. And I’m excited that I get to be a part of this next pregnancy. I missed so many things with Harper and so I get to see and understand what Alani went through during her pregnancy. Her comeback to Kerrigan’s response was hilarious, and probably on point. If Kerrigan didn’t have such a traumatic delivery resulting in a hysterectomy, I’m certain she would have popped out another one already and be on pace to carry baby number three right now.

  “Alright I’m going to get the drinks,” says Brayden. “No kids talk for the rest of the night.”

  “Sounds good to me,” I concur.

  “Molly will have a Corona,” Noah says.

  “Got it,” says Brayden as he walks away from the table.

  “You and Molly fighting?” Maddox asks Noah.

  “No, why?”

  “She looked upset when she left the table,” Maddox says.

  “Well I noticed she’s been emotional the past few days. We aren’t fighting though. In fact, I think I made her very happy,” Noah says proudly.

  “You sure about that? She looked pissed to me.”

  “Oh, I’m sure. I started feeling bad for constantly pressuring her to have another baby, and she kept telling me that we were done having kids, so I took it upon myself to have a vasectomy,” Noah explains.

  “You dumbass. Did you even talk to her about it?” I ask.

  “Why would I need to? It was a no-brainer,” says Noah confidently. “I mean, what was I thinking asking her for another kid? We’re both exhausted all the time because four boys are a lot to handle. And you know what? It was the best decision ever. I decided to surprise her with the good news by getting rid of all our baby stuff.”

  “Well, congratulations. I guess we’re all here to celebrate you getting neutered?” I jest.

  “Thanks, jackass,” Noah says, glaring at me. “Don’t worry, you’re next.”

  “No, I’m not. If Alani doesn’t want more kids, she can get herself snipped.”

  “Alright, I said no kids talk,” Brayden says, setting a tray of drinks down on the table.

  “Actually, that’s exactly what we’re doing. We’re having a ‘no kids’ talk, as in Noah just got his balls snipped,” I casually say to Brayden, who starts laughing.

  The girls make their way back to the table as Brayden hands out the drinks to everyone.

  “I told you I wanted water,” Molly snaps at Noah.

  I look at Alani, and the expression on her face pretty much says it all—Molly’s pregnant. Yup, Noah is in deep shit, but he doesn’t know it yet because he’s busy talking to Maddox. He does, however, take notice that Molly has handed her beer to Kerrigan.

  “Is something wrong?” Noah asks.

  “Isn’t it obvious?” she retorts.

  “What is it?” Noah asks.

  “I married a clueless moron.”

  “Wait, you really are mad at me?” he asks, looking confused, and I can’t help but laugh. Noah is about to get his ass chewed and I’m glad I have front row seats to this smackdown.

  “Yes, you idiot. Who gets a surprise vasectomy? Who gives away all the infant furniture without asking their wife?”

  “I thought it would make you happy.”

  “Well, it doesn’t. And now, we have to buy all brand new crap,” Molly says irritatedly. I’m just staring at Noah’s face, waiting for it to dawn on him. Maddox and I crack up as Noah’s face finally registers what everyone already knows.

  “You’re pregnant?” Noah asks, completely astounded.

  “Yes! And then, you go on and on about how excited you are to start the next chapter of our lives and how you look forward to being able to sleep through the night. Newsflash, you had your balls cut a couple of weeks too late.”

  “Told you it was stupid to do without asking your wife,” I say, adding salt to his wounds.

  “Oh shut up, Evan,” Alani chimes in. “You made me take a shower after we had sex to ensure I wouldn’t get pregnant.” She turns to Molly and says, “They’re idiots. All of them.”

  Noah bursts out laughing. “And you called me a dumbass?” The entire table gets a good laugh at my expense. Months ago, I would’ve been pissed off at being the butt of the joke, but now I join in the laughter. Watching Noah and Molly bicker like husband and wife for years has been thoroughly entertaining, and it’s even funnier when she puts him in his place. And now, I just got a taste of what their life is like. I’m a lucky man.

  Chapter 26

  Evan

  I’m out to dinner with Alani and Harper at the same Italian restaurant where I first took Alani before her high school reunion. It’s also the same place I took Harper on her first Valentine’s Day date. I’m getting anxious as dinner is coming to an end, since I plan to propose to Alani tonight. I asked Kerrigan and Molly to go ring shopping with me yesterday because I didn’t want to waste any more time before asking Alani to marry me. I know things are moving quickly, but I can no longer wait for Alani to be my wife. I’ve already waited four years—maybe even longer.

  “You ready to go?” Alani inquires. I think she’s tired of apologizing every four or five minutes to the waiters and everyone else around us for Harper’s behavior. Now that Harper is eating table food, she’s unable to get through a meal without wearing it—or worse, throwing it. Realizing this isn’t the time nor the place for the proposal to happen, I help speed things along by requesting the check. I reach into my pocket to grab enough cash to pay for dinner, as well as an overly generous tip to our waiter, who took spaghetti noodles to the face. I don’t think we will be welcome back here for at least a few more years.

  After we arrive home and put Harper down for the night, I invite Alani out to the balcony and she joins me. I can tell she’s still wound up from dinner, so I sit down and place her on my lap. I rub her shoulders until I feel the tension in her muscles release.

  “You know this is only going to get harder,” she remarks, referring to our dining experience with Harper.

  “Yeah...but it’s worth it,” I lazily say. Moving my hand to her stomach, I ask, “How’s my son?”

  “Wow, you’re awfully confident,” says Alani with a smirk.

  “It’s a boy, I know it.” At least, I hope it is. One daughter to worry about is enough.

  “You ready for bed?” Alani inquires, stroking my arm.

  “Not yet,” I reply, moving her off my lap to get up. “Come with me,” I say as I grab her hand and lead her back inside the penthouse.

  “Ok,” she responds with a giggle, unsure what I’m up to.

  “Remember our prom night?” I inquire, letting go of her hand to grab the remote for the MP3 player. I look over to her as I look for the song I want.

  “How could I forget?” she asks with a laugh, pointing to the photo that was taken of us at her reunion. I laugh along with her—I still can’t believe she had that goofy picture enlarged and framed. It now hangs in a prominent spot on our living room wall for everyone to see.

  Finding the song I was looking for, I press play and John Legend’s “All of Me” begins to pl
ay. The lyrics are so fitting for my relationship with Alani that I’ve begun to consider it our song. As I make my way over to her, I say, “If I recall, that was the last time we enjoyed a dance together.”

  “What about Maddox and Kerrigan’s wedding? We danced then,” she reminds me as I take her into my arms.

  “I said enjoyed, woman. That one doesn’t count...I was pissed at you for saying you were only dancing with me as a favor to Maddox,” I explain, holding her close against me and swaying to the music. I chuckle when she gasps and swats me on the arm. She puts her head against my chest and I begin to sing along when the chorus starts. She must be paying attention to the lyrics because I feel her grip me tighter before sniffling. Once the song ends, I pull back to find tears streaming down her face.

  “God, Evan. I didn’t even know you could sing...you have such a beautiful voice,” she compliments, wiping the tears from her eyes. As she tearfully smiles at me, I discreetly take out the ring from my pocket.

  “It’s a hidden talent. It’s so hidden that you’re the only other person that knows about it,” I reveal with a grin. Getting down on one knee and holding on to her hand, I say, “Alani, I’ve kept so much of myself hidden and I never wanted to let anyone in. But I’m ready to change all that. I love you and want to share my life with you. Will you marry me?”

  I hold up the ring in front of her, waiting for her to respond. She gasps in surprise and covers her mouth with her free hand. As tears stream down her face, she starts to nod her head.

  “I’m going to need a verbal answer, I don’t want to misinterpret anything,” I tease.

  “You’re such an ass! Yes. YES! I’ll marry you!” she replies, throwing herself at me and knocking me backwards onto the floor. I laugh and she adds, “I don’t even know why I’m saying yes when you can be such an asshole!”

  “It may have something to do with the fact that I’m intelligent, rich, and dropdead gorgeous with a killer body. Not to mention the multiple orgasms that I can give you whenever you want,” I offer helpfully.

  “Shut up,” she commands, kissing me to prevent me from saying anything else.

  Lani

  I can’t believe I’m getting married. No, scratch that. I can’t believe I want to get married—to Evan, of all people. I never thought it was possible to feel this way, but Evan is the great love of my life. Fighting fate any longer would’ve just been stupid on my part. We talked about our wedding the night he proposed—after all the incredible sex, of course. Evan contacted Jay, Molly’s dad, asking him to preside over our wedding. It was important to Evan since Jay married both Noah and Maddox. I’m here at my parents’ hotel to ask them if we can use one of their ballrooms—soon. I’m not showing yet, but I don’t want to wait and wind up looking like a cow in my wedding photos. So we’re hoping to marry soon. When I see my parents, I get emotional. They’re the best grandparents to Harper.

  “So when’s the wedding?” asks my dad, coming in for a hug.

  “How did you know?” I respond, surprised.

  “Evan came to see me to get my blessing,” he replies with a smile.

  “Well that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I wanted to know if you have a ballroom that will be available for us to use. Soon...we don’t want to waste any time.”

  “They’re always booked on the weekends, but they’re free during the week,” he informs me.

  “Ok. Any time works for us. Jay will be marrying us and he’s coming up tomorrow. So maybe Thursday?” I inquire, hopefully.

  “Sounds good. I’m so happy for you, honey,” my dad says, trying to hold back his tears.

  “Thanks, Dad.” I reply, becoming emotional. Damn pregnancy hormones have me crying at the drop of a hat these days.

  “Alani?” Mom says, getting my attention.

  “Yeah, Mom?”

  “Can I give you some advice?”

  “Sure.”

  “Don’t make the same mistakes your father and I did. We worked so hard trying to give you and Nick the world that we realized too late that it wasn’t what you two wanted or needed from us. I’m sorry we missed out on so much of your lives,” Mom tells me tearfully. It breaks my heart to hear her words.

  “Nick and I know you love us. We never questioned it. It was hard to understand while we were growing up, but I get it now. Everyone wants to give their child the world, but everybody does things differently. But now you have Harper and she loves her mam and pap—so will the one that’s on his or her way.”

  “You’re pregnant?” Dad asks joyfully.

  “Yes, about six weeks,” I announce happily.

  “Well, I can’t wait to vacation with them to Hawaii,” Mom says, hugging me.

  “You’re not moving?” I question.

  “No, but we’ll be frequently vacationing there with our grandkids!” Dad answers excitedly. That did it. I start bawling, knowing my parents are making an effort to be more involved in my kids’ lives than they were in mine.

  Evan

  I’m standing in a hotel suite with my brothers and we’re about to head down to the ballroom, where I’ll finally marry Alani. I’m not the least bit nervous—impatient might be a better word. I’m chomping at the bit, not wanting to wait another second. I hear the door open and turn to see Noah and Maddox greeting Jay.

  “Congratulations,” Jay tells me, extending his hand to shake mine.

  “Thanks,” I reply, firmly shaking his hand.

  “I can’t say I’m surprised to hear she’s pregnant. You Stone boys have a habit of doing things backwards,” Jay teases good-naturedly. He adds, “I’m still holding out hope that my grandsons and granddaughter will do things in the right order and marry first.”

  It means so much to Maddox and me that Jay and Annie stepped up to be grandparents to our children as well as Noah’s. Last Christmas, each of our children received a hand-knitted reindeer sweater and a small toy. They weren’t big or expensive gifts, but we treasured and appreciated them like they were. We don’t need the materialism—it’s not what we want for our children. We want them to feel loved and thought about—something my brothers and I missed out on when we were kids.

  Lani

  As I walk down the aisle on my father’s arm, I focus on Evan, who’s standing and waiting for me at the end. He looks sinfully hot in his black tux. And the look in his eyes says he wants me. I feel so incredibly blessed that a man like Evan would even want me, let alone, forever. I take a moment to look at the few guests who happen to all be in our wedding party. We didn’t go big, it’s just our regular group of friends and family. I wouldn’t want to share this moment with anyone who weren’t such a big part of our lives.

  When I finally reached Evan, my father lets go of my arm and hands me over to Evan. I hear our friends laugh as Evan leans down to kiss me on the lips. It’s quick, but passionate. When he pulls back slightly, he quietly tells me, “One last kiss as boyfriend and girlfriend.”

  “You just couldn’t wait until the end, could you?” I ask, rolling my eyes at him.

  “Nope,” he replies with a big grin. We make our way in front of Jay, who just smiles at us and starts his speech. When it’s finally time for our vows, Kerrigan slips me a tissue.

  “Alani, before you came along, marriage was never an option. But from the moment you caught my eye, I wanted you. You stirred a fire in me that nobody else ever had or ever could. You became my obsession that turned into something more. You’ve marked me forever and you’re always mine, no matter what,” Evan pauses briefly, giving me a wink. I smile at the reference to his tattoos. He then continues, “You gave me what I never wanted, but needed in my life, and for that, I will be eternally grateful. There’s no one else I’d rather share my life with or spend the rest of my life arguing with. Today, I give you all of me, and I can’t wait to see what life has in store for us. I love you, Alani.”

  “Evan, I know our relationship hasn’t always been easy. It took so long for me to finally open up and let you in
. You’ve helped me overcome so many things in my life and were always there for me. Thank you for being patient with me. For showing me love even when I was unbearable. For saving me when I was lost. For being strong when I was weak. For continuing to love me when I pushed you away. For never giving up on me and making me see that what I was looking for was standing in front of me the whole time. Thank you for making us a family, and thank you for loving our beautiful daughter.” I had so much more to say, but I feel tears starting to form in my eyes. I decide to stop there and just gaze into the eyes of the most perfect man I’ve ever seen. I feel the strength and love coming from him, and I say, “I love you, Evan.”