Breaking Karma
Page 16
“Eh … not so much, baby brother,” John said. I turned around to look at him and grinned. In his hand was his phone, and on the screen was a person on video chat. “Say hello to Fox News.”
The media loved a good scandal, and they were going to have a field day with this one.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
GABBY
My jaw hung open the entire time Dalton told me about Edith and their setup. I was stretched out on the couch, my feet resting comfortably on his lap, while he told me the whole story.
“Wow,” I finally drew out, when he finished. “I can’t believe all of them got together and planned something like that. Murder. That took some serious thought and balls. With that many people involved, someone was bound to let something slip.” My stomach twisted in disgust. “Was it really worth it? To take a woman’s life?”
He wrapped his hand around my ankle and slowly began to massage my foot. “Love, money, and jealousy can do that to people, babe.”
I shuddered. “Not to everyone.”
I noticed the burden lifted from his shoulders the minute he strolled through the front door an hour ago. I could tell something had changed, and that something was good – but I hadn’t been expecting all of that.
“Now that this shit show is over, I don’t even know what to do with our time,” I said, with a chuckle. “So much of our relationship has been wrapped up around John’s scandal and then Ivy’s death. It’s going to be weird not to think about it constantly.”
His hand elevated over my ankle and up my thigh. “Oh, my love. I’m sure we can find plenty of other things to do with our time.”
I raised a brow and slightly opened up my legs. “Oh really? What do you have in mind?”
My eyes stayed glued to his hand as it slid between my thighs and then underneath the hem of my shorts. He looked over at me, a boyish grin on his face. “If you want me to have fun with you, babe, you better give me more than that.”
I grinned and obliged, opening up wider to give him better access. I was already throbbing between my legs, aching for his touch. I gasped when he slipped a finger inside of me. I let him get a few thrusts in, feeling the pressure build up, and then grabbed his wrist.
He looked at me in confusion. I pulled away, stepped off the couch, and stood in front of him. “You’ve had a hard day,” I said. “Let me make you feel good.” He grunted when I pushed him back against the couch and fell to my knees.
His mouth parted. “I think this will make even the shittiest day better,” he said. His eyes were glued to me, watching as I slowly slid his zipper down and then his pants, along with his boxer briefs.
His cock was already hard, a bit of pre-cum resting on the tip. I licked my lips before tightly wrapping them around him. I looked up at him to see his eyes drinking me in, watching me as I moved his rock hard cock in and out of my mouth. He shuddered when I circled my tongue around the tip.
“Yes,” he groaned out. “This is amazing.” He bit into his lip. “But now, it’s time to stop. I want to finish inside of you.”
I gave him one last lick and then slowly released it. It took him a minute to catch his breath. I gasped when he jumped to his feet, grabbed my waist, and bent me over the couch.
This was my second favorite place for him to give it to me.
I arched my back when he patiently slid inside of me.
“Is this much better than work?” I asked, looking back at him.
“So much damn better,” he replied, with a grunt.
“Then fuck me as hard as you work.”
I lost my breath with the first thrust. It was amazing with him every single time. He wrapped his arm around my waist and pounded in and out of me, telling me how much he loved me with every pump, until we were both a hot, panting mess.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
DALTON
“I couldn’t sleep last night,” I said, swerving into a parking spot. “I’ve been waiting for this day for what seems like forever.” I was trying to hide my anticipation, but my heart was racing like a jackhammer. I was going to remember this for the rest of my life.
Gabby let out a deep sigh before looking over at me with a smile. “I know, right? If someone told me a year ago that this is what I’d be doing, I would’ve laughed in their face.” She gestured out the window. “But here we are.”
It was the same with me. I’d been freshly graduated from law school with building my career being my only priority.
She laughed and looked down at her phone when it chimed. “Cora wants me to Facetime her,” she told me.
“Right now?”
“No, when we go in.”
I chuckled. “Babe, we are not Facetiming your best friend during the ultrasound.”
Her fingers typed away on the screen. “I know. That’s what I’m trying to tell the pain in my ass, but the girl doesn’t listen.”
All of Gabby’s friends had left for college, and I was thankful I had more time to spend with her after quitting my dad’s firm. I’d been afraid she’d get lonely, but getting ready for the baby seemed to take up all of our time – which I was completely okay with.
My dad said I was an idiot for quitting and throwing away my chance of someday taking over the business and I’d never get an opportunity as good as that. I didn’t give a shit. Nowadays, my happiness reigned over my career and money. As long as I was making enough to provide for my family, I was content.
Plus, Leo and I had a plan. We were in the process of starting our own law firm. We’d already been approved for the lease and had people interested in being clients. Before signing any documents, we agreed on one thing: we weren’t taking on the same clientele that our dad did.
Gabby tossed the phone in her bag. “She’ll have to get over it. We’ll record the reveal for her.” She looked over at me, her beautiful eyes meeting mine. My excitement intensified. “You ready?”
I leaned forward and kissed her. “Sure am.”
All of Gabby’s check-ups had been positive. She was healthy. Our baby was healthy. But that didn’t stop me from being a nervous wreck. In the back of my mind, I knew there was always a possibility that something could go wrong. Too much shit had happened in the past year for me to not think about that stuff.
I got out, hurried around the car to open up her door, and helped her out. She was starting to show, and I loved it. The more she grew, the more our baby grew.
I looked down when we got into the room and realized my foot was bouncing. Was this how all expecting dads were? Jesus. I wasn’t even sure what shape I’d be in when she actually had our baby. I’d heard the horror stories, and I prayed to God I wouldn’t be one of those dudes who passed out.
Gabby shivered when Maura, the technician, rubbed the gel over her stomach. I sucked in a breath when she ran the transducer over it. I took Gabby’s hand while I stared at the screen and squeezed it at the sound of our baby’s heartbeat, which had become my favorite sound in the world.
The room was silent while we listened, taking it all in.
“Everything looks great,” Maura said. “You have a healthy baby in there.” She gave us a sincere smile. “Are you waiting to find out the gender?”
Gabby nodded. “We are.”
“But we can change our minds,” I rushed out. Gabby’s eyes narrowed my way when I looked at her. “Can’t we say screw the reveal because I kind of want to know right now? The anticipation is killing me.”
“No,” she replied, sternly.
Maura laughed. “Trust me, you’re not the first expecting parent to say that. Patience is a virtue. You’ll be happy you waited to share the moment with your loved ones.”
***
Four hours later, our condo was packed with friends and family, all of them as excited as we were. My hand was clasped around Gabby’s while we made our way around the room to greet everyone and thank them for coming.
We chose to have a small party, something intimate, and I’d gone all out, sparing no expense,
in hopes of making up for the disastrous baby shower.
My gaze zeroed in on the white frosted cake centered on the long table set up in the dining room. I had to keep stopping myself from rushing over to that damn thing and grabbing the knife to cut into it early.
Gabby leaned into me when I squeezed her side and brought my lips to her ear. “Is it time yet?” I asked.
She smacked my stomach and laughed. “Jesus, I think it’s killing you more than it is me.” I stumbled forward when she pulled me towards the table. The crowd parted and got the hint that it was finally time.
We circled around the table, and everyone came our way.
“Dalton can’t wait another minute,” Gabby announced.
“She’s right,” I added. “So how about we get this party started?”
The crowd responded with claps and smiles. Cameras and phones came out, fully prepared to capture the moment.
I put my hand around Gabby’s when she grabbed the knife.
“You ready?” she whispered.
“I’m more than ready,” I replied.
Time stood still as we cut the cake.
Cheers erupted.
All I saw was pink.
EPILOGUE
2 YEARS LATER
“Oh my god,” Cora screeched, jumping up and down. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
“You?” I said, blowing out a breath. “I can’t believe this is happening. My nerves are on fire. I’m pretty sure I’m about to hyperventilate.”
She came up from behind me in the chair I was sitting in and wrapped her arms around my shoulders. “Relax. It’s your big day.”
“I’m only hoping it doesn’t end up the same way my last big day did.”
“Are you talking about the baby shower?” Daisy asked, sitting across from me while the hairdresser finished up her hair. I nodded. “Girl, that is history. You’ve had plenty of big days since then. You and your man have been drama free for years. You have the perfect family, and the firm seems to really be taking off.”
Daisy was right. After the news broke about who’d been in on Ivy’s murder and their attempt to frame us, everything seemed to calm down. Harold had received a life sentence for his part in the murder. Malcolm and Edith both ended up with thirty years each, with the help of their big shot attorneys. David got off easier, with only three years of prison time and the loss of his badge for helping Harold with the cover up. Even after two years passing, it still baffled me at what they’d done.
Our baby girl was born on the day of Edith’s sentencing. Karlee Nicole Douglas came into the world weighing seven pounds and eight ounces. I was in labor for six hours, and it definitely was as excruciating as everyone said it was going to be – but completely worth it.
Cora helped me out of my chair and I grabbed my dress from the hanger. “You look so perfect,” she said, her and Daisy helping me into it. “He’s seriously going to die when he sees you.”
I turned around to look at myself in the mirror. I’d spent hours searching for the perfect gown, and I knew in that moment that I’d chosen the right one. Beautiful lace and silk made up the sleeveless, A-line dress, and the veil hit just below my waist.
“The most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen.” I looked back to see my mom coming into the room, tears already falling down her cheeks.
“Mom,” I yelled. “You’re not supposed to be crying yet!”
More tears fell. “I can’t help it!”
I sucked in a breath, hoping it would help me hold back my own tears. “You crying will cause me to cry – which will mess up my fresh makeup.”
She laughed. “Of course that’s what you’re worried about.”
“It’s time for us to go out there,” Cora said. “I’ll see you out there when you become Mrs. Douglas.” Her and Daisy gave me hugs before walking out the door.
“You ready?” my mom asked.
I sucked in a deep breath. “I’m ready.”
She took my hand and led me out the door. It was warm out, but the weather was perfect. Kenneth was waiting for me outside the door. He took my arm, and my mom scurried to her seat.
“I’m honored to do this,” Kenneth said.
“Thank you. I’m so glad you’re the one doing it.” I answered.
The music started, and our steps were slow as he led me down the aisle. Everyone’s eyes were on me, but I only looked straight ahead at him. I could feel the moisture building up in my eyes as I got closer to Dalton. His face was red and blotchy, and I could tell he was holding back tears as much as I was.
Kenneth released me, and Dalton took my hand when I reached him.
“Wow,” Dalton whispered. “This is my life, and it’s perfect. Thank you for it a hundred times happier.”
“No, thank you for showing me I can be loved,” I whispered back.
“You’re amazing. You saved and changed me into a better person. There are a million reasons why I’m marrying you. There are a million things I love about you.” He took my shaking hands and cupped them in his. “You’re beautiful and the strongest woman I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. You’re an incredible mother. I can’t wait to find out a million other reasons why I love you as my wife.”
I took a deep breath, feeling the sweat between our fingers, when the priest stepped up to start the ceremony.
The tears started before he was even finished.
Shoot, half of the audience was crying when we headed back down the aisle, this time as Mr. and Mrs. Douglas. Dalton scooped up Karlee, our flower girl, in his arms.
We were one.
***
“Thank you for coming everyone,” Dalton yelled, standing up from our table at the head of the room.
I looked through the crowd at the reception and smiled. People I’d expected to be at my wedding were there, along with some others who I’d never thought years ago.
My mom was at my side, the brightest smile on her face. Kenneth was there, along with my bridesmaids – Daisy, Cora, and Piper. Yes, Piper, who had tried to make my life a living hell in high school. But she’d apologized. We moved on and were actually getting along really well.
She wasn’t the only one coming around. Sitting next to Dalton was his mom, who’d finally divorced Wilson and became a much happier person. And next to her was Leo, Dalton’s best man.
I waved at Asher, who was sitting across from us with his new girlfriend, Liza. He hadn’t graduated from college yet and already had NFL teams scouting him out. He called me last week and told me he was planning on popping the question to Liza.
I looked to the next table where Patrick and Marissa were sitting. We’d really gotten to know each other, and I was there for them after the news broke about their mom being involved in Ivy’s murder. I’d contemplated inviting John, but decided against it. Even though two years had passed, I still didn’t feel there with him yet.
“Oh, and by the way,” Dalton went on. He took my hand and helped me up. “I’m going to be a daddy again!” He threw our arms up. “Whoo!” He grabbed my face and kissed me.
Jaws dropped. Cheers erupted. A smile broke out along everyone’s lips, mine being the biggest. I looked over at my husband. Damn, it felt good saying that, and my stomach fluttered at the excitement on his face.
We’d been trying to hold off on getting pregnant until after the wedding, but we couldn’t keep our hands off each other lately. Just the thought of us being something bigger – husband and wife – seemed to jack up our hormones.
It might have started out too early. Our ride might’ve been rocky. Unplanned situations happened. But no matter what, I wouldn’t have traded it for the world.
My heart and life was complete.
Take that, karma.
Beneath
Our Faults
Charity Ferrell
Copyright © 2014 by Charity Ferrell
All rights reserved.
This book is copyrighted under copyright laws.
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This book is fiction. Real events, people, places, or incidents are the product of the author’s imagination and are used fictionally. Any resemble to locales, actual events, persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
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Table of Contents
Prologue
Daisy
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Keegan
Chapter Six
Daisy
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Keegan
Chapter Nine
Daisy
Chapter Ten
Keegan
Chapter Eleven
Daisy
Chapter Twelve
Keegan
Chapter Thirteen
Daisy
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Keegan
Chapter Sixteen
Daisy
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Keegan
Chapter Nineteen
Daisy
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four