by S. E. Law
“Sweetheart,” I begin hoarsely.
But at the sound of my voice, Brynn’s long lashes flutter. Holy shit! Is she reviving? Sure enough, the beautiful woman opens her eyes, revealing that chocolate gaze. She looks over at me and smiles weakly, and my heart leaps.
“What took you so long?” she whispers.
I laugh, more of a choke than a chuckle, and lean over her hands, resting my head on her stomach. I love her so much it hurts and I have her with me again. Now with the baby, we’ll be together no matter what it takes.
10
Brynn
“Come on, Ana,” my dad says to my mom, who’s hovering over Tom and I. “Let’s give them a minute alone.”
She glares at him.
“No, I will not leave me daughter. Anything they say, they say in front of me too.”
“Ana,” my dad admonishes, his mustache quivering.
My mom sighs and gets to her feet.
“I will be right outside the door, mi amore,” she says and leans over to kiss my forehead. “You just holler if you need anything.”
“Thanks Mom,” I whisper.
My voice is hoarse and my throat is dry from the air conditioning. Ana and my father leave the room as Simona grins at me from the corner of my hospital room.
“Tom Masters,” she clucks, shaking her head. “I can’t believe you kept this from me, girlfriend! I’m going to get you back for this.”
She pats Tom on the shoulder and also leaves. He looks a bit uncomfortable, but that’s to be expected. Meanwhile, Tom the kitten is staring at his namesake with adoring eyes, which looks a bit ridiculous since the cat is so small whereas the movie star seems larger than life.
“You found me,” I say, unbelievably happy to see him.
“Of course, I did,” he rumbles. “I’ve missed you.” His face is haggard and there’s so much emotion in his eyes that I almost have to look away. “I’m so sorry Brynn. I never wanted this to happen, and this is all my fault. I wanted you have you space but instead this happens.”
He closes his eyes for a moment, at a loss for words. Then he just looks at me, his blue eyes searing my form. After a second, he reaches out tentatively and tucks a loose curl behind my ear. His finger trails down the side of my neck and I close my eyes at the gentle touch; it’s overwhelming how desperately I miss this man.
“Did I hurt you?” he asks, his voice low and rough.
I shake my head, which makes me dizzy.
“No, I’ve just missed you, Tom.”
“You have?”
“Of course I have, I…”
“I thought you hated me,” Tom interrupts, letting out a shaky exhale. I smile a bit.
“I thought I did for maybe, a minute. You lied to me and I wanted to hate you. After the boat left though, all I wanted was to be with you again. I can’t explain why I feel the way I do about you, but I guess things just are the way they are. You’re so much more than I deserve.”
His laugh interrupts me.
“Are you kidding me?” he asks roughly.
I look up at him, startled, because he sounds angry. His blue eyes are flashing and his face is more serious than I have ever seen it.
“Brynn, I basically kidnapped you after you were lost at sea and you’re saying that don’t deserve me? Honey, it’s me who doesn’t deserve you. You need to see you the way I do. You’re beautiful and strong and kind and sexy. God, you’re sexy. You should be boiling with rage at the fact that I lied to you, but instead, you’re carrying my child, and …”
His breath hitches and oh my god, but the movie star looks like he’s going to cry.
“Yes, I’m having your baby,” I affirm in a tearful whisper.
Tom’s mouth snaps shut. I watch him for one terrified second before he grins at me.
“So I heard.”
“So … you’re alright with that?” I ask, a little afraid to hear the answer. His handsome face breaks out into a wide grin, and I can see how Tom’s smile has sold millions in movie tickets.
“Of course, I am. I couldn’t be happier about it, sweetheart. A baby! Who would have thought?”
I take a deep breath even as I smile a bit.
“But this car accident! I’m so scared something bad has happened … I mean, what if…what if …”
Tom stops me, squeezing my hand urgently.
“It doesn’t help to think like that, honey. Everything’s going to be alright. We’re together now. I’ll always protect you, and the child too. You belong to me and I’m not going to let anyone or anything hurt either of you. I swear it.”
I wipe errant tears off my face as what he said sinks in.
“Always?”
He smiles but it’s a little bit unsure.
“Yeah, it needs to be always, Brynn. You were gone for a month and I couldn’t function. I was like a deranged man, unable to focus, unable to think and unable to even eat or sleep. I need to be with you. I love you more than anything and I already love this baby too. It’s me who’s lucky to be with you.”
I stare at him, my heart exploding with happiness.
“Really?” I say, fresh tears falling down my cheeks, still unable to believe my good fortune.
Tom gently wipes them away.
“Yes, honey. I don’t care how many times I have to say it. I think you’re magnificent. You’re a queen, and everything I could possibly want in a woman.”
Suddenly, a small knock sounds at the door and a tiny woman wearing rubber ducky scrubs comes trundling into the room, pushing an ultrasound machine with her.
“Hi folks,” she says, cheerily. “Sorry about your wait, but you would not believe how many pregnant women we have at the hospital today.”
She hums to herself as she starts setting up the machine and Tom holds my hand as I feel myself start to shake. I’m so scared at the idea that our baby could be hurt. But then I remind myself that Tom is here and he wants a life with me and our child. He loves me. It’s going to be alright. It has to be.
The nurse turns to us and nods to the kitten, who’s still sleeping on my chest.
“I’m a huge cat person but I’ve heard stories about this little guy. Do you think you can move him so I can start?”
Tom reaches over and begins to pick up the kitten before I can warn him. The kitten meows but at least he lets Tom’s large hands scoop him off of me. He places the kitten in his lap and little Tom immediately settles in to keep an eye on me from his new perch.
“He must like you,” I say smiling as the nurse moves in closer with the ultrasound machine.
“I’ve always been good with animals,” my lover says. “What’s his name?”
I blush a little.
“Tom.” Big Tom grins while squeezing my hand once more.
“Alright, here we go,” the nurse sings, lifting up my hospital gown and placing the wand on my stomach.
I look over at my man to see if he’s nervous, but he looks okay. He’s gently holding my hand with his own while petting the cat’s head with the other. His eyes are trained on the nurse as she gently skims the sensor over my bulging belly.
The nurse is silent for a couple minutes, merely staring at a screen Tom and I can’t see. Then after what feels like a century, she grins and turns the monitor around.
“Everything looks great with your baby. There’s the heartbeat, as steady as a drum. The spine looks intact and I don’t see any dark spots inside, which is good. That means there’s no liquid where there shouldn’t be.”
I can feel myself smiling.
“Oh, thank God,” I whisper.
I look over at Tom and there are tears in his eyes.
“That’s our baby,” he says, sounding dazed.
“Yep.”
His blue eyes find mine.
“I can’t believe it.”
The ultrasound tech laughs.
“Believe it, Dad. Congrats you two! I’ll let the doctor know that the baby is happy and healthy and he’ll take a look just to be sure as we
ll. Would you like me to send in your family?”
I nod as she starts unplugging everything and packing up. I’m still gazing at my love.
“Are you sure this is what you want?”
He nods slowly, his blue gaze never leaving mine.
“Yes, more than anything. Are you sure you want me? After everything that’s happened? I understand if you don’t, Brynn,” he says in a choked voice. “We started with lies, but I promise you, it’s going to be one hundred percent truth from here on out. I swear it.”
I smile, tears filling my eyes
“Of course I love you, Tom. I couldn’t help myself if I tried.”
He looks awestruck and presses my hand to his lips just as my parents and Simona barge into the room. Their faces are anxious.
“How’s the baby?” my friend asks.
“He or she is fine,” I say in a gentle voice. “There’s nothing wrong with them.” My mother cries and laughs while hugging my father, as Simona dances a jig of joy.
“I knew it!” she crows. “Baby Hale is fine! Or should I say Baby Masters?”
I almost start weeping again as everyone begins to laugh.
“You’ll live here, in Florida, obviously,” my father says to my boyfriend.
“Dad,” I start, but Tom interrupts.
“Of course, Mr. Hale. I’d be happy to re-locate.”
“We have family dinners every Sunday,” my mom gushes. “We want to see you and the baby every weekend.”
I stare flabbergasted at Ana.
“No, we don’t have family dinners every week. What are you talking about?”
But my handsome boyfriend doesn’t seem to mind.
“That sounds great, Mrs. Hale,” Tom says, smiling down at me. “I’m happy to come.”
“Tom, you don’t have to agree to any of this,” I finally manage to say. But he just shrugs with a good-natured grin.
“No, it’s fine. I want to. Your parents are just making sure I’m ready to commit, that’s all, and I am. I’m all in, sweetheart.”
I smile up at him but say, “No, it’s ok, Tom. I know you live in Los Angeles and this has all happened so fast…”
Tom shakes his head.
“LA can wait. Besides, I wanted a break from my career, and I don’t have any projects in the works right now either. After the baby is born, we can talk some more about it, but I want you to know that I’m here for you no matter what.”
“Oh Brynn,” my mom gushes with tears in her eyes. “I’m so happy for you. He’s wonderful. You’ve found a wonderful man.”
I catch Tom’s gaze, my heart overwhelmed with happiness.
“I have, haven’t I? I’ve found the perfect island man.”
Tom’s return smile is devastating and my father quickly changes the subject before Ana can ask what I mean. As Simona starts talking about the baby again, Tom leans down and kisses me gently. I sigh with contentment, ensconced in the warm arms of my family, my friend, and finally, my boyfriend too. I’m ready to start the rest of my life, and it’s all because of Tom Masters and the island of St. Brigid.
Epilogue
Brynn
* * *
One year later.
Tom and I are sitting in the back of a long limousine and I’m doing my best to get comfortable. Tom, who’s watching me hungrily, grins.
“You’re going to have to stop fidgeting or I won’t be able to concentrate.”
I look up at him in his tuxedo. He’s incredibly handsome and dashing, as always.
“I’m not used to wearing dresses like this,” I say crankily, tugging at the stiff satin fabric. After all, the stylists Randy hired to get us ready for Tom’s movie premiere put me in a red and black mermaid style dress with a tight corseted top. The gown is beautiful and I have to admit, when I was looking at myself in the mirror, I was astonished. My curvy figure looks amazing in this outfit. It’s sexy without being over the top at once. Tom nearly had a heart attack when I walked down the stairs of our hotel.
Plus, my hair is loose and swept to one side, my curls held in place by a red flowered comb. Tom has been slowly brushing my bare shoulders with his fingers all night as if he can’t resist touching me.
“God, you’re beautiful,” he says with a smile.
I blush.
“Thank you. You look amazing too. It’s weird getting dressed up like this, after feeling enormous for the last year.”
Tom laughs.
“Brynn, it’s natural. You were pregnant and pregnant ladies are big.”
I smile, thinking of Hayden, our beautiful baby boy. He’s perfect. Small and chubby with jet black hair and large blue eyes, just like his dad. The nanny, a friend of my mother’s, is constantly exclaiming over him in Spanish.
“I got so huge though! My breasts…”
Tom groans, “Are amazing.”
His hand moves from my shoulder and traces the outline of my décolletage, making me shiver deliciously.
“Stop it,” I scold with a smile, but I don’t move his hand away.
“I just want to say how proud I am of you,” he says after a quick slide over my nipple. “You’ve been so great as a new mom and with supporting me too. I know you miss your job.”
I sigh. I took a break from photography after my book was published and Hayden was born. It only made sense. The late night feedings coupled with a full-on marketing blitz made for a crazy life, and I’m grateful for the pause.
“I do miss it, but you and Hayden make me so happy. It’s worth it, and he won’t be a baby forever.”
Tom smiles and leans over to kiss me, and as our lips touch, desire courses like electricity through me the way it always does. We’ve been together for over a year and this man still turns me on like crazy. I sigh and lean into him, the fabric of my dress pulling tight around my chest.
“God, I love you,” he whispers, leaning his forehead against mine. “I never thought I could be this happy.”
“Neither did I,” I whisper, closing my eyes. I’m so overcome with love for him, I can’t stand it. But then Tom pulls back with a sly smile.
“I have a present for you,” he says.
I tilt my head to the side.
“Really? Why?”
He laughs, “Because I can, and because I love you, sweetheart. Why not?” Then, Tom presses the intercom to the driver. “How far away are we, Mike?”
Mike’s voice is crackly as he says, “About fifteen minutes out, Mr. Masters.”
“Perfect.”
My boyfriend turns back to me and takes my hand.
“Brynn, I can’t begin to explain how amazing I think you are. You’re the best woman and just the best person I’ve ever met. I love you with all my heart, and you’ve given me the family I never thought I’d have.”
Then, he reaches into the pocket of his tuxedo and my heart begins to race as I realize what’s happening.
“Oh my God,” I whisper.
Grinning, he pulls out a small ring box and continues, “Brynn Hale, I know I don’t deserve a woman like you but I can’t imagine ever living without you. Will you marry me, sweetheart? Will you make me the happiest man on Earth?”
He opens the box and reveals a large blue sapphire surrounded in a halo of sparkling diamonds. I can’t catch my breath, and I can’t seem to speak either. I’m so happy and so full of love that tears start to run down my cheeks, undoubtedly messing up my make up. But I don’t care. Tom is gazing me, his beautiful blue eyes shining, and to my surprise, he’s a bit nervous. I nod my head yes, while laughing and crying like a madwoman.
“Of course I will,” I say. “Yes yes yes!”
He lets out a shaky laugh and holds me to him, tightly. I hug him back, crying into his shoulder. Then, pulling away, Tom hands me a handkerchief from his pocket. As I attempt to fix my makeup, Tom takes out the ring and slides it on my finger. I look more closely at it and smile, my tears starting anew. On the side of the platinum band is an engraving of a small dolphin.
“Oh, I can’t believe it!” I say, laughing. “You had this specially made, didn’t you?”
“Yes. Do you like it?” Tom asks, cupping my face in his hands. “It seemed appropriate, given that the dolphins brought you to me.”
I nod, tears coursing down my cheeks again.
“I can’t even describe how much I love it.”
“Good, because I love you,” he says and kisses me. “I want you to be happy, Brynn.”
“I am and I love you too,” I whisper against his lips.
I kiss him back with all I have. Tom groans and pulls me on top of him, both of us falling back against the large seat of the limo. I gasp as I feel how hard he is through his pants, but should we? I decide to go for it. Breaking the kiss, I put my hand on him as he strains beneath the zipper.
“Oh god,” Tom groans.
“You like that?” I whisper.
He nods.
I push myself off him and shimmy down the length of his body, my movement a little restricted in my dress. I continue to rub him through his pants until I’m on my knees in front of him.
“Oh God, Brynn, what are you doing?”
But he stops talking as I pop the button of his trousers, kissing the tanned skin between his shirt and his boxer briefs.
My husband-to-be groans and leans his head back against the seat, his bronzed throat tense. I carefully reach into the opening of his boxers and pull out his hard shaft. Taking the tip delicately in my mouth, I suck on it. I can feel Tom jerk and groan again. Overwhelmed with feelings of desire and power, I take him fully into my mouth, savoring the velvety hardness.
“Oh shit,” Tom groans, his voice hoarse. “God Brynn. It feels so good.”
I continue to work him with my my mouth, sucking with ruby red lips. My cheeks vacuum inwards before I lap my tongue along that pulsating shaft. His breathing is ragged and he’s moaning my name over and over again. I can feel him growing harder in my mouth and know that he’s close. Then, I reach into his pants with my hand and gently squeeze his warm balls.
“Oh God,” he gasps as orgasm floods into my mouth. It’s salty and sweet, and I swallow every drop like it’s the elixir of youth. Then, I finish licking the last of it off of his tip and slowly begin to put him back into his pants. Tom is panting and staring at me, his eyes glazed.