Redeemed Book 1: A Military Stepbrother Romance

by Snow, Lucy

  Now we just had to figure out what to do next.

  Ugh.

  What I wanted to do was kiss him more, wrap myself up in his arms, and figure things out later. Much much later.

  Plenty of time to do that after a few weeks of more sex just like last night’s. Just the thought of being alone with him now made me wet.

  Which was weird, because, you know, we’d hated each others guts for years now. I guess we had the rest of this trip to work that whole thing out and see what would happen. Lots of family time in there, how awkward would that be after what we did last night?

  Ugh again.

  I really should get up. It was highly unlikely, however much I wanted it to happen, that Harrison would burst into my room right now and do naughty things to me. Well, burst into my room in such a way that was both dramatic and unlikely to arouse suspicion or surprise by his mother or my father.

  No, the most likely way to run into Harrison and lust over him some more would be to actually get out of bed and move around in non-private spaces.

  But…my bed felt really nice right about now. I mean…I really didn’t have to get up, did I? I could just lie here for a few more hours.

  Nah.

  The goal was to find Harrison and get him alone, and my bedroom, while a nice idea, wasn’t gonna cut it again. I had to get up and face the world. More importantly I had to get up and face Harrison.

  I knew which of those sounded more intimidating.

  Fine! I supposed I cooooooould get up if I really needed to.

  By the time I rousted myself and got dressed enough to leave my room and brush my teeth, it was almost noon. The house was bustling as my family prepared for the holidays. I crept downstairs to get some food and was greeted by my stepmother in the kitchen, toiling away.

  My stepmother Ruth was a nice lady, even if we weren’t close. She’d never been mean to me or anything, but she and I had never connected the way my father had taken to Harrison. My father, it seemed, had always longed to have a son, but my stepmother had never felt the same yearning to have a daughter. We both had tried in the past to get closer, but one of us was never ready to really make that work.

  I grabbed some cereal and sat down to eat. My father came in and out, carrying boxes of who knows what, from one place to another, but I didn’t see Harrison anywhere. I wondered where he was. After what happened last night, we had a lot to talk about, and I hoped we’d get some time alone soon. Not only because I think I wanted to pick up where we left off, but we also had to figure out just what the hell was going on.

  My thoughts drifted back toward us outside the house, kissing Harrison in the snowy moonlight. I’d never experienced something so romantic, and even though it was my stepbrother, someone I thought I hated and who hated me, I wanted nothing more than to try out having him inside me again.

  And soon. As soon as we could get some time alone. But..where was he?

  “Don’t you have Maggie’s baby shower today?” my stepmother asked almost to the room rather than to me, facing away and stirring something. I jumped up, shaking my head, coming back to reality, nearly splashing myself with cereal milk. That would have been a great look. Milk Monster Laurel.

  Oh shit. I’d forgotten about that again, even after Maggie reminded me last night. “Yeah, that’s today. I don’t even have a present. I totally forgot. I guess I have to go shopping.” I looked at the clock on the wall in the kitchen - even if I rushed, which I definitely didn’t feel like doing, I was still gonna be late at this rate. And I didn’t even know what to get!

  She was going to kill me. Or, knowing Maggie, she would have something funny to say that would cut into me deep. She had a way with words, that one. I was envious, especially when I was on the receiving end. With how distant we’d been over the last few months I didn’t want to do anything to upset her, especially with how much stress she must be under with Chris and the baby.

  “I figured as much, and I didn’t think you had time, so yesterday while I was getting things for the party I did a little shopping…” I looked up from my cereal to see my stepmother putting something on the table, smiling. “Now you’re all set,” she beamed. I opened up the plain white box and pulled the light paper to one side, revealing the blue onesie contained inside.

  “Ooooh,” I squealed. “Thank you so much! This’ll save my bacon.”

  “I had a hunch,” she said, “it’s no problem. I’m sure she’ll love it.”

  I was sure of it too. This was really cute, and that was really nice of my stepmother. We were cordial but definitely not close and I could tell she was trying. It was just a little difficult for me, I didn’t know why. I really should have made more of an effort to get close to her, if only for my father’s sake.

  “Thanks again.” I didn’t know what else to say, so I went back to my cereal. “It was really nice of you to do that for me.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I think you got a little bit of time before it begins. 2 o’clock right?”

  “That’s right,” I said, looking up at the clock again. Just enough time to figure out what to wear and get ready. If I didn’t drag myself along like I felt like doing today.

  “Say hi to Maggie for me. Has she picked out a name yet?”

  “Not that I know of, and if she has she hasn’t told me.”

  “Having a baby is so exciting! I’m thrilled for her.” I could hear the joy in her voice. She sounded farther away than just a second ago, like she was wrapped up in her memories.

  Memories of baby Harrison.

  “Me too, I’m just a little surprised that she’s having one so soon. She and Joe just got married, like a year ago and with Joe gone… that’s got to be difficult.”

  We were headed into difficult territory. How did this happen? “Well, Laurel, everyone moves at a different speed. Maggie and that boy of hers have been together so long and it just makes sense, you know? Not everyone’s speed is like that.”

  “Yeah…” I trailed off, not knowing what else to say. What was unsaid was louder than any words. I could feel my cheeks turning red. It’s not like my stepmother was telling me to have a baby right now, this was a more general life thing.

  My stepmother noticed that I wasn’t speaking, looked back at me with concern, saw my embarrassment, and tried to bail herself out. “I mean, it’s not that moving faster and having a baby is any better, it’s just what’s right for them.”

  “Yeah. They’re really good together.” Good save, Ruth and Laurel. Way to avoid that weird conversation.

  “Like I said, everyone moves a different speed. Slower, faster, neither is better.” Ruth turned back toward her dallying around the kitchen and I looked down into my cereal bowl.

  It was mostly milk by now.

  After I finished my cereal, I went back upstairs to get ready for Maggie’s party. Still no Harrison. It was strange; I wondered if he was avoiding me. He must be avoiding me! That made sense, after last night I might avoid me too. At least until I’d figured out how to feel about it. He’d revealed something that seemed to have been holding him back for a long time, and that must feel weird.

  I still had no idea what to make what Harrison had said, and that wasn’t even getting close to what I did after. It was 12 hours later and I could feel still feel his lips on mine, his cock inside me. I didn’t know what had propelled me into having sex with him but I really needed to figure it out.

  I headed into my room to pick out an outfit for the party, but when I got there, I stood in front of my window for a couple minutes and just stared, taking it all in. Our house was in a nice part of town, but nothing too fancy. Despite the cold and the recent snow it was sunny out, and I saw a few people taking mid day walks, and even a couple foolhardy joggers grinding out their daily miles, pushing clouds of steam out with every breath. I shook my head in disbelief. That was dedication to a cause.

  As much as I wanted to keep what people watching from my window I didn’t have time for this I turned to my c
loset and found a nice skirt and top I brought with me. This would do nicely.

  Just before I left the house I grabbed my heavy coat, scarf, and warm hat. Hopefully it wouldn’t do too much to my hair.

  There were no bathroom incidents like yesterday, but this time I kinda wanted one. Harrison and I had crossed a boundary and as forbidden as it was I wanted to explore it. Now if only I could actually find him.

  Or maybe that would be a bad idea. At this point, I couldn’t tell.

  Chapter 09 - The Shower

  When I finally arrived at Maggie’s house, the party had already started. I knew I would be late, but I took a little extra time to get ready, and do my makeup just right. I hadn’t seen most of these girls since high school and I wanted make sure they saw the new me, the way I wanted them to see me.

  Men like to think women dress up and spend all this time, money, and effort to look good for them, but that’s really more of a byproduct. The real goal is to impress the other girls, the ones who you look up to and the ones you look across at. The ones you’d known in high school. The ones who’s looks and approval you didn’t want to admit to yourself that you craved.

  If only men knew.

  Maggie’s house was quaint and decorated with baby stuff, streamers outside along the porch steps and a giant sign on the door saying ‘Welcome Baby Boy!’ I laughed. Knowing Maggie’s family the inside would be just as over done. They loved to celebrate even small things, so when something big came around like a new addition to the family, I was sure they’d go all out and so far I was not disappointed.

  The house itself was a light off-white mixed with green, a green so light you probably couldn’t find it occurring naturally. It was one story, like all the others around it, with a chain link fence around it meant to keep dogs and little kids from straying too far. It was a nondescript house, but I’d been here so many times over the years that on a regular, non-baby shower day, it felt almost like a second home.

  I guess New York was now my second home, so maybe this was a third home. Too many homes to keep track of.

  Maggie’s car was in the driveway, taking up way more space than it had any right to. I almost saw it like a giant protective dog, warning predators away. In combination with the fence, Maggie’s house was well protected from…deliverymen.

  I knocked and within a minute Maggie opened the door. She was dressed in a green maternity dress and she was beaming despite lugging her ‘beach ball’ all over the place. “Laurel! There you are! I was beginning to think after last night that you wouldn’t show up.”

  I smiled, excited at her enthusiasm. Maggie always had such an energizing effect on me. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” We hugged and I pulled her in close, as close as I could given the large mass between us.

  Closer than usual, and Maggie clearly noticed.

  “What’s gotten into you?” We separated, and a glimmer of concern flashed over her face before the huge smile came back. One thing Maggie was always good at was figuring out my moods. I used to think that maybe I just wore my emotions on my sleeve a little too much, but no one else had that insight into me - Maggie just noticed more than most.

  “Oh,nothing, I’m just really glad to see you. You didn’t need to come to the door.” I wanted to tell her all that happened last night but now was definitely not the right time. Today wasn’t about me, it was about Maggie and her new baby. My stuff could wait! At least, I hoped it could.

  “Likewise. It’s been too long!” She laughed to herself. “I know I should stay sitting down, but you know me, I wanted to greet everyone as they arrived. You’re the last one, so I can finally sit down.” she said with a chuckle. “Come on in, the party’s finally getting started.” Despite her words we still stood on the porch in the cold.

  The moment hung there, an awkward pause. I looked down and fidgeted before I realized my hands were full.

  “Oh! I brought you this. It’s not much,” I said, looking down at the parcel I was pushing towards her. It had gotten a little crushed during our hug but it’s not like the onesie inside was going to get damaged by a little hug.

  “Oh, you didn’t have to! That’s so nice of you. Why are we standing out here? Come on in, come on in, everyone’s looking forward to seeing you!”

  I gulped at that last part. As much as I was excited to show off how much I’d changed since I’d last saw them all, it was a little intimidating to be different around people I’d known my whole life. OK, a lot intimidating. Still, no time like the present to shove off those fears and own it. I let Maggie lead me inside.

  We went into the house. As soon as the door closed I felt the rush of warm air hit me, and hurried out of my coat to enjoy it. Maggie stood and patiently waited, a smile on her face, before taking it from me.

  The interior was covered in party supplies. Not a surface its normal color. So many different shades of blue. “Your family really outdid themselves this time, Mags,” I whispered as I looked around, trying to see if there was any exposed surface not covered in baby blue or navy blue or periwinkle, and unable to find one besides the ceiling, which had streamers hanging down.

  It was like a haunted house of baby boy. Except during the day and totally cute instead of trying to be scary, but a little scary in its own right.

  “I know, it’s a little much. But everyone around here is so excited, I really can’t get on their cases about it. They’ve helped out so much…” Maggie’s voice trailed off. I was almost jealous of the support she got from her family. Despite being in a tough situation, young and married and pregnant with her husband an ocean away, her small but close-knit family had rallied around her and it looked like all was well.

  I wondered what would happen in my family in the same situation, but then quickly pushed those thoughts away as fast as I could. No sense in getting down right now.

  I made sure to check my outfit in the hallway and smooth out my skirt before we came to the living room. I just needed to relax, everything was going to be fine. Besides, as I’d conveniently reminded myself, this wasn’t about me. We were all here to celebrate Maggie and her baby.

  We came to the living room and the four other girls there stopped talking to look at us. “Laurel’s here!” Maggie shouted. “Everyone, you remember Laurel!”

  A chorus of hellos came my way, and I waved back. “Hey, everyone! It’s so good to see you all.”

  So much for relaxing. This was a little weird. Of course I knew almost three of them from high school, but it’s not like we’d been close friends or anything. Lucy, Jane, and Joanna looked like they were doing well. Jane was visibly pregnant but not nearly at Maggie’s level; my guess was she would give birth some time in March.

  The last girl I didn’t recognize. We looked at each other for a second before Maggie made an introduction. “Oh, Laurel, this is Gretchen. Gretchen, Laurel. Laurel and I were inseparable in high school. Gretchen and I go to school together at the community college.”

  We waved to each other. Gretchen looked really nice and her smile was genuine. Maggie had mentioned making a new friend at school, so Gretchen must be her. Gretchen was tall, brunette, with curly hair that went down just past her shoulders. She was pretty and smiling. I liked her already. She wore a classy light green dress with a high neckline and was sipping from a glass of champagne.

  “Won’t you join us?” she said, motioning to a seat next to her on the brown couch.

  “Yes, yes, sit, Laurel, sit!” Maggie exclaimed as she sat down in her chair.

  I moved over to the couch and sat down. Almost as quickly as my butt hit the seat, Gretchen handed me a glass too. I took a tentative sip, not wanting to have too much too soon, but everyone else was already at least a glass in, and it looked like Maggie and Jane were keeping up with her ginger ale. I wondered if stock in soda companies would drop after Maggie gave birth.

  I looked over at Lucy and Jane, sitting next to each other on another brown plush couch. They were close friends in high school like Ma
ggie and I had been, and from the few seconds I’d been around them it looked like not much had changed in that department. They were gossiping and chit-chatting with the rest of the group, but it seemed like their conversation was more pointed and directed between the two of them. They were both blondes - they’d been on the track team and aside from Jane’s pregnancy had clearly kept their figures.

  Something about the two of them set me on edge, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Like a spot on your back that itched but you couldn’t reach back that far. I shook my head a bit, trying to dispel the feeling. Focus on Maggie, Laurel. She’s the one you’re here for.

  Joanna, for her part, sat back and didn’t say much. I wasn’t quite sure why she was even here - Maggie and I hadn’t been close to her at all back in school. Things must have changed since then for her to be invited.

  We talked and bantered back and forth for an hour while sipping our drinks and eating little snacks, taking even littler bites. I was enjoying myself, but I never felt like I could figuratively let my hair down and just relax around these girls. Not the way I could when it was just Maggie and me.

  It wasn’t just that I didn’t feel like I knew them well enough, which was true, but the entire conversation - about school or work depending on who it was, men, lack of men, travel plans, all that stuff - it just seemed like it was less about us reconnecting and more about each of us trying to subtly one-up the other. Nothing super overt or anything, no one saying, “oh yeah? Well, I…” but the effect was still there. It was mainly Jane and Lucy doing this, and they definitely drove the conversation. Maggie and Gretchen played along, while Joanna and I tried to stay out of it while being polite.

  It felt like each of them was trying to prove to themselves that they’d made the right choices and were happy with their results. But I couldn’t tell if any of them actually were.