Always (With Bonus Material) (Always & Forever Book 1)

by Kindle Alexander

  All of them had become fast friends, even her husband, Thomas, sometimes got in on the nightly phone calls.

  This wasn't Sophia's first pregnancy. She was happily married with two children of her own. She specialized in fertility treatments in her medical practice. When they all met for the first time, Avery thought Sophia would be their physician. She was young, progressive, and had just turned thirty. She had studied under the top physicians and researchers in the field. But as their first meeting progressed, it became clear the scientist in her wanted to be more involved, and after the initial tests were run, she became both their surrogate and egg donor. She worked closely with Dr. Palmer in every aspect of her care.

  Both personally and professionally, Kane knew Sophia understood the signs of pregnancy, but she would always fall just short of saying those confirming words. She'd stop herself, and no matter how hard Avery tried to talk around her to get her to reveal her suspicions aloud, she never would. Instead, she'd laugh at him, tease Avery about being an excellent prosecutor, and say she didn't want to jinx them. Those moments were the true reason Kane's heart had a little more hope than his brain would allow him to admit to.

  He never told Avery, but he listened intently to how she spoke. He learned everything he could about her, trying hard to digest how his children might turn out. She was fun, smart, easy to speak to, and Kane grew to love the idea his babies might share in her personality. Kane could even see that if things were different between them all, she would have made an excellent wife to Avery before he came into the picture and botched up his political career. She matched him on every level, from her tall, sunny blonde looks, to her dynamic wit and charm. They were lucky to have such a compelling woman as his and Avery's child's biological mother.

  Lost in thought, Kane startled as the physician's office door opened suddenly. Dr. Palmer entered with Sophia right on his heels. They were both in lab coats, carrying on a deep discussion. Neither paid any attention to him or Avery. Avery came immediately to stand behind Kane's chair, resting his hands on his shoulders and squeezing. He used his thumb to lift Kane's chin, guiding his head up, and back until he looked into his eyes. Avery bent forward and whispered in his ear, "No matter what the test shows, we'll work through this. I love you. This will happen for us."

  Kane tried for a reassuring smile, but his anxiety levels were too high, and the narrowing of Avery's eyes told Kane he wasn't buying it. Instead of letting the moment linger and having Avery focus just on him, he cut his eyes back to the doctors.

  "Gentlemen, I'm sorry this has taken so long. Dr. Richardson wanted to be here when I shared the news. I won't draw this out. We have a viable pregnancy," Dr. Palmer said in a matter-of-fact tone, like he hadn't just changed their entire world with those five small words. Although his demeanor never changed, Sophia's did. As she stood right beside him, she broke out in a big grin and threw her arms in the air. Avery was around Kane's chair, dragging him up as the room busted out in handshakes and hugs all around. Kane couldn't stop his tears as he was wrapped in a solidly tight three-way hug, sandwiched between Sophia and Avery. He wasn't alone in his emotions though, Sophia was in full blown crying mode.

  "The first trimester is already a concern before you factor any of the unknown complications that may arise from this type of a procedure. We need to manage our excitement levels and keep a good eye on Dr. Richardson," Dr. Palmer advised in a somewhat fatherly manner while standing on the outside of their embrace.

  "But it worked!" Kane declared, reaffirming the obvious. Avery tugged Kane closer. He was beyond happy as he tightened his hold. He gave Avery a quick peck, closing his eyes as he wrapped his arms tighter around him. Their world was about to change, and he couldn't wait for the next chapter to begin.

  "We did it," Avery whispered in his ear, keeping him pressed head to toe against his body as he kissed the side of his neck.

  "Yes, we did," Kane said. His voice broke and Avery pulled him in tighter.

  "Hey! I played a part in this," Sophia teased. Kane had to angle his head awkwardly to even see her, because Avery wouldn't let him go.

  "A big part. How do you feel?" Avery asked. He finally loosened his hold and let room in between them. Avery kissed his cheek, gave him that deep soul searching look he had become accustomed to, and then kissed him again on the mouth, his warm lips lingering this time. Kane was certain his cheeks were bright red as Avery broke the kiss and anchored him again against the side of his body. Avery Adams had no social filter; how had Kane just realized that in all these years?

  "I feel great, not a problem at all! You two are so sweet together. The love you have for each other lights up the room and fills it with such joy. You're both going to be such great parents," Sophia finally answered after she got their full attention. Kane's tears started again. He needed her validation, and he clung to her words.

  "We need to keep you feeling great. Thank you so much. This baby will make our lives complete," Avery said, tugging Kane closer to him, if that were even possible. "So what's the next step?"

  "We're going to watch her closely. She knows what to look for.

  For now, we'll have bi-monthly checkups," Dr. Palmer said.

  "When's the due date?" Kane asked.

  "May tenth is the anticipated date. We'll know more as the time comes," Sophia answered, her mannerism changing as she slowly returned to her professional mode again.

  "That's a great day for a birthday," Avery added.

  Their baby's birthday. Turning to Avery, Kane gave his brightest and biggest smile as he silently said his prayer of thanks. They exchanged that knowing look, the one that made it clear Avery was right on board with whatever thought was racing through his head. He tucked in closer around Avery, wrapping an arm around his waist and absently listened to Dr. Palmer's exit, and then Sophia's as she went to schedule their next appointment. Kane wrapped his arms tighter around Avery's waist, stepping around to face Avery.

  "We need to call Paulie and your mom." Kane laid his palm on Avery's cheek, hoping to convey every emotion running through his body in that moment. "Thank you, Avery," he whispered and leaned up for a light brush of lips to seal the moment.

  Chapter 17

  December, 1979 ~ Minneapolis, Minnesota

  For Kane, the months ticked by slowly in a never-ending stream of doctor's appointments. He and Avery attended every one of them. They happily experienced most parts of Sophia's pregnancy. Her great initial health didn't hold. She got a severe case of morning sickness about midway through the second month, and so did Kane. The bouts were so bad, she was forced to stay close to the bathroom for much of the first trimester until she was finally admitted to the hospital for fear of dehydration and malnourishment.

  Kane, in sympathy, continued this pattern and experienced every symptom Sophia had as if they were on the same cosmic plane. Every time Sophia became ill, so did Kane. Avery became so concerned that he had Kane in their physician's office, trying to find the answers as to what might actually be going on. When that didn't help, Avery finally got on board and worked hard to help relieve Kane of the constant nausea he experienced in her honor.

  From the beginning, Kane refused to allow Avery to buy anything for the baby. Kane finally asserted his power over Avery and placed all sorts of new rules on their relationship. Kane had never limited Avery before, but now, all of the sudden, he kept Avery on a short leash where this pregnancy was concerned. Kane left nothing to chance. Even extending his belief system to include every superstition or old wives tale any woman, or man for that matter, told him about.

  The doctor's magic number for the pregnancy was twenty weeks. Kane required them to wait until then before he would breathe a sigh of relief and believe this might actually happen.

  To celebrate that pivotal point, Avery arranged for their entire family to attend the two-dimensional ultrasound reading. Avery's mom, as well as Paulie, tagged along to discover whether they were going to have a little baby boy or girl. It took eve
ry bit of Avery's power of persuasion to convince Kane modern technology had its advantages and it was okay to know the gender of their child before birth. Truth be told, the blow job probably had more to do with the ensuing yes Avery obtained, not his communication skills, but he'd taken the approval and run with it, not letting Kane back out.

  When they arrived at the doctor's office a few minutes late, they were escorted inside a standing room only exam room. Every member of the staff stood anxiously waiting the first glimpse of this little baby.

  During the last few appointments, Avery had started a betting pool that currently sat at three to one odds that Sophia was having a little boy. Avery bet on the opposite side, so did Kennedy, because they were convinced it would be a baby girl. Avery always made it clear he'd be spending their hard earned money on his little princess when they teased and talked about the bet in the office. For Kane, he never called a gender. He stayed out of the bet. His prayers were for the health and well-being of their baby, nothing else mattered.

  As they entered the room, the ultrasound technician was already on one side of the table Sophia lay on. Her husband, Thomas, who now worked for Avery full time, stood at the head of the small exam table. Thomas was an attorney and a tremendous support system for Sophia. It hadn't taken Avery too long to give him a position in his law firm, with an obscene salary to match, all in an effort to make sure they both knew how grateful he and Kane were for everything they were enduring to give them this child. Thomas hadn't let Avery down. Besides his unwavering support of this pregnancy, per Avery, he always proved his worth at the office as well, time and time again. Avery even spoke of offering Thomas a partnership in the next few years.

  "How are you? Still craving those sweet pickles and ice cream?" Avery asked, drawing chuckles from the staff. Paulie and Kennedy quietly took places along the back wall, but Avery didn't, drawing Kane in beside him next to the table. From this vantage point, they were able to stand right up front, close to the monitor, and could see everything.

  Avery took Sophia's hand. He had the most sexy, charming grin on his face, and the full force of that grin was aimed at Sophia. Avery's charisma added to the excitement in the room. Kane watched as she relaxed, smiled up at Avery, and kept a little silly grin lighting her face too. Avery had that way about him. He just owned the room every time he entered. Kane let it happen, stayed quiet, dropping his hands inside his slacks pockets to hide the nervous energy coursing through him. Since the first mention of this baby, Kane found his calm attitude had slipped away. Having a child created a nervousness he had never encountered in his entire life.

  "No, it's peanut butter and anchovies now. Who eats that way?" her husband responded when Sophia didn't.

  "It's delicious. You have no idea what you're missing," Sophia retorted, rolling her eyes as she looked back at her husband who gave her the universal grossness gesture of sticking his finger down his throat. Kane laughed along with everyone else in the room.

  "Kane, did you get through Dr. Spock's book, Baby and Child Care?" Sophia asked, ignoring her husband altogether.

  "I did," Kane said. The subject change helped his anxiety level.

  Kane loved that book.

  "He's read it twice already," Avery added, now grinning at him.

  "You have? That was quick, we just talked about it!" Sophia said.

  "Our bedroom's become a small library. Any book he can find on raising children, he reads," Avery stated. Kane heard pride in Avery's voice, at least he hoped so, and Avery loosely wrapped his free arm around Kane, drawing him closer.

  "We read them together," Kane said in his own defense.

  "You read out loud. I fall sleep," Avery tossed back, winking at Kane.

  "Yeah, that's about how it was when Sophia was pregnant. Those books can put you to sleep faster than a long-winded evangelist at a week-long revival," Thomas said.

  "Those damn books are all we hear about at the restaurant. He's talking about that natural diet now," Paulie piped in from where he had stationed himself against the back wall. That got another round of chuckles from the entire room.

  "I've been thinking about the organic diet. Making my own baby food. Maybe using cloth diapers instead of the plastic ones," Kane said, his gaze staying focused on Sophia. Out of everyone there, this was something the two of them shared and had in common. He knew she'd be on board with this kind of diet.

  "Oh, Kane, that's an excellent idea. I love that we did that with both our girls. It's a lot of work, but so beneficial," Sophia agreed, beaming up at him now.

  Kane smiled at her praise, even as Avery gave a slightly condescending chuckle. He chose to ignore that little laugh. Avery wasn't as on board with the whole organic theory to life, but Kane had resolved they were doing this. He had read all the studies on the benefits of natural versus processed foods. They were in a time of research, modern medicine was a marvel, and with Avery's father's side of the family all dying of heart disease early in life, to Kane, it seemed the best way to fight against those odds. Avery didn't yet know he was going to be included. This was going to be a whole family lifestyle change, not just one for their baby. Kane had decided this would probably be their second fight, so he'd wait to drop his nutritional bomb until he knew he could win.

  "Ready to get started?" the ultrasound tech asked as Dr. Palmer entered the room. The lights were dimmed, and he wasted no time squirting a thick liquid gel on Sophia's exposed belly. He flipped on the equipment and immediately began to rub the wand through the gel. The monitor lit up and static filled the screen. All the conversation came to an abrupt end, everyone's eyes focused at the monitor. Kane had no idea what they were supposed to see because all he could make out was black and white static, yet the entire practice seemed absorbed and fascinated by what they were viewing.

  Dr. Palmer's normal bedside manner didn't change. He was very dry, matter-of-fact, and all about work. As the wand moved around, he started right in, marking patterns he saw on the screen. The sound of the baby's heartbeat filled the room. The fast whooshing sounds always excited Kane. It was proof their little one was doing all right.

  Slowly, with the help of the doctor's markings, Kane began to possibly make out a foot, and then maybe, he saw a second one. The rest of the room seemed to have no problem counting toes and fingers easily. Yeah, right! So, he kept his eyes glued to the screen. Sophia had her professionalism back in place, asking specific questions, guiding the technician along as they spoke clinically, losing Kane even more. The confusion must have shown on his face, because Avery pulled him in tighter against his side.

  Two things happened at once. A third foot was identified and marked at the same time a second, very faint, somewhat slower whooshing sound became audible. The room erupted in cheers, Paulie and Kennedy were suddenly there beside the table, but Kane's confusion continued. Whatever was happening had the room filled with excitement, and he focused harder on the screen, trying to understand why they were happy that his baby had three feet. The technician continued moving the wand. Kane ignored the dull background conversation, mainly because of the defect his little one showed. The pounding of his own heart rang louder than the noise in the room until the tech's voice announced a head, a heart, another heart, and a fourth foot.

  Kane finally got it. He understood what everyone else in the room had already picked up.

  "We have twins, babe," Avery whispered, hugging Kane, kissing him in the crook of his neck.

  "There's two," Paulie's gruff voice sounded. Kane could feel Paulie at his back, giving him some sturdy pats. Kennedy was right there beside him, smiling up, and the four of them were enveloped into a tight family hug. Kane was on autopilot because his entire world had just suddenly stopped, only to jolt forward again at an amazing speed.

  He finally took a deep breath, exhaling the pent-up tension. Two hearts and four feet did mean twins. Avery was right, they were having twins. Their family was growing by two, not one. Avery finally let him go and gathered his mom up i
n the huge bear hug. Paulie stayed right there beside him and all Kane could do was focus on the screen.

  Somewhere in the back of his mind, he heard Sophia and Dr. Palmer talking with the technician, but his eyes were glued to the monitor willing himself to make out any of the shapes, other than just flat black static.

  The moments of intense numbness faded seconds before overwhelming joy filled his heart. His body shook and tears threatened to fall. Twins! They were having twin babies.

  "Can we tell their gender?" Kane thought to himself, and only realized he'd said the words aloud when every head in the room turned his way. Okay, so maybe he'd said the words rather loudly by the looks he got. Avery was right there, a concerned expression on his face.

  "Are you all right?" Avery asked.

  "I don't know. Are they healthy?" Kane asked. He could hear the desperation tainting the words, and he cocked his head past Avery, his gaze moving between the ultrasound technician and the doctor.

  "We're going to see what we can see. The two heart rates sound strong. One is slower than the other but still strong," Dr. Palmer said. The room settled down, listening to everything said, and the tech began moving the wand back over Sophia's stomach with purpose.

  "How did we miss this before?" Kane asked.

  "Most likely the position the babies were in. Are you sure you want to know their sex if I can find it?" the technician asked, giving Kane a concerned look. He could feel the heat in his face. His voice was edgy, and he probably carried a corresponding expression on his face. He schooled his features, gathered himself, and rolled his shoulders as the tech angled the wand differently across Sophia's belly.

  "Yes, we do. Right, babe?" Avery asked. For the first time since the announcement was made, Kane remembered Sophia. Avery stood right there, still clasping her hand. Knowing Avery and his constant encouragement, he'd probably never let her go through the happy shock of their discovery.