by Lex Martin
“Please tell me where we’re going!” I beg from the passenger seat. He keeps his eyes on the road and his lips in a taunting smirk.
“We’ll be there soon. Just be patient.”
“I hate surprises,” I groan, getting a smile out of him.
Travis pulls into a suburban neighborhood and parks on the side of the road in front of a large Victorian house on a small hill. The streetlights glow over the sidewalk, and I can’t place exactly where we are.
“What are we doing?”
He slides out of the car, and I watch as he walks around and opens my door for me. “Come on.”
Confused and a little skeptical, I step out and let him take my hand. As he pulls me up, he shuts the door behind me and weaves his fingers through mine.
“Travis,” I say as he leads me up the sidewalk. “What is going on?”
We start walking up the steps that lead up the hill to the stunning house. The house is pitch black, and it looks like no one is home.
Travis stops us about midway up the porch stairs and positions us toward the house. “So, what do you think?”
“About what?”
“The house.”
“Um...it’s gorgeous. Who lives here?”
He digs into his pocket and pulls out a small box. My heart begins racing, thumping hard in my chest as I watch him. He opens it slowly, and I swallow down the anxiety of what is happening right now. I study the little box in his palm and wonder if it’s what I’m thinking.
“As of this morning, we do.” He opens the box and pulls out a key with a red ribbon tied through it.
“Wait, what?” I gasp, my head spinning at his words because they make no sense. We’ve been looking at apartment ads, but nothing seemed to work out. “I don’t understand.”
“I made an offer on this house about a month ago, and it just closed this morning.”
“But...I thought we were apartment hunting?” I’m thoroughly confused, and I don’t know if it’s pregnancy brain, but my mind is a clusterfuck of emotions.
“That was just to put you off my surprise.” He smiles. “I saw a sign for an open house and on a whim decided to go check it out. As soon as I saw it, I knew it was meant for you and me. There’s a large dining room, a fireplace in the living room so you can read next to it, a large bathtub so you can relax once the baby’s asleep, and even a little nook with built-in bookshelves for your Harry Potter collection. Plus, there are four bedrooms, which means we can decorate one to be the nursery. The neighborhood is perfect. It’s close to my job, has good schools, and there’s a nice big backyard for Gryff and even room for a swing set. I didn’t know if you’d come back to me, but I just knew I couldn’t let it go. I put an offer in the next day, and they accepted.”
“You bought it before I was even back home?” I ask, shocked and completely amazed by this man standing in front of me.
“I did.”
“I can’t believe you did that.” I can’t believe I ever doubted this man’s love for me.
“I want to give you the world, Viola. You deserve everything and more, and now with a baby on the way, I want to make sure you’re both taken care of. No more games, no secrets or lies. I want us to be a family.”
“I don’t know what to say…” My eyes are watering, and I can’t get a handle on my emotions.
“Say you’ll move in with me,” he says, placing the key in my hand and wrapping his fingers around my fist. “I can’t imagine living here without you.”
“Are you kidding me?” I squeal, wrapping my arms around his neck and digging my face into his neck. “I couldn’t imagine anything better.”
He cups my face and covers my mouth with his. We share a heated kiss, passionate and sweet. I love this man, and without any doubt in my mind, Travis King was always meant to be mine.
“Are you ready to come look inside?”
I nod my head furiously. “Yes! Oh my God, I can’t wait!”
He leads me to the door and gives me the honor of unlocking the door. I hold my breath as I push it open and look inside. He flicks the lights on, and I gasp.
“It’s so beautiful,” I murmur, trying to look at everything at once. “I can’t believe this.”
“Come on, let me show you the rest.” He leads me into the living room and flicks on the lights, and once again surprises me. There’s a white-lit Christmas tree and white lights hanging from the ceiling.
“What have you done?” I spin around with the biggest grin on my face; I can hardly contain myself. “It’s gorgeous in here!”
He grabs my hand and leads me to the center of the room. When I look up, I see mistletoe hanging from one of the light fixtures and giggle. “You know you didn’t need mistletoe to get a kiss.”
He doesn’t respond, so I assume he doesn’t hear me. I spin around, ready to repeat myself, but when I do, he’s down on one knee holding out a ring.
“What—”
“Viola, my princess.”
“Travis, what are you doing?” I cover my mouth and squeal.
He grabs my other hand and smiles. “Remember earlier when I said that I couldn’t ask for anything more because I was just so happy to be with you?”
I nod, holding back more tears.
“Well, I lied. There is one more thing that would make me the happiest man. One more question I need to ask you…”
I gasp.
“I know our relationship may seem unconventional to some, but it’s our story, and it’ll always be my favorite one, no matter how many other chick flicks you make me watch or how many romance novels you read.”
I release a sob, laughing between.
“Will you marry me, Viola Fisher?”
I nod because I’m too overcome with emotion to speak actual words.
“Yes? Is that a yes?” he clarifies, smiling up at me.
“Yes!” I shout. As he slides the ring up my finger, he places a kiss over my knuckles.
“You just made me the happiest guy in the world. Do you know that?” He stands up and cups my face. “The fucking happiest.”
“And you say you aren’t like the guys in my romance books?”
He leans in and kisses me, softly at first, and then opens my mouth wider with his tongue and presses deeper. I groan against his lips, and he grips my waist tighter.
“Dammit, I want to fuck you right now,” he whispers against my lips, and I chuckle. “How’s that for romance?”
“I’d say you nailed it.”
“You ready to find out if we’re having a little prince or princess?”
“Yes!”
Chapter 20
Travis
NINE MONTHS LATER
“Courtney!” I bellow from my office. “Get in here, please!”
“Yeah, boss?” she asks, peeking her head inside. She’s dressed up more than usual, which is really no surprise since it’s Friday. Drew always stops in and brings everyone lunch at the end of the week. It’s one of the arrangements I’ve had to make to get Courtney on my permanent staff. She’s proved to be an asset, and after she had started getting offers from other companies, I knew I had to up my game to keep her even if that meant offering Drew as bait.
“I have a one o’clock interview, so any lunch shenanigans need to be done before then.”
She steps in and rolls her eyes at me. “Please, Travis. Drew has made it very clear that we’re just friends.”
“But that hasn’t stopped you from trying.” I curl my lips up in a mocking smirk. She hates it when I give her shit for crushing on Drew.
“Well, I’m not a quitter,” she says, shrugging. “Those cuffs might come out to play one of these days.”
I snort and shake my head at her. “You’d have more luck devirginizing a monk.”
“Hey, don’t tempt me.”
“Trust me. I’m not.” Drew is an idiot for not taking Courtney up on her offers. She’s gorgeous and smart and looks at him like he’s the best thing since Nutella. But Drew isn’t
over Mia yet, which is a damn shame, so he keeps Courtney at friend-zone distance. As far as I know, they only talk and text each other about Viola, the wedding, or the baby. Courtney is the maid of honor, and Drew is my best man, which gives Courtney more excuses to be around him. I only hope he gets over Mia before it’s too late and Courtney has moved on.
“So, where are you taking Viola this weekend?” It’s our first weekend away since the baby was born six months ago in February. We haven’t had a date night since, and we’re ready to have some alone time without having to schedule it between feedings, diaper changes, and afternoon naps.
“That’s a surprise,” I retort.
“C’mon, I won’t tell!” she pleads, but I know better. Those two tell each other everything. And I do mean everything.
“Fine!” She folds her arms over her chest and frowns. “But when you can’t find the network IP address to the printer again, don’t ask me!” She starts walking back out of my office.
Laughing, I yell for her to come back, and I tell her. “I’m taking her up to a cabin at Lake Tahoe. No TV, no internet, no cell reception. Completely off the grid,” I say with an anxious smile. “There’s a landline for emergencies, though. I know Viola will worry if there’s no way to call home.”
“Good, you two need it.”
“Trust me, I know. I plan to make Viola exhausted for an entirely different reason this weekend.”
“Yeah, yeah. You’re going to hump like rabbits. Spare me the details.”
“Who’s humping like rabbits all weekend?” Drew asks from the doorway, and Courtney spins around so fast, I swear she’s going to fall on her ass.
“Your sister and Travis. They’re going up to the cabin to bang all weekend.”
Drew sighs. “That’s an image I’ll never get out of my head, thank you.”
“Until you’ve walked in on them, you have nothing to complain about,” Courtney says with a visible shiver.
“Well, that’s what you get for walking into my office without knocking,” I fire back, remembering that day very well.
“Sex on the clock, huh? How come when I suggest personal time on the clock, I get told to get out of your office?” Courtney quips.
“Get out of my office,” I say without a beat.
Drew laughs and shakes a bag of food at her. “I have your weekly bonus.”
“Perfect, I’ll be taking my lunch break on the clock.” She turns and glares at me.
An hour later, Courtney lets me know my interviewee has arrived and said to prepare myself. Rolling my eyes at her comment, I tell her to send her in. A moment later, the door swings open, and the moment I catch sight of her blond hair and designer purse, I can barely hide the gasp that releases from my mouth.
I look at the clock and realize Travis will be home any moment. I haven’t started packing yet, and I know he’s going to want to leave as soon as his mother arrives.
Grabbing a suitcase from the closet, I glance at my reflection in the mirror and frown. I look like a hot mess; I haven’t showered in three days, and my hair contains dry shampoo and baby spit up. It’s piled on top of my head with a rubber band I found on the bathroom floor. Sweatpants and a holey T-shirt complete my less-than-glamorous look. I haven’t worn makeup in months, and I can’t even remember the last time I wore clothes that didn’t come with a stain or an elastic waistband. But the truth is, I’d rather be at home with the baby than pushing papers in a corporate setting. I get paid in snuggles and coos, and I wouldn’t give up those moments for a winning lottery ticket.
“Viola!” I hear Travis yell from the staircase. I quickly rush down the hallway and shush him. “Oops, sorry.”
“You know it’s naptime!” I whisper-hiss as he walks up the stairs.
“I know, I’m sorry.” He wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me into his chest, pressing his lips against my forehead. “I’m just so excited to get some alone time with you this weekend.”
“I am too, but I’m nervous to leave the baby.”
“Don’t be nervous. Everything will be fine. The baby will be fine. We’ll be fine. I promise.” He tilts my chin up and presses a soft kiss on my lips. “Are you going to be okay?”
“Yes, I’m just not feeling well.”
“It’s nerves, princess. We need this, okay?”
I shake my head, knowing he’s absolutely right. It’s been so long since we’ve had a night to ourselves. “I look like a disaster.”
“You’re gorgeous no matter what.” He kisses me again, and for a moment, I lose myself in him. Breaking the kiss, he says, “Now go shower. I’ll finish packing.”
“How’d you know I didn’t finish?”
“Just had a feeling,” he answers with a mischievous grin.
“Am I that obvious?”
“Go,” he pushes. “I’ll check on the baby.”
I walk down the hall to the linen closet and grab a couple of towels. Before shutting the door, I also grab a new razor, because Lord only knows how long it’s been since I’ve shaved. As I’m walking back toward our bedroom, I stop just outside of the nursery and listen to Travis’s soft voice.
“Well, hello princess.” I peek inside, and he lifts her out of the crib. “Hey, my beautiful girl.” He kisses her forehead, and she coos.
Watching as he lays her on the changing table, I lean up against the doorframe and admire my amazing man and how wonderful he is with our daughter. He’s a complete natural, just as I knew he’d be, but I know he had his own concerns, considering his relationship with his father. However, the love that pours out of him is infectious. Sometimes, I can’t even believe after all this time that we’re together, engaged with a new baby, and in our own home. It feels too good to be true at times.
“You’re going to spend the weekend with grandma, aren’t you? Yes, you two are going to have so much fun, but you better be good for Nana. No pulling all-nighters again and refusing to eat your cereal.”
She kicks her legs and stuffs a hand in her mouth as he changes her. I love watching them, even when it’s every day, normal stuff. He turns around and catches me staring.
“Viola,” he says in a warning tone. “Go take a shower. We’ll be fine.”
I scoff and wrinkle my nose. “Fine. I’m going.”
Once I’ve showered, shaved, put on a layer of makeup, and find clean clothes to wear, I head downstairs, where Travis has set our suitcases. He’s in the living room with his mother, going through the list of things we wrote down for her. I trust his mother, I do, but I don’t trust anyone alone with her just yet.
“You look beautiful,” Travis says as I sit down next to him and reach for the baby. He hands her over, and I kiss her chubby little cheek.
“I feel like a changed woman,” I say with a laugh. “Who knew a shower could feel so good?”
“You two are going to have a great time. No worries here, okay?” His mother tries to reassure me, but I still feel the nerves fluttering in my stomach.
“You sure you’ll be okay all weekend?” I ask his mother.
“Of course. Go and enjoy yourselves. You two deserve it.”
“Thank you, Mom,” Travis says as he leads us to the front door. “I’ll call you as soon as we arrive.” He grabs our luggage as I squeeze the baby one more time.
Reluctantly, I hand her over to his mother, but I don’t release her tiny little hand. “Don’t forget she needs to be rocked before bed. And you’ll need to burp her for at least ten minutes after she eats. Oh, and when she takes a bath, she needs the soap for sensitive skin.”
His mother nods and smiles, knowing that I’m repeating myself once again.
“Viola,” Travis warns in a deep voice. “They’re going to be just fine.”
“Okay, just one more kiss.”
I press my lips to her cheek and then her forehead and then her other cheek. I inhale her scent because I just can’t get enough. “See you in a couple of days, Ginny. I love you.”
Chapter 21
<
br /> Travis
“Where are we going?” Viola asks, fidgeting in her seat as we hit the highway.
“Someplace quiet, with no distractions or other people around.”
“Where’s that?”
I shake my head.
“C’mon,” she whines. “Just a little hint.”
“Let’s just say…we shouldn’t have bothered packing clothes because—”
“Because you plan to fuck me six ways to Sunday?” she finishes for me with a hopeful smile.
“I plan to have you counting higher than six, princess.” I smirk over at her, grabbing her hand in mine and placing a kiss over her knuckles. “Loudly, too.”
“Okay, but I hope you plan to let me nap in between this time,” she quips, referring to the first time we had sex after Ginny was born. She’d only been two months old and wasn’t sleeping longer than three hours at a time. We’d taken advantage of an early bedtime and made love all night long. Before we even realized it, Ginny had slept six hours straight that night. Viola was so tired that she could barely keep her eyes open, much less walk.
“No promises.”
“Do you really think she’ll be okay? She’s going to wonder why we’re gone so long.”
“She’s going to be just fine, Viola.” I know Viola’s going to be worried all weekend, so I’ll need to keep her distracted. “Oh, you’ll never guess who walked into my office today for an interview.” I’d forgotten all about it until now.
“Who?” She furrows her brows, and I hope I didn’t make a mistake by mentioning it.
“Alyssa Crawford.”
“No fucking way!” Her jaw drops.
“Yup. Stilettos and all.”
She laughs, and the sweet sound makes me smile. “What’d you say to her?”
“I asked her what the hell she was doing there, and once she said she was looking for a job, I told her to get the fuck out, that there was no way in hell I would ever hire her. Then of course, she offered me some special incentives, and that’s when Courtney gladly kicked her ass out.”