He walked inside and said nothing else. “He’s right. We should just tell them.”
“I’m scared.” I grabbed her shoulders right before we walked into the house.
“Hold that thought. We have to surprise the kids with something Ty and I worked on.”
It was only a matter of time before Colt told Van, then she told Miranda and all hell broke loose. We had to tell my family the truth before they heard it from someone else.
Chapter 40
Amy
I was still a little overwhelmed with all that had taken place in the last couple of weeks. Of course, it wasn't like I wasn't used to drama. I mean, obviously the past year of my life was full of it. Still, just knowing that it all brought me to Conner, made it somehow worth the fight.
I still couldn't get over the fact that he not only wanted me, but he wanted our baby too. Last year he was such different kind of person. I'd risked everything I thought I had to be with him, but came out of it all with more than I could ever hope for. He saved me in so many ways and I would be forever grateful for that.
Even though Rick still posed a threat, I knew we could handle it together. I was prepared to fight for what I wanted, because at the end of the day, I had everything I needed. Getting it may have been unconventional, but I wasn't going to complain.
Conner was adamant about telling his family the truth about us. After he and Ty put on their flying Santa display, everyone settled in and watched a movie. I felt awkward but sat with Conner and even held his hand. Miranda was still giving me dirty looks every once in a while and I didn't blame her. She had to feel betrayed by both me and Conner. I was so afraid she was never going to forgive me and I think that's why I just couldn’t pull her aside and tell her the truth.
I managed to get through Christmas Eve without having the big reveal. They were all curious, but Conner kept calm and didn't say anything.
Christmas morning was different from what I had experienced for so long. The house filled with people and the children were high on happiness. I'd never felt so much love in one small place before. It was beautiful.
Bella loved her new pony Scotch so much. I was pretty certain I heard her ask Conner if it could sleep in her bedroom at night. He was so good with her and even the babies. I found myself thinking of our situation. He kept holding and playing with Jake and Jax and even chasing around Christian. I guess I had never realized just how much he loved children.
Conner and I had talked about so many things, but there were topics that I just never felt the need to bring up. My fear of him not wanting me anymore, was washed away the moment I saw his face, when he learned I was pregnant. Of course, it hurt me when he asked if it was his, but he had a right to, I guess.
Our casual touches turned into full blown hand holding and hugging as the day progressed. Even though I got several looks, I didn't feel that overwhelmed by judgment. Once the kids went to sleep, us adults hung out and watched television. When Conner was ready for bed, he grabbed my hand and led me to his room.
He'd gone and gotten my bag out of my car, but I preferred sleeping in one of his shirts. I had no sooner pulled it over my head, when he started laughing. "Why are you even botherin'?"
I giggled and climbed into bed beside him. "Behave."
"I don't think you understand just how happy I am." He kissed the top of my head as he pulled me over top of him. "I've waited too long to be able to sleep with you every night." Our fingers came together and he pulled my hand up and kissed it.
I noticed him looking at where my ring used to be and knew he was wondering. "I left it on my bed instead if a note. I guess he got the hint."
He kissed my ring finger, slowly while looking right at me. "I guess I have to get you a replacement."
I was a little shocked to be perfectly honest. Conner wasn't used to having a serious relationship and now he was talking about making a permanent commitment. "I have to get divorced first and we don't have to get married because we have a child. I don't want that kind of relationship."
He laughed. "Yeah, I wasn't talkin' about gettin' hitched, Blaze, but I do want everyone to know that you belong to me. I had to fight real hard for this and I want everyone to know that we're together."
"I get it." I guess because I didn't have much to say, he became all defensive.
"Hey, if I marry anyone, it's goin' to be you. I just thought maybe it would be cool if our son was in the wedding."
"Our son?" I started laughing just thinking about him deciding on the sex of our baby. "What are you going to do if it’s a girl?"
He pinched his nose and shook his head. "I reckon that I'll be buyin' more guns, and keepin' in shape, so I can kick every little dude’s ass that gets within ten feet of her."
"I have so much to look forward to." I traced the cross tattoo over his chest. "I love you so much, Conner. I've never loved anyone like this."
He cupped his hands around my face and made me look into those green eyes of his. "Well, I've never loved anyone before, so I guess I have you beat."
I rolled my eyes. "It isn't a competition."
He stood up and grabbed a package out of his closet. It was small and I could tell it was jewelry. “What’s this?”
“It’s your present from me.” Conner smiled and sat beside down next to me. “Open it.”
I unwrapped the package and opened the little box. Inside of it was a silver necklace. It was a small rope chain with a heart locket hanging from it. “It’s beautiful.”
“Open it up.”
I opened the little locket as he was putting it on my neck. Since I couldn’t see it, he laughed and held it up to read it to me.
“Forever my Blaze”
I wrapped my arms around Conner’s neck. “I love you so much. Thank you, Conner, for everything.” After he kissed me a few times he pulled away.
“You like it?”
“I love it. I have something for you too.” I reached into my purse and pulled out an envelope. He cocked his eyebrow and opened it. When I saw him laughing, I knew he liked it.
He read the certificate out loud. “This certificate is good for ten years’ worth of haircuts by Amy.” He pulled me close to him and kissed my head. “I love it. Thank you.”
“I didn’t have much time or money. It’s probably lame.”
He cupped his hands around my face. “I already had two gifts, the moment you walked in that door. I got you and the little one that’s growin’ inside of you, darlin’. I’d say that’s the best present anyone could get.”
We were distracted by his phone going off on the bedside table. He reached over me. "It's probably just one of my old friends wishing me a Happy Holiday or somethin'."
Conner's face got real serious. He clear his throat and read the message, before handing me the phone. At first I thought it was my father. When I called to tell him I was okay, I had given him Conner's number. I think the look on my face said it all when I read what the message said.
The first thing I noticed was the sender. It was Heather.
I know I am the last person you want to talk to. I've done a lot of terrible things and I deserve everything you did to me, but I have important information that you and Amy need to know about Rick. Please have her call me, it is extremely urgent. -H
I sat the phone down on the nightstand and let my legs fall off the bed. Conner sat up behind me and leaned his head on my shoulder. "I think you should call her."
"I think I don't care what she has to say. She's ruined too many lives, Conner. I'd never trust anything she said." I hated her so much and even more knowing that she'd been with my man. I was fully aware that what he did saved his sisters marriage, but I'd never forget how much it hurt me. He wasn't mine at the time, but I wanted him to be.
"She said it’s about Rick. If you're not going to call, then I am. I just got you and I'm not takin' any chances when it comes to that asshole."
I didn't want to talk to her, but Conner talking to her was out of the
damn question. "Fine. I'll call her tomorrow."
His arms wrapped around me and I felt his lips brushing over my neck. "I won't let them hurt us, you know. I'd die before I let anyone hurt you again."
I stood and turned around to face him. "Don't ever talk about dying. Please don't ever talk about that Conner."
His hands slid up the front of my oversized t-shirt and grabbed the elastic part of my underwear. He pulled them until I fell over top of him on the bed. "You really do worry too much. This ain't the movies, darlin', you and I are goin' to be fine. Now, would you stop worryin' and get some sleep? I have to tell my mother the truth before she leaves."
"Great, I will definitely be able to sleep now." I immediately felt queasy just thinking about them telling me that I had to leave. I thought about Miranda walking up and smacking me in the face for getting involved with her brother. Keeping the truth from my best friend for so long wasn't going to go over we'll, no matter how many times I played it out in my head. She was going to be so pissed, but I knew I couldn't stay here with Conner without letting all of them know what was going on.
I don't really know how long I slept, but the sound of a rooster woke me and right away I noticed that Conner wasn't in the bedroom. After using the bathroom, I found him in the kitchen with Colt and Van. I could tell from the look on her face that she knew we were in a relationship. We hadn't exactly been hiding it.
"Good morning." She was sitting with Christian while she ate her breakfast.
Colt handed me a coffee cup and scooted out of the way of the pot. My heart dropped when I looked at Conner with a worried look. "Uh, I don't drink coffee." I lied.
Miranda happened to walk in just when I said it. "Since when? You usually drink a whole darn pot. I could never just stop drinkin’ coffee. The only time I stopped was when I was preg..." Her eyes got huge and she grabbed me by my arm and pulled me out of the kitchen. I looked back at Conner who was shaking his head and following close behind.
Once we got into the bedroom, which she tried to keep her brother out of, she stood in front of me, tapping her foot. "You are goin' to explain to me right now what's goin' on." She pointed at my brother. "For months I have asked you and you kept lying about it. It's your baby isn't it? You couldn't keep your dick in your pants."
Conner smiled and scratched his head. "Get over yourself Randa, you're just pissed because you're the last to know about it."
"It wasn't like you're thinking, Miranda. He didn't try to get into my pants, he saved me and took care of me. Your brother has been nothing but a loyal friend to me. I won't let you accuse him of something else." I probably shouldn't have taken up for him like that.
She cocked her eyebrow and got close to me. "Let me guess, him keepin' you safe required you to be naked? My brother doesn't care about girls. He fucks girls, Amy. If you think you're different, you're very wrong.
Conner came up behind me. "I love her, Randa. I swear to God that I do. You owe her an apology!"
Miranda just stared at Conner. She got this weird smile across her face and turned to me. "What are you going to do about Rick? I mean, you’re my best friend, but I can't support you bein' with my brother if you're still married to another man."
"My marriage has been over for a very long time." That was the truth.
"So, you're tellin' me that you're in love with each other and you're havin' a baby?" She sat down on the bed and just kept looking at the both of us. "And the baby is definitely my brothers?"
"I haven't been with anyone else."
"I didn't mean to say it that way. It's just that all this time I knew that something was goin' on. I just had no idea it was this serious. You're really in love with my brother? With him? For real?"
I looked up at Conner and he winked at me. "I really am."
"Conner, so help me God, if you hurt my best friend, I will rip your damn balls off."
We both started laughing, while Conner just shook his head. "I'd like to keep my balls if that's okay with you."
I was shocked when Miranda reached her arms around me. "So, I guess you'll be stayin' with us for a while?"
"Is it okay? I mean, I haven't thought that far ahead."
Conner cleared his throat. "Is it going to be a problem?"
Miranda shook her head. "I told you that you could stay with us last year. Of course you can stay, except you'll have to share a room with my brother, but since he's already knocked you up, I don't really see it bein' a problem."
I put my arms back around Miranda. "Thank you. I've wanted to tell you for so long, I swear. I just didn't know how to begin."
She pushed me away and smiled. "It's not me you have to worry about. Conner needs to tell our mother and the rest of the family."
"We'll, let’s get it over with then." He grabbed my hand and pulled me out into the living room. "Call over to the house and tell them to get over here. I have something I want everyone to know."
Ty was standing next to Colt and they nudged each other. "You decided to come out of the closet didn't you?" Colt shook his head and started laughing at Ty's comment.
"Screw you, douche. You're the one who irons his underwear." The thought of Tyler Mitchell ironing anything made me burst into laughter.
He threw his hands in the air. "I like how it makes them lay in the dresser. Don't knock it till you try it, dude."
I watched Colt handing Ty money and he tucked it into his pocket. Obviously, they had a bet going about my relationship with Conner.
Colt came over and whispered in my ear. "Darlin', you sure you want to be a part of this family?"
I smiled. "More than anything."
So, I pictured his family walking in and all sitting down. I figured they would all give him their attention and he would explain our whole story, but it went nothing like that.
Conner's family came walking into the house. They were still in pajamas and all seemed grumpy for being drug out in the cold. Conner stuck two fingers in his mouth and whistled loudly, causing me to jump. "Amy's having my kid and we're a couple. Does anyone here have a problem with that?"
The room got quiet for a good ten seconds...and then the chaos began. I got hugged, kissed, congratulated, warned and hugged again by every single person in the house.
After they were all done, his mother came up and kissed me on the cheek. "When my daughter introduced you, I had this feeling that you were special. My son is a hard head and he likes to get the last word in edgewise. Be patient with him, Amy. I know you have a lot to deal with, but you're a part of this family now, whether you want it or not."
"I want it so much. I love your family and I love your son."
She patted me on the leg. "He'll be a wonderful father. Take care of him for me."
"I will, I promise."
After the excitement wore off, we spent the rest of the day surrounded by the family. Everyone seemed so happy and they welcomed me like I had always been around. Finally, I felt like I was home and I was safe.
Later that night, I cuddled into Conner's arms in his bed. When he started to snore, I turned around and watched him sleeping. He really was a beautiful man. Sure, he was totally cocky, but everything he'd said turned out to be true. From the first moment we were together, I had wanted more and now I had it.
There was still so much to be figured out, but I knew with Conner by my side, everything would be okay.
Conner and Amy's story is just getting started. Look for book 6 in the Mitchell series March 2013.
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Jennifer Foor lives on the Eastern Shore of Maryland with her husband and two children. She enjoys shooting pool, camping
and catching up on cliché movies that were made in the eighties.
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