I smile when I see two to-go coffee cups ready on my kitchen counter. Jake hands me one as soon as he sees me.
“Call me when you get off from work. We’ll go to the hospital.” He bends down to kiss me and runs his thumb across my cheek sweetly. I hug him tightly, feeling his body around mine. I missed him.
“We’re going to be okay, right?” I place my chin on his chest as I look up at him.
“More than okay.” The feel of his arms wrapped around me causes my body to react. His warmth envelops me, and I feel whole again.
Jake lifts our entwined hands and kisses the top of mine. I smile over at him as we walk towards the hospital entrance. His wink makes my heart race.
“I can’t wait for you to meet Hayley. Jen is excited to see you, too,” he says before we enter.
“I’m also excited.” I’m sure his family knows about our break up, so I am happy to hear that they are excited to see me. I really loved his family when I met them. So many different thoughts occupied my mind throughout the day—from enthusiasm to doubts. Jake and I love each other, the rest will work out. I have to trust him like he said.
“Hey!” Jen says as soon as we walk into her room.
“Hi, sis! Where’s my girl?” Jake smiles and looks around the room until he spots Keith holding his daughter.
“Hi,” I say with a smile. I suddenly feel kind of awkward. “Congrats you two,” I finally say and hand the small bag with the outfit I bought today after work.
“Thanks, Beth. We’re so elated to finally meet Hayley. I’m so happy to see you again. You didn’t have to bring anything,” Jen says. “Keith, can you say hi?” She laughs and looks at me. “That little girl already has him wrapped around her finger. Poor daddy has no idea what he’s in for.”
We both laugh and I ask her how she’s feeling. She opens the gift and thanks me for the beautiful dress. While I’m talking to Jen, I hear a cooing sound and look up. If I had any doubt before, they have been cleared now. I’m mesmerized. Watching Jake carry his niece as he whispers words just for her, and feeling the love that radiates from him as he stares at her tiny face, makes my ovaries ache. Tears fill my eyes as I watch him hold baby Hayley. I so want an Annabelle with this man. He catches me staring at him and smiles. When he gets close to me, I stand to see Hayley for the first time. She is absolutely gorgeous.
“This is Beth. She’s really happy to meet you, and I know she already loves you very much. Don’t tell her yet, but she’s going to be your auntie one day,” he whispers.
The adoration in his gaze as he looks at his niece is heartwarming. I stare up at him as he says that last part and hold his gaze. I give him a small nod and try not to cry like a fool. The reality of everything we’ve lived, and everything we have yet to experience, hits me. Up until this moment it seems as though I have existed in a parallel universe. Seeing my life through the eyes of others, living it but not fully understanding it because I was so busy trying to escape my reality. Losing Jake a couple of months ago was torture, but being here with him now I realize just how much I was lying to myself thinking there was some kind of hope of moving on without him. His words have stunned me into silence, and I know one day this will be us. One day he will be holding our daughter and introducing her to our families. I feel it deep within my soul.
“Do you want to hold her?”
“Yes. If that’s okay,” I say to Jen.
“Absolutely.” She gives me a warm smile and a wink. I’m sure Jake caught her up on what was going on between us.
I hold Hayley in my arms and stare at the small bundle. Her eyes are closed and her small lips are pursed together. She’s perfect. I rock her softly and wonder how someone can love another person so much when they aren’t even related. She slowly blinks her eyes open and looks up at me. She has beautiful blue eyes just like Jen and Jake, and I hope they stay that color. She begins to move her hands slowly, and I swear she smiles at me. Okay, maybe it was just her mouth twitching, but it looked like a smile. Just then the nurse walks in to check on the new mom and baby and ask if Jen was able to feed Hayley yet. I hand Hayley over to her, and Jake and I walk out of the room to give her privacy.
“She’s so beautiful,” I tell Jake while we wait outside of the room.
“She is. She’s perfect.” He bends down and kisses me softly. “One day we’re going to make a perfect little human like her, and they’ll play together and be best friends.”
“You’re so cheesy.” He laughs and wraps his arm around me.
“I know. We’ve already established that.”
I lean my head on his shoulder and ask, “You really want one?” I am still wrapping my head around this. It was just a couple of days ago that I thought having Jake as a part of my future would never be possible.
“I do. I know it may take you some time to believe me, but I want nothing more than that. We take our time though. I am selfish and want you to myself for a little while longer, but this has put everything into perspective. You were right when you said priorities change once you have children. It no longer feels like they would hold me back.”
“I think we can work something out. I’m still not ready to share you either.” Witnessing him hold his niece did open my eyes to Jake’s feelings about children. I may still have my doubts, but they stem from fear. My heart trusts him, but my mind challenges it. I brush the fear away, knowing it is just emotion getting in the way of my happiness. Jake and I are going to be all right.
Once Jen finishes feeding Hayley, we walk back into the room for a little while longer. After chatting for a bit and laughing at Keith drooling all over his daughter, Jake and I say bye. Jen and Keith need to rest. They’ll be going home tomorrow and that transition will be a new experience for the three of them.
“Do you wanna have dinner?” It’s endearing to hear Jake ask instead of demand that we’re going to dinner.
“Yes.”
We drive downtown to a restaurant with an outdoor dining area. The patio is decked out with string lights hung from tree branches shining above us. The food is great, and we cool off with cocktails in the summer evening.
“I want you to come have lunch at my parents’ house tomorrow. My brother’s visiting with his family, and I planned on going over to spend time with them before they leave on Sunday.”
“You want me to meet your family? I’m astonished,” Jake jokes.
I roll my eyes and say, “Yes. I know I was hesitant, but I want you to come with me.”
“You know I would love to, baby. Do they know we were dating?”
“Yeah, I fessed up last week when I spoke to my mom.”
“Damn, I’ll have to impress them really good then.” I laugh and reach for his hand across the table.
“They’ll love you. Nico may put up a fight for my attention.” I smile thinking of his reaction when he meets Jake. Nico may be nine, but he’s protective of our bond.
“I can manage.” He brings my hand to his lips and kisses my fingertips. “We’ve got forever.”
“We do.” I take in his crooked smile and the twinkle in his eyes. This man is mine and I want to show him just how much I love him. “Are you ready to go home?” He lifts a brow and his smile turns wicked. I’m glad we’re both on the same page.
“Are you tempting me?” he asks.
“Always.”
Jake pays the bill faster than I’ve ever seen him do it and practically drags me to his truck. I laugh until I climb in and he grabs my face and kisses me hard. His tongue in my mouth sends a shot of desire straight to my core and my body starts to beg for his.
I fist my hands through Jake’s hair as his lips kiss the skin below my ear. The ride home is like fucking foreplay. The tension building between us gets heavier by the second. We practically tear each other apart before getting out of the truck and walking to my apartment. I missed connecting with him on such an intimate level, and it has been too long since I’ve felt his body consume mine. I arch my body into his and fe
el his erection pressing against my belly. I let out a low moan that brings Jake’s attention back to my lips. His kiss is passionate, and I open my mouth to allow his tongue access. Our tongues dance together as we breathe life into each other.
“Baby, I need you,” I mumble against his lips.
“You have me. All of me.”
We break away only to remove our shirts. Jake runs his hands down the sides of my body and back up, cupping my breasts and rubbing his thumbs over my nipples before removing my bra. My skin tingles under his touch. When his lips wrap around one of my nipples, I let out a moan. His tongue flicks over the peak before his teeth lightly graze my skin. One hand is teasing my other breast while the other is snaking down my body to undo my jeans. My legs tremble when I feel his finger brush against my clit. Fuck that feels good. With his help, I shimmy out of my jeans and kick them off.
“I love you,” Jake says staring into my eyes.
“Make love to me,” is my only response. He picks me up and carries me over to the bed, dropping me onto the mattress. He places one knee on the bed, as his hand reaches between my legs and pleasure overcomes me.
I’m desperate to find my release and to feel his cock inside of me. I run my hands down my body and grip my thighs as my lower half moves to the rhythm of his fingers. Jake’s eyes hold me prisoner, and I can’t look away. We stare at each other as my body grows hotter. I reach up and sensually cup my breasts, playing with them like Jake would. I arch my back and twist my nipples between my fingers while Jake continues to fuck me with his. He growls deeply, thrusting faster into me causing me to react and move my hands over my breasts caressing them harder. Sensory overload! My hips thrust up and meet him but our eyes never leave each other. As my orgasm builds, my moans grow louder and my body overheats. When Jake’s thumb rubs firm circles over my clit one last time, I fall apart calling out his name.
“Jesus, that was the hottest thing I’ve ever seen,” Jake says hoarsely. He removes his jeans and boxer briefs, giving me a small show before he gets in bed with me.
I roll over and straddle him, taking his mouth in mine. My tongue forces entrance into his mouth, stroking his erotically. Jake’s hands land on my hips, holding me to him, and I feel his member at my core. I rub against him a few times without letting him enter. The feel of his dick against my clit drives me wild. His groan expresses the same feeling, and I move over him again.
“Baby, I want in you. I’m going to come if you keep doing that.”
“It feels so good,” I moan.
“It’ll feel better when I’m inside you.” I look down at him with desire. His eyes reflect the passion in mine, the black overpowering the blue as he looks up at me. I raise my hips and guide him into me, slowly moving my body over him. My tight muscles wrap around him, and I let out a pleased groan.
“Fuck,” Jake growls at the same time, and we begin to move together. I’ll never get tired of making love to this man. My man.
As much as I thought I would be a wreck over my parents meeting my boyfriend because of the pressure they could potentially add to our relationship, it is different with Jake. Jake and I have been through ups and downs and we have found our way back to each other. I want to include him in every part of my life, and my family is a big part of me. My mom was excited when I called and told her Jake was coming to lunch with me. I was expecting a hundred questions about our relationship and when we got back together, but she said she was happy to officially meet him. The excitement in her voice was no surprise to me though. Maybe she realized that you can’t rush love.
I laugh as I look over at Jake in the driver’s seat. The man is gripping the steering wheel the closer we get to my parents’ house. Yesterday he was happy to meet my family and confident Nico would accept him, but right now he looks like he might throw up.
“Can you stop laughing at me?” he says without looking my way. I laugh louder and shake my head.
“This is too much fun.”
“What? Torturing me?”
“I’m not torturing you. You didn’t have to come.” I smile widely in his direction.
“I wanted to.” He runs his right hand up and down his thigh. That makes me laugh even more.
“Are you that nervous, Jake?”
“No.” He repeats the action with his other hand. Jesus, he’s sweating.
“Bullshit. Just relax. I think it’s charming you’re so nervous, but they’ll smell the fear on you.”
“Smell the fear? They’re not animals, Beth, they’re your family.”
My body shakes with laughter. He’s so easy to tease. We turn the corner into my parents’ neighborhood and park the car in their driveway. Jake breathes in and out deeply as he places his palms in front of the air conditioning.
“Jake, look at me.” He turns in the seat to stare at me. “Are you okay?” My eyebrows lift as I open my eyes bigger.
“Yes.”
“You know this isn’t as big a deal as you’re making it out to be.”
“Are you kidding me? I’m going to meet the woman of my dreams’ family. You’re the love of my life, Beth, and I want them to approve of me so we can build our future together.”
“Baby,” I reach up and cup is cheek. “They will think you’re amazing. My brother already thinks you’re a nice guy, and my parents will just be happy I’m not going to die alone with cats.” Jake laughs.
“I wouldn’t let you.”
“I love you. I promise this will be great. And if they gang up on you, I’ll take your side.”
“Thanks for the added boost of confidence,” he says.
“You know I’m joking. I’d take their side.”
Jake rolls his eyes and turns off the engine. He jumps out of his truck and walks around to open the door for me. I lean in for a quick kiss before taking his hand and getting out of the truck.
“Just be yourself. If I love you, they will too.” I grab his hand and lead him to my parents’ house. I walk into the ranch-style home in search of my family. My dad always said summers were meant for barbecues, so I know they will be out on the deck. Before I walk out the door, I feel someone run past me.
“Sorry, Aunt Beth,” Nico shouts, and then stops in his tracks. He slowly turns and looks at me, then at Jake. He squints his eyes, and his eyebrows crease with the most adorably, confused expression.
“Hey, kiddo. Come meet Jake.” I smile at him, but he shakes his head, clearly upset, and walks out. I hold in my laughter as Jake runs his hand through his hair. His groomed hair is now curling and messy. I love this man.
“Auntie Beth!” Sienna runs into my arms. I squat down to grab her before she knocks me over.
“Hey, baby girl.” I hug her tightly and kiss her cheek. “Do you want to meet Jake?”
Sienna nods her head as she looks over at him. She gives him a shy smile, and I swear she blushes. Oh boy, I’m going to have competition. Jake laughs.
“Sienna, this is Jake, my boyfriend.”
“Hi, Sienna. It’s nice to meet you,” Jake tells her.
“Hi,” her little voice says.
“How old are you?” Jake asks.
“Six,” she says and hides her face in the crook of my neck.
“I think you have competition,” Jake whispers in my ear.
“Tell me about it. Come on. Everyone’s outside.” I carry Sienna outside and smile when I see my family. All heads turn our way. My mom smiles and walks up to us. My brother and Tess are sitting at the table and both look Jake over and then notice me carrying Sienna.
“Is she okay?” Tess asks as she stands and walks towards us.
“Yeah, I think someone has a crush.” I chuckle and kiss my niece before placing her on the ground. “I’ll come find you in a bit,” I whisper in her ear and she runs off.
“Jake, this is my mom, Debbie.” My mom smiles widely.
“It is so nice to finally meet you, Jake.”
“It’s nice to meet you as well, Mrs. Brooks.”
; “Please call me Debbie.”
Jake nods and smiles.
“This is Tess, my sister-in-law,” I introduce them. Jake shakes Tess’ hand, and she smiles with approval.
I walk him over to my dad and introduce him.
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Brooks,” Jake says.
“None of that Mr. Brooks nonsense, my father is Mr. Brooks. Call me Ryan.”
I finally walk him over to Brian. Geez, this is like the longest of introductions. I wonder how Jake is feeling. His face doesn’t give away any emotions besides a big smile plastered on his face.
“Hey, sis.” Brian stands and gives me a hug.
“Hey, Brian, this is Jake.”
“It’s nice to meet you, man. I’ve heard a lot about you.” Brian shakes Jake’s hand, and I swear Jake’s smile falters a second. I can’t help but laugh. Brian doesn’t miss it either.
“Don’t worry, all great things,” he says. Jake laughs with us and takes a seat at the table with my brother.
“It’s nice to meet you as well.”
My mom and Tess sit with us and they all get to know Jake better. They ask him how Southern is doing. They ask about his family and background—all the typical questions you can think of.
“Beth, come help me get drinks,” Brian says.
“Sure. You want a beer?” I ask Jake.
“That would be great. Thanks.” His smile fills my heart with love. He fits right in with everyone, and my family doesn’t have a wedding planned yet. I follow Brian to the outdoor bar on the deck. He serves me a whiskey soda, and I grab a beer for Jake.
“You doin’ okay?”
“I am. Thanks, Brian. We were able to work things out.” I confide in Brian and tell him about Jake’s epiphany when his sister had her baby. I also confess I’m still a bit insecure. How can I really be sure he wants children and not just giving in to that to have a life with me? Because the love you felt from him when he held Hayley proved it.
Yes. Seeing him with Hayley was the confirmation I needed. He just exuded this love and desire to have that one day. I’m still wrapping my head around his change of heart. I guess children really do enthrall people. Maybe it’s their innocence. Maybe it’s their unconditional love from the start. Whatever it is, I saw it in Jake’s eyes yesterday.
Whiskey Nights Page 16