Beneath Your Beautiful

by Tamsyn Bester

  Oh crap, I’m going to cry. “It’s you and your family that I should thank,” I swallow back my tears, “I feel at home here, with all of you. You’re my family now.”

  She hugs me tightly and a moment later we’re outside. The men are all standing around the grill, messing around and laughing, while I sit at the table with Demi, Graysons’ mom and Aunt Emma. Looking around, it’s impossible not to feel the sense of ‘family’. I wish my parents were here, to celebrate with us, and to ease my mind about what lies ahead but in spite of their absence, I have all the family I need and won’t ever take them for granted.

  Chapter 26

  ~ Huntley ~

  ~ 5 months later ~

  It’s amazing how quickly things can change. Grayson is about to graduate and I couldn’t be more proud of him. I rub my big belly and when my little man kicks my hand I smile. I grab Demi’s hand and put it on the spot I felt the kick. When his little foot moves again Demi gasps. “That’s incredible.”

  “What’s incredible?”

  I look up, shielding the sun from my eyes, and grin wide when I see Jeff standing next to me. “Your nephew,” I giggle. “He’s playing football already.”

  Jeff leans down, close to my belly. “Hey little man,” he says softly. “Think you can give your momma a little break in there?” His hands come to rest on my belly and his eyebrows shoot up when he feels a kick. “Wow. He’s busy.”

  “He only calms down when it’s his daddy’s voice. And daddy’s sitting over there with the rest of the graduates.”

  Jeff chuckles. “Maybe he’ll behave if you sit down?” he suggests and gestures towards the seats occupied by our family. Jeff greets his parents and takes the open seat next to me, while Demi sits on my other side. The hum of the crowd dies down as the graduation ceremony begins and my mind drifts through the last few months. I’ve just completed the first semester of my second year, adamant that being pregnant wouldn’t stop me from going to college. Grayson has already started working with the University’s sports department to launch his sports rehabilitation center and in the mean time he’s the football teams’ assistant coach. I’ll take a few courses online after the baby comes and then spend the first year with him at home. I was worried that I would have to put getting my degree on hold permanently, but Grayson wouldn’t hear it – he doesn’t want me to sacrifice my dreams just because we got our family started a little earlier than we expected.

  The ceremony drags by painfully slowly and when the certificates start being handed out I get excited. Grayson is in the third row and I watch as he takes his place in line to get his degree. My heart fills with pride.

  I feel a sharp pain in my belly and gasp. A few seconds later I feel it again, only this time it’s worse. I grab Jeff’s hand and squeeze it. “Are you ok?” he whispers, garnering the attention of his mother and my Aunt Emma. I’m two weeks away from my due date but the doctor said the baby can come any time now. Everyone has been on high alert, in case our little man decides to come early.

  I shake my head no and whimper when I feel another sharp pain. I bite my lip to stifle a yelp. I look to the stage. There are three people in front of Grayson. I can hang on a bit longer. I rub my belly and start breathing in and out deeply, like Aunt Emma showed me.

  I squeal when the fourth pain hits me and Jeff springs into action. He stands up and helps me to my feet. Grayson sees me just as he steps off the stage and comes running toward us. “What’s wrong? Are you ok?” he looks concerned.

  “Um,” breathe in, breath out “I think it’s time.”

  “Now?”

  I smile at him and nod frantically. He takes Jeff’s place at my side and we start walking towards the parking lot. There’s a hustle behind us and I look back to see our family in a frenzy. Brody jumps off the stage and joins Graysons’ parents and my aunt and uncle, who start following us. We reach the truck and Jeff jumps into the drivers’ seat while Grayson joins me in the back.

  ~ Grayson ~

  Doctor Bates walks into the room and I stop my pacing. “Right kids, let’s see if your little guy is ready to come out.” He takes a seat between where Huntley’s legs are bent and I hold her hand while we wait. His head pops up and he grins. “Ok Miss Morgan, are you ready?”

  My nerves explode as I realize what he’s asking. I was hoping we’d have two more weeks to prepare but it seems our little man is impatient. He’s definitely a Carter.

  Her answer is a toe curling scream and she squeezes my hand. “I’m going to need you to push now,” Doctor Bates instructs gently. Huntley starts pushing, taking breaks to catch her breath. After what feels like forever, her face is sweaty and she’s crying from the pain. “Why can’t we get something to help her with the pain?” I yell at the doctor.

  “We don’t have time,” he replies calmly. Too calmly.

  I look down at Huntley. “You can do this baby.”

  She squeezes my hand tighter and fuck me, it hurts, but I’ll do anything to help her through this. “Gray, I can’t, I’m so tired and it hurts so much,” she cries. I clench my free fist to stop myself from punching this damn doctors’ teeth into his throat. I lean in closer and press our foreheads together. “Yes you can baby. I need you to give it all you’ve got one last time. For our son.”

  She sniffs and her whole body tightens as she braces herself. She screams one last time, giving it everything she’s got. When a baby’s cry pierces the room, she sinks back into the bed, tears streaming down her face. My whole world stops the first time I hear him cry and suddenly everything else seems insignificant. The nurses grab him and clean him up while Doctor Bates gets Huntley cleaned up.

  I kiss Huntley deeply, our tears mixing. “You did it,” I whisper against her lips. “You’re incredible. I love you so fucking much.”

  Her shaky hands cup my face. “I love you too.”

  Huntley sits up, exhausted, as a nurse comes to stand on the other side of her bed. She places our baby in Huntley’s arms and the sight has me crying like a girl. “Hi little man,” she whispers, looking down at our son. “I’m your Mommy. Your Daddy and I have been waiting for you.” She kisses his forehead and I watch the tears stream down her face.

  Her face is sweaty and her hair is a complete mess. But she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Especially now, holding our son.

  She looks up at me and smiles. “Would you like to meet your son?”

  I think I nod. Huntley passes him to me and as if he knows I’m his father, his little eyes open. They’re blue, like Huntley’s’, but his little mop of hair is dark like mine. We stare at each other for the longest time and when his little hand wraps around my index finger, my heart jumps out of my chest and runs around the room.

  “Do you have a name for him yet?” the nurse asks.

  Huntley smiles as she answers. “Hunter Gray Carter.”

  “Welcome to the world Hunter Gray Carter,” I say softly, watching Hunter watch me. “We’re so happy to finally meet you. Your mommy and I both love you very much.” He yawns, his small mouth pouting as his tiny eyelids drop.

  There’s a light knock on the door and when it opens, my mother, Mrs. Coach and Demi come in, followed by my father, Coach Morgan and Brody.

  “Holy shit,” Brody whispers. “He’s so fucking small.”

  Demi smacks his shoulder, “Don’t cuss in front of the baby!”

  My mother kisses my cheek and looks down at Hunter. “He’s beautiful,” she wipes a stray tear. “Can I?” I hand him to her and take a seat next to Huntley on the hospital bed. My father and Coach Morgan get emotional when they see Hunter, and I chuckle at the sight of them wiping away their tears.

  Huntley watches the people around us, our crazy family, and smiles when she catches me watching her. “What?”

  I lean in close, “I want another one.” I kiss her.

  “Me too,” she murmurs against my lips. “But you can give birth to the next one.”

  “You were amazing,” I whis
per. “You’ve given me the second most amazing gift.”

  She frowns slightly. “What’s the first?”

  “You.”

  Epilogue

  ~ 2 months later ~

  ~ Huntley ~

  I roll over and find the bed next to me empty. The clock next our bed reads four am and I frown, wondering where Grayson is.

  I climb out of bed and walk down the hallway to Hunters’ nursery. When I walk in, Grayson is sitting in the recliner in the corner cradling Hunter in his arms. I lean against the door and silently watch him with our son. I overhear him talking about the day we met and the memory makes me smile. Who knew after that day we would end up here?

  Like he can feel me watching him, Grayson looks up and gives me his full dimpled smile. I return it and walk in until I’m standing next to him. He moves Hunter and then pats his leg, motioning for me to sit down. I curl into his lap, Hunter resting between us. “Hey Momma,” he says quietly. “We were just talking about you.”

  I chuckle, watching Hunters’ eyes light up at the sound of Graysons’ voice. “I heard. What are you boys doing up so late?”

  “I heard him crying through the baby monitor and I wanted to let you sleep so I thought I’d come hang with my little man for a while.”

  “Is my little man hungry?”

  I pick Hunter up and his little mouth pouts. His hair is the same color as Graysons’ but he has my eyes. He’s the perfect balance between the two of us.

  Grayson doesn’t move from the recliner so I settle into his lap more comfortably and start nursing Hunter. Grayson rocks us back and forth gently while watching me like he’s done so many times before. I start humming and it feels like we’re in our own little bubble. When Hunters’ done eating, he falls asleep quickly, completely satisfied. I’m grateful that he’s such an easy baby.

  I wiggle in Graysons’ lap and he hardens beneath my butt. We haven’t had sex since Hunter was born and I’m starting to go crazy with need. “I’m going to put our little man to bed,” I whisper, careful not to wake Hunter. “Then I want you to take me to bed.” Grayson growls and I shiver, standing on somewhat shaky legs.

  I lay Hunter down in his crib and when I turn around Grayson is already behind me. His hands snake around my waist and cup my butt, grinding his hips into mine. I moan and the sound makes Grayson lift me up quickly until my legs are wrapped tightly around his waist. He crashes his lips to mine and walks us back to our room, dropping us onto the bed.

  He devours my mouth in an earth-shattering kiss to end all kisses. Our tongues collide, causing an explosion of sensation to rush over me in waves. He unbuttons his shirt, the one that I always wear to bed, until my breasts are bare to him. I use my feet to drag Graysons’ boxer briefs off while he slips my panties down my legs.

  My hands slide down his back and I dig my nails into his tight butt, grinding my hips into his in search of some friction. He pulls away from me breathlessly, rubbing his knuckles down my face and looking at me adoringly. “I have something I need to ask you,” he says quietly, his voice husky.

  He reaches over and pulls something out of the nightstand drawer.

  “I love you, more than anything,” he pauses and I see his eyes glaze over. “You gave me the most amazing gift imaginable, and then you did it again when our son was born. You are my heartbeat, the air in my lungs and my reason to live. I can’t imagine my life without you.” He opens the box and I gasp. “I know we’ve done things a little backwards, but let me spend the rest of our lives taking care of you, loving you, making more babies with you. Be my wife.”

  Tears prick my eyes. We’ve never spoken about getting married, even now that we have Hunter, but I already know that my heart and soul belong to him.

  “Yes,” I breathe. “A thousand times yes.”

  He slips the ring on my finger and gives me the connection I so badly crave. Our bodies slip and glide, melting together, becoming one in every way possible.

  Grayson has given me the life I didn’t think I’d ever have and he’s given me his heart so completely as I have given him mine. We are two broken people, whose pieces magically fit together to make something beautiful and new. I took a risk, letting him see what’s underneath the surface. But now, what lies beneath our beautiful, is so much more than I could have ever imagined.

  About Tamsyn

  Tamsyn is a 22 year old blogger turned author who has an insatiable hunger for New Adult Contemporary Romance novels, coffee and chocolate. When she’s not getting caught up in yet another steamy romance with a new book boyfriend, she can be found spending endless hours working away on her laptop in pursuit of her Marketing degree and a career in book Publishing. Tamsyn is a Brat when it comes to books and believes that every story, no matter how challenging, should have a Happy Ever After. Tamsyn is currently hard at work on her debut novel Beneath Your Beautiful, set to be available July 2013.

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