by Ford, Mia
“She would love the kids more than anything and be the best grandma out there. Not that they aren’t blessed already, but Mom would give them something different. She was always so worldly to me. She’d love our guys and tease us about getting musicians.” Mom loved music more than anything and we grew up listening to many kinds. “I know she already watches over us though. I can feel it. I see her in all the kids from time to time in the way they move and some of their expressions. Mom is our angel watching over all of us.” Cammie smiled, and it was every bit Mom’s happy expression.
“She left us too early,” I murmured as she nodded and locked gazes with me.
“Of course. But maybe she gave us our lives as a gift by doing so. Fate and all.” Cammie shrugged and reached for her decaf coffee.
“She would think like that.” I glanced around the cozy little cafe with all the vibrant colors and mismatched furniture. I spent a lot of time here working when I needed some time alone and talking for hours with Cammie and sometimes David. We both loved writing here. Braden even came here to read with me sometimes when we had a date.
“She totally would. She’s here all the time.” Cammie nodded and broke off a piece of her pumpkin bread, which was her craving this month. I smiled at her and reached for my coffee, taking a long sip. It was starting to make me feel ill, so I’d enjoy it as long as I could. I could never drink coffee in early pregnancy.
“So, I need to stop at the store on the way home. Want to go?” I asked as she nodded at me, chewing on her bread.
“What for?” Cammie asked as I licked my lips.
“The coffee is starting to bother me.” I said simply, and her eyes widened.
“Oh my God. You’re pregnant?” She asked as I shrugged.
“I need a test to know but it sure feels like it.” I admitted, and she squealed as a couple of tables glanced over.
“I’m only three months along. They’ll be so close!” Cammie told me as she took my hands. “Have you told him?”
“I want to take a test and do it in a special way. I know it’s the third baby, but I don’t want to just tell him too casually. I want it to be special.” I confessed, and she squeezed me as her eyes lit up.
“I just dropped the bomb. I get the way you think.” She nodded and leaned back, tracing her stomach with her hand.
“I was thinking of taking the test and seeing what it says. He’s busy recording right now so I could put something together. Maybe t-shirts for the other kids?” Cammie nodded enthusiastically, and I kept going with my ideas.
We went to the closest drug store and bought a couple of tests before going home. I tucked them both into my big purse as we walked inside, greeting everyone with hugs and kisses. David was reading books to Braden for school while Rosie curled up on his other side, making my heart jump into my chest. My husband loved us, and I knew that another baby would complete us. I hurried upstairs to take the test while he was busy with Cammie by my side and we both jumped around when they both indicated that I was indeed pregnant.
We calmed down in time to go downstairs and start dinner. Brent was already here, and I melted as he kissed his kids and then my sister, touching her stomach gently. She was stunning every day, but pregnancy made her look like an angel. He kissed my cheek, and I smiled as I walked by, knowing how hard it would be to hide this from them.
Over the next week, I kept the house running and made my plans. If David were home more, he’d notice that I wasn’t drinking coffee anymore or feeling nauseous in the mornings. He started his days early when they were in the studio recording.
We planned a dinner at Cammie’s when everything was completed per tradition. David slept in late that day and rose with enough time to hit the home gym and shower before relaxing a little. I was busy with the kids as always and it seemed like things didn’t settle down until we were driving over to Brent’s house.
The surprise was falling into place.
We arrived, and the guys sipped beer, but I drank water along with Cammie. It wasn’t completely unusual for me to do that lately since I’d been drinking less to begin with. We hung out and finished cooking with a lot of offers of help from Brent, assuring them that we were fine. When everything was ready, I took the kids off with an excuse of washing up for dinner. Instead, I changed their shirts into the ones I ordered with the words Big Brother and Big Sister on the front. Braden’s was a soft blue and Rosie’s was pink, but the words stood out on the soft colors. I checked them and grinned when Braden read his shirt and gasped.
“We’re telling Daddy in a special way right now. Let’s go downstairs and sit down as usual and we’ll see what happens.” I grinned at him before kissing him and Rosie and straightening. I took their hands, and we walked down to the table, a wide smile on my face as Cammie watched for the reaction.
Brent looked up first from where he was setting the plate of chicken down. He tilted his head and glanced at me with a curious grin, making me want to giggle. I nodded, and he broke out into a huge smile as we all looked at David. He was walking through the door with a large plate of bread and paused, looking at us. “What’s up?”
He set down the bread and looked at the kids. Braden stood up and started dancing around the room as he pointed at his shirt. “Look, Daddy!!”
“Slow down and let me see, bub.” David said as I started to laugh at my son’s antics. He read as Braden held his hands and stopped moving, looking immediately at me. “Baby?”
I nodded as tears filled my eyes and he took a few choked breaths before he picked up Braden. He hugged me, including our son as Rosie started to cry. She was feeling left out, and I wondered what a third child would add to this insanity. “Come here, Rosie.” I murmured as she stood up and jumped into our embrace. “You’re going to be a daddy in about seven months, baby.”
“I’m so happy. I knew it isn’t a huge surprise, but it took a while and I thought… and now we’re here. I love you all so much.” He pulled back to kiss me as Braden squeaked, making me laugh. “How did I not notice anything?”
“You’ve been working a lot. It helped me plan this, but the normal signs are there.” I replied before he kissed me again.
“Did you know?” David asked Brent. His friend shook his head and my husband stared me down. “Good job, girls.” He hugged me again, and we sat around the table, ready to eat.
If someone told me back in college that this would be my life, I’d never believe them. It took a lot to get here for both Cammie and I. She provided me with a solid family if not traditional and it was like David filled in the blanks for me. He’s given me so much and I have no idea how to convey that to him. I merely smiled and reached for his hand under the table, squeezing him.
This gorgeous man was all mine and would be forever.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
David
The following WET Christmas
I walked downstairs to see my kids champing at the bit to open their Santa presents. I sighed and went into the kitchen for coffee, pouring a cup as I stepped into the large living room. It was our personal time before we went to my parents’ house and I loved it but cherished this time.
Aubrey walked down the stairs holding our three-month-old son, Colton. He seemed so small compared to the others, but he was mighty, my son. He was crying for his breakfast and she smiled at me as she glanced at the others. “Merry Christmas.” Aubrey told the kids as they looked at her with demanding expressions. “I guess they’re excited.”
“Just a bit.” I muttered as I watched her settle into an oversized ottoman before arranging Colton under a nursing blanket. There was always a chance that Cammie might show up with her family and both women were conservative about feeding. Brent didn’t want his wife displaying herself with their daughter Peyton and I wasn’t into the idea with Colton.
She murmured to him as she settled him in to the feeding, telling the kids to open the presents if they were ready. I grabbed my phone to record the event and settled on the co
uch beside her to watch, wincing as they started fighting. “Jesus. Why did we want to add to this chaos again?’ I asked as they finally realized what bright packages belonged to which kid. We’d only been doing separate colors since they were both in this world. Colton would have his color when the time came.
“We adore them.” She replied as I focused on recording the event for the memories. They got a generous number of gifts, but we were careful to make it things that they would use and wanted. Everyone else spoiled them and it was always a trick switching out old toys to new ones. We donated the old ones to a kids group that Aubrey volunteered for sometimes and loved. Aubrey laughed at a few strong reactions that came in the form of screams and I scowled at Braden and Rosie.
When the disaster was over, Colton was finished with his breakfast and I burped him over my shoulder. She went into the kitchen to make breakfast and I held my son in my arms, appreciating my blessing. I smelled bacon from the kitchen and stood, sighing at the mess of wrapping paper and boxes on the floor. Leaving it, I headed in for breakfast and helped out as I secured the baby on one arm. We sat around the table and I groaned as I heard the doorbell. I knew just who it was.
Once we’d all eaten, Cammie and Aubrey took care of the kitchen while Brent and I tackled the living room. The kids were in their rooms talking about their presents and the babies were sleeping in the bassinets in the living room. We were in the process of planning a summer tour, so our families could come, making it both an American tour as well as a brief European one. I never wanted to go anywhere when Colton was still this small and would be even then. My priorities were changing now, and Brent felt the same way.
Once everything was cleaned up, we headed to my parents’ for dinner and the tradition of walking around looking at Christmas lights in the neighborhood. Everyone was there.
Jacob and Vanessa had their twin girls Abbi and Violet there already. The girls were crawling now, and I chuckled as I watched my carefree brother keeping an eye on them with Vanessa. He was always so laid back and his world was rocked. I knew that he was happy though. We talked a lot, and it showed on his face every time I saw him. Vanessa was a great mom and seemed to balance keeping the girls safe but not too sheltered. She insisted on taking them on trips for both work and pleasure, usually taking a couple of nannies along. That wasn’t by choice, but they needed them to work.
Either way, the girls were going to be world travelers by the age of two.
Press and Miles arrived with the twins to hugs and kisses. Emma got engaged over Thanksgiving and they were planning a destination wedding over the summer. Miles and Mel were moving a bit slower, but the girls had moved in individually with the guys.
I accepted it fully now. They proved that they loved the girls, and I was getting to be good friends with both. We planned to bring them to our summer tour pending the wedding and looked forward to it. I was enthusiastic about their future, pleased with our own success.
I used to laugh at bands that settled down later in their careers when I was young. I thought life was all about music and the pursuit of success as well as the perks. Looking back, there were so many girls and too much partying. Life was a lot better now. I was that singer now that wanted to focus on my personal life more than music. I was ready to hand the limelight to someone else and just enjoy what we had. We had the money to live a good life, and I knew that we were going to stay successful for a while.
Mom had the kids that were old enough to sit on their own at a small table just to the side of the adult table, so we could keep our eye on them. The babies were with parents if they were awake. It was chaos but the best kind possible.
I looked at my family as we settled in. We used to just be parents and kids. Now there were spouses and kids of various ages scattered around the living room. The noise level was insane. The laughter was generous, and everyone talked to one another.
After dinner, we all helped clean up and wash dishes before going around the large Christmas tree to open family presents. The kids were spoiled as always. I knew my family had a hard time getting me stuff, but Mom always made it so personal in her choices. This year, it was a picture of our family framed that must have been taken when I was about ten. The girls were small babies and my parents looked so happy. In the photo, I could see my parents in my own children. I wish that I’d know Aubrey’s mom, but I saw that the kids look after her as well. It was an incredible thing to watch.
While the family was busy opening the Christmas presents, I got some alone time with Aubrey and led her to the bedroom. The desire of tasting her was so strong that I quickly put her on the bed and we both straddled each other.
Aubrey sat on top of me and I knew that she could already feel the hard pulsating member from my jeans. She rose her dress up, pressing only underwear and jeans between our most sacred spots.
The feeling of my throbbing caused her to moan and close her eyes. I could sense that Aubrey was already imagining me penetrating into her. I was just taking my time to make her fully wet and ready.
I teased her clit and slid her underwear down, as she undid my pants.
The idea that we could get caught only made what we were doing more invigorating.
It didn’t take Aubrey all that much, just the touch of my strong hands, our salacious kiss, and the knowledge of what we were doing, to moisten myself into being ready to take me.
Soon she could feel that warmth pressing against her, she eased into me, rubbing herself against me so that the two of us could ease our way into lovemaking, with the limited time we were provided.
Eventually, I glided against the entrance with ease and lustful need.
By this time, both of our hearts were pounding, and there was a knock on the door.
Our pulse was also racing as the thudding of our sensual curiosity continued to move us forward.
After one final thrust, I readjusted myself correctly, so that I could glide my way into her deeply.
“Oh…” she moaned, throwing her head back and angling herself to invite me in deeper.
“Yes…” I replied.
With my hands on either side of her pelvis, I shifted her up and down, in a hastening motion, while she used my shoulders as leverage.
Our breathing grew rapid and loud as we thrusted toward climaxing; our bodies quaking with need and exhilaration.
I expected Aubrey to tell me to quiet down, but she was also consumed in the moment of climaxing.
Together, we rocketed out of this world and into a universe that, at least for a few seconds, was all our own.
It was the perfect Christmas ever!
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Aubrey
The following Summer
I listened to all the kids downstairs as I went from room to room, packing for our long time away. The wedding of Press and Emma was going to be on a private beach in Belize and we were flying there. It was a small family and friends’ ceremony and we’d stay a few days to enjoy the area and Emma and Press would enjoy a short honeymoon before the tour began.
She got it. Emma had seen how her brother lived in the industry for years and that we made it work. She was more than willing to travel with him until they had kids, and probably after that. Miles had been hired on as a tour manager and Mel was traveling with him on the bus. I knew that he planned to propose to her at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, a place that she’d dreamed of going for years.
I added the last of Rosie’s clothes to her case and ran my hand through my hair that was hanging well past my shoulders. I needed a cut but hadn’t found the time. Kids took every second of it and I silently hoped for some alone time at the beach with my husband.
I heard footsteps on the stairs and glanced up to see Cammie. She smiled at me and took in the suitcase. “Hey, sis. How’s it going?”
“I’m packing for everyone. I need a haircut. How are you?” I asked as she chuckled.
“I’ve been working on that all week. I have an appointment at my salon if you wan
t to come. She owes me a favor.” Cammie offered, and I raised my brows at her.
“She does?” I asked, and she nodded. “Just a cut?”
“Lily is great. She can get you in quick and even if she runs long, she’s worth the wait.” Cammie told me, and I considered the situation.
“Brent’s here?” She nodded. We could leave the kids with them and run out quick. The flight wasn’t for two days and I had time to finish packing.
“Let me tell David!” I left the room and scurried downstairs to run it by them and he agreed. We left to go to the salon, and I let Cammie go first as I relaxed with a magazine. It smelled so good in here, like product and I enjoyed it while I waited. I loved these quiet moments when I could just be me.
I searched through a hair magazine to find a cut I liked, keeping my curls in mind. I needed something a little new and played with my dry ends as I looked through the pictures.
Cammie was finished quickly and approached me with a long bob that suited her face. I smiled and told her how good she looked before pointing out the picture that I liked. She agreed that it would be perfect. I went to sit in the chair, enjoying the luxurious shampoo and sipping tea while I watched her cut my hair. Lily knew who Cammie, and I were married to but kept her voice low as we chatted at her station in the back corner. She loved the band and the favors that she owed Cammie were in return for tickets to several shows over the years.
She paid one well by giving me a cut that was just below my shoulders. It flattered the curls, and they bounced up around my shoulders as I shook my head around with a smile. “I love it. Thank you. It’s so perfect for the summer!”
“I heard you have a busy one planned,” Lily giggled as I nodded. This cut was one that I could pull back if I wanted to or wear down, loose and crazy around my shoulders. It was perfect for a busy mom. We paid her and tipped heavily before grabbing dinner and heading back to my house.
We gathered the kids around the table to eat and David pulled me against him as I went to get drinks. “You look gorgeous, baby.”