Renewed: The Unexpected Series

by Roberts, S. E.

  “Yeah, sure thing.” She closes the door to her small office.

  Mallory has been helping me do some research for a tricky case that Flynn put me on the week before I took off. I had some work I had to do at home to keep up with it, but thankfully, for the most part, the two of them took care of things while I was gone.

  I plop down in my chair and rub my face with my hands. I’m exhausted and can feel a migraine coming on. I really don’t want to feel like shit when I go home tonight. I’m hoping to cook for Avery again, although I wouldn’t be surprised if she took it upon herself.

  Avery and I have been through so much together since we started dating. It hasn’t all been good, especially the death of my parents. But she’s been right by my side the entire time. I hope to God we’re able to have more children someday. We haven’t talked much about it, but I’m not even sure she’d want to try again after all the struggles we had to get pregnant with Zoey. Maybe we can consider the adoption route again.

  I make a few last phone calls and shoot off some emails for a meeting we have tomorrow afternoon. Flynn will be out of the office for the rest of the week, so he’s put me in charge of it. I won’t lie and say I don’t get paid good to work for them, but if I got paid for all the shit I do around here, I could buy my wife a mansion.

  I pack up my briefcase with the few files I’ll need to work on tonight once Avery and the baby are in bed. I hate taking work home with me, but unfortunately, that comes with the job.

  When I walk to the front of the building, I hear Mallory’s door shut, and I turn around.

  “I didn’t know you were still here, Mr. Porter.” I don’t know why, but when she calls me that, it causes the hair on my arms to stand up straight.

  “I was just finishing up a few things.”

  Not feeling like dealing with anymore shit for the day, I head to the parking lot, ready to see my girls.

  * * *

  When I finally make it home and through the front door, I see my gorgeous wife dancing around the kitchen with Zoey strapped to her chest by some weird contraption she got at our baby shower. She likes it so she can get things done while she’s holding her.

  She doesn’t notice me, so I continue letting her give me a show. She wiggles her ass and holds a spatula up to her mouth like a microphone as she sings to an N’Sync Christmas song. I’ve always teased her about her choice of music, but that’s what makes me love her. She doesn’t give a damn about what others think.

  I’m not sure what she’s making, but I don’t care. I want more than anything to strip her out of her clothes and have my way with her. I’d leave the apron on though. It would be sexy as hell to fuck her with that thing on. But damn it… I can’t be having those thoughts, because sex can’t happen for another month. An excruciatingly, long month.

  “Enjoying the show?” I was so lost in my lustful thoughts that I hadn’t realized she was now looking at me.

  I nod at her. “Very much.” I take long, purposeful steps toward her and bring her into my arms, careful not to squish the baby. “I fucking missed you today.” I run my hands through her hair before dipping my head down toward hers to take her lips into a heated kiss.

  Once we finally come up for air, she smiles up at me. “I fucking missed you too. But we had a pretty good day on our own. Well, I guess we weren’t completely on our own.” She carefully lifts Zoey out of her sling and hands her to me before turning back toward the stove. She’s stirring what appears to be melted chocolate.

  “What do you mean?” I rub at Zoey’s head and then lean down to kiss it. She’s sound asleep. I don’t know how, but this little thing sleeps through everything.

  “We went to my parents’ so I could bake with my mom. Although, I ended up baking by myself while they watched Zo. Can’t say I minded though.”

  My girl loves to bake. I’ve always thought she should open a bakery, but she had her mind set on being a designer. And she is damn good at her job.

  “Did you bring any home for me?” I look around the kitchen and then spot the Christmas containers sitting on the counter. “Jackpot!” I open the top one and see sugar cookies. She makes these bad boys every year, and damn are they good.

  “You’re going to spoil your dinner,” she says as she pulls a pan of something out of the oven.

  “I thought you were baking. Did you make dinner too?”

  “Yeah, I wanted to make a nice dinner for you after your first day back to work.” She looks at me shyly, and it’s fucking adorable.

  “You’re incredible. You know that?” I set Zoey down in her seat next to the table and then walk back to my wife. I trail kisses along her neck and then remember that I need to keep this PG or I’m going to have to take a cold shower to get rid of the raging hard-on I’m sporting right now.

  “You work hard for us. It’s the least I can do.” She gives me a quick kiss on the lips.

  We both turn toward the baby when we hear her squealing in her seat.

  “Will you change her diaper while I finish up here, and then I’ll feed her?”

  “Sure thing, beautiful.” I kiss her on the cheek before taking Zoey to the nursery. I’d never changed a diaper in my life prior to becoming a father and I’m still terrible at it, but I love that Avery doesn’t care how much I screw up. I’ll do anything for my girls, even if that includes changing the shitty diaper my daughter just graced me with.

  14

  Avery

  Zoey and I spent the afternoon at my parents’ house. When we came home, I took a nap while she was sleeping. I keep forgetting that I still need to be resting and try not to overdo it. My doctor told me at my follow-up appointment the other day that just because I feel like I’m alright, doesn’t mean I shouldn’t be taking it easy. After all, I did just push a kid out of my vagina. Okay, he didn’t say those exact words, but that was the gist of our conversation.

  When I woke from my nap, Zoey was still sound asleep, so I decided to do some more baking. I hope Evan’s office is in the mood for some goodies, because like it or not, they are getting a bunch tomorrow. I’ll also take some by Kinsley in the morning. Carly keeps begging me to bring Zoey by the office.

  “She ready to eat now that she’s got a clean butt?” I laugh at Evan as he walks back into the kitchen with Zo. I knew she had left a little present in her diaper, but I don’t think he realized that when he willingly took her to the nursery.

  “You knew, didn’t you?” He sets Zoey back in the bouncy chair and then makes his way to the stove where I’m mixing cereal into the melted chocolate and butterscotch to make scotcharoos. I swear I’m going to gain more weight eating all this junk than I did being pregnant.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say as I bat my eyes at him.

  “Avery Porter, you are an evil, evil woman. You know that?” He spanks my ass before walking out of the room.

  “You love me though!” I holler at him.

  “Yes, I do.” He turns and winks at me.

  “Hey, can you get my Christmas stuff down from the attic so I can decorate tonight?”

  He raises his eyebrows at me. “You want to do all that tonight?”

  “Well, yeah. Christmas is only eight days away.” I know it’s probably silly for me to even bother with it now, but I want to enjoy it for the little time I can.

  “Sure, I’ll go get it. But let me put it up. You need to relax. I know Dr. Cooper told you not to overwork yourself.”

  I sigh. “You’re right. You put up the tree, and then I’ll just decorate it. Sound good?”

  “Yep.”

  Zoey starts to cry from across the room, reminding me that she still needs to eat. I don’t know how women do it with multiple children. It’s hard balancing everything with only one.

  “Come see Momma, baby.” I lift my sweet girl into my arms and then take her to the living room so I can sit in the recliner to feed her. She’s a slow eater, so I like to get comfortable. Sitting on a hard ass chair in the k
itchen is definitely out of the question.

  I unbutton my long-sleeved denim shirt I paired with black leggings. Then I open my maternity bra before Zoey has a conniption because I’m not going fast enough for her liking.

  “I’m coming.” I place my nipple into her mouth and then relax into the chair. It usually takes her a good forty-five minutes to eat.

  “Here’s all eighteen totes,” my husband says as he sets my Christmas tubs on the floor.

  “Oh, don’t be dramatic. There’s only six.” As much as I love Christmas, I am kind of surprised by the fact that I don’t have more decorations. Although, they do cover the entire house.

  He grins at me and then leans down to kiss me. “You two are beautiful, you know that?”

  “And you are a sweet talker. You know that?” I smile up at him.

  “I try my best. Where would you like the tree this year? By the front window again?”

  “Yeah, that’s perfect.”

  Evan finishes putting the tree up, and I lay Zoey in her seat.

  “Thanks, baby.” I wrap my arms around his middle as he still faces the tree.

  “Welcome, beautiful. I’ll help you decorate so you can get done faster.” He opens the tote labeled Christmas ornaments and starts to put them on the tree.

  “Hold on. We need to put the lights on first.”

  This is the worst part of decorating, but thankfully, I put them all neatly in the box last year when I took everything down. Tangled-up lights are a true nightmare, and nothing else could put me in a worse mood.

  “When we’re finished, we can eat and then have some cookies.”

  “Let’s get done fast then. I’m dying for some more of those sugar cookies.” I smile at him. Evan is a very career-driven man who takes his job seriously, but when he’s home with me, I get to see a side of him that many don’t get to.

  We quickly finish the tree and then both step back to admire our work.

  “It’s gorgeous.”

  “Yes, you are.” I turn to him, and he’s eying me with lust.

  “You always know what to say to me.” I hug his middle. Even when I’m feeling like the Marshmallow Man after having the baby, he still makes me feel like the most beautiful woman alive.

  “Well, it’s the truth.” He kisses my temple. “Now, what’s for dinner? I’m starving.”

  We enjoy a quiet dinner of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and corn.

  After we’re finished eating and get all the dishes put in the dishwasher, Evan goes to the living room to start a fire. It doesn’t get too cold in Phoenix in the winter, but it’s still chilly out. Only in Arizona are there days where you have to run the AC and the heat in the same day.

  I make us each a plate of cookies and then pour hot water into two mugs to make hot cocoa. I’m typically a coffee girl, but there’s nothing like a good cup of cocoa with Christmas cookies.

  “Here you go.” I hand him a plate and his mug before returning to the kitchen for mine.

  Once I have my cookies, I snuggle into his side and sigh in contentment as he wraps his arm around me.

  We both stare at the tree in front of us. I think about how fun Zoey is going to be next year at Christmas. This year she won’t have a clue as to what’s going on, but I’m glad we’ll get to spend the holiday with her. I can’t wait to make memories with our sweet girl and the man sitting next to me.

  “I love you, Avery Porter,” Evan says, breaking the silence.

  “I love you, Evan Porter. Thanks for being so wonderful to me.”

  He looks down at me with his handsome smile stretched across his face.

  “I hope I always make you feel that way.”

  “You will, baby. I just know it.”

  15

  Evan

  “I understand. Thank you for calling.” I hit end on my phone and then throw my head back against my seat. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

  I slam my hands down on the steering wheel, causing the horn to go off. I’m sure people are staring at me in the parking lot.

  I’m sorry, Mr. Porter, but we found someone who is more qualified for this position.

  I know I still have about five more months before I have to have something in place, but I’m already freaking the fuck out. How can I provide for my family without a goddamn job? I’m starting to think that Avery has way too much faith in me. I just hope I don’t let her and our daughter down. There’s nothing that busts a man’s balls more than knowing he can’t take care of what’s his. Not that we won’t be fine for a while, but the funds will eventually dry up. There’s no way I’m depending on my wife and her job.

  I pull out of the parking lot, but instead of going right, I turn left toward Ryke’s bar. I know that alcohol won’t fix everything, but it sure as hell can’t hurt right now.

  “What up, man?” Ryke asks as soon as I take the stool at the end of the bar. I know I can’t have more than a couple drinks or I’ll have to walk home, but I need something to numb the shitstorm swirling in my brain right now.

  I slam my hand on the bar, probably harder than necessary, but if Ryke notices, he doesn’t let on.

  “I desperately need a beer.” I rub at my temples and throw my head back.

  He looks at me questioningly. “Rough day?” He turns around and grabs a bottle of Corona out of a small fridge and then sets it on a napkin in front of me.

  I chuckle. “You could say that.”

  He raises his eyebrows. “You wanna talk about it?”

  “Oh, you know. Interviewed for a job and didn’t fucking get it.” I tip my head back and take a swig, not coming up for air until half the bottle is gone. I slam it on the bar and then wipe my face with the back of my hand. Real attractive. I know.

  “Damn.” He pauses. “Let me get you another.”

  I spend the next hour sulking at the bar while Ryke waits on other customers. Austin gives me a few more beers and a new guy, I don’t recognize, gives me I don’t know how many. Needless to say, I’m starting to feel the effects. I lay my head on the bar, starting to feel like shit because I don’t typically drink like this. Call me a lightweight, or whatever, but I feel like I’ve been hit by a fucking train only to have it back up and hit me all over again.

  “What the hell? How many drinks has he had?” I hear Ryke behind me. He’s clearly not asking me, so I keep my head down, ignoring him. My head is starting to pound, and I have a feeling that the room will spin if I sit up.

  “I only gave him a few,” Austin tells him. “He looked like he was having a shitty day. I was just trying to help.”

  I feel a whack on the back of my head. “Get your ass up. I’m taking you home.”

  I slowly look up and squint my eyes, because the light in here is killing me. I just want to go home and sleep the rest of the day away. Avery is going to kill me.

  “Just what I want to do…” I stutter, “go home and face my wife after being told I didn’t get the job.” I lay my head back down before throwing up. I’m dizzy as shit.

  The next thing I know, I’m laying in the back of Ryke’s truck. If he doesn’t stop hitting those damn bumps, I’m going to puke my brains out.

  “We’re here,” he says as he unhooks his seat belt. He then turns to the backseat. “Dude, I hate to sound like a dick, but I don’t think you give Avery enough credit.” He shakes his head and then opens his door before opening mine.

  I feel too sick to argue with him. If I were sober, I’d punch his stupid face.

  “Thanks for bringing him home,” Avery says as Ryke ushers me into the house. I stumble, hardly able to walk. I somehow make it to the couch before falling on my ass. “What the hell happened?” I hear the concern in her voice.

  “Once he sobers up, you need to talk to him. Are you okay if I get back to the bar?” he asks before leaving the room. They’re talking as if I’m not in here with them. Although, I’m not sure I’d be able to respond if they tried talking to me.

  She sighs. “Yeah, we’re fine. Thanks again.”<
br />
  I hear his footsteps in the hallway, and in the next second, the front door slams shut.

  “You wanna tell me what the hell is going on?”

  I peek one eye open, but the room is spinning like I’m on a freaking merry-go-round. I hated those things as a kid, and I can’t say I’d enjoy it any better today.

  I carefully push myself up, propping my back up against the arm of the couch.

  Avery stands with her hands on her hips.

  I clear my throat. “I didn’t get the job,” I mumble, and part of me hopes she didn’t hear me. I really don’t feel like having this discussion right now.

  I chance a look up at her and see the disappointment etched on her face. I’m not sure if she’s disappointed because I didn’t get the job, or because I’m drunk off my ass at eight-thirty in the evening.

  She doesn’t say anything right away, which scares me. I love my wife, but I know that the silent treatment from her is far worse than any time she’s ever yelled at me.

  “That’s what this is all about?” She sounds exasperated.

  I rub my face with my hands and throw my head back. Again, not the smartest idea because I’m one wrong move away from losing everything I’ve eaten today all over the living room rug. Then she’ll be even more pissed off at me.

  “I’ve spent the last three hours worrying about you, because you didn’t get a fucking job?” She laughs manically, which is not a pleasant laugh. If I didn’t think I’d pass out when I got up, I’d run, far, far away from her.

  “Av, if I don’t have a job, we’re screwed.”

  I don’t think she’s heard me at first, until I hear her sigh, and then she stomps down the hallway and then slams our bedroom door. What the hell did I do?

  16

  Avery

  I’ve been staring at the ceiling for an hour. After Evan came home drunk off his ass last night, I couldn’t look at him. I understand that he’s stressed about finding a new job, but it pisses me off that he thought I’d be that upset about him not getting the position at Reynolds & Sons. I’ll be going back to work in a few weeks, so it’s not like we’ll be completely without. Plus, we’ve been smart about saving since we got married. But he’s too bullheaded to let anyone take care of him. He’ll be at Howser & Bowman for another five months anyway. I love that man, but he’s starting to act like his father. If he knew I thought that, he’d be quick to pull his head out of his ass.