Renewed: The Unexpected Series

by Roberts, S. E.

“Are you ready for me, Av?” He wraps his lips around one of my nipples as he twists the other one between his fingers.

  “God, yes!” That’s all the invitation he needs before he’s slamming into me.

  He pulls away from my nipple and gives me a concerned look.

  “You okay?”

  I nod. “Yes. Please don’t stop.”

  He lifts himself up and pulls my legs over his shoulders so he’s able to drive into me further. I didn’t realize how much I missed sex until this moment. This man knows exactly how to set my body on fire.

  He continues thrusting in and out and then rubs at me with his finger.

  “Come for me, Av.” He pumps one last time before I’m screaming in ecstasy.

  He releases my legs and then soon finds his own release. I feel him filling me, and I wish that we could stay like this forever.

  Once we both catch our breath, he rolls over and then pulls me into his side.

  “I fucking love you, Avery Porter.” He kisses the top of my head.

  “And I fucking love you, too, Evan Porter.”

  “I’m never letting you go again.”

  I smile up at him and then kiss his cheek. “Good, because I’m never letting you go again either.”

  Epilogue

  Avery

  “Happy birthday, princess,” Evan says to Zoey as he bends down to kiss the top of her crown-covered head.

  “Daddy! You’re gonna mess up my pretty hair!” our daughter yells at him, and it has us both chuckling.

  Today is her fourth birthday. I don’t know where the time has gone, but I’ve loved watching her turn into the beautiful girl she is. Evan always thought she looked like me when she was a baby, but today, she looks just like her daddy with dark brown pigtails in her hair.

  “Well, I wouldn’t want to mess your pretty hair up. I’m so sorry, princess.” He leaves Zoey and then pulls me into his arms. “How is she four already?”

  I sigh. “I have no idea.” I look up at my handsome husband and smile at him.

  Ever since we got back together a few years ago, we have both worked hard to keep our marriage exactly the way we want it. It hasn’t always been easy, but at the end of each day, it’s been worth it. I’ve never loved anyone as much as I love this man and our three daughters. Yes, I said three.

  A year and a half ago, the adoption of our twin six-year-old daughters, Lily and Jade, was finalized. Soon after we finished taking our foster care course, we were able to bring the two little blondes into our home. They were three when we got them, so we had our hands full, but we wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. They had been in the system since they were born, but hadn’t yet found a family who was able to adopt them together. I would never dream of separating the little beauties. Those two girls have taught me so much over the last few years. I couldn’t love them more, even if they were my biological children.

  Evan and Malcom ended up buying Howser & Bowman out from Flynn. They were already one of the top firms in Phoenix, but the two of them have made it even better since taking over. I’m damn proud of my man and what he’s accomplished over the years.

  “Mommy and Daddy, can I open my presents now?” Zo interrupts us.

  “Of course. Let’s gather everyone into the living room.”

  I go in search of all the other kids who are playing in the twins’ room. Most of the other kids here are younger than them, so they all think their toys are “cool.”

  “Hey girls, Zo’s going to open her gifts. Can you help me get everyone out to the other room?”

  Lily walks up to me and wraps her tiny arms around me. “Sure, Momma. We’re the big kids, so we’ll take charge.”

  I smirk down at her as I squeeze her in return.

  “Thanks, Lil.” I kiss the top of her head. She’s been my little love bug since both girls came to live with us. Jade was a little more hesitant, but Lily latched onto me right away, as if she’d known me since birth. Thankfully, it didn’t take much time for her sister to come around, but she is definitely a Daddy’s girl.

  It only takes Zo about fifteen minutes to open all her gifts because the girl wastes no time when she wants something. We then cut into her cake and, of course, all the kiddos are covered in chocolate by the time they’re done eating.

  Before having Zoey, this would have bothered me, but now, I can’t imagine my life being less than chaotic.

  Everyone important to us is here, besides Sierra and her boys. We’ve stayed in touch these last few years and have even taken all the girls out to see them during school breaks. It’s fun having all our children around the same age.

  Once everyone is out the door and we have three little girls in sugar comas, I go to our bedroom to get something I’ve been wanting to show Evan all day.

  “What are you doing?” Evan asks as I take the seat next to him on the couch, butterflies swarming through my stomach.

  “Uh… here.” I thrust the bag at him, before chickening out.

  “What’s this?” he asks as he looks at the small gold gift bag. I’m hoping he’s excited about this.

  “Just look.” My knee bounces in nervousness while impatiently waiting for him to pull the tissue paper out, and then I see him stare into the bag at the black and white picture.

  After what feels like hours, he gives me his big handsome smile.

  “Holy shit.” He jumps off the couch, and in the next second, I’m in his arms. “You’re pregnant?” he croaks out.

  I never imagined him being this emotional, but it makes sense after all the struggles we had to get pregnant with Zo. We had decided that we weren’t going to try again, but we hadn’t exactly been careful either.

  “Yeah.” I smile up at him. “Are you happy?” I know he is by his expression, but I ask anyway.

  “Am I happy? I’m fucking ecstatic.” He kisses me like his life depends on it but then pulls away. “I can’t believe we’re going to have four kids.”

  “There’s something else.”

  He pulls away from me. “Are we having twins?” He smirks, and it has me laughing.

  “No, there’s only one in there, but look under the sonogram.”

  He sits back on the couch and pulls the picture out, looking at our little peanut. He smiles at me in awe and then looks back in the bag and pulls the little pink booties out.

  “We’re having another girl?” The emotion on his face brings me to tears. He’s such a good daddy to the three girls we already have. I can’t wait to see him with this baby.

  I nod. “Surprise!” I rub at my still small stomach.

  “But I don’t understand. If you just found out, how do you already know we’re having a girl?”

  “Because of my age, they did noninvasive prenatal testing, and they were able to reveal the gender as well. I hope you don’t mind that I found out without you.”

  He shakes his head. “No, I don’t mind. I’m just so fucking happy. But damn. Now I’m going to have to buy another gun.”

  I chuckle. “I think we’re safe for a few years.”

  He pulls me into another hug and then kisses me like he never has before. This man is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Our marriage hasn’t always been easy, but once we learned that our love was too important to give up on, we were renewed.

  Also by S.E. Roberts

  Voyages of the Heart (London) Anthology

  Love Refined

  The Unexpected Series

  Revived

  Renewed

  Reawakened (coming soon)

  Excerpt of Revived

  The roaring gusts of wind thrust my small car around the wet street. It’s difficult to see too far in front of me, so I’m driving significantly under the speed limit. This severe weather is common for spring in Chicago. I really shouldn’t complain after the horrendous winter we just had.

  I should be focusing on keeping myself safe, but I’m eager to tell my husband about my news. Our son Brady is only eight months old which mean
s he and his sibling will be close in age. My brother Evan and I were four years apart, which made it hard for us to bond, so I always wanted my children closer together.

  Trevor told me he would be working late tonight, so my best friend Shayna is babysitting while I surprise him with dinner at the office. I got him his favorite, Charlie’s, on my way. I’ve missed him this week, as he’s worked late every night.

  When I pull into the narrow, vacant parking lot, I quickly get out of my gray Honda Civic and open the back door to collect our food and drinks. I’m eager to spend some alone time with him, even if I’d rather it be somewhere else.

  The torrential downpour is causing drastic flooding on the sidewalks, so I am careful not to fall. I cautiously balance everything in my hands, trying not to drop anything. I’m clumsy, but right now would not be a good time for that to transpire. I set the takeout bags on the sidewalk to open the door but find that it’s locked. Strange. I guess it makes sense because the office is closed. I know he doesn’t like stragglers walking in, especially after hours.

  “Trevor?” I call out, unsure if he’ll be able to hear me over the rain beating on the roof.

  After what feels like several long minutes, I try again. “Trevor?” I yell, starting to become irritated because now I’m soaked. Of course, I’m wearing a white shirt today, of all days.

  I’m standing under the awning in front of Davis Chiropractic, but it isn’t doing me much good at this point.

  Finally, I hear something on the other side of the door and I’m relieved to know that I’ll be inside soon. But then I hear a voice that isn’t Trevor’s.

  “Trevor!” A woman’s voice. What the hell is going on? I rattle the handle harder but still get no response. I quickly run around to the back of the building and bang on one of the windows. I see another window is slightly ajar. That’s when my world comes crashing down on me.

  I can’t breathe.

  My husband, my world, is thrusting in and out of his assistant, Nicole. His fingers run through her stringy, boxed-blonde hair.

  I’m going to be sick. How could he do this to me?

  I can’t seem to pull myself away from the window fast enough, but when I do, I run. It’s the only thing I know to do. I abandon the food sitting on the sidewalk and sprint to my car.

  I’m only a couple blocks from Shayna’s, so I head in the direction of her house. I know she’ll be able to calm me and I need to see my son. This was supposed to be one of the happiest days of my life, but it is now possibly the worst.

  * * *

  “Claire, what the hell is wrong with you?” Shayna asks as soon as she swings the door open. I know I’m a mess with mascara running down my face, my clothes drenched from the rain.

  “He. He.” I can’t get the words out because I’m crying so hard. My chest hurts. I can hardly breathe.

  “Okay, babe, you need to calm down. Let’s go sit and I’ll get you a drink. Want some lemonade?” I nod as I climb onto a stool at the bar in her kitchen. Before getting my drink, Shayna brings me a bath towel to wrap myself in.

  I’m appreciative of the silence and I start to calm a little as I sip my drink. Finally, Shayna speaks.

  “What happened, Claire?” She looks at me with concern in her eyes.

  “I just caught Trevor with Nicole,” I whisper. Saying it aloud makes it more real and causes me to lose my composure once again.

  My hands start to tremble uncontrollably and I have to put my glass down before I break it.

  “I’m going to be sick.” I sprint to the bathroom and lose the contents of my stomach. The horrid taste of bile in my mouth making me want to throw up again.

  I hear the faucet on the sink turn on. In the midst of my breakdown, I didn’t notice Shayna had come into the bathroom.

  “Here, this should help you feel a little better.” She pats at my forehead with a wet cloth. Thankfully, it does help some as I had started breaking out in a sweat.

  “Thanks.” I croak. I know that this stress cannot be good on my baby, so I really need to calm the hell down.

  Once I’m confident that I’m not going to be sick again, I lay on the bathroom floor. Typically, this would gross me out as Shay has hairspray stuck to it, but right now I couldn’t care less. I welcome the coolness against my skin.

  Moments later, once my breathing is back to normal, I grab onto the toilet as I carefully stand.

  “You wanna go lay on my bed?” Shay asks. “Brady is playing in the living room and I’ll watch him as long as you need.”

  I wipe my mouth on the back of my hand. “No, I think I’ll be alright.” I then wipe my sweaty hands on my skirt, which of course does nothing, considering my skirt is still wet.

  “Okay, well, at least let me get you some dry clothes.” She heads toward her bedroom as I stare at myself in the mirror above the sink. My makeup is completely washed off my tear-streaked face, my eyes red and puffy.

  He cheated on me.

  I’m still trying to wrap my head around this new bit of information. How could he do this to me after everything we’ve been through together?

  “Here.” Shay hands me a pair of yoga pants along with a New Kids on the Block shirt. If I wasn’t so devastated right now, I’d probably laugh at her.

  Once I’m left alone, I slide down the door and as my ass hits the floor, the emotions take over again. I can’t seem to catch my breath and now I’ve given myself a raging headache from all the crying I’ve done in the last hour. I’m not sure how it’s possible that I still have tears left.

  After several moments, I’m finally able to change.

  I walk toward Shay’s kitchen to fetch a plastic bag for my wet clothes and hear my son babbling in the next room. I manage to form a small smile on my face. My heart aches, but the little guy still needs his mother. Somehow, I’m going to have to figure out how to move forward from this. Is that even possible?

  When I get to the living room, I lift my son from the floor as Shayna gives me a worried look.

  “Shay, I just need to hold him.” She nods in understanding and leaves the room to give me some privacy.

  Brady is very much a mama’s boy. He’s the calm to my storm and I wish that I could sit here all night like this with him in my arms. I lean in to kiss the top of his head. The aroma of his lavender shampoo hits my nose, and I immediately become relaxed by the familiar scent. He rests his head on my shoulder as if he knows exactly what I need in this moment.

  I look over at the coffee table that holds my phone and see that it’s lighting up. I had shut the ringer off on my way here so I wouldn’t have to deal with Trevor. I’m not ready yet.

  Not a minute later, I notice it ringing again but quickly send it to voicemail. I know I’ll break again when I hear his voice. I don’t want to hear his excuses or lies. If I had more of Brady’s things with me, I would ask Shay if I could crash on her couch tonight. I’m not sure what awaits me at home.

  I lay on the couch and massage my sons back which soon puts him into a deep slumber. I know I need to get home before I also become tired. Who am I kidding? I’m exhausted. Mentally and physically.

  When I catch myself dozing off, I decide it’s time to gather Brady’s belongings. I need to stop putting off the inevitable. Maybe he won’t be home, so I can avoid him a bit longer.

  “Come on, Mama. I’ll walk you out to your car,” Shay says as she buckles Brady into his seat for me. Mindful not to wake him.

  * * *

  “Babe, I’ve been trying to call you for the last hour. Where have you been?” Trevor asks as I walk through the front door. Is he serious right now? Does he have no idea what I just saw?

  I silently begin weeping again but disregard his question as I lift Brady from his car seat and carry him upstairs for bed.

  Trevor now runs my father’s chiropractic office after he and my mom were killed by a drunk driver two years ago. Actually, our dads had owned it together for years. His dad died the year before my parents, from cancer.


  I love my family, but I’ve always hated their way of thinking. Nobody was ever good enough in my father’s eyes. He and my mother always snubbed their noses at people who didn’t have high-society professions like them. My husband is no different. I guess that’s why he fit into our family so well.

  Once I have Brady changed and, in his crib, I head downstairs, hoping to get some laundry done. I’m quiet as I go down the stairs because I’m assuming that Trevor is in our bedroom, but I couldn’t be so lucky.

  “Claire, what’s going on?” That’s when I lose it.

  I can’t speak at first, over the tears. “What’s going on?” I choke out. “What the fuck do you think is going on?” I’m seeing red as I lean against the mocha brown wall and sluggishly slide down it because I feel like I may be sick again if I don’t sit.

  My sweet, loving husband doesn’t seem to care that I’m devastated. I can tell he’s only probing because he feels he has to.

  “I have no idea, but would appreciate it if you’d fill me in. Where have you and Brady been all night?” He’s either a complete moron or he’s good at playing dumb. I can’t decide which. I press my face into my hands, refusing to look at him.

  “Shayna’s,” I clip as I snap my head up in his direction.

  “Okay, so why didn’t you answer my calls?” He asks hesitantly.

  “Because I didn’t feel like talking to my cheating husband.” I stand and head toward the basement so I can start laundry, but I’m quickly halted when he grabs my arm.

  “What the fuck are you talking about?” He seethes, looking guilty and pissed. Sorry, Trev, your secret is out.

  “I’m talking about how I saw you laying on top of Nicole when I brought you dinner!” I scream. I can’t keep it together any longer as my knees begin to buckle underneath me.

  We’re now standing by the basement entrance and as I swing the door open to head down, he grabs me by both shoulders and begins to shake me.