Curves in the Road (The Southern Devotion Series Book 2) (16 page)

Chapter Twenty

**Mary Jane**

M
y palms were sweating so much that I kept a dish towel nearby as I prepared dinner. Steak, potatoes, green beans, rolls, a meal of Derrick's favorites. For dessert we'd enjoy ice cream sundaes. The clock said it was six thirty, each moment that ticked by made me more nervous about the talk we'd have.

This would be a night that neither of us would ever forget so I wanted to make it as special as possible.
After texting Derrick I called his mom to ask if she'd mind having Katelyn spend the night. Things could go two ways tonight, either way it would be best not to involve Katelyn.

It was almost time for him to arrive so I slipped on a new dress I bought while out with Gracie today. It was a silky black dress that wrapped around my waist giving me a good bit of cleavage and still leaving enough to the imagination.

The sound of a car door alerted me that Derrick had arrived. The table was set; I dimmed the lights and lit the candles just as he walked into the kitchen.

"Welcome home," I said as I walked up and gave him a chaste kiss.

"Dinner smells good," he said emotionless.

"Thanks. How was your day?"

"Let's not do small talk, Mary Jane," he said sounding defeated and exhausted. "You wanted to talk, but I have a few things I need to say first."

Derrick turned his back as he went on his rant without hearing me out. While he was turned I prepared myself for what I was about to say. His words were not ones of anger or blame but a profession of love and devotion. He wanted me to stay and I wanted that too.

When he turned around to face me, I was down on one knee with my right hand held up in the air holding a gold band.

He stopped, speechless
with his mouth open in surprise.

Chapter Twenty-One

**Derrick**

It wasn’t my style to beg normally, but this was something I really wanted. I couldn’t let Mary Jane get away without a
fight that was the mistake I made before. It was hard enough to look at the nervousness reflected through her eyes in what she wanted to tell me. Instead of letting her say anything, I began naming every reason why she should stay and every reason why I wanted her to.

When I turned to finally face her, I never expected to see her down on her knee with a ring in her hand. Smiling up at me she began, “For the last few days I’ve gone over all the Pros and Cons of Orlando
vs. Nashville. The list is here.” She pulled a piece of paper from her cleavage and handed it to me. “As you can see, the Pros for leaving are minimal.” 

When I unfolded the piece of paper, under Pros for leaving it said
Dream Career
. Under the Pros for Staying it said
Once in a lifetime love, Prince Charming, the perfect daughter, the life I’ve always dreamed of
and then listed every one of the people in our lives.

“I’m not sure what rational reason I had for waiting to make this decision since I’ve loved you and Katelyn from the moment I first met you. I asked your mother’s permission to ask for your hand in marriage and she gave me this.”

She held the ring up once more and I recognized the chain link of the band. “Is that my father’s wedding ring?” I asked.

She nodded as tears welled up in her eyes. Trying not to cry she said, “Derrick Collins, will you marry me?” Before the words were out the tears were falling from her eyes.

I lifted her to a standing position, cradled her face with my palm and said, “Yes.”  We shared a brief kiss before I asked teasingly, “Does this mean I have to take your name?”

She laughed and I lifted her up then spun her around in a circle. When I sat her down she said, “There is only one more person I need permission from before we finalize this.
  I want to ask Katelyn’s permission but I couldn’t do that till I had your answer because that wouldn’t be fair to you.”

I grinned, “I think that’s a great idea. Not that I’m complaining but what about your job?”

“Gavin found out and scolded me for not telling him. He said that he has some contacts and he’ll have me a job by the end of the week. He said it’s the least he could do since ‘I gave him a freaking child’. His words, not mine.” Those sounded more like Cameron’s words; those two were really starting to meld into one person. We’re hoping Gavin wears off more on Cameron then the other way around.

The reality of the moment hit
me; I grabbed Mary Jane and bent her over in a passionate heart stopping kiss. When we came up for air, she said, "Are you hungry?"

"Not for food."

She winked, "I was hoping you'd say that. I had another surprise for you. I asked your Mom to take Katie for the evening. She'll bring her by in the morning for breakfast."

"So we have all night together to celebrate?" I said, excited at the idea. My
mind raced with the thoughts of all the things I wanted to do to her tonight. "That's a great surprise."

"Oh that's not the surprise. Remember the negligee I wore in Atlanta?"

"The white one? Yeah, I'll never forget it." The memory of her in the soft white lingerie made the room grow hotter.

"Angel bought me that for the first time and another one for
the second which I never got to wear."  She reached down, untied the sash of her dress then peeled it open exposing a red satin and lace bra and panty set that was sheer in more places than there was satin. My eyes drifted to her legs with the red garter belt holding up the black thigh highs with lace tops.

"Have I mentioned that I really like Angel?" I asked, unable to tear my eyes away from the sexiest woman that I was now engaged to be married to. She gave a seductive laugh that made me crazy. I lifted her up onto the counter, pushing the dress off her shoulders to leave her in nothing but the lingerie. "You're so sexy, Mary Jane." My tongue darted out to tickle her earlobe, a move I know drives her crazy with lust. She locked her legs around my waist and pulled me against her. I felt the heat of her core pressed against my excitement. She tossed her head back and let out a sexy moan as my mouth found her nipple.

We never made it to the bedroom. The kitchen counter had never seen action like this before. The bra fell to the floor; she began to unlink the garter belt when my hand stopped her. "Leave them on," it came out as a growl. I grabbed her leg and pulled it over my shoulder as I slipped inside her. The fierce passion expressed in her face almost caused me to come undone more quickly than I wanted.

After the counter, I lifted her up, pushed my way through the kitchen door and moved to the couch. Sitting on the couch, she straddled me and eased back down over me as her fingers dug into
my shoulders with each motion. The couch offered more comfort for us both. When we were both spent, we laid on the couch snuggled up together with a blanket thrown over us for warmth. With a gentle kiss to her forehead, I held my hand out with my father's wedding ring on it. "I can't believe my mom gave this up."

"When I told her that I was going to propose, she offered it to me. She sai
d your dad hasn't worn it in years because his hands would swell too often. He offered it to Ash when he was getting married but Ashton told him he couldn't take it because he may want to wear it again one day. Your mom said that…."

"
It doesn't matter now that he's gone?" I guessed, filling in her silence.

"Yes. So she wanted you to have it."

"Derrick Evans has a nice ring to it," I said teasingly adding her last name to my name.

She smiled, "Oh no you don't. I've been waiting too long to be Mary Jane Collins."

When she said my last name with hers it hit me hard, I tipped her chin up to see her beautiful pale green eyes staring back at me. "I've never loved the sound of my last name more than when you said it just then."

Chapter Twenty-
Two

**Mary Jane**

In the morning, I woke up in Derrick's arms still
lying on his couch. Squinting at the clock on the wall I realized his mom and Katelyn would be here in less than an hour. I sprang from the couch taking the blanket with me. When I turn, Derrick is still sound asleep sprawled out in all his naked glory. Holy smokes, I can't believe I'm marrying this beautiful man.

"You could take a picture it'd last longer," he said with his eyes closed but a smirk on his face.

"Oh this will be etched in my memory forever, trust me."

He opened his eyes, grabbed me around the knees pulling me back down on top of him. The look on his face was the happiest I could ever remember seeing him since we'd met. His smile was contagious as I started to giggle at how giddy he was acting. "Where were you running off to,
Mrs. Soon-to-be Collins?"

"Your mom and Katelyn will be here soon. We have to get showers and start breakfast and we're running short on time."

"Well, I have a great idea. Let's reduce that to one shower and cut out a few minutes."  He suggested, winking at me.

"Race ya." I said, before pushing myself off the couch and running up the stairs
. When we reached the bathroom he grabbed my waist then pressed me against the wall capturing my mouth with his in a flaming hot kiss. "If we keep doing this it isn't going to save us any time," I mumble against his lips.

After a nice long shower we get dressed and Derrick runs downstairs to start breakfast while I clean the living room up. He pushes through the kitchen door and clears his throat, "Good thing we got in here before my Mom did." In his hands he has my bra and underwear along with his clothes from the floor of the kitchen where we first made love.

As soon as the words left his mouth, the doorbell rang. "Go! Run those upstairs," I whispered loudly. One hair check in the mirror and I opened the door.

Katelyn jumped when she saw me, "MJ! I didn’t know you were going to be here." She grabbed me around the waist in a fierce hug. It's hard for me to believe I wanted to give this up.

"Go in and help your daddy with breakfast." I said, as Derrick made his way back to the kitchen. "Hi Mrs. Collins."

She hugged me and said, "It's Maria, sweetheart." Then she whispered, "Don't keep me in suspense. Did you ask already?" I nodded with a smile on my face indicative of the excitement I was feeling. She covered her mouth, her eyes grew misty, and she said, "Craig would've been so happy at this moment. He's been rooting for you and Derrick since the beginning."

"I hope Derrick and I are as happy together as long as you and Craig were."

Maria lets a tear fall from her eyes, her voice cracks as she says, "I hope you get many more years together than we did."  She held me tightly when I offered her a comforting hug.

Derrick and Katelyn were
in the kitchen whisking eggs to scramble. Katelyn looked up at us and exclaimed, "Daddy's letting me make the eggs."

"Did you put extra shells in mine?" Maria teased.

"Gramma you don't put the shell in," Katelyn said, rolling her eyes and giggling.

"Do you think you could let your daddy finish
those? I want to talk to you a moment." I took Katelyn's hand and led her to the kitchen table. "You know I love you, right?" Katelyn nodded her head in response. "Well, I love your daddy too."

"Are you leaving again?" Katelyn asked sadly.

Brushing her hair back from her face, I said, "No, sweetie. I wanted to ask you if I can stay with you both. I want to be part of your family. I'd like to marry your dad and I want your permission."

Katelyn's eyes grew to the size of saucers. "Really? Will you be my mom?"

"If you'll have me." I said, holding back my emotions with everything I could.

Katelyn threw her arms around my neck, bouncing up and down squealing. "YES!" Derrick came over and hugged her from behind, sandwiching her between us.

"So, it's official," he said. "We're engaged."

"Daddy, are you going to give Mary Jane her ring too?" Katelyn asked.

"
My
ring?"

Derrick's look of shock mirrored mine, "How did you know about that?"

"I found it a long time ago in the drawer." Katelyn said with a mischievous grin.

My stomach clenched and I leaned down and whispered, "It's ok if it's one you bought for someone else. I know she wouldn’t understand."

Derrick's gentle smile as he caressed my cheek put me at ease, especially when he added, "Sweetheart, I've never considered proposing to anyone else before. Wait here."  A few moments later he returned with a small square box. "I bought this when we were secretly dating long distance before, actually the night before you called me to end things." He opened the box and inside was the most beautifully elegant princess cut diamond ring.

"Seriously, you've had it this long?" I ask, feeling a number of emotions at hearing that news.

"Still have the receipt if you want to see it," he teased.

"I believe you," I said then started bouncing up and down with my hand out to him. "Put it on me!" I exclaimed giddily. When he slipped it on my finger it was a perfect fit.

An hour after we finished breakfast we were knocking on Gracie and Ashton's door. The peephole darkened letting us know someone was standing there. I held my hand up and knew it was Gracie when I heard squealing right before the door was flung open. She grabbed my hand still s
quealing excitedly. "We're going to be sisters!"

Next she tackled Derrick in a hug, "It's about time you asked her."

"Actually she asked me," he said.

Gracie flipped around to gape at me. "What?" Derrick held up his hand to show his ring.

Ashton walked up behind me at that moment and said, "Dad's ring looks good on you, bro."  Ashton then turned to wrap me in his muscular arms. He kissed my forehead and whispered, "I'm glad you decided to stay." Then louder he said, "It's going to be great having you in the family."

Gracie squealed again while clapping her hands. "We have a wedding to plan," she exclaimed in a singsong voice while bouncing up and down excitedly.

The day had been somewhat surreal and I needed a moment to gather my thoughts so I snuck downstairs to their rec room while everyone was bustling around the kitchen making snacks and preparing for a celebration. Once dow
nstairs I felt a moment of clarity and I sat to just cry for a moment. "Mary Jane?" Gavin said as he sat next to me on the couch. "Why are you crying?"

When I glanced up at him, he had Baby Addy cradled in his arms which seemed to round this moment out. "I'm happy. I've had so many crazy
good things happen to me in the last two years. I was lucky enough to have two dreams come true and I needed a moment to sit and contemplate the impossibility of that for most people. And this little girl…" I said, reaching out to caress Addy's cheek, "helped me make
your
dreams come true. It's been an amazing journey and there is still so much ahead. It's a bit overwhelming. I was pregnant a few months ago and now I'm going to be a mom to a six year old. It's crazy and amazing all at the same time."

"Would you like to hold her? I don’t think you've done that since you were in the hospital. If it's too weird though, I understand." 

Holding my arms out he placed Addy into them. It occurred to me this moment would be difficult, and it was a little hard, but mostly I felt love and protection for her. It made me happy to see Cameron and Gavin happy. We shared blood but she didn’t really feel like mine. Basically I donated an egg and my body in order for this life to be created. She will always be precious to me, but I know my place in her life. "I'm your godmother, Addy. You have the two best dads a girl could ever hope for. Don’t let Daddy Cam turn you too far to the diva side though. Always be brave like both your daddy's. They've been through a lot to get you in their lives. They will protect you with all they have in them. You're the luckiest girl on the planet, more loved than most people will ever know in their entire lives." Bringing her up closer to my face I kissed her soft hair and whispered, "I'll always be here for you, no matter what. I love you."

Gavin let one tear fall before wiping his eyes. "Katelyn's a pretty lucky girl to be getting you for a mom. You're a natural, MJ."

"She is a natural for sure." Derrick said as he came down the stairs. "Gavin, Cam needs you upstairs for a moment."

Addison had fallen asleep in my arms at this point. Gavin gave me an awkward look,
and then looked up the stairs and back. "I can hold her while you go up. We're fine."

Gavin grinned then kissed Addison's cheek and snuck away upstairs. Derrick took his place on the couch. "Are you alright holding her? Is it difficult for you?"

"Glancing down at her soft porcelain skin, her chubby cheeks, soft blonde hair, I do see myself in her face and it stings a little. She's not mine though, I know that. One day I would like to have another one. If you do, of course. It would be nice to have someone to get excited over ultrasounds and kicks with. I experienced that through Cameron and Gavin but kept myself as distant from it as possible so I didn’t become too attached."

Derrick pushed off the couch, leaned over and pressed his lips to mine. He was careful not to lean too far over the baby while still able to deliver a kiss full of passion. "You're still the most amazing woman I've ever known. To answer your question, yes I want to have a baby with you one day as well. Finding out about Katelyn was scary, but she ended up being the best thing that ever happened to me. I’d be glad to have four or five babies with you."

I gulped, "Wow….four or five? Let's slow down and start with one."

A soft gurgle that slowing turned into a cry interrupted our conversation.  Addison had awoken; I lifted her up to cradle her better swaying her back and forth with soothing words to calm her. The crying intensified and I looked up to Derrick for aid. "Can I try?"

When Derrick took Addison from my arms and cradled her in his strong muscular ones, it was the most beautiful sight I'd ever seen. She was tiny against his chest as he gently swayed her back to sleep again. Addison turned her head and let out one last choked sigh as her sobs extinguished and she was in dream land again.

"That gave me a little glimpse of your first year with Katelyn. And I gotta say, it kind of made my ovaries explode seeing that side of you." I grin as he shakes his head at my metaphor.

"That would be the first time I made someone's ovaries explode, I believe. I suppose that’s a compliment?" he whispered so not to wake the baby.

"Something tells me you've done it before and are unaware. It's the highest compliment these days from a woman," I winked at him.