Expect Me (Rivers Edge Book 3) (23 page)

And since I’ll do anything to make that dream come true, there’s only one thing to say. “Absolutely. I want that too.”

She smiles at me before she continues. “I want to get married on Thanksgiving. I know it’s only a few weeks away, but I was thinking that maybe we could host dinner here for our families and get married in the backyard. I know it might be hard to find a minister who will come over on Thanksgiving, but -” I cut her off when I move. I move fast. I’m moving her legs, crawling carefully up the couch, and straddling her within seconds. My face is directly in front of hers, our breath is mixed and our eyes are locked.

“Yes. I want to get married on Thanksgiving,” I tell her moments before I claim her lips with my own. It doesn’t take long before the kiss turns towards the heated, needy side.  I have to force myself to pull back knowing that she just had major surgery and we can’t do anything for several weeks. Several weeks that will test my patience and my restraint, I’m sure. Fuck.

“I’ll call my mom tomorrow and tell her the plan. I’m sure she’ll be fine with helping cook the dinner here instead of at their house,” I tell her as we both adjust our bodies so that we’re snuggled up closely on the couch.

“I’m going to call my parents and my sister and invite them. I don’t know if they’ll come or not, but that’ll be their choice. At least I’m going to extend the invite and if they come, great. If not, that’s okay, too.”

“They’ll come,” I tell her as I kiss the back of her head and hold her securely in my arms.

This is it. This is what life is all about. This moment and all of the little moments that will follow. Some of those moments will be happy and some will be sad because that’s life. I expect it to be hard, and I expect it to be challenging. But as long as I have the woman I love beside me and our son in my arms, we can overcome anything that’s thrown our way. It’ll be worth it. 

I don’t expect that, I know it.

Thanksgiving

I awake from a dream-filled sleep and glance at my alarm clock. Two a.m. I’m instantly on alert. Grant didn’t wake up for his one o’clock feeding. I swing around to alert Travis, but his side of the bed is void and cold. I quickly get up and realize that Grant isn’t in his bassinet either. Sliding my feet into my slippers, I head out to investigate.

Travis and I moved up to the master bedroom a week ago, as soon as they removed my staples and cleared me to climb stairs again. This room is without a doubt my favorite room in the house. The open floor plan and the floor to ceiling windows with the balcony make it a dream. I especially love the bathroom. As soon as I was able, I filled up that big garden, jetted tub, Travis lit some candles around the ledge, and I soaked and relaxed all while staring out those huge windows over the tub.

We brought up the bassinet which has been stationed on my side of the bed, and we put the pack ‘n play and the rocker in Travis’ office so that we had a place for midnight feedings and diaper changes. Well, until he’s a little older and starts sleeping in his crib downstairs.

I know my boys aren’t downstairs because all of the downstairs rooms are filled. My parents are sleeping in the guest room, and my sister is sleeping in the twin bed in the nursery that we borrowed for their visit.

I head to the office and crack open the door, and the sight before me takes my breath away. Travis is sitting in his office chair and Grant is sitting in his arms wide-eyed and watching Travis’s every move.

“And that’s when your daddy decided that he couldn’t live without your mommy any longer,” he tells our almost four week old son who is observing him, hanging on his every word. I swing the door open further and Travis takes notice of me for the first time.

“Hey,” he says with a smile.

“Hi. What are you doing?” I ask.

“Well, big man here woke up so I brought him in here for a diaper change. But he was so content afterwards that I thought I’d let you sleep a little bit longer until he got fussy for food,” he replies.

“And the story?”

“Oh, that was me telling my son how I finally wised up and won over his mommy. I was giving him all sorts of advice on what not-to-do if he ever finds himself living with a woman he barely knows yet knocks up. It’s a very compelling story,” he says with that beautiful smile.

“Let’s just hope that he’s smarter than his mommy and daddy,” I say as I walk into the room and stand next to my boys. Grant is focusing on faces more now and seems to take in my face as I crouch down next to them.

“Although, the beginning of the story might not be the best way to go about it, the ending is well worth it,” Travis says as he gazes deeply into my eyes and gives me that cocky, half smile that I love.

I smile back at my almost-husband. “I couldn’t agree with you more,” I tell him before I kiss his lips.

*****

At five o’clock, I’m standing in front of the mirror in the walk-in closet of the master bedroom. I’m wearing a very simple, long satin ivory gown with spaghetti straps and a low scooping back, exposing almost my entire back. I had to find some of those sticky bra cups that are specifically made for backless dresses. Unfortunately, those little sticky cups were not made for breastfeeding. But that’s okay. I’m making due for now.

A knock sounds at the door before Mrs. Stevens steps inside.

“Are you ready, dear?” she asks, beaming in her beautiful beige dress.

I take one last glance in the mirror at my classic, yet casual, hair swept to the side. My makeup is soft yet striking, and my crystal encrusted ivory shoes were traded in for ivory and tan cowboy boots.

Did I mention we woke up this morning to snow? Yep! We had a light dusting of snow fall this morning on Rivers Edge. It’s actually beautiful. The entire backyard looks whimsical and has a magical feel to it. But the snow left everyone scrambling for different shoes. I opted for my new pair of boots that I’ve been breaking in around the house. They are actually incredibly comfortable and so easy to wear while we work around the yard. I grab my thick ivory shawl, and Mrs. Stevens steps forward to help wrap it around my bare shoulders and back.

“You look stunning, dear. I knew the moment I met you that we’d be at this exact same place someday. You are the perfect match for my Travis. You balance each other in every way possible, and I’m so honored to have you as an official part of our family today,” Mrs. Stevens says with compassion and love filled eyes.

“Thank you,” I finally choke out as I try to swallow over the lump that suddenly formed in my throat.

“Come on now, dear. My son is waiting for you in the backyard,” she says with a smile.

Together we head out the door and down the stairs. My nose is assaulted with the delicious aromas coming from the kitchen. My mom has been working hard all day with Mrs. Stevens on tonight’s Thanksgiving and wedding meal. Mrs. Stevens even made a mini cake with decadent butter cream icing and dark chocolate embellishments. I can’t wait to dive into that thing!

My father is waiting for me at the base of the stairs looking handsome in his suit. His face lights up with a huge smile as I approach. “Honey, you look stunning,” he says before he places a gentle kiss on my cheek.

“Thanks, Dad.” I link my arm through his as I watch the rest of the house clear out and head into the backyard.

My dad leads me to the doors at the back of the house that overlook our amazing backyard. There are white twinkle lights strung from the trees and the amazing trellis that Travis and his dad made a few days ago is standing at the end of the flower garden at the edge of the patio.

Under the trellis is the minister of the church that Travis’s family are members of who agreed to marry us on a National holiday. To his left stands Travis. The man I love and about to marry. The man who is also holding our son.

Our family is all gathered around on the patio. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens are standing proudly in front of the trellis. Jake has his arm firmly around Erin’s shoulder. They are in the thick of their own wedding preparations and were completely fine with sharing the spotlight for a few weeks so we could sneak in our own quickie wedding. Maddox is standing behind a pregnant Avery. He has his arms wound around her with both of his hands resting protectively and lovingly on her growing belly. They stand next to Will and Nate. Travis’s good friend Clint is also in attendance with us today.

My mom stands on the other side, opposite of the Stevens family, next to my sister, Karlie. And of course, Matty is standing right there in the thick of it. Rico came with him, and I watch their heads continually lean in with arms flinging around wildly, sharing some sort of gossip like a couple of high school girls. 

When I called to tell my mom about the wedding after Travis proposed, there was no hesitation in her voice when she told me they would be here. She actually sounded like she teared up when I told her. It was a pleasant and welcomed change over the way I envisioned that conversation ending.

“Honey, I want you to know how incredibly proud I am of you today. You have grown into a beautiful, smart, and loving woman. I know that we haven’t always been close and that’s my fault, but I just wanted you to know that I’ve only ever wanted to best for you. I’m sorry if we pushed you towards something you never wanted. I can see that now. That what we were doing wasn’t what you wanted.”

“It’s okay, Dad,” I respond to my father.

“No, it’s not. Your mother and I are truly sorry for the way we’ve behaved and the way we’ve treated you. This,” he says as he looks around at my home, “this is where you belong and what makes you happy. I can see that. I’m so very proud of you, and just want you to know that I love you very much,” he says but his words are all but audible at the end as he chokes on them, fighting his emotions.

My eyes fill up with tears as I stare at my father. “Thank you, Dad. I love you too,” I tell him and kiss his soft, aged cheek.

“Well, come on then,” he says as he clears his throat and turns towards the backyard. Everyone in the yard turns their attention towards the doorway, to me. “Let’s go out there so you can marry the man you love,” he says with a wink of his eye.

I return his smile before returning my attention to the backyard. There’s no music, no programs. There’s no flowers and no fancy decorations. Just me and Travis and our family.

I step through the doorway into the brisk November night. I take several steps forward until I’m standing about ten feet away from Travis. His face lights up when he finally gets a good look at me. It’s that moment that all women dream about. That moment when you see your future husband and he sees you for the first time. He’s amazingly handsome in his crisp suit. A suit that he had to go buy since the man doesn’t own anything but work clothes.

Our eyes lock as I take those final few steps. The steps that lead me directly to him. To Travis. To my world.

I now stand in front of him, my father taking Grant from Travis’s arms, and we link fingers together. He gives me that beautiful smile that I fell in love with the night of Avery and Maddox’s wedding. The smile that I saw in the alleyway of the reception hall. That night my life changed forever.

“Ready?” he asks with all the confidence he has.

“Absolutely,” I tell him as I stare deeply into his clear, blue eyes.

We both turn our attention back to the minister standing before us.

“Dearly beloved…”

~ The End ~

Want more Rivers Edge?

Check out the excerpt from

Promise Me

Rivers Edge Novella 3.5

Coming April 2015!

“You are the luckiest beotch ever,” I tell my best friend good-heartedly as she sits next to me in the limo while sipping a glass of champagne.

My best friend, Avery Jackson, is married to a hot hunk of man candy.  On top of his sheer hotness, he’s a cop. Uniform. Badge. Hot.

“I am a lucky beotch, aren’t I?” she states with a smirk from her seat next to me. A smirk and a far off look in her eyes tell me she’s recalling a moment shared with her man.

Tonight, we are celebrating Avery’s twenty-fourth birthday. Maddox surprised her with tickets to see Bent, the hot rock band taking the country by storm, one concert at a time. Avery gave birth to my unofficial nephew last month, Ryder. He’s perfect in every way possible. He has his daddy’s dark hair and his mommy’s crystal blue eyes. He’s going to be a heartbreaker when he’s older.

“Not only did your hot-ass husband get you tickets to see Bent, but I want to know how he ended up with backstage passes, too?” I ask as I sip my champagne from the comfort of the dark, soft as butter leather seating in the spacious limousine.

“Jase’s oldest brother, Coy, was stationed with Maddox and Jake on their tour overseas. They’ve kept in touch over the years, and Coy always said he could hook them up with tickets whenever they wanted. Maddox was only going to get the tickets, but Coy was able to secure the backstage passes and front row seats for him,” Avery mentions.

“Seriously. Lucky beotch,” I say again and raise my champagne glass to solute the birthday girl.

“I’d like to propose a toast,” Erin says from the seat in front of me. Erin is Jake’s fiancée. Jake, Avery’s oldest brother, and Erin are getting married this summer in the backyard of Avery’s parents, Michael and Elizabeth. On the other side of Erin is Josselyn, Travis’s wife. They were married this past Thanksgiving in their backyard mere weeks after Joss gave birth to their son, Grant. I’ve grown accustomed to all of their deliriously happy smiles. I try to keep my jealousy in check since they’ve all overcame their own trials and tribulations to get to this place in their lives. Besides, Erin and Josselyn have become two of my dearest and closest friends.

“To our birthday girl, Avery. May you have another year of love, laughter, and hot sex. And when Jake and I finally start a family, I hope I have your body. You don’t look like you just had a baby four weeks ago,” Erin says as we all hold up our champagne flutes.

“Beotch,” I mumble under my breath which causes the other three ladies in the limo to laugh.

“To Avery,” we all say in unison before taking a drink of the sweet, bubbly champagne.

“So, have you checked in with the guys, again, yet?” I ask Avery.

“Yeah, I sent Maddox a text a few minutes ago. He says Ryder is sleeping soundly and Brooklyn is playing dress up with Jake since Travis wouldn’t let her dress up Grant,” Avery says with a laugh.

It’s hard to believe that Grant is five month old already. He is the spitting image of his dad with his blue eyes and sandy blond hair. Seriously, these Stevens’ make beautiful babies.

Brooklyn would be my unofficial niece. Avery and I were nineteen when she was born. I managed to go to the local community college for nursing school, but Avery had to forgo college and get a job to support herself and a baby. Brooklyn’s biological father is a jerkface with a capital J. He had been cheating on Avery pretty much their entire relationship, and the moment she found out she was pregnant, he ditched her like yesterday’s Chinese take-out. Drake Connor isn’t worth the designer jeans and fancy loafers he wears.

Maddox stepped in and adopted Brooklyn within weeks of their wedding a year ago. In fact, little Ryder was born a year and two days after Avery and Maddox’s wedding. Avery finally has her happily ever after, and I couldn’t be happier or more proud of the woman she has become.

“So, tell me about Doctor Paul,” Avery says. All eyes filled with sparkly excitement turn towards me.

“He’s a doctor?” Josselyn asks.

“No,” I reply. “He’s only a nurse.”

“So, why do you call him Doctor Paul?” Erin asks, her beautifully manicured eyebrows sky high in question.

“Because he struts around the hospital acting like a doctor,” Avery quips with a huge smile.

“He’s nice,” I defend.

“He’s arrogant,” Avery replies, and it’s true. He is a cocky, arrogant guy. He flirts shamelessly with anyone with legs and boobs, and honestly believes he’s God’s gift to women. He’s also the only guy to show me much attention lately.

I’ve dated on and off in the past couple of years, but have never found that person who challenges me. Who desires more than just a few romps in the hay - figuratively speaking. I’m not into sex in the barn. Hell, right now, I’d be happy with sex period. If the opportunity presents itself, I’m not going to be picky.

Doctor Paul and I have been out on a few dates in the past few weeks and have flirted blatantly in the hallways at the hospital, but I don’t see it going any further than that. He’s nice, but he’s definitely more into himself than he is into me. But it’s not like the other young, single, good looking guys are lined up, anxiously waiting to take me on a date, so it’ll do for now. It’s better than sitting at home alone on Friday or Saturday nights.

I feel the limousine slowing before it pulls into the arena in St. Charles. I’m from Rivers Edge, Missouri which is a small town about thirty minutes away from St. Charles. Small towns breed gossips. If you want to know something about yourself, just ask around town. You’ll find out plenty.

“Oh my gosh, we’re here!” Avery exclaims, blue eyes lighting up like the Fourth of July.

“I can’t believe we’re going to meet Jase Bentley,” Erin exclaims just as excited.

I stare at the large arena where the Missouri Belters basketball team plays and feel the excitement and energy of the stadium zip through my body. People are everywhere. Girls wearing tight jeans and barely-there shirts. Guys wearing huge, cocky smiles as they check out all the bare skin floating around.

“Ready?” Avery asks me as the driver opens the door for us.

I step out into the cool April night and adjust my top. I chose a dark blue halter top that hugs my breasts just right. My brown, curly hair - which is usually pulled back in a ponytail or a clip for work hits just below my shoulders – is left down and hanging around my shoulders. There’s just enough bounce in the big curls to give it a luscious, sexy appearance. At least that’s what Avery told me when we got ready tonight. I stand along the limo in my wedge sandals which gives the appearance that I’m taller than my normal five foot four inch body.

“Ready,” I tell Avery as we all link arms and head towards the front doors of the arena.

After showing our tickets to the girls holding the scanners at the front door, and having our purses checked by the big bouncer-like men, we head towards the stage where we’re supposed to receive our backstage passes.

“I seriously can’t believe we are about to meet Jase Bentley,” Avery says excitedly.

“Me either! He’s so stinking hot,” Erin adds.

“He’s okay,” I mumble. Three sets of eyes turn towards me. Three sets of eyes that are completely filled with shock and disbelieve.

“He’s okay?” Josselyn asks, eyes wide and mouth forming a perfect ‘o’.  She looks horrified, like she can’t believe the two little words I just said.

“Well, he’s kinda full of himself. I can’t stand that. Yeah, he’s good looking, but he knows it. He’s cocky and arrogant and only dates supermodels and movie stars. I’d rather meet the drummer,” I say with a shrug as we reach the front of the line to get our passes.

And part of that is true. Jase Bentley is all of the things I just said, but he also has green eyes the color of freshly cut grass and dark hair that’s wild and slightly un-kept that gives him the appearance that he just got out of bed. And his devilish smile will cause bodies to spontaneously combust from its sheer beauty. According to all of the gossip magazines, he’s twenty six years old and six foot tall with a lean, muscular body that he works daily to keep in his godly, chiseled shape. Both arms and most of his chest are covered in tattoos. He’s the epitome of tall, dark, sexy Rock God. Girls swoon and the boys want to be him. Hell, I’m pretty sure half the guys swoon, too. He’s dangerous with a capital D, which is why I plan to avoid him like the plague when we get backstage. I don’t need his kind.

With backstage passes secured around our necks, Avery, Erin, Josselyn and I step behind the heavily guarded curtain and in the bright lights of the backstage area. Girls are everywhere. I bet there are five girls for every guy back here. The line is long as we find our way to the end for the wait. I don’t see anyone out yet to greet the fans, only a very large, very muscular ex-lineman looking guy with his arms crossed over his chest and a scowl on his face inviting anyone to try to get past him. He’s guarding the door like his life depends on it, and honestly, it probably does.

At seven o’clock on the dot, the door opens and members of the band Bent start to file out and stand in front of the signage promoting the band’s latest tour and major sponsors. I hold my breath and wait for him to walk out. I told the girls that I wasn’t excited to meet him and that I was only here to meet the drummer, but that was a lie. My heart speeds up and my palms begin to sweat as I wait for him to walk out. And when he finally does, the noise of the room fades away. The dozens of screaming women evaporate around me. Jase Bentley walks out from the back room with his head down and a serious look on his face as if he’s lost deep in thought. My eyes are fixed on his ripped up jeans that hang just right on his slender hips. His black t-shirt has the sleeves ripped off so that his tattoos are in full view. The shirt is tight enough to hug his muscular chest and show off the definition hidden underneath. He looks amazing. Perfect. So much better in person than any of the photos in those magazines or his appearances on all the entertainment programs on television.

As if remembering where he’s at, he gives his head a small, quick shake and lifts his eyes to scan the room. His green eyes are striking against the bright lighting as they scan the crowded room filled to capacity with screaming, adoring fans. He plasters on his trademark bad boy smile which causes the screams in the room to reach eardrum shattering decibels. I watch as he struts up to the center of the room where the rest of his band waits for him. His eyes scan the crowd one more time and that’s when the world stops spinning. Green eyes the color of dewed morning grass slam into me like a Mack truck. The room starts to spin as he holds my gaze. The room, the people, the cameras all fades away until it’s just me and those deep green eyes. I know in that moment that I’m in trouble.

Deep, deep trouble.