Fostering Love (The Soul Sisters Series Book 1) (32 page)

I think we’ve also become more drawn to each other.  It’s like we are always aware of where each other is in the house.  I’m sure his need for this is due to me getting closer to my due date, but mine is purely for peace of mind and connection.  If we’re too far apart I feel the loss and miss him and his attentions dearly. 

Our sex life is amazing.  He’s attentive and demanding, sensual and sexy and always makes sure I get equal pleasure from what happens between us.  I’ll admit that I’m sometimes difficult on purpose and I think this is because I’m attracted to the darker side of Jonas more and more.  He’s not stupid he knows I do this, but indulges me all the same.  It also gives me something to look forward to, if sex is this good now what will it be like with no baby belly to hinder me!

Jonas’s work keeps him busy, it’s not nine to five, and I’m glad that he can work around our time together.  I don't ask him about it, but I can sense when things are not going well or the assignment he’s working on is time critical.  I know he appreciates that I give him room to breathe and concentrate, he knows I’m here if he needs me and I don’t put any pressure on him to discuss it.  At first he felt he had to apologize for leaving the room when a work call came in, but it’s something I understand and know he kisses me before he leaves to continue the calls and again when he returns. 

His trips into town for the bank are also work related.   They vary in frequency depending on how busy he is.  I’ve asked him why he uses the bank but without offering details he’s told me that it’s safer for some stuff to be stored there in a safety deposit box than it is here.  Apparently it’s nothing for me to worry about, but when national security is at stake he makes efforts to take all necessary precautions for both the military’s sake and our safety.  These little statements are ones I’ve learned it’s best not to dwell on.

I see or speak to Neely and Barbara daily, they’re still a part of this and I rely on them, but it’s not the helpless reliance I had before.  Now it’s as an excited granny and aunt to be and as people who are keen to share this experience with us.  I also see at least one of the guy gang, Harrison or the twins when I’m out and about on my own.  I can’t be certain but I think Jonas has them on watch duty in case I go all Wilderness Explorer again and decide to head for a hike or do too much, I also think it’s because he’s worried I’ll go into labor early.

My work has slowed down, I’m officially on maternity leave and although I do spend some time manning Wally’s shop, that’s more because it keeps us both company and stops me from getting bored.  Mig and Pamela keep in contact and he teases Jonas with declarations of love for me. I know he’s joking because it’s something we’ve cleared the air about.  He’s sad he missed his chance, but believes everything happens for a reason.  Jonas doesn’t cope well with Mig’s sense of humor, he grumbles, stomps about a lot and bites back occasionally but I know he’s happy with the understanding there is between us all.  Jonas knows Mig is part of my professional life, I’m proud of what I’ve achieved and continuing what I started with him and Pamela is something I need to do in some form, once the babies arrive.

The only blot on the happy landscape is that Tits seems intent on keeping up with the text messages.  I figured once she was aware that we all knew it was her she wouldn’t bother, but that’s not the case.  Although, the frequency has lessened, the intensity and content of them is getting stronger.  I dread looking at my cell phone when I hear the alert.  I only show Jonas the odd one that he hears me receive, I don’t want to send him in her direction because his anger could mean he’ll do serious jail time and I’ll be looking at raising the babies on my own again for a while.  Neely is aware of them and is adamant that I talk to the police because of the escalation in the threats themselves.  It’s something I plan to do, but I need to wait until Jonas is busy at work or at the bank so I can do it without him knowing.

My main aim this morning though was to try and get to grips with baking and simple cookery.  These are life skills that should be natural to the female species.  Unfortunately my body hasn’t developed this skill and it’s a cruel mystery I am intent on rectifying whilst Jonas is working in the office.  I’ve been trying to find some basic recipes that will keep my family fed. 

I also think I’m starting to get a little bored, I haven’t had any big photo assignments, the house doesn’t really need much and I’m convinced this is what they mean by the term ‘nesting’.  It should however really be called ‘restless and can’t settle because my body is about to explode.’

“Babe,” I hear him shout as the door on the office beeps and he begins to head down the hall.  “I need to nip into town. I’ve got to pop by the bank, come with me and you can have a coffee and wait for me,” even he knows I’m going a little stir crazy.

“Good idea, I’ll get my shoes and purse.”

“Holy Shit! What’s exploded in the kitchen? Do you have safe cracking skills that I’m not aware of?  Tell me now am I missing some ammo and grenades from the gun safe?”

“Jonas,” I say disappointed.  “Pie.  I’m making pie.”

“OK, well, when we run out of concrete to finish the wall at the front of the drive I’ll give you a shout, this stuff will save me a fortune, you should market this shit,” he laughs and I hurl a dishcloth in his direction, wishing it
was
a grenade.

“That’s not nice, I’m trying my best, we can’t live on take out and Barbara’s pity cooking deliveries.” I know he’s only joking but I feel a bit pissed off that he can’t see the effort I’m going to, I’m totally serious about nailing this domestic stuff down.

“Relax.  It’ll be fine.”

“No.  It’s not gonna be fine.  How am I supposed to be able to look after two babies if I can’t cook them food to eat.”  I try and dampen down the rising temperature in the conversation because it’s stupid if this becomes an argument, but that statement seems to have convinced him that I think I will fail. 

“Hey, babe, I’m sorry, you’re not that bad.  It’s got to be all about practice and you’re putting the time into that aspect, so it’ll come good.  If it doesn’t, pizza hasn’t fucked me up so I don’t see why it can’t be a staple in the kids diet either.”  His smile and the way he reminds me to keep trying and not give up is endearing, so I quit whilst he’s got me smiling about it too.

“OK.  I’ll clean up when I get back.”  I grab my shoes and purse and head to the truck with him, my back is becoming more achy by the day and I’m aware that I now move slower than I did this time last month.  The babies constantly wriggle like they’re fighting for space and when that’s visible it looks like an alien special effects movie, just unreal and more than a little scary! 

When we arrive in town Jonas parks as close to the bank as he can and then helps me out of the truck with a little smile and a kiss. “I’ll be about an hour and then come and get you,” leaning in he kisses me again and whispers, “we can have some you and me naked time at home later.”

“How can a girl resist that? But only if it comes with a back rub.”

“Yep.”

“A foot rub?”

“Yep.”

“And neck massage?”

“Sure, but if I rub yours, I’ll be expecting you to rub
mine,
” and before I know it we’re making out like school kids against the truck.  His will power is far better than mine, so I let him end knowing I’m going to be left breathless and possibly a little bit wet.

“OK.  If I’m not at Wally’s, I’ll be putting the kids to work as a table in Mudjoes, I can balance two mugs so far.  Today we’re going to see about two mugs and side plate complete with chocolate cake, aren’t we?” I direct my question at my stomach whilst Jonas shakes his head and kisses me again.  We go our separate ways, me to Wally’s, him to the bank and on route I spy Chris and wave at him.  He returns my wave and then disappears.

Wally is in great humor today, it seems that one of the local’s has put some photos of a ‘personal’ nature in for development.  He claims that he’s not one for gossip, but I know different and he cannot wait to share.  Some of the things we’ve seen over the years have been too icky for words.

“Look at this Dolly, you’d think some people would be too old for ‘bathroom’ shots and they’ve taken turns!”  He flashes me a quick look but I can’t really see who it is, he’s covered up the heads of the pictures with his thumb, it’s his concession towards being discreet.  The pictures are crap and it’s probably not necessary to cover the heads, they’re out of focus, distorted and the zoom is definitely not concentrated on the faces and heads of the subjects.

“Crikey Wally, you’d think that folk that had this kind of hobby would invest in some technology, go digital and get a laptop, it’d save you from putting them on paper, them from the sharing the fun with us and me feeling like I need to get a toothbrush and floor cleaner to my eyeballs!”  Wally just laughs at me and then sets me up with my chair in what has become my regular spot.  It seems that Wally placing me in the window ensures he doesn’t miss anything going on and he can go about his work tasks with company. 

Looking across the road I spot Tits and she looks ROUGH, worryingly rough, she’s never out looking less than her best, but right now she looks so far from that it’s not true.  Clearly the loss of earnings from Purps, not to mention the wages she shouldn’t have been awarding herself and her Jonas baby ploy are having a negative effect. 

As she walks past the bank, Jonas exits the door just in time to slam into her nearly knocking her off her feet.  He tries to steady her but his assistance is less than welcome.  I can’t believe that she sees that as an opportunity to get back at him and she pushes with a lot of effort and then slaps him round the cheek.  My guy’s face goes dark as he grabs hold of both of her upper arms and leans in close to her face to get whatever he wants to say to her clearly across, he doesn’t give her chance to escape even though she is clearly trying to.  I consider going across to intervene and then think again, this is one episode I can do without getting involved in.  Jonas looks like he is getting some awful pleasure out of the words he is spitting in her face, whilst she displays the total opposite, she’s upset and the words are affecting her.  After what feels like a long minute he then pushes her away and this time she does stumble and fall over, he takes one last look down at her and smirks before he turns on his heels and struts off.  It was difficult to watch, this is a side to Jonas I’ve not really seen and it’s not one I want to experience ever being directed at me.  Tits gets up off the floor and dusts herself off, she scurries away with her head down, possibly embarrassed, but more likely angry. 

I expected Jonas to come and find me, after all he was leaving the bank, but he doesn’t so I turn my attention back to Wally who is busy and has missed all the action.  My cell starts ringing in my purse and when I find it Jonas’s picture is glaring back at me on the screen so I answer.

“Babe, I’m just gonna nip and see Oli at the firm, got some papers for him.   I’ll be as quick as I can.”

“Alright, honey are you OK?”  He goes all quiet and I know he’s aware I saw the scene on the street.

“Yep.  Good.  Later,” he hangs up abruptly and I know he just needs some time to calm down.

My phone beeps again and thinking that Jonas will be sending me a text to reassure me he’s OK I’m surprised it’s from the
Unknown Number
, after all we know it’s her, so what the hell is she up to it just says:

Unknown Number:
You’re fucking dead you whore
.

WOW.

Jonas has really pissed her off this time, this is one text I’m saving and showing to him, he needs to see what his little display of power has done to her, and feeling more affected than I usually do, I lock the screen and shove it in my purse.

“I’m heading off now, time for carbs, calories and coffee at Jo’s.  If Jonas comes looking for me can you send him over?” I ask Wally.

“Alright, sure, take care sweetheart,” he says as he kisses my cheek sees me out of the door.

I start to shuffle my people carrier sized body across the road and head for Mudjoes.  I feel an agonizing pain ripple across the front of my belly, right round the side and then across my lower back, it almost covers the circumference of my middle.  It’s powerful enough to stop me in my tracks so I can catch my breath and rub my belly.  Cussing the peanuts, I move on across the street, I can’t believe the babies are wriggling round when there is just no room left for them to be even trying.  I’m also a little taken aback by the amount of pain it caused.  Anyway, onwards and upwards.

I continue to cross Main Street to meet Jonas and am moving a little slower because I’m still recovering from my latest bout of belly pain, once I’m in the middle of the road I look both ways and see an old minivan coming towards me.  It doesn’t seem to be slowing down and I’m faced with the decision of breaking out into a jog or stopping completely, I know that making the wrong choice could end up in me being run down by the A-Team van.

I stop in order to let the van drive past me, but as it approaches me it starts to slow down, still aiming for me.

SHIT.

Letitia is driving and has an insane look in her eyes, the way she’s clutching the steering wheel is like something out of the Wacky Races.  I know she won’t do anything in broad daylight in the middle of Main Street, but I can’t take that chance and avoiding a confrontation with her and a moving vehicle seems sensible.  I turn back around and begin to walk towards Wally’s side of the street.  I need to get off the road, out of harm’s way and out of Letitia’s path.