“Who are you talking to?” Mom asks.
“Frankie. She’s coming with me.”
“That’s wonderful. I’m so happy that she’s with you.”
“Me too.”
“Everything is okay here, so don’t rush.”
Bethany was put to sleep for her surgery, so she’s mostly out of it when we get to the hospital. Cade, on the other hand, is bouncing off the walls like a madman despite the fact that it’s four in the morning.
“Congratulations, bro.” Finally a dad after seven years of trying for a baby.
“I can hardly believe she’s here. And three weeks early. We thought for sure she’d come late since Bethany hadn’t made any kind of progress when the doctor last checked her.”
“She’s a Beckman. Of course she arrived early.”
“Could you see her in the nursery window when you came in?
“They had the blinds closed.”
“You’ve got to see my baby girl.” Cade takes out his phone and hands it to me. “I only got a few pictures because everything happened so fast. I swear she’s the best-looking baby I’ve ever seen.”
“She’s a beauty.” I thumb through his pictures and immediately discover that Anna Cade has taken after the Beckman babies in the hair department. Sticks straight up. “She’s definitely yours. She has the Beckman hair.”
Frankie laughs. “Oh my goodness. Looks like a little Mohawk. Cutest thing ever.”
“How much longer does she have to stay in the nursery?”
“She should be coming out at any time.”
Frankie rubs my arm. “Bethany was asleep when she was born. She hasn’t even met her daughter yet. We should give them this family time and come back tomorrow to see her.”
I hate to leave without seeing my niece, but I know Frankie’s right. Even Mom and Dad and Bethany’s parents went home to let them rest.
“You don’t have to go.”
Frankie moves toward the door. “Bethany will need to nurse when they bring the baby to the room. She isn’t going to be able to comfortably do that with us standing over her. Don’t worry. We’ll be back in the morning to meet Anna Cade.”
My brother and I hug. “Been a long time coming. I’m happy for you and Beth.”
“I know you are. And I hope you know that Anna Cade will be needing cousins before too much longer.”
“She has two.”
“She needs cousins who won’t trick her into picking up a dog turd.”
“And then tell her it’s chocolate.”
Cade shakes his head. “Fuck. I won’t be able to take my eyes off those two for a second with her.”
“I would not recommend it.”
Cade slaps my arm. “Go get some sleep.”
“I’d tell you the same, but those days are over.”
“I’d trade sleep for my baby girl any day.”
“And I’m certain you will.”
Frankie and I leave the hospital and crash at my parents’ house until morning. Well, until late morning. We fall into bed, fully clothed, and that’s the way we wake.
“I smell bacon.”
“And biscuits.”
“She’s cooking to lure us out of bed.” I smack Frankie’s bottom and give it a squeeze. “And it’s working. Come on. I’m hungry.”
“Okay.” Frankie sits on the edge of the bed. “Hey, I know you haven’t seen your mom since we were here last weekend. Don’t be shocked if she has less hair. Maybe even bald patches.”
That was the last thing on my mind. I probably would have been a little shocked for a fraction of a second without the reminder. “I didn’t think about that.”
Frankie’s prediction is accurate. Mom has a lot less hair, but her glowing smile is still there.
I go to her and hug her from behind, kissing her on the cheek. “Good morning, best mother in the world who is cooking breakfast for me.”
“Good morning, son who is going to put on some coffee.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Frankie, it’s good to have you back.”
“I wasn’t expecting to be back quite this soon.”
She’s implying that she did expect to be back. That tells me more than she knows about where her head is in regard to our future.
“What can I do?”
It pleases me that my girl isn’t afraid to jump in and help with breakfast.
“Plates and cups are in the upper cabinet to the right of the dishwasher.”
“Everyone drinking coffee?”
“You know we are a coffee-drinking family, baby.”
“Just making sure.”
Breakfast is low-key since it’s only the four of us. It’s nice to have this quiet time with Mom and Dad.
“How did Cade handle the delivery?”
“He was a total wreck.”
“Worse than the day he and Bethany got married?” I chuckle as I recall him puking his guts up only moments before the wedding.
Dad clears his throat. “A hundred times worse but he had every right to be. It’s scary enough when your wife gives birth to your child under the best of circumstances. I was terrified every time your mother gave birth, but what Cade went through last night was a nightmare.”
My mom grins. “Just wait until your first one is born. I guarantee that you’ll be a wreck too.”
My first one. That’s not something I’ve given a lot of thought. A baby has always been an abstract idea in the back of my mind. An event for the future—the distant future. But now I see both my present and future sitting next to me.
And it doesn’t feel so distant anymore.
Bethany is alert and bright-eyed when we enter her hospital room, a big difference from the sedated post-op Bethany we saw early this morning. “You look like you feel better than you did the last time we saw you.”
“I’m so sorry. Cade told me you and Frankie came last night, but I have no memory of your being here.”
“Understandably.”
Mom makes a beeline for Anna Cade. “How is my granddaughter this morning?” Mom laughs. “Granddaughter. It feels strange saying that after only saying grandson for so long.”
“She’s as perfect as she can be.”
Mom takes the baby from Bethany and rocks from one foot to the other while studying her face. “She looks like a petite version of Cade when he was born.”
“I bet she would have been as big as her daddy if she’d stayed in there and baked until she was done.”
Mom holds Anna Cade for a while and kisses the top of her head before passing her to Frankie. “All Beckman babies have this wild head of dark hair when they’re born.”
Frankie takes my niece and immediately rocks from one foot to the other just as my mother did. Instinct. “I love it. I think it’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.”
“Porter’s was the worst. It wouldn’t even lie flat when it was wet.”
Frankie goes to the chair with Anna Cade and places her on her lap, leaning forward to play with the tuft of hair on top of her head. “My goodness, you are a beautiful baby. And I just can’t get over this hair. I didn’t have this much until I was two.”
Frankie lifts the baby and presses their cheeks together. “Bethany, you are going to have so much fun snuggling with this little cuddle buddy.”
I take a special kind of joy in watching Frankie with my niece. I like the way she looks holding a baby.
Even more, I like the way she looks holding a Beckman baby.
20
Frankie Dawson
It’s been a month since the night Porter brought up the topic of having me with him every night and how to make that happen. He was vague about the means, but I’m fairly certain he was hinting about marriage without actually coming right out and saying it.
I fall deeper in love with Porter every day, and the thought of this relationship growing into something like marriage is becoming less and less crazy.
Am I ready to marry Porter today? No.
I’m staying. I’ve made up my mind. And I’m ready to tell him.
“Hey there, beautiful birthday girl.”
“I don’t think there’s been a single day that’s gone by during the last two months when you didn’t tell me I was beautiful.”
“And there never will be. Because I’m going to tell you every day.”
Every girl should be told she’s beautiful on a daily basis. There should be some kind of rule about it. “You won’t hear me complain.”
“Are you excited for tonight?”
“I might be if I knew where we were going.”
“I guess I’ve held it in long enough. We’re going to see Halsey tonight.”
“For real?”
“I know they’re not old as fuck, but I thought you’d enjoy seeing them.”
He loves to poke fun at me about loving my old music. “Are you kidding? I love Halsey. You know I love Halsey.”
“I do, and that’s why we’re going, birthday girl.”
“What an awesome gift. Thank you.”
“That’s not your only gift. Hold on.” He goes into his bedroom and returns with a small pink and purple gift-wrapped box. “Happy birthday, baby.”
“It’s almost too pretty to tear into.” I grin. “Almost.”
“I’ve been waiting to give this to you all week. I can’t stand it any longer. Open it.”
“Don’t have to tell me twice.”
I rip the paper and lift the top of the jewelry box. A white-gold and diamond pendant. “Porter… this is gorgeous.”
“Do you like it?”
A cushion-shaped diamond surrounded by a halo of smaller diamonds. Doesn’t get any prettier. “I love it. I really do. Will you put it on me?”
“Turn around and lift your hair.”
He clasps the necklace and places a soft kiss against the back of my neck. “I love you so much, baby.”
I turn in his arms and press a kiss to his mouth. “I love you too.” I touch the diamond pendant at my throat. “It’s perfect. Thank you.”
“A diamond for your neck this time. Maybe one for your finger next time?”
I can’t stop the smile forming on my face. “Maybe.”
“What do you think I mean when I say a diamond for your finger?”
“I think you’re talking about an engagement ring. Just like I think you were talking about marriage a month ago when we discussed being with each other every night.”
“Would you consider marrying me if I asked?”
“I would consider it.”
“I would have gotten you a ring instead of a necklace if I’d known that.”
“No need to rush it.”
“I don’t have a choice but to rush it. Our time together is winding down.”
I was going to tell him later tonight, but I can’t wait. “I’m not going to Austin. I’m staying here. I’m choosing you.”
He pulls me into his arms and squeezes me tightly. “You have no idea how happy you just made me. Does this mean we’re finally going to tell everyone about us?”
“I think we sort of have to.”
He kisses my forehead. “Finally. No more sneaking around. That shit is for the birds.”
“Are you okay with us telling people next week?” I don’t want that stress this weekend.
“Yeah, but I want to tell your dad first. The worst possible scenario would be him hearing from someone besides us.”
“True.” I get so nervous when I think about telling him.
“I need to get that handled with Scott before I tell Lucas and Oliver.”
“I think that’s a good plan.”
“Something else to discuss. I still need a full-time assistant.”
“And now that I’m staying, I need a full-time job and not an internship.”
“Do you want it?”
“Are you happy with my job performance?”
“I’m very happy with your job performance. Are you happy with me as your boss?”
I have the best boss ever. “I’m very happy with you as my boss.”
“I need to discuss it with Lucas and Oliver, but as far as I’m concerned, the job is yours if you want it.”
“I want it.”
“Good. Because I’m afraid I’d never find another employee who’d let me fuck her on my office sofa during lunch break.”
“Asshole.”
This weekend was one of the best I’ve shared with Porter. We were able to relax because the secrecy will be ending soon.
But not on Monday evening after work as we planned. Dad blindly reached into a box of beer and cut his hand on a broken bottle. A trip to the ER for stitches has postponed our after-work conversation. But the good news of the day is that Porter was able to talk to Oliver and has secured my place as his full-time graphic designer and marketing assistant.
“It’s okay. We’ll talk to Dad tomorrow.”
“I hate that he cut his hand, but maybe the injury will keep him from making a fist and punching me in the face when he figures out what I’ve been doing with you all this time.”
It’s sort of cute how nervous Porter is. “He’s not going to punch you.”
“I don’t know. I’m the almost-thirty-one-year-old man who’s putting it on his little girl. He’s not going to like that.”
“It’s going to be fine. Stop worrying.”
“I’m a little more nervous about having that conversation with him than I thought I would be.”
“I think he’s going to be pleased that I’m in love with a man he likes and respects.”
“I love hearing you say that you’re in love with me.”
I close the door and push Porter so he’s walking backward toward the sofa. He falls into a sitting position when the backs of his legs reach it. I climb onto his lap, placing a leg on each side of his hips so I’m straddling him. I press a kiss to his lips and then playfully bite and suck at his lower lip. “I’m so fucking in love with you, William Porter Beckman.”
He kisses that dip at the base of my throat where my diamond pendant hangs and his hands glide up my thighs. “I want you to take off your shorts and panties, and wrap your pussy around my cock, and ride it until we both come.”
I touch my fingers to his bottom lip. “The filth that comes out of this mouth.”
Getting up, I follow his instructions and push my shorts and panties to my ankles.
“I knew you’d do it.”
Did he really question if I would or not?
He reaches for the button of his jeans and I help him push them down his legs. I pull his dick out of his pants and sink over him until he’s fully inside me. I rise on my knees and plunge down again, rolling my hips forward to take him so deep his tip hits my womb.
His arms are wrapped around my waist. He thrusts upward and uses his hold to pull me down hard on his cock. “After I marry you, I’m going to stay inside you all the fucking time.”
“And give me little wild-haired Beckman babies?”
He releases my waist and moves his hands to my face, forcing me to look at him. “Fuck yeah, I am.”
Stretching upward, he kisses my mouth as he continues thrusting into me. “I’m gonna put one in you as soon as you’ll let me.”
I press my forehead to his. “I want that too.”
I wrap my arms around his shoulders and hold tightly as he takes control and thrusts into me over and over until his body jerks and spasms. It’s some good practice for when he puts a Beckman baby inside me.
We both go completely still, but he holds me tightly against him. “I’ve never wanted marriage and babies with anyone before.”
“It’s a first for me too.”
He pulls back and kisses my forehead. “I liked seeing you hold Anna Cade. You looked good with a baby in your arms. But I was
sitting there thinking that I’d much rather see you holding my baby.”
Bam! I think at least one of my ovaries just exploded.
“Have we been together long enough to be talking about this stuff?”
“Lots of people aren’t together as long as us when they start having the marriage talk. Hell, lots of people are married by the time they’ve been together two months. And I know what I want—you as my wife and mother of my babies.”
Porter is watching his two best friends move toward the next stage in their lives. Lucas and Lawrence are married and trying for a baby. Oliver is seriously dating Adelyn. Today he told Porter that he’s in love with her.
Life is changing for the men of Iron City.
“Can you come home with me?”
“For a little while.” I know Porter will talk me into staying too long. He always does.
“You do realize that we’ll no longer be incognito after tonight?”
I look forward to being normal. Going on dates. Showing affection when we want. “Will you miss sneaking around in secrecy?
“No. I’m ready for everyone to know about us. I may climb on the building and shout it from the rooftop.” Porter squeezes my naked butt and kisses me quickly. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”
21
Porter Beckman
Frankie stops in the hallway leading to the front offices. “We didn’t discuss the pay for the full-time graphic design position. Is it salary or will you pay me hourly?”
“I was planning to pay you with sexual favors.”
She giggles. “You already give me sexual favors.”
“Well, how about I give you a salary that doubles what you make now with insurance and retirement plus special benefits.”
“Special benefits that you don’t give to your other employees?”
“Oh, I definitely do not give these kinds of special benefits to my other employees.”
“Mmm. I like the sound of that.”
We exit the building and I put my key into the deadbolt to lock up for the night.
“Porter.”
It isn’t Frankie’s voice I hear, so I turn to see who called my name. It takes several seconds for my brain to recognize the woman and make the connection, but when it does, a rigor runs down my spine.