The Unexpected Series (Unexpected #1-3) Page 16

  Most of the family from Illinois showed up finally just before the wake. But they left hastily after the luncheon, leaving my mother and me to clean up as everyone said their goodbyes. Walker has a ton of family, and I was exhausted and wiping my forehead while lying on the couch when he found me.

  “Baby, you need to go lay down. You are doing too much.” His large hand wrapped around my arm attempting to lift me up.

  “I’m fine. I just needed to rest for a minute,” I say pulling him down to join me.

  “I don’t want you to exhaust yourself. I told you...you and Savannah are my life now.” His green eyes, that have a bit more life in them now, look into mine.

  “Savannah?” A rough voice calls from the doorway.

  It’s his dad.

  He steps closer to us looking down at Walker and me.

  I nod before Walker speaks up. “Yes, Savannah. We found out Erin and I are having a girl and decided to give her mom’s name.”

  Walker is finally able to draw me up off the couch.

  For the first time I see tears come from Jack’s eyes. It dawns on me that I haven't seen one tear from him, not as they said goodbye at the funeral home, not as they carried her out, not as they lowered her to the ground.

  “A girl?” He looks directly at me.

  “Yes. Savannah Grace,” I answer in barely a whisper.

  I don’t know what to expect. I really don’t know Jack that well. What if he doesn’t want that?

  My mother told me that she and Jack had a heart to heart yesterday and a come to Jesus talk. She wasn’t sure she got through but made it a point to let him know he needed to count his blessings and accept Walker’s decisions.

  “It’s perfect,” he states, reaching out to my rounded belly, silently asking permission to touch it.

  I nod, watching his hands make contact with my stomach for the first time.

  “Savannah Grace, I hope you know what a wonderful angel you have looking down on you.”

  A lone tear rolls down my cheek. His dad wipes it away and quietly apologizes to me before leaving the room. I’m speechless. I hope this can finally rid all the tension and unite us all as a family.

  ~~

  It’s Friday and we are planning to leave tomorrow so we can rest up before going back to work on Monday. It was tough to get two subs for the week for our classes but Mr. Callow was very understanding and it was all worked out.

  After Jack heard we were naming the baby after his wife he warmed up to me a lot more. We even held a conversation for more than a few sentences and he promised to visit for Thanksgiving. My mom jumped at the opportunity to invite herself and the rest of the family over to my house for the holiday. Noelle will be less than thrilled.

  After my nightly routine, I throw myself down on the bed ready to call it a night when Walker loudly enters the room with a banana in his hand. His mood has been improving daily and I believe the change in his dad’s attitude towards me has helped him, in addition to being surrounded by everyone he loves.

  “Whatcha got there, stud muffin?” I jokingly ask as I try to sit back up.

  “A banana. For you.” He points the fruit at me just out of reach.

  “I can’t eat that, Walker. For one, I’m not hungry and two, it’s green. I don’t like the rock hard ones.”

  He raises an eyebrow at me as I catch my mistake. Walker can turn anything into something dirty. He reaches the bed and slowly pushes me back. My lack of a muscle makes it difficult to do gracefully.

  “For one, Erin,” he says with a low growl. “Today you are twenty weeks and our little one is the size of a banana. I got you a green one because you know what green does,” his eyebrows raise, “and I know for a fact you love it rock hard.”

  He pushes himself between my legs brushing his rock hardness against me. An embarrassing moan escapes my lips when he does it a second time.

  “You like that, baby?”

  A third time has me panting. In pregnancy hormone days, it’s felt like years since I’ve had him inside me. I don’t think now is the time nor the place.

  “Walker, don’t you think this is wrong considering what we are here for?” I try to argue but it’s useless. If he continues I’m not going to stop him.

  “If I’ve learned anything this week, Erin, it’s that I don’t want to take any minute for granted. I want to love you. Every inch of you.” His lips reach my ear and chills shoot through my body.

  His name comes out in a breathless moan just before he brings his mouth to mine, grinding into me one more time. My body is on fire. I can’t control my hands as they scratch down his biceps. A few more thrusts and I’m going to go over the edge.

  “I need you to stop. I’m going to come with all my clothes on.”

  “Well, let’s rectify the situation.”

  I instantly regret saying anything when he pulls himself off me. I want him to finish what he started and from the look in his fierce green eyes, I know that’s what he intends to do.

  Sitting back on his haunches, he gently slides his hands under the long t-shirt I wear to bed, up my thighs, and connecting with the outer edges of my green cotton boy shorts. The soft material sends goose bumps down my legs as he pulls them over my knees and tosses them to the side.

  “I love you, Erin,” Walker quietly declares, crawling back up my body until his mouth reaches his destination between my legs. My eyes involuntarily shut as pure bliss washes over my body and almost as quickly as he started I am sent over the edge releasing the week’s tension.

  When I’ve come down from the high that only Walker can give me, I feel the soft brush of his lips making their way up my stomach, pushing my shirt up. They finally nip at my right breast as his fingers pinch the left one between them. My yearning for him intensifies once again, causing me to rip my shirt off in one swift move.

  “Greedy are we?” Walker chuckles, giving the left breast the same attention.

  My fingers grip his longer than usual hair and aggressively bring his mouth to mine. With our tongues busy we use our hands to break Walker free from his clothes. It takes my breath away every time I see his glorious body on display and ready for me. Only me.

  Positioning himself back on top of me, but careful not to put all his weight on my stomach, he takes his cock and glides it up and down between my clit and entrance. My need builds for him again.

  “I need you in me, Walker. Stop teasing me,” I plead.

  He chuckles again and turns our bodies so that we are lying on our sides with him behind me. I can feel his erection pressing into me easily.

  “So wet, baby, and so damn tight. You feel amazing.” He pushes all the way in and kisses the curve of my neck.

  His hand slides over my hip and grips it gently for leverage, and he begins to move inside me. It feels incredible from this position, and I know it won’t be long until he gives me my release again.

  “Faster. I need it faster,” I beg reaching my arms up and pulling on his hair.

  “I can’t, baby. Not today,” he says, slowing down. “I need to make love to you. Please.”

  There is no way to argue with that. I would give him whatever he asks.

  He sets the slow pace and with each thrust, I can feel every inch of him slide in and out of me. Each one pushing me further and further to the brink. When he can no longer take the exquisite torture anymore he steadily drives into me reaching around to flick the bundle of nerves between my legs.

  “Come with me, Erin. I want us to come together.”

  His fingers let loose an assault on my body and our orgasms merge as one. I feel it from my curled toes to my beating heart. It’s the most intense release he has ever given me. With him nipping at my shoulder, we repeat our love to each other over and over.

  Minutes pass before our sated bodies allow us to move. As Walker saunters to the bathroom I turn, finding the banana on the nightstand and pick it up.

  “My teacher in health used these to show us how to put on condoms
.” I giggle remembering that day and how immature the class had been.

  “Well, that banana having a condom on it is apparently about as effective as one on me.” He winks and closes the bathroom door.

  Unfortunately, my birthday lands on the same day as Thanksgiving. Spending the day cleaning, cooking and getting fatter than I already am is not something I really enjoy doing on my twenty-eighth birthday, but I am thrilled that all of our families will be together. Except for Noelle’s parents, they decided to head to the Bahamas for the holiday. I’m a tad jealous of them, seeing as I didn’t really enjoy my last vacation like I should have. If I would’ve known that things would work out months later I might have had a better time.

  “This looks like shit!” Noelle screams as she sets down the last piece of silverware on the beautifully decorated table.

  “You’re insane, Noe. It looks amazing.” I roll my eyes at her type A personality.

  Looking at all the hard work she has put into it, I’m surprised at an extra place setting. My sister’s husband has to work yet again but he still has a spot.

  “You put one too many,” I say pointing the knife in my hand towards the table.

  “No. I invited a friend.” She smirks, turning a shade of red.

  “Must be the good kind of friend if you are blushing, Noe.” I laugh turning my back to her to finish up halving the sweet potatoes. I don’t dare ask about him. I know he will most likely be gone in a week anyways. I wish that she could find someone to settle down with. She is bound to get hurt the way she is going.

  An hour later, Walker arrives to help us out with last minute things. I find him at the door singing happy birthday with a bouquet of flowers in a crystal vase. Noelle takes them from me and places them in the middle of the long table she rented for the occasion.

  We move swiftly in the kitchen and I try ducking Walker’s constant advances. He can’t seem to keep his hands off me.

  Losing his mother has taken a toll on Walker. He is more attentive than usual, which is saying something since he is always paying special attention to me.

  A while later everyone starts to arrive and my house fills to the brim with all of the people I love. Deliah, Derek, Jack and the kids arrive first. He and his dad have spoken on the phone at least once a week and Jack even made an effort by emailing me on one occasion to see how the baby is progressing. I know Walker tells him everything but it’s nice to know that he is trying. I do my part as well, jumping on the phone when he speaks to Walker and I am around. I know he is lonely but his work keeps him busy.

  My mom, Nicole, her kids, and lastly Trent with little Jason, who also decides to greet me with a happy birthday song, are the last to arrive.

  It takes a lot of coaxing to get everyone seated with their drinks for our buffet style meal. It’s funny to watch Nicole and Trent swat at the kiddos as they try to stand on their chairs and reach for the food. Noelle looks to be physically in pain when she sees they still have their shoes on. I pity her future children.

  The doorbell rings just before we all start to dig in and Noelle jumps up like a giddy school girl on prom night. Opening the door, we all stare at a man who is just as tall as Walker but not near as muscular. His blond hair looks like it needs to be combed and you can tell how blue his eyes are from across the room. He places a quick kiss on Noelle’s waiting lips and glances back at us, giving a nervous wave.

  “Who the fuck is that?” Trent’s harsh whisper in my ear demands to know.

  “A friend she said.” I shrug looking into his saddened brown eyes. “Trent, you need to stop dicking around and tell her. Stop acting like a teenager and man up.”

  A swift shake of his head and I know the subject is closed. I don’t know why he tortures himself. I’m sure Noelle has feelings for Trent. I just think that she doesn’t know what to do with them.

  Noelle introduces us to Chase, seating him next to her and Trent offers to do the prayer.

  “Heavenly Father, we thank you for the food which we are about to receive. Today I am thankful for having all my family in one place, a house to call my own and a thriving business. I pray that you are looking out for my father in Heaven as well as Walker’s and Deliah’s mother. I pray that you bless each and every one of us in our everyday lives and help lead the blind to finally see what’s right in front of them.”

  My eyes fly open and catch Trent looking at a wide eyed Noelle.

  “Amen.” He closes his eyes and finishes his prayer.

  “Amen,” we all say in unison before picking up our utensils and eating.

  From beside me Walker squeezes my thigh, and I look at his questioning glare.

  “I told you. Don’t ask.” I softly laugh.

  “Oh, I don’t think anyone needs to,” he says kissing me on the cheek and turning his attention to his meal.

  The dinner is amazing and the conversation easy. The entire time Trent and Noelle sneak glances at each other but never at the same time. At some point all this has to stop.

  After we’ve cleaned up all the dishes, the kids bundle up and head outside in the backyard to play together. I smile, looking out the kitchen window and knowing that soon Savannah will be surrounded by all those cousins.

  My mom and Deliah set out all the desserts as well as a birthday cake. I snicker seeing that it says “Happy Birthday ‘Sally’” and know immediately that Walker picked it out.

  “Who is Sally?” My mom asks Walker.

  “Just some smoking hot woman that changed my life.” He smirks with his arm draped over the top of the couch.

  My mom slowly slips next to me. “Erin, don’t you think that’s rude of him?”

  Walker and I burst out laughing and I assure her that it’s our little joke.

  When the kids come in we all gather in the dining room as they sing to me and I blow out all twenty eight candles with the help from my nieces and nephews. Blowing out the candles I don’t make a wish. What do you wish for when your reality seems to be better than your dreams?

  My family knows that I don’t like them spending money on gifts, but Walker apparently doesn’t listen. As a large, beautifully wrapped box is placed on the coffee table in front of my now resting feet, I narrow my eyes at him.

  “I told you not to get me anything!” I softly slap his chest but rush to open the paper.

  He laughs and assures me it’s a gift to him as well. I blush thinking about what he could possibly get me that would benefit him, but realize he wouldn’t have me open it in front of everyone if it was dirty.

  I move around my ever growing stomach and start pulling items out one by one. The first is a gift certificate for a spa day including a manicure, pedicure and prenatal massage. The second is a bottle of sunscreen. I look at him confused, but he nods his head towards the box urging me to continue. The next is a pair of sunglasses followed by a black maternity bathing suit.

  I’m confused as I look into the box that is now empty. What good is a maternity suit when by the time summer gets here I will have already given birth? Walker laughs and hands over a long envelope and I quickly open it anxious to know what’s inside. I have an idea but I want to make sure I don’t jump to conclusions.

  What I find is my passport, that I’m positive Noelle snuck out of my safe, and tickets for Walker and I to go to Cozumel for New Year’s.

  “This is fantastic, Walker!” I screech flinging myself into his waiting arms.

  I’ll get to enjoy Cozumel this time around and the one on one time doesn’t hurt either.

  “I just want to experience the beautiful place where you found out you were having my child. I know that it was a scary and unsure time for you, so I want to go back and make it amazing for you.” His mouth meets mine and following a long drawn out kiss I hear Trent clear his throat.

  “There are kids around,” he says sternly, but I can tell he thinks it’s funny.

  Embarrassed, I pull myself away and tuck every item back into the box, taking it to my bedroom.


  The rest of the night is spent relaxing with our bellies completely full. The boys watch football and the girls chit chat at the table. Noelle and Chase are practically sitting on top of each other as Trent seethes where he sits. Once their lips touch he jumps up, throwing the empty water bottle in his hand across the room, causing everyone to jump.

  He silently bundles Jason back up and takes him out the door, slamming it and leaving us all completely silent. Everyone’s eyes search out one another’s.

  “What the hell was that about?” Noelle’s shocked eyes meet mine.

  I know what it was about but it’s not my place to tell her. “No idea.” I shrug my shoulders hoping she will drop it. Noelle can spot one of my lies a mile away. I’m sure the discussion is far from over.

  “He has a lot on his mind.” My sister Nicole chimes in looking annoyed. “We all do.”

  She has been very quiet today and I can tell she is stressed out. While the kids are content with my mom, Deliah and Derek coloring at the table together I take the opportunity to get in some one on one time with her and motion for her to meet me in my room.

  Closing my bedroom door behind me, I encounter a sobbing mess sitting on my bed. I rush to her side wrapping her in my arms telling her it will be okay. I don’t know how much that can be true since I haven’t a clue what is going on.

  When she finally catches her breath she seems to vent all her frustrations out.

  “Brad and I are getting a divorce.” She breathes out so quickly I’m not sure I hear her right.

  “What?” I turn my body to face her, stunned. “Oh, Nic. I’m so sorry. What happened?”

  “I don’t know. We just drifted apart. We haven’t slept in the same bed since Nick was born. My whole life is my kids and I think I just have let my husband’s needs fall to the wayside. He says it’s not me, but I can’t help but think my deteriorating body is the issue. I feel like a gross slob.”