“What?” I ask shyly, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear.

“You’re gorgeous.”

I blush, even though he’s said it to me a thousand times. “Will you still think I’m gorgeous when I’m big and round,” I giggle.

“Baby, if it was possible to keep you pregnant all the time I would. You’re gorgeous to me in every way.” I melt at the sweetness of his words. He looks back at the road but places a hand on my belly, rubbing it gently. He’s become obsessed with touching it. And touching me. Not that I’m complaining though. His touches drive me delirious.

“I can’t wait until he starts kicking.”

“I can,” I sigh. “If he’s anything like you he’ll probably start playing football before he comes out.”

“Better get used to it,” Grayson snickers. ”I want a big family.”

My eyebrows shoot up and I stare at him. “Oh really?”

“Yes ma’am.” He’s so sure of himself and I’d be lying if I didn’t find it sexy.

An idea pops into my head and I shift in my seat before I lose my nerve. Facing him, I slide my hand up his thigh and lean a little closer, my generous cleavage on full display. Another advantage of being pregnant. My breasts are slightly bigger, fuller, and Grayson can’t get enough. He squirms when I drag a nail across the slight bulge under his zipper. “Can we start practicing now?” I ask seductively. It drives him crazy when my voice is breathy, so I add a little more husk to it. “I’m so wet.” I apply a bit more pressure to his groin and he almost swerves off the road. I sit back and laugh at his reaction.

“Oh, I’m so getting to get you for that later.”

Thinking about Grayson touching me all over sends a delicious shiver up my spine and I grin. “I look forward to it.”

We stop outside Grayson’s parent’s colonial style house and I see my Uncle Alex’s truck also parked in the driveway. We walk in without knocking. “Honey we’re home,” Grayson yells playfully.

It’s eerily quiet. Something’s going on. Grayson leads us through the foyer and when we walk into the living room our families jump out from behind the furniture and scream ‘Surprise’. The room is decorated in both pink and blue, with baby memorabilia adorning almost every available surface.

“What is all this?” I look up at Grayson in bewilderment.

He shrugs and looks sheepish. “I might have told mom and Mrs. Coach about our appointment today. Seems they got a little carried away.”

I look around at the faces of our loved ones, noticing that Grayson’s mom, my Aunt Emma, and Demi are holding blue balloons while Grayson’s dad, my Uncle Alex and Brody are holding the pink ones.

“So?” Graysons’ mom chimes excitedly, bouncing on her feet a little.

“Wait,” Demi steps forward. “You can’t tell us. You have to show us.”

I frown, not quite understanding. “What do you mean?”

She rolls her eyes. “See, the men are holding the pink balloons, and we’re holding the blue. All you have to do is choose the color.”

Grayson squeezes my hand and he smiles at me. “Go ahead. Put these poor women out of their misery.”

My grin widens and I hesitate, just to tease everyone. “Show us already!” Demi whines, “I need to know if Brody and I are having a Godson or a Goddaughter.”

I take the blue balloon from Demi’s hand and lock my eyes with Grayson. “We’re having a boy.”

The women squeal excitedly and hug me, while the men bump fists with Grayson and slap him on the back. When we’ve been congratulated by everyone, and Grayson has proudly shown the ultrasound picture of our little Jelly Bean, his mother steps up to his side. “We have someone else who wants to celebrate with us,” she says to him.

Grayson looks up just as a tall, dark haired guy walks into the living room to join us. He looks like an older version of Grayson, with the same broad shoulders and sharp facial features.

“Jeff!” Graysons’ voice is affectionate as he embraces Jeff in a manly hug. “What are you doing here? You’re not supposed to be here for another two weeks.”

“Don’t get excited little bro,” Jeff laughs good-naturedly. “I’m not here to see you.” Grayson frowns and Jeff winks at me before saying, “I’m here to see the girl who’s making me an uncle.” His comment causes laughter to break out amongst everyone. I haven’t met Graysons’ older brother yet, and now that he’s here, I’m a little nervous. Jeff makes his way over to his parents, and then to my aunt and uncle. After greeting Brody and Demi next, he makes his over to me. Grayson comes to my side and I relax into him.

“You must be Huntley,” Jeff’s voice is warm and welcoming, putting me at ease immediately.

I stick out my hand. “And you must be Jeff.”

He laughs and then picks me up in a bear hug. His spirited demeanor and light-hearted personality is so much like Graysons’ and I like him instantly. I giggle and return the embrace before their mother slaps Jeff on the back. “Jefferson Carter, you be careful with our girl, she’s carrying my first grandbaby.”

The way she says ‘our girl’ warms me deeply and adds to the euphoria that’s bubbling inside me. Jeff puts me down as if I’m made of glass and turns to his mother. “Momma, that baby has Carter blood running through his veins, he’s tough already.” Grayson and Jeff laugh at his remark and high-five, causing another round of laughter between the two brothers.

“Alright, enough you two, go outside and help your father with the grill before he blows the house up,” Graysons mother smiles lovingly at her sons. Grayson leans down and kisses me. I nibble on his bottom lip as discretely as possible so that no one can see it, and when he groans into my mouth I let go. He mumbles ‘tease’ under his breath before following Jeff outside.

Graysons’ mother turns to me, her eyes glistening. She takes my hands in hers and smiles. “Thank you sweet girl,” she whispers, “For putting my Graysons’ heart back together,” – her hands drop to my belly – “and for giving our family a reason to live again.”

Oh crap, I’m going to cry. “It’s you and your family that I should thank,” I swallow back my tears, “I feel at home here, with all of you. You’re my family now.”

She hugs me tightly and a moment later we’re outside. The men are all standing around the grill, messing around and laughing, while I sit at the table with Demi, Graysons’ mom and Aunt Emma. Looking around, it’s impossible not to feel the sense of ‘family’. I wish my parents were here, to celebrate with us, and to ease my mind about what lies ahead but in spite of their absence, I have all the family I need and won’t ever take them for granted.

Chapter 26

~ Huntley ~

~ 5 months later ~

It’s amazing how quickly things can change. Grayson is about to graduate and I couldn’t be more proud of him. I rub my big belly and when my little man kicks my hand I smile. I grab Demi’s hand and put it on the spot I felt the kick. When his little foot moves again Demi gasps. “That’s incredible.”