“So far,” Ari said with a wink and a smile.

I laughed and kissed her again. “Yeah, baby, so far.”

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

ARI

I woke up and instantly smiled.

Last night had been perfect…beyond perfect. It had been amazing. I didn’t think Jeff had ever made love to me so sweetly and passionately as last night. I touched my still swollen lips, remembering his kisses, and smiled.

I could still feel his hands all over my body, touching me so tenderly. The way he’d kissed my stomach and talked to the baby just about had me melting right there on the spot. I held up my hand and looked at my engagement ring. I still couldn’t believe that I was marrying this man. This man who I’d been in love with the moment my young eyes saw him.

I thought back to yesterday when I’d sat, waiting, in Dr. Wyatt’s office. When he’d walked in the door with a smile on his face, it only confirmed what I’d already known. This time, I hadn’t taken any pregnancy tests. I’d just known. Somehow, I’d known the day when Ellie and I were running all over Austin, threatening Rebecca, getting tattoos, and just being silly and carefree. Earlier that morning on the same day, I’d somehow known that Jeff and I did something amazing together. We’d had sex plenty of times since that morning, but I truly believed that’s when I got pregnant. My little angel was watching over us.

***

When I told my mother, the first thing she did was quote the great Katharine Hepburn.

“Always remember, Arianna, ‘Children need boundaries, so they can know how far they have to go to get beyond them.’

I had to laugh. “Really, Mom? No ;congratulations, Ari’? Just another Katharin Hepburn quote?”

“Hey, I’m so beyond excited right now, baby girl. That quote was the first one that came to my mind.”

“I’ll take it, Mom.”

She hooked her arm around mine as we walked to her car.

“Mom, I didn’t tell Ellie why I had her drop me off at your house this morning.”

“Okay, why didn’t you tell her, Ari? You know that she’s going to be beyond thrilled.”

“She’s been trying to get pregnant ever since this summer, and it’s not happening. I’m so worried, Mom. What if she can’t have kids? Gunner has all but stopped talking about it with her. She thinks he’s upset, but Jeff said Gunner just doesn’t want to pressure her.”

“Has she talked to Grace?”

“Yeah, and Grace pretty much told Ellie the same thing I did. She needs to take a break from trying to get pregnant and just enjoy her time with Gunner. I know Gunner is so. He’s learning about the cattle business, so Garrett and Emma can retire for good, he’s designing their house. Besides Jeff, I’ve never in my life seen a man who would do anything for the woman he loves. He absolutely adores the ground Ellie walks on. It’s so incredibly sweet, Mom.”

“He is a sweetheart, no doubt. I would have to say you and Ellie are two very lucky bitches.”

“Oh my god, Mom! Jesus, Mary, and Joseph! And people wonder where I get it from.”

“Come on, let’s go meet Ellie and find you a dress.”

***

I was snapped out of my thoughts by Jeff’s voice.

“Good morning, babies.”

I had to smile. I sat up in bed and watched him carry over a tray full of food, setting it down over my lap.

“Oh my gosh, what’s all this?” I looked at a bowl of fresh fruit sitting next to a plate full of scrambled eggs, two pieces of whole wheat toast, and blueberry muffins along with a glass of orange juice.

“It’s breakfast for my two favorite people.”

“Two, huh?”

“Yep, you and the boy,” Jeff said with the cutest damn smile on his face.

“The boy, huh? What makes you so sure it’s gonna be a boy?”

“I’m not sure at all. I figured I’d just take turns each day. Today, the baby is a boy, and tomorrow, a girl That way, it’s equal time for both.”

I threw my head back and laughed. “I love that idea. Now, about all this food, Jeff. I can’t eat all of this even if I am eating for two.”

“Just eat what you can, babe, I’ll eat the rest. By the way, happy birthday, Ari. I got you just a little something to start off your day.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a jewelry box.

My stomach had butterflies in it. How does he do this to me?

As soon as he handed it to me, I started to take off the wrapping paper, and then I opened the box. When I saw what was inside, I let out a gasp as I looked up at him. He was smiling with tears in his eyes. As I looked back down, everything started to blur. I reached up and wiped away my tears.

“Jeff, it’s...I don’t even know what to say. It’s absolutely perfect.”

“Do you like it?” He started to take the diamond angel-wing pendant necklace from my hands to put it on.

Leaning forward, I lifted up my hair. When his hands brushed against my neck, I became covered in goose bumps.

“Like it? Jeff, I love it. Beyond words, I love it.”

He leaned over and kissed me so gently on the lips that I let out a moan.

“Shit, Ari, don’t make noises like that, or you won’t be eating breakfast anytime soon.”

I smiled against his lips and then let out another low sexy moan.

The next thing I knew, the tray of food was gone, and Jeff was on top of me, kissing me. What started out with very slow gentle kisses quickly turned into something more heated and passionate.

After I was able to catch my breath, I smiled at him. “I think that was the best birthday present ever!”

“I’m so glad to hear that, baby. Come on, I have another surprise for you at Garrett and Emma’s house.”

“Jeff, wait. Before we go up there, I need to tell you something.”

“Is everything okay?” Jeff looked panicked.

“Yes, I mean, it is with me, but this is about Ellie.”

“What about her? Is everything okay with her?”

I let out a small laugh. “Would just let me finish? I didn’t tell Ellie about the baby. She’s been so upset with the fact that she has not gotten pregnant yet, and I feel like if I told her then I’d be rubbing it in her face.”

Sitting down on the bed, Jeff rubbed his hands down his face.

“Fuck. I didn’t even think about how this was going to be for Ellie and Gunner.” He looked over at me and reached for my hand. “They’re going to be happy for us, baby. You know that right?”

“Yeah, I know that, it’s just... I’m so early on in the pregnancy, so I was thinking of waiting to tell everyone until after the wedding. Maybe we could even wait until after New Years? Just… well you know, just in case.”

“Ari, listen to me. Everything is going to be okay. Please don’t worry about losing the baby. We’re going to do everything we can to make sure this baby is born healthy and happy. You can’t live in a glass box, baby. You’ve gotta live life. As far as telling people, I think you’re right. We need to wait until at least after Christmas.”

“I love you so much.”

“I love you, too, baby. Now, eat your breakfast, so we can head up to the ranch house. Gunner is probably pissed that I backed out on helping him and his dad mend a fence this morning.”

Jeff got up and made his way back out to the kitchen. I could hear him cleaning up as I tried to eat all the food he put on my plate.

When my cell phone went off, I reached over to grab it and then saw a text from Ellie.

Ellie: Happy birthday, bitch! I love you more than life itself. See you soon ”

Then, I saw Heather and Amanda’s messages. Hmm, I must of missed those earlier. I read both of them and sent off my thank-you’s to each.

Then, I sent another one to Heather: Are you going to be at the party tonight?

Heather: Yes of course! I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Studying my ass off..ugh. Love you.

I finished eating what I could, and then I got up to get dressed. When I walked into the kitchen, Jeff was walking around on his cell phone.

“Can you hear me now? Fucking cell coverage!”

His words reminded me of that day we got stranded when the Jeep wouldn’t start. I had to laugh at the thought. Ah, the memories.

Jeff looked over at me and smiled. “It’s alright, dude. The birthday girl just walked in so I can’t talk anymore. I’ll catch up with you when I get into Austin.”

“Oh, that was just plain mean,

Jeff.” Jeff looked me up and down, and the lust in eyes almost made me lose my breath.

“Again, Mr. Johnson?”

“Holy hell, Ari. You look amazing ,baby. I wish I could, but we need to get up to the house.”

I looked down at what I had on: a white T-shirt tucked into my jeans with my brown belt and cowboy boots.

“What’s so special about this?”

“You look beautiful. Come on!” He reached down and scooped me up.

I let out a scream.

“I can walk to the truck, you know.”

“Oh, I know, but this way, I get to keep you close to my body,” Jeff said with a wink.

***

By the time we pulled up to Emma and Garrett’s place, Ellie, Gunner, and his parents were all sitting on the front porch. Oh god. Ellie was holding a glass of sweet tea. For some reason, I needed a glass, like right now. What the hell?

“I’m so glad that Grace and Jack moved back here after Jack retired from the Army,” Jeff said.

“Yeah, me too. Shit, I want some sweet tea!” I practically yelled.

Jeff laughed and reached over for my hand right before I was about to jump out of the truck.

“Ari, wait.”

I turned to look at him. “Yeah?”

“I just wanted to tell you what a lucky son of a bitch I am to have you love me. I’m so happy right now, baby, but I’m so afraid at the same time.”

Oh. My. God. The butterflies were taking flight in my stomach.

“Jeff...” It was all I could say.

I love him so much, I’ve always loved him, and I will always love him.

“Come on, baby. Let’s go get you some sweet tea.”

“And apple pie…oh man, I hope Emma has some damn apple pie.”

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

GUNNER

Ellie and I showed up at 219 West before anyone else did. We went up to the rooftop lounge to get a few tables. Jack was DJing tonight, so I walked over to say hello to him. I felt my phone going off in my pocket, so I pulled it out to see that Jeff had sent a text saying they were parking. I leaned over to tell Ellie where Jeff and Ari were.

Ellie was on the phone, frowning, but then she said good-bye. She tried her best to smile at me.

What’s up?” I asked.

“It’s Heather. Gunner, I’m so worried about her. She just hasn’t been the same since last July. Whatever happened between her and Josh must have been huge. Did Josh happen to mention if they…if they…you know?”

“Slept together?”

Rolling her eyes, Ellie nodded.

“No, the only thing he told me was that he showed up to her house one morning, and she’d made it perfectly clear to him that he was not who she wanted. He said he left and has not seen her since.”