22

“Did you get that?” I asked Aubrey as Liam smashed his cake onto his face.

“Oh yeah.” She brought her expensive camera back to her face and leaned her body back as she continued to take shots of him.

Aubrey really was amazing with that camera. Brandon, Liam and I had visited his mom yesterday and Aubrey had been over for dinner. She showed me a lot of her pictures and when I sent a couple dozen to Bree she called and begged Aubrey to shoot her wedding. It was the first time she was going to get paid for what she loved to do, and with all her shyness she just blushed fiercely with a huge smile on her face. When I’d gotten a minute alone with her, I asked if she would take pregnancy photos when I got big again and she looked like I’d just offered her the moon. She is so sweet, and I hope she and Jeremy stay together. They’re absolutely perfect for each other.

Brandon wrapped his arm around me and discreetly brushed his hand over my stomach. I was only twelve weeks and I was already showing enough to know my bump was a baby…not a big meal. Hell, it wasn’t even a bump, my whole stomach was already rounding. We’d seen Dr. Lowdry yesterday, and she said it was normal to show quickly after your first pregnancy. Apparently something about your body already knowing what was going to happen, so it responded quicker. All that did was make me frown, I’d been massive by the time Liam was born, if I already had a ridiculously defined baby bump that decided to pop up out of nowhere this last Thursday, I could only imagine what I would look like by the time I delivered this one. So I’d worn a loose shirt last night and today since the parents were still in the dark. We could have told them Monday, but everyone’s emotions were so all over the place with Brandon’s fight and my disappearing act, that we decided it was best to continue with our plan to wait until today.

“Girl.” He whispered softly in my ear as he caressed my belly again.

I turned to plant a kiss on his cheek and whispered back, “Boy.”

Liam screeched and spoke gibberish before shoving more cake in his mouth and hair. Everyone laughed with him and Brandon kissed my neck before going to pick Liam up out of his high chair and bring him over to the sink. That boy was covered in cake and frosting. I took his onesie off and rinsed it off in the sink so all the food was go down the drain instead of the washer, then helped Brandon attempt to wipe him down. We gave up not even two minutes later and Brandon rushed to give him a bath and put him in new clothes. I smiled at my guys when they walked back out, Brandon with a huge smile taking small steps behind Liam who was speed crawling back toward me.

“How’s my birthday boy?” I scrunched my nose at him when he did the same with his somewhat toothy grin.

“Not taking a nap anytime soon, that’s for sure.” Brandon grumbled, but with his dimpled smile and bright eyes I knew he was anything but frustrated. He’d let Liam get away with no naps if he could.

Liam turned and dipped all the way to the side as he reached for someone else, making me almost lose my hold on him and I rolled my eyes as I gave him over to Carter. Of course Liam would be in love with Carter. Since he’d shown up this afternoon, it was the only person he wanted to be with. If I had any doubt that Carter wouldn’t give Kate a chance, that was quickly demolished when they each saw the other hold Liam. Kate had swooned and an hour later Carter’s eyes had taken on a dazed heat when Kate had scooped him up and kissed Liam resulting in a fit of laughter from my son. It wasn’t ten minutes later that Carter asked if he could take Kate on a date this evening.

Opening presents was the cutest, and longest process of the day. Each present took about three minutes to open and then we’d go through the process of getting him to stop eating the wrapping and tissue paper so he could start on the next present. By the end I was exhausted but blissfully happy, and getting more excited by the second now that the extended family was starting to head out. We’d been picking up and cleaning as the party went, so thankfully we were ready to relax with our family by the time Carter and Kate left together.

“What’d he say?” I asked Brandon as I watched Liam play with a big dump truck.

“He asked if I would be okay with him dating my cousin.”

My eyes widened, “He asked you that?”

“Right? I told him it wasn’t my place to say whether or not he could and that she could make her own decisions. So he says, ‘I know, but I know you’re not my biggest fan. And I don’t want to piss you off more than I already have.’”

“Oh. That’s thoughtful, I guess. What’d you say?”

Brandon shrugged and laughed when Liam didn’t understand how the truck had gotten away from him, “I said as long as he treats her well, I didn’t have a problem with it.”

Huh. Brandon really is too nice and forgiving of people.

“I may have also said that if it kept him from going after you...” he trailed off.

I hugged his waist and smiled into his chest. “That sounds more like you, but that’s why I love you. I’m all grimy and covered in cake, I’m going to change really quick.”

“Put on a tight shirt.”

“Is that how you want to tell them? Just show them?”

He smiled and looked back to make sure no one was near us, “Just act like nothing’s different, see how long it takes them. I think it’d be fun Mrs. Taylor, don’t you?”

“I have to agree with you Mr. Taylor. I’ll be right back.”

Changing into a bright blue racer-back stretchy tank, and a clean pair of jeans, I made my way back to the living room and tried to wipe the smile off my face.

“You look amazing Harper.” Brandon pulled me into his arms again and kissed my neck softly. “I’m sorry, I know you get self-conscious, but you pregnant is a breathtaking sight.”

I grabbed each side of his face, and pulled him down to me as I stood on my toes, “Thank you.” I kissed him quickly twice, barely pulling away to look in his eyes, “I love you.”

“And I love you.” Our next kiss was anything but quick.

“Okay you two, get a room.” Dad called from one of the couches.

Blushing, I leaned around Brandon’s side and grinned through my embarrassment at our audience. Liam had crawled over to us and pulled himself up on my leg, gripping my pants with one hand and reaching relentlessly with the other. I pulled him up and settled him on my hip before making my way to a chair. Mom, Dad and Carrie were making fun of me and Brandon so they didn’t even notice when I walked by them. I frowned but sat down, knowing it wouldn’t be much longer before someone noticed.

I was wrong.

It took another hour and a half.

Brandon had even taken Liam from me so he wouldn’t be blocking my stomach, I had gotten up numerous times to get and refill drinks, as well as to go to the bathroom. It took Bree commenting on the color of my shirt for Carrie to gasp and Mom to jump up and literally squeal.

“Oh my God! Oh my God, are you pregnant?! Please tell us you’re pregnant!” Mom rushed over and placed her hands on my rounding stomach.

“Well it’d sure be awkward right now if I weren’t.” I laughed and accepted her numerous hugs and kisses on the cheeks, only to be replaced by the same from Carrie and Dad. At least Dad was more controlled with only one gentle hug and kiss for me, and a big man hug for Brandon.

“You’re already so big!” Carrie was crying happily as she kissed her son and turned back to my stomach, “How far along are you?”

“I’m twelve weeks, and trust me, I had the smallest of bumps until Thursday morning, and then all of a sudden this was here.”

“Twelve weeks! Oh my goodness, congratulations! Jeremy Allen Taylor, get your butt over here and congratulate them.”

“Mom,” Jeremy huffed a laugh and pulled Aubrey closer to his side, “already beat you to it. You guys are a little behind on the news.”

That, of course, got me a couple glares and Brandon a smack on the back of his head, but soon we were all sitting down arguing over whether I was having a girl or boy. Brandon shifted Liam back onto my lap and excused himself when he got a phone call. When he came back five minutes later with a nervous expression, I was worried about who that had been, but tried to keep shut until he was ready to tell me. It didn’t help that he continued to check his phone every few minutes, and my patience soon ran out.

Hugging Liam close to me, I leaned into Brandon and waited until he looked directly at me before speaking low, “Was that Scarecrow?”

“What?”

“On the phone. Was that him?”

His eyes softened and he kissed my temple, “No. I told Crow on Sunday to delete my number and that I was done with the Underground.”

“You did?” I couldn’t stop the smile that crossed my face.

“Of course. I know I messed up, I’m not about to do it again. Him calling would just be a temptation that I don’t need.”

I took a deep, relieving breath and thanked God again for giving me a man like Brandon. “Well then who called, you look nervous.”

He opened his mouth, shut it, and quirked the corner of his mouth up, “Is it okay if we talk about it later?”

Maybe my thanks had come too soon. “Uh, should I be worried?”

Brandon checked his phone again and searched my face, “No, I don’t think so.”

My heart dropped, “Babe that doesn’t exactly help!” I hissed between clenched teeth.

“I’m sorry. Don’t be worried, it’ll be fine.” He leaned forward to kiss me, but when the doorbell rang he paused and blew out a deep breath. Mumbling something, he put a hand on my shoulder and said he would get the door.

“Are you expecting someone baby girl?”

“No Dad…we aren’t.” I turned to look at the door, but Brandon had stepped outside, the door barely cracked and all I could see was his back blocking whoever was out there. Standing up, I repositioned Liam on my hip and turned just as Brandon stepped back into the house, followed by a fit older man with salt and pepper hair and a stern, weathered face. All the air left my body with a loud whoosh and my hand covered my mouth.