Chapter 31 – Liam
I ’ve only met Juliana’s parents twice before since they moved to Phoenix years ago. They’re uptight but, compared to my parents, they’re pleasant enough. At least, Wendy and Nell came over to my place, too, for this family dinner and discussion the weekend after our return from our trip.
“And, Liam’s the baby’s father?” Jean Davenport asks her daughter, attempting to clarify something we already made abundantly clear.
“Yes, Mom. Liam’s the father of your next grandchild.” Michael Davenport opens his mouth, but Juliana anticipates his question. “No, Dad. We’re coparenting, but we’re not planning to get married.”
Not getting married. Ever? That’s not what I have in mind. But, I bite my tongue as her father slumps back into his seat, shooting a scowl my way. I shrug and see Nell watching the exchange and grinning to herself. I’m going to hear more about this later.
Juliana’s family become preoccupied with Amelia soon after and Nell strolls over to the fridge where we’ve posted our list of potential names, a column for girl names and one for boys. “Archibald?”
I suppress a groan. “It’s my middle name and Juliana likes Archie for short.” She smothers a laugh. “Shut up. I’m pushing her toward other options.”
“Are you sure you’re good with babysitting next week?”
“What makes you think I wouldn’t be?”
“Because you’re a man and the baby of your family. I’ll bet you’ve never been responsible for a child for an hour of your life, have you?”
We’d offered to babysit Amelia for Nell and Wendy to have a date night.
“No, I haven’t but, of course, I’m sure.
I need the practice. And, you don’t have to worry because Juliana will be my backup.
” Nell shakes her head at me. “Look, I'm just being honest here. Your cats came back home in one piece, didn’t they?”
“The confidence you’re instilling in me right now,” Nell says, wryly. “But, parenthood includes tons of on-the-job training, and a dress rehearsal will be good for you. I’m sure you’ll do fine for a night with my daughter. Or else…”
I’m wise enough not to make a joking remark in the face of that threat.
Juliana and I have been talking through baby care a good bit since we returned. It’s admittedly overwhelming for me to think about, but at least there’s time to prepare. I’d freak the hell out if human babies came in a couple of months like kittens.
“I saw you’d cleared out one of the guest rooms.”
“It’ll be the nursery. I’m going to start on the crib soon.”
“They don’t take that long to assemble,” Nell says, chuckling. The one I’m planning does, but I let her think she’s telling me something I don’t know. “You’ve already bought a ring, haven’t you?” she asks with a sly smile.
I gape at her. “How the hell do you know that?”
“Please. You were already in love with her by the time I met you.”
“No, I… I just bought it this week and we only recently started-”
She raises her eyebrows and I shut up with my denials.
It’s useless. Everyone must see it. Dean, Santi, Hudson, and now Nell.
I think even Juliana must realize by now.
But, we’ve not spoken of the L-word or long-term commitments.
She’s told me before that she won’t fall in love again.
She’s not ready to move in permanently either.
I won’t push her on the former and I’ll wait for the right moment to push for the latter.
I can’t fuck up with her. Especially not now.
“At least, they seem happy for you guys,” Nell says, nodding toward her in-laws. “They weren’t super supportive initially when we told them about our plans to have a baby using IVF.”
“They weren’t? Juliana never mentioned that.”
“She didn’t know. Wendy always wants to focus on the positive. I get along with them but they’re… old-fashioned.”
“I’ve picked up on that, too.”
“Maybe now that he’s remarried and she’s having a baby with you they’ll finally stop beating Juliana over the head about her divorce.”
“They still bring that up? It’s been over three years. And, he cheated on her, for fuck’s sake.”
“They liked that she was settled with Chad. He made good money and could support their daughter. In their minds, that was what mattered most.” My upper lip curls into a snarl and Nell laughs. “I’m sure they realize though that you can take even better care of her.”
I can but, while the role of a male provider with her playing the supportive spouse may be her parents’ idea of marriage, I want more.
Sure, I want to spoil her with everything she desires and I want her by my side, but I want to be by hers to watch her try everything she wishes to and cheer her on.
I want our relationship to be based on mutual respect, love and trust. I want the kind of love I never once witnessed growing up.
∞∞∞
“That went okay, I think,” Juliana says once our company is gone, Nell and Wendy back to their home and the parents to their hotel room.
“It did.”
“Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you when you tell your parents tomorrow night?” she asks.
I have dinner plans scheduled with them at Mom’s favorite French restaurant. It would be the opportune time to speak, and Juliana wants everyone to know. “You’ve already got plans with your parents before they fly out. I can handle mine.”
I don’t think they’ll take it in stride as gracefully as Juliana’s parents did. Not because they’re old-fashioned but because Dad’s an asshole.
He’s been on me about the university library design.
The person in charge over there has been living in books too long.
They had a sudden change of heart about the look they wanted.
Architecture and construction aren’t mix and match things you can throw together on a whim.
Things can be changed, but it takes planning and at least a bit of patience.
“What were you whispering about with Nell?” Juliana asks, drawing me back to our evening.
“Us,” I answer honestly before pulling her down into my lap.
She grins, running her fingers through my hair. “And what did you tell her about us?”
“How happy you make me.” Her smile is so soft and it makes me want to bare my soul to her, but she’d been nervous about telling them tonight, so I opt for making her laugh. “And, how you take my cock like a good girl.”
The soft smile melts into a heated stare. “Maybe I want more practice with that.”
“You sure? Not sore or having any pains?”
She shakes her head and starts unbuttoning my shirt. I shift her around so she can face me, cradling her ass and pushing her against my thickening erection. She moans my name and my world shrinks to one objective – make this woman deliriously happy tonight.