Chapter Thirty Six
SOPHIE
Shortly after the ultrasound, Abbie found us, letting me know her dad drove my car here for me. She’ll take him home. She hands me the phone I left on her dad’s living room floor and my purse. “I’m so glad you’re okay, Carter,” she says, nodding at him.
Tears well in her eyes, and I hold my arms out to her, dropping the ultrasound face down next to me. “Oh, come here, you big softie.”
She throws herself at me, laying her head on my shoulder and wrapping her arms around both of us. “My dad got filled in by Detective Peterson. I hope you don’t mind, but I called Jake. I thought he’d want to know and be here.”
“Thanks, Abbie,” Carter says warmly, patting her head like a puppy. She snorts, and stands up, wiping at her eyes right in time for Jake to show up.
His eyes fly to the bandage on Carter’s arm, looking shocked. “Holy shit, man, are you okay?” he asks, still standing in the doorway, running a hand through his messy brown hair
“I meant to call you, but then I couldn’t get a hold of Sophie. It’s just a graze, though,” he says, shooting his friend a guilty smile. Jake’s features relax as his blue eyes light up in relief.
“Thanks for calling me, Abbs,” he murmurs into Abbie’s ear, pressing a kiss to her hair before coming around to Carter’s other side. Blushing, Abbie looks taken aback at his public display of affection, but she recovers quickly, shrugging. “He’s your best friend.”
Jake looks to Carter, eyeing his bandage. “Fuck, he actually shot you. But… it’s over? He’s really…?”
“Detective Peterson says that between the financial crimes and the attempted murder charge, we won’t ever have to see him again.” I pick the ultrasound photos back up, thankful we’re all safe.
“Thank fuck,” Jake mutters, suppressing a shiver. “That guy always gave me the creeps.” His eyes slide from Carter to me, and then to the ultrasound picture in my hand, his jaw dropping. “Is that…?”
My cheeks hurt from how hard I’m smiling. “Uncle Jake, Auntie Abbie, meet Little Biscuit.” A small squeal leaves Abbie as she goes to stand next to Jake, both of them looking at the photo.
“It’s like a little bean…” Jake mutters, his eyes wide.
“A kumquat,” I supply helpfully, snuggling back into Carter’s chest and watching their expressions.
“So tiny,” Abbie coos, wiggling her finger in front of the photo like it’s the actual baby.
“I’m so happy for you guys,” Jake says, gently grasping Carter’s shoulder. “You deserve all the happiness in the world.”
“I think he just told me he loves me,” Carter stage-whispers, mock surprise on his face.
“Oh, shut up, dickhead,” Jake laughs. “You know I do.”
“Little Biscuit…” Abbie chuckles and shakes her head before taking the photos from Jake. Pure adoration lights them as she trails a finger over the little blip where the heartbeat is, then seems to snap out of it and whips a hand towards Carter. “ You’re not allowed to pick baby names anymore.” We dissolve into a fit of giggles while Carter and Jake chuckle and shake their heads.
For the first time in a long time, I’m no longer carrying the weight of years of regret on my shoulders.
I’ve never felt more free.
“You ready?” Carter asks, tightening his arm around my shoulder as we prepare to leave his hotel room the next day. By the time they had discharged him from the hospital, it was one in the morning, and I drove us both back to his room before we collapsed in the bed, exhausted as hell.
“So ready.” I nod, grasping his hand. He looks as delicious as ever in dark wash jeans and a green t-shirt that hugs his muscular chest and shoulders. I’m itching to peel it off him and run my tongue between his pecs.
My train of thought startles me. It must be the hormones. Ignoring my newfound urge to lick Carter, at the most inconvenient times, I shoot him a smile. “It felt strange keeping it from them. Now that the threat of your dad is gone, and things are finally settled between you and me, I want to tell them in person.”
He brushes some of my long, curled, auburn hair from my face before pressing a kiss to my temple and handing me my phone. “Let’s do this then.”
The drive to my parents house is short, but that doesn’t stop me from being weirdly nervous about telling my family. Carter tightens his hand around mine, stopping me from compulsively brushing down the skirt of my sundress. “You’re killing me in that outfit, Angel. If you keep drawing attention to the skirt of your dress, I might just have to pull over and remove the whole thing for you.” The heat in his voice sends a jolt of need straight through me, and I’m half tempted to do it again, just to see if he follows through.
Shit, these hormones are out of control.
The words distract me, and before I know it we’re inside the house, stuffed on the couch.
Mom and Jordan are on the couch next to us, and Dad and Tom stand by them, their postures relaxed.
“What happened to your arm, Carter?” Jordan asks, his eyes wide. “Are you okay?”
“Oh, I’m fine, bud.” Carter grins without missing a beat. “Got an injury at hockey camp.” I’m so grateful we asked Tom to not mention what happened at the stake out and the real reason for Carter’s injury. I hate lying to them, but Jordan doesn’t need to know all the gory details. Besides, this moment is about Little Biscuit. We won’t let the actions of Jeremy Williams ruin the joy of the day.
“So,” I take a deep breath. “We have some news.”
I have no idea why I’m so nervous. I don’t think they’ll be mad. Hell, it’s not like this is some kind of teenage pregnancy. I’m twenty-eight years old for fuck’s sake. Why do I feel so jittery?
“If you’re going to tell us you’re back together again, I think we already knew that.” Tom hedges, looking between Carter and me.
“That’s definitely part of it…” I bite my bottom lip. “But there’s more.” When I can’t find the words, I grab the set of ultrasound photos from my purse in my lap and hold them out to Mom. “Carter and I are together, but we’re adding… a Little Biscuit.”
A shocked squeal escapes Mom, and I find that all my worrying was for nothing. Mom is lighting up like a damn Christmas tree, on her feet and hopping up and down with joy. Dad is just staring at me, with a small smile on his face and tears welling in his eyes. “My little girl…” he murmurs fondly.
They’re taking it way better than I had imagined. No questions about how it happened, or even if it was an accident. Just pure, unadulterated joy.
Jordan stands and looks between us and my mom, a look of confusion on his face. “What is it? What’s going on?”
“Carter and Sophie are having a baby!” Mom all but shouts, a huge smile on her face.
“That little blob is going to be my cousin?” Jordan asks incredulously, peering at the photos, before smiling widely.
“It sure is,” Dad smiles, patting Jordan’s back.
Tom’s the only one who hasn’t said anything.
“Tom…?” I ask cautiously, taking in the blank look on his face. He shakes his head like he was lost in thought, before clearing his throat.
“You guys mind giving us the room?” Carter asks Mom and Dad, who nod their agreement.
They usher Jordan out of the room, Mom whispering something to dad about “beautiful grandchildren”.
Tom walks over and sits on the now empty couch. “Listen, I’m not going to pretend that it’s not weird learning that my best friend knocked up my sister?—”
“Tom!” I gasp indignantly. He can not be serious. He’s never cared about that.
“I’m joking ,” he says rolling his eyes “Honestly, though, I am happy for you Soph. And you too, Carter.”
An internal sigh of relief escapes me. “Thanks, Tom.” My voice is soft, almost quiet. I hadn’t realized just how much his reaction would mean to me.
“That means a lot,” Carter admits, his voice thick with emotion.
“Really, I couldn’t be happier for the two of you. Without you Sophie…” He looks away, blinking furiously. “I don’t know what Jordan and I would have done if we didn’t have you after Sarah.” He shakes his head, looking back at us, his eyes glassy. “After all you’ve both been through, you deserve every happiness there is in the world. I’ve had a front row seat to the love and devotion you show everyone around you. Your child will be the luckiest baby in the world. Plus, having a kid of your own? That’s a whole new level of joy.” He looks between the two of us with a softness I haven’t seen in a long time.
I sigh, leaning my head on Carter’s shoulder. “Love you, big brother.”
“I love you too, Soph.” Tom smiles, looking between us. “Both of you.” Then his expression turns serious, his blue eyes hardening. “But Carter?”
“Yeah?” Carter’s voice is hesitant.
“You’re my best friend. I’ve been able to separate myself from the history of your relationship all these years because you weren’t here. But if you ever hurt my sister again or make her cry, I will punch you in the fucking throat.”
A startled laugh escapes me at the intensity of his words, but Carter looks serious as Tom continues. “No more mistakes, no more fuck ups. Got it?”
Carter nods. “I’ll come to you myself for it if I ever hurt her again.”
“Good to hear,” Tom says, bracing his hands on his knees before standing up and turning back towards Carter. “Now that that’s out of the way, I know you’re probably anxious to fill your mom in on everything.”
Carter nods in agreement, and a few hugs and goodbyes later, we’re back in the car heading for Carter’s mom’s house.
Carter hadn’t seen any point in causing his mom undue stress by telling her about the plan to take down his dad. Now that everything is over, though, he wants to see the look on her face when he tells her Jeremy Williams is gone for good.
Parking the car in his mom’s driveway, I instantly notice the figure standing there. A tall, slender, super-model type figure with long blonde hair and a short skirt. Nicole.
Oh, hell no. This bitch is delusional if she thinks she has any leg to stand on when it comes to Carter Williams. That man is mine .
“Nicole!” Carter nearly roars, slamming the car door behind him. “What the fuck are you doing here?”
I’m out of the car before he can even think of opening the door for me, and I join him in front of the car, linking his hand in mine as we go to confront the beast.
“Carter, baby,” she simpers, closing the distance between all of us with a few steps as we approach the driveway. She eyes our linked hands before her gaze travels to the bandage on Carter’s arm and tries to grab his free hand. “Are you okay? I can’t believe that girl you’re slumming it with got you hurt.”
Carter wrenches his arm away, shooting her a steely look before gently releasing my hand and stepping in front of me. Shielding me. Is it bad that the sight of him protecting me from his psycho stalker makes my panties wet?
“Leave. Now,” he grinds out, his hands flexing in anger.
“But Carter!” she whines, stepping towards us again.
That’s it. I’ve had enough .
Stepping out from behind him, I point a finger at her. “Stop acting desperate. How did you even find out where his mom lives, you fucking stalker?” I snap, venom dripping from every syllable. This chick needs a wake up call. “This is disgusting. He doesn’t want you.”
Her eyes narrow as Carter puts a protective arm around me and pulls me closer. “She’s not just ‘that girl’,” he snarls, “Sophie is my fiance, and the love of my life.”
Fiance? My heart flutters. I can’t believe he just said that. I mean, we’ve said that we’re together forever now… but I didn’t realize how much I want him to actually propose..
Nicole’s face contorts in rage. She stamps her foot like a petulant child. “No!” she shrieks, “You’re mine, Carter Williams! I’m not letting this… this bumpkin take you from me! We belong together!”
Before either of us can say a word, the front door opens, and Vivianne steps out, looking as fierce and protective as a mama bear. There’s an apron tied around her neck and a spatula in her hand as she turns her fury on Nicole.
“If you don’t get off my property this instant, you… you… two-cent ho, you will see a side of me you really don’t want. Get the hell out of here.” Her voice is laced with anger, and Nicole’s eyes widen at the threat.
“I’m not… I don’t…” she stammers, taking a step back.
“I would listen to her,” I tell her in a stage-whisper. “Mama V’s pretty scary when she’s mad.” I may be embellishing a little, seeing as I’m not sure Vivianne knows what part Nicole had in mine and Carter’s issues, but Nicole pales slightly, before hurrying away from the front porch.
“Keep an eye out for that restraining order! If I catch you around me or my family again, I’ll have you arrested,” Carter shouts after her, before he grins, looking at his mom with respect. “Way to go, Mom.”
Vivianne looks between us before pulling me into a tight hug. “Nobody is going to mess with my future daughter in law… or future grandbaby.”
We all chuckle at that, and Carter turns to me, eyebrow raised. “Mama V?”
“It seemed fitting.” I grin at them. “She came out in mama bear mode.” Vivianne gives me a warm smile, before she spots the bandage on Carter’s arm.
“Carter, what happened? Are you okay?” She fusses over him, looking at his arm.
“That would be Dad,” Carter admits, then quickly adds, “But it’s okay. He’s gone for good this time.”
Her eyes light up. “Tell me everything.” We head inside, my eyes widening up at how they’ve redone the place. The walls are painted a light cream color with teal accents. New lighting fixtures brighten up the space further, turning Carter’s once dreary childhood home into a home I can see our baby running around, visiting with their Grandma. I can’t wait to see the rest of the house.
Carter leads his mom into the living room and has her sit in one one of the new teal armchairs, before proceeding to tell her all about the set up, and how he got his dad to confess to all of his crimes.
“The detective asked if you’d be a character witness if necessary,” Carter says carefully, trying to gauge his moms reaction.
She doesn’t even hesitate. “Yes. Anything to get that bastard put away for as long as possible.” I wouldn’t have blamed her if she never wanted to even hear his name again, but she’s determined to see him pay for his actions. Carter sweeps her into a hug right as my phone rings.
“Hey, Abbs,” I answer. “What's up?”
“Hey, Soph. Just checking in and seeing how you guys are doing. Dad made one final statement at the station today to help close out the details of the case, and I went with him,” she says with pride. “We’re just leaving now.”
Carter gives me a questioning look as he pulls away from his mom.
“One second,” I tell her, then put the phone on mute. “It’s Abbie. She’s with her dad, who just made a final statement at the station.”
“I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to repay him if he had any part in putting Jeremy behind bars where he belongs.” Vivianne says to Carter, then her face lights up as an idea strikes her. “Oh! Do they want to come for dinner?”
Carter shrugs, motioning to me.
I unmute the phone. “Sorry, we’re just at Carter’s mom’s for dinner. She wants you to join us so she can thank your dad for all he’s done.”
“Hold on, let me check.” I hear shuffling on the other line before Abbie’s sounds again in my ear. “We would love that!” Abbie says excitedly. Her voice lowers conspiratorially. “Dad just said he’s going to change into something ‘more appropriate’ for dinner and he never does that. I think he’s excited.”
Not even a half hour later, the five of us sit around the dining room table, have a wonderful dinner together as Michael tells everyone how he’s been working with Detective Peterson for years. Dinner comes to a close on a light note, with laughter, easy conversation, and talk of baby names.
The way that Vivianne and Michael lean towards each other while talking, how she laughs at his jokes, and the stars in both of their eyes when they look at each other has me smiling.
“Am I imagining things?” I lean over and whisper to Abbie, who seems to have noticed the same thing I have.
“Definitely not,” Abbie rounds her eyes and shakes her head slightly. “I haven’t seen him like this in… ever.” By the look on her face, she’s overjoyed that he’s having this connection with Vivianne.
I smile, grasping Carter’s hand under the table. Maybe we aren’t the only two who are getting a second chance at love.