Chapter 16
“Is she finished?” Beau asked softly, approaching them silently, careful not to wake the baby, who was still cozied up against her mother’s breast. “The boys are falling asleep.”
“She is through.” Georgie eased her sleeping daughter away from her bosom and put her up on her shoulder to rub her back. It was amazing to both of them that the little girl had managed to fight the odds stacked against her and was getting better. She had spent two weeks in the clinic, fourteen days in which her mother had visited every day.
She and the boys had been allowed to go home after four days and it had broken Georgie’s heart. Now they were all home together and she felt her heart swelling inside her chest as stared at the baby who from every indication was going to be the spitting image of her dad.
Her hair was a light brown and her eyes a cross between gold and green. She had the same face shape and jutting chin along with the tiny cleft.
“Let me have her.” He moved forward after the baby had let out a satisfied burp. “Hey princess, daddy’s got you.” Beau cradled her in his arms, an indescribably tender expression on his face.
“I am going to trust you to put her down this time and not stay there with her in your arms while she sleeps," she told her husband wryly. “You are spoiling her.”
“She deserves to be spoiled, don’t you baby?” Moving toward the cot, he placed her in carefully and covered her with the soft pink and white blanket.
Over the past month, their home had become like a revolving door with frequent visitors. Blake was here every day, looking in on his grandchildren and was so happy, he had told them he felt like bursting.
“Leave the lights on?”
“Just the night light.” Georgie waited until he had finished, before easing herself out of the chair. She was fully healed, the scar from her C-section barely noticeable and she had started working out. A week ago, they had resumed their lovemaking with Beau wondering if it was too soon.
He had spent more than a month not being intimate with her and it had felt like a year. When they came together that night, it had been explosive, and they had both lost control.
He suckled at her breasts, until they were sore and were consumed by a fire that threatened to overwhelm them.
“Tired?” he asked, rubbing her back. “You were up late last night. Perhaps we should hire another nanny.”
“We have Geraldine, and she is great with the boys and not to mention Mrs. Greene who has adopted them.” She leaned against him as they stared down at the sleeping baby.
“Feeding three babies can get to be a lot. And you insist on breastfeeding all three.”
“I am fortunate that my milk is flowing. They are preemies and they need all the help they can get. Lucien said that we can start supplementing the breast milk with formula, but I am holding out as long as I can. Besides, it’s doing wonders for my figure. I am shedding all of that baby weight.”
“I liked you fat," he grunted when she landed an elbow in his gut. “Your violent trend is escalating.”
“I am a mom; it’s being finely honed.” She turned in his arms.
“Time for bed?”
She shook her head. “I need something else.”
“Baby, we can’t. We shouldn’t.” He correctly interpreted her expression.
“We have to. I feel whole and alive again Beau.” Her expression was one that he could not resist. “I want to feel your hands on my body. I want to feel beautiful and feminine.”
“I thought I did a good job of that when we made love a few days ago.”
“Not enough. Give me more. Take more.”
She did not have to hold a gun to his head, he was already starting to feel feverish. The first time they made love, it had been rough and entirely without finesse, and it bothered him. Having three babies to take care of was not easy and even though he loved his children, he wanted time with his wife.
He had gone back to the office last week, but had lightened his workload and started bringing homework. He was determined to be here for everything. He had failed them before, that was not going to happen again.
“Are you sure?” he asked her quietly.
“Yes.”
“All right.” Making certain their daughter was asleep; they left the nursery and went to peek in on the boys. Their nanny had a room next to theirs and was just getting ready for bed.
“They are out like a light.” The woman beamed as she wrapped her robe around her sturdy body. “I just checked on them.”
“Go to bed, Geraldine,” Georgie urged. “You have been up since the crack of dawn and knowing them, they will be out until the morning.”
“I love watching them sleep," she admitted sheepishly as she tiptoed toward the cot. “I will leave you to say goodnight.” With that, she disappeared inside her room, leaving the door open a crack.
“I can’t believe they are really here," she whispered.
“We are blessed,” her husband murmured and she nodded. “Bri is going to give them a run for their money.”
Beau smiled at that, his thoughts turning to the little girl. He loved his sons, but Brianna Rose had captured his heart in her little palm and twisted it. He was helpless against such overwhelming love. His two girls were going to be able to run circles around him.
“Ready?”
She nodded. Lifting her into his arms, he strode from the nursery and headed toward their bedroom. Making sure the monitor was on; he stepped away from the bed so that he could take off his clothes.
She had already gotten rid of the robe she had donned after her shower and was propped up on the pillows watching him.
Turning down the sheets, he stopped her from switching off the lights.
“No.”
“My breasts-”
“Are lovely," he murmured earnestly. “They give sustenance to my children and could not be more beautiful. How can you think otherwise?”
A gasp escaped her when he shifted so that he could weigh them in his palms. “I have watched you so many times, feeding them and wondered how you do not feel overwhelmed.” His thumb caressed the rigid flesh, and he watched in fascination as they puckered immediately. “Are they sore?”
She shook her head, her heartbeat increasing. “Just sensitive," she admitted.
“How does it feel when I do this?” he pulled at the nipple and had her back arching. “Electrifying," she gasped.
“How about when I do this?” Pumping the nipple, he watched as the milk quirted upwards. A long low moan escaped her when he bent his head and twirled his tongue round the flesh. “I saw my children suckling and it did something to me.” He pulled on the flesh slowly and sent heat spiraling to the core of her. “I was a little jealous.”
“Beau. Oh darling.” Her fingers dug into his dense blonde hair.
“Feed me," he whispered before tugging at the flesh and suckling hungrily. The sensation was incredible! Realizing that she was on the brink, he reached between them and pressed his open palm over her. She came instantly, body vibrating from the tidal wave.
But he was not done with her yet. His body was raging like an inferno, but he was determined to worship her body and assure her that she was loved.
“Beau–”
“Shh. Give me a minute.” He slid off the bed and went toward the bathroom. By the time he returned she had mostly stopped trembling.
“What’s that?”
“A warm washcloth. It will take away the soreness.” Sitting on the edge of the bed, he started to wipe it over her breast slowly.
With his eyes holding hers, he rubbed the soft cloth over her skin, moving down to the areola, taking his time to smooth it over the rigid flesh. It was hypnotic, but far from soothing and very soon, Georgie felt the heat coursing through her body.
“You wanted to know if you are still beautiful.” His deep voice was hoarse. Sliding further down, he touched the cloth to her stomach. “In here you bravely cradled our babies, all three of them.” The cloth made circles around the jagged cut, just above the dark hairs covering her sex. “You are more beautiful than ever.”
Her teeth worried her bottom lip and she had to grip the sheets to anchor herself.
“No one is more beautiful than you.” He smoothed the cloth over the springy dark hairs. “Do you believe me?” His eyes bored into hers.
“Yes," she moaned. “Beau, please-”
“I am just doing my part to reassure you.” Now he was worrying about the swollen mound, using the cloth to drift over the flesh slowly. “I don’t want there to be any doubt as to my devotion to you.” His eyes darkened as he continued to stare at her. “No doubts at all.” Her eyes popped wide open when she felt him insert the cloth inside her.
“Beau! Oh God! I can’t!”
“Come again for me baby," he urged, sliding it slowly inside her and pulling back out, only to slide it in again. A cry escaped her when he rubbed it over her sensitive flesh. Her body exploded into a million pieces!
It was only then he climbed on top of her, driving into her with a force that shoved her against the pillows.
His hands framed her face, his expression intense as he stared at her. “I adore you, is that clear?”
“Yes.” Tears were streaming down her cheeks, and she felt as if every bone in her body was melting. “Oh, Beau.”
Smiling tenderly, he used the pads of his thumbs to wipe away the moisture. Bending his head, he kissed her eyelids, then her nose, before sipping at the seams of her lips.
Even though he was burning with passion, he moved inside her slowly, his tongue tracing her full bottom lip. He whispered promises to her, endearments were said as he explored the honeyed texture of her mouth.
Georgie’s hands wandered up and down his back, her fingers clutching at him. Gradually the tempo increased, building until they were sailing toward the sky, before crashing down hard. Their cries echoed around the room, as they clung to each other, bodies trembling in the aftermath.
“Did I hurt you?” his voice was anxious. Sliding off her, he cradled her against his chest.
“No.” She was still shaken, her body vibrating. “When we first made love, I spent the night after you left in tears.”
Tucking his fingers under her chin, he lifted her face, his eyes taking in the swollen lips and the luminosity of her eyes. Her long lashes were spiky and wet and her cheeks moist.
“Was that why you refused to see me the next day?”
“Yes.” Her lips wobbled. “It was too intense; things were happening so fast that it left my head spinning. Lifting a hand, she stroked his face lovingly. “I was afraid that I would love you too much."
Capturing her hand, he brought it to his lips. “There is no such thing.”
“I thought I was dying. The last time when they said they had to take the babies, I was not too far gone from the anesthesia that I could not hear them, Beau.” Tears filled her eyes again. “I heard snippets of conversations. Things like blood loss and high blood pressure. I went in and out of consciousness and at one point, I saw my parents.”
She blinked away the tears. “And it was then I realized that I was dying. And I didn’t want to leave you and our babies. I was frantic and I wanted to scream to them that I refuse to die.” She swallowed the lump in her throat and he felt his heart constricting.
“You never said anything to me,” his voice was hoarse, his body shaking. “Why?” “I had forgotten about it until just now. I remembered praying and begging God to give me another chance and he did. I am not going to waste a moment of it.”
She touched his lips and then his chin. “I am going to spend every moment of every day, enjoying what he has blessed me with. You and our babies.”
His heart swelled with love and with a muffled groan, he buried his face in her neck.
*****
“Hey. How about a smile?”
“You and that confounding camera," she grumbled good-naturedly. “You are becoming obsessed.”
“Nothing is wrong with capturing the pivotal moments in their lives.” Beau snapped away again as he grinned at her. They were outside by the pool where a blanket had been spread on the lush green grass. Georgie was seated in the middle, with the babies, now almost two months old, crawling around on their stomachs.
Caleb was trying his best to grab his brother’s toes and Princess Brianna was serenely lying on her back and chewing on a plastic toy. Geraldine and Mrs. Greene had left them to go inside to bring out the meal.
The September heat and the inviting water of the pool had factored in the decision to spend the afternoon outside.
“Hi.” Hunkering down, Beau brought Georgie’s chin up so he could kiss her. “How was your day?”
“Wonderful and exhausting at the same time.” Wrapping her hands around his neck, she deepened the kiss before letting him go so he could greet the babies. Brianna sent up a delighted chortle, her beautiful eyes flashing as she stared at her daddy.
After tickling his sons, Beau picked up his daughter and kissed her on the lips. “How is my princess? Were you good for Mommy? Of course you were.”
Taking her with him, he sat on the chaise lounge and rocked her gently. Lifting his head, he looked at the scene spread out before him.
Georgie was wearing a one-piece fire engine red swimsuit with the wet material clinging to her body. She had been forced to stop breastfeeding the babies when her milk dried up, but all three were thriving.
They had gone for their regular six weeks check and were given a clean bill of health.
“Are you up to coming with me tomorrow night?” She hadn’t been out since the babies were born, except to have lunch with a few friends. After the first few weeks of bombarding for information concerning the babies, the press was more or less leaving them alone.
“I already ordered my dress and made an appointment with Barry.” She smiled at the grimace on his face. “He will be in and out of here before you get home.”
“I hope so.” He smiled as his daughter clutched his finger in her small fist. “She has a very strong grip. I cannot believe she is getting so big.”
“She eats more than her two brothers out together,” Georgie said wryly.
“Oh, before I forget, Dad and Cynthia want to babysit tomorrow night. I told them they are welcome to spend the night and have breakfast with us.”
“I cannot believe they got married while they were on the cruise.”
“Cynthia said he proposed and she was not going to give him a chance to change his mind.”
“He cares for her. She might not be his epic love, but they are really good together.” Georgie gave him a curious look. “And you are okay with her as a stepmother.”
He nodded. “She is a wonderful woman and is good for dad. She makes him happy and that’s what matters.” Lifting his daughter in the air, he sniffed. “I think this one needs changing. Where is the diaper bag?”
*****
“She won’t stop crying.” Georgie looked up as he rushed into the little girl’s nursery.
“I called Dr. Pendleton and she is coming over. She said there is every likelihood it’s an ear infection.”
They had been having dinner at a restaurant, when Geraldine called them, frantic with worry. They had heard the shrill cries in the background and had left immediately.
“Here, let me take her.” Slipping his hands under her, he secured the wailing baby carefully in his arms and rocked her gently.
“My poor princess, it hurts, I know and daddy is going to take care of it. I am so sorry you have to go through any of it, but soon, darling, soon the pain will be gone.” Georgie was not in the least bit surprised when the crying ceased and the baby stared up at her fatherin rapt attention.
“I have no idea how you accomplish that.”
Without lifting his head, he answered. “We understand each other, don’t we, darling?”
The baby cooed as if responding to him. Throwing her hands in the air, Georgie rose to greet the pediatrician who came hurrying with her black bag.
She stopped just inside the room as she witnessed the baby in her father’s arms.
“She seems to have recovered remarkably well.”
“And is making me out to be a liar and an alarmist. That’s our daughter for you. She is her Daddy’s girl.”
Dr. Pendleton grinned. “Why don’t we see what’s ailing this little one.”
*****
“Better?”
“Hmm. That feels wonderful.”
She leaned back against him and closed her eyes as he continued to rub her shoulders.
“I am happy Bri is finally sleeping.”
“The antibiotics did wonders. She was out like a light.” Bending her head, she closed her eyes as he pressed against some pressure points on her shoulders.
“She will grow out of it, hopefully very soon.”
“We didn’t get to finish our meal. How about we go down to the kitchen and whip something up? I think a late-night swim is in order.”
She whipped her head around to stare at him.
“A swim?”
“Why not?” he grinned. “All three babies are sleeping and both Mrs. Greene and Geraldine are keeping an ear out in case they wake up. Feel like skinny dipping with your husband?”
“We are not doing that.”
“Where is your sense of adventure?” he challenged.
“I happen to be a mother now.”
He stared at her with raised brows. “And?”
“I need to behave with more decorum.”
That got her a derisive snort.
“Come on woman, live a little. We both deserve to unwind. I am sure Mrs. Greene has something delicious.” Before she could protest further, he scooped her into his arms and headed out the door.
*****
“You are going to pay for that. Dammit, Beau, look at my hair!”
“It will dry.” He dove beneath the surface and came up behind her. Clamping his hands around her waist he held her against him, hands splayed over her stomach.
They were making enough noise to draw attention, but after the initial reluctance, Georgie had let go of her inhibition and was enjoying herself. Her hair was soaking wet, but she did not mind, even though she had protested.
“Enjoying yourself?” he whispered, his hand drifting down her stomach to settle on the hairs covering her sex.
“Beau- Oh.” her head went back against his chest as she closed her eyes. “Beau.”
“Hmm,” he was busy licking the water off her lobe. His fingers were busy parting the folds of her femininity.
“Someone could- Oh damn.” She blew out a breath when he started to stroke the swollen flesh.
“You were saying?” His arousal was probing the small of her back, making her acutely aware of his need. One hand was cupping her breast, the thumb feathering over the tight bud.
“Nothing.” pressing her hand over his, she arched her body and twisted her head around to seek his lips.
Running his tongue over the seams, he parted her lips, capturing her moans as he drove his fingers inside her.
The water eddied around them and very soon, the sound of their harsh breathing was vying with the sound of nature.
Turning her around to face him, he lifted her up so that she could wrap her legs around his waist.
“Hold on," he whispered hoarsely. Walking her back to the edge of the pool, he drove into her, hands gripping her waist. Bending her backward, he seized a nipple, his mouth hungry and avaricious. The climax was swift and brutal and quick.
Letting go of her nipple, he gripped a handful of her ear and seized her lips to capture her frantic moans. With one last, powerful thrust, he emptied himself inside her, his body shaking with passion.
“Damn,” she whispered against the hollow of his throat.
His deep chuckle vibrated against her skin and sent warmth flooding through her body.
“I take that as a compliment," he murmured in her hair.
“You should.” Lifting her head, she cradled his face. “God, I love you so much.”
“I love you more," he told her soberly. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he carried her out of the water and spent the next half hour showing her how much.
The end…