Chapter 23
Wes
It’s Too Soon...Or Is It?
I paced across the bedroom while Clare sat on the edge of the bed bouncing her right leg. She had done what she needed to do and left the test sitting on the bathroom counter.
“We need to go look at it,” she said on a long sigh.
Keeping up my pace, I nodded. “I know.”
“Do you want me to go look at it first, or should we do it together?”
I walked over to the bed and reached my hand down for Clare’s. “Let’s do it together.”
She inhaled, then released it as she stood. “Okay. Together.”
Hand in hand we walked to the bathroom, and right before we walked in, I pulled her to me and kissed her.
When we broke apart, Clare swayed a little. “What was that for?”
“No matter what the test says, I love you. We’ll figure it out if it’s positive, but I need you to know I’m not going to freak out.”
She looked up at me with those blue eyes of hers. “I’m glad one of us won’t freak out, because if that test says I’m pregnant, I’m freaking the fuck out.”
I laughed and hugged her. “Fair enough.”
Clare and I both walked up to the counter, each of us looking in the mirror.
“On the count of three we look down.”
“Wait,” I quickly said. “Are we looking down after three or on three?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know, um, on three.”
Nodding, I replied, “Okay. I’ll count. One. Two. Three.”
We both looked down and stared at the test. Neither one of us saying a word for what felt like forever.
I drew in a long, deep breath before exhaling. “I kind of feel disappointed, as crazy as that sounds.”
Clare reached for my hand, intertwining her fingers with mine. She let out a breath that sounded like she had been holding it in forever. “I’m not pregnant,” she softly said. “I have this strange feeling of being relieved and sad at the same time.”
We turned and faced one another. Putting my hand on the side of her face, she leaned into it. “It will happen when it’s supposed to happen. I’d like for us to at least be married first.”
Her eyes lit up. “Married?”
I smiled. “Yeah. I mean, I don’t know about you, but I think about what it will be like when we get married. Will we keep living here in the condo, or will we move to the suburbs like my brothers did?”
Chewing on her lower lip, she said, “I think about that too. I know we’re still new in our relationship, but I do dream of what life will be like later on when we do get married. A part of me wants to stay in town. I love the feel of the city. But I would imagine when the time came to think of kids, it only makes sense to move out of town. Where they have space to run around and climb trees. Oh! We could even get a dog!”
I closed my eyes. “Not if it’s anything like Flash.”
Laughing, she moved closer to me and wrapped her arms around my neck. “If I’m being honest, I’m glad I’m not pregnant. Call me greedy, but I would really love to spend more time with you.”
“I’m right there with you. If we had a baby, would I be able to do this?”
She let out a squeal as I reached down and threw her over my shoulder as I made my way to the bed. Tossing her down onto the bed, I crawled over her.
“I’m going to make love to you now.”
Her eyes grew wider, and her breathing increased. “Don’t threaten me with a good time!”
Laughing, I kissed her slowly. Enjoying the feel of my tongue dancing with hers. Clare’s arms came around my neck and the kiss soon turned more passionate. Our clothes came off in record time, and the moment I sank into her warm body, I nearly came.
“I love you, Clare,” I whispered as I moved slowly in and out of her.
Her fingers pushed gently through my hair as she said, “I love you more.”
There was no doubt in my mind that I was going to spend the rest of my life with this woman. I needed her like I needed air to breathe.
“You’re so beautiful, baby. God, you feel so fucking good.”
“More, Wes. I need you to go faster. Harder.”
Doing exactly as she wanted, we both fell at the same time. Each of us calling out the other’s name before my mouth covered hers. If I could stay inside of Clare forever, I’d do it.
Pulling slowly out, I fell to the side of her, drew her body to mine, and nuzzled my face into the back of her hair.
“Clare.” It was the only thing I could say. Every time I was with her, it was more beautiful and perfect than the last time.
? ? ?
“What are your plans for Valentine’s Day?” Preston asked as we both punched boxing bags. It was rare these days I got to hang out with my brothers. So, when Finn texted me and Preston and asked if we wanted a gym day, we jumped at it. The girls were having a shopping day, and our folks were watching Presley and Karleigh, giving my exhausted brothers and their wives a much-needed break.
“I hadn’t really thought much about it,” I replied.
Finn, who had taken a break and was sitting on the floor drinking a water, nearly choked on said water. “Dude, it’s tomorrow! If you don’t have a plan for what you’re getting Clare on your first Valentine’s Day, then you are going to be up a creek without a paddle.”
“I’ll figure something out.”
Preston stopped boxing and looked at me, a dumbfounded expression on his face. “You’re going to fuck this up, Wes. After the gym, we need to go shopping.”
“Those are words I never thought I’d hear you say,” Finn stated as I laughed.
“Screw you. We can’t leave our big brother hanging, and you know it.”
Finn nodded. “I agree. We’re going to have to go and get her something. You can’t just do flowers and candy.”
I pulled in a few deep breaths as I leaned over, my hands on my knees. “I was going to get her something. Do you both really think I’m that daft?”
When neither of them said anything, but simply exchanged looks, I rolled my eyes. “I was going to buy her a purse.”
“A purse? A purse?” Finn asked, then busted out into laughter.
“No, dude, a purse is not something you can buy for a woman. That kind of shit they want to buy for themselves. A gift card to Coach or something is one thing. But you can’t buy the actual purse. You need…jewelry.”
“Yes!” Finn said as he pointed to Preston. “That is what you need to get her.”
Before I knew what was happening, my two younger brothers had dragged me to the locker room of the fitness club where we showered, changed, and headed out to buy Clare something for Valentine’s Day.
As we walked into the jewelry store, Preston said, “I bought a bracelet for Harmony here after she had Presley. She cried when I gave it to her.”
Finn and I both looked at Preston.
“You don’t think that maybe it was hormones or something that made her cry?” I asked.
Preston huffed. “You have a lot to learn, big bro.”
“Okay, look here. Bracelets,” Finn said as he pointed to the cabinet.
“Or you have necklaces over here.” Preston said.
As I walked around the store, I stopped at the cabinet that held all the engagement rings.
“Ohhhh nooo,” Finn said as he tugged on my arm to move me away. “Wes.”
Suddenly, an employee appeared. “Is there a certain ring you’d like to see?”
My eyes searched the plethora of rings and landed on one that made my pulse beat faster. I pointed to the ring. “That one, right there.”
“Oh God, Preston, come quick!” Finn called out as the sales lady reached in and pulled out the ring. She smiled at me and placed it on a velvet pad.
“Beautiful choice, sir. This is a bridal set, so let me show you the engagement ring first. It is a stunning princess-cut center diamond. Haloed and flanked by brilliant round diamonds. Now the wedding band here, it also has round diamonds that line and match with the engagement ring. The entire set is a total diamond weight of three-and-a-half carats.
I picked up the engagement ring and stared at it. It would look beautiful on Clare’s hand.
“Preston!” Finn hissed. “Stop looking at necklaces! We have an emergency over here!”
The sales lady giggled, and I glanced up at her. She was cute, young, maybe in her early twenties.
“Would you mind slipping it on so I can see what it looks like on a finger?”
“I don’t mind at all.”
Once she slipped the ring on, I knew I had to have it.
Nodding, I said, “That’s the one.”
“No, no, no, no, no! Wes, we came in for a bracelet or a necklace,” Finn urged.
“What’s going on?” Preston asked.
“Our older brother seems to think he needs to buy an engagement ring.”
Preston slapped me on the back. “Yes! I love the way this is playing out!”
“What?” Finn asked. “You don’t think it’s too soon?”
“Hell no!” Preston said.
Turning to Preston, I said, “You always were my favorite.”
Finn rolled his eyes. “Fine, but if you think I’m keeping this from Rory, you’re crazy.”
I focused back on the sales lady. “I’ll take the set.”
“You’ve got it.”
Turning to my two brothers, I said, “I’m going to ask Clare to marry me.”
They each hugged me and gave me a good slap on the back.
Preston leaned in and said, “Next comes the house with the white picket fence and kids.”
All I did was smile. A feeling of utter joy filled my body, and I knew that I was doing the right thing.