Chapter 34
Thirty-Four
“Alright! Boys on the food and drink coolers, ladies and babies with me for first dibs on the good floats for the spring!” Mae called out, waving at Jessie and Hawk as they walked up to the group.
“You sure you’re up for this?” Hawk asked, his hand resting gently on the small of her back.
“I’m thirty-eight weeks pregnant in the middle of the Texas summer. What part of floating in crisp, cool water sounds like a bad idea to you? Because to me, it sounds like heaven.”
“You’ve just been through a lot these last few weeks. Everything with Lach…” Hawk sighed.
“Which is why we agreed that organizing this day, hanging out with our friends and my family, was needed. Lach’s still on track to get out of the hospital this week, and I need to talk to everyone about my ideas for his fundraiser.”
“Just don’t over do anything.”
She stopped and pressed her hand to his chest. “Go with the guys. You need this break as much as I do. The girls and I are going to have a great time while you guys cook and I promise—no, don’t argue—that I will take it easy, as long as you do too.”
“Fine.” Hawk dropped to his knees and Jessie giggled as he pressed a kiss against her belly. “You be good for your mama. I’ll be making your lunch. Give her a good kick when you get hungry or if you miss me.”
Her hand playfully pushed against his shoulders. “Ugh. If she kicks me any harder, she’ll probably come out.”
Hawk laughed. “Not today, Bee. Don’t get up to too much trouble with the girls.”
“Oh don’t worry.” Jessie stood on her tiptoes, leaning into Hawk who was now standing in front of her. “I will.”
“Jessie! Waddle that cute pregnant belly of yours over here and I’ll spritz you with some sunscreen!” Sloane laughed as she wiggled the sunscreen bottle in her hand.
She turned, rolling her eyes as Hawk’s hand landed playfully against her bottom, and walked over to the picnic table where the girls were gathered.
“This is such a cute area, Jessie. Thanks again for inviting us all here,” Lily said as she finished fastening the clips on Sage’s life vest.
“Mama, I go swimming now?” Sage asked.
“Soon, baby. Let mommy get some sunscreen on your face and you need to wear your hat, too.” Lily smiled as she smoothed down Sage’s hair.
“I can help, Aunt Lily! I’ve got her hat here with Cami’s.” Embrie broke away from Lacy and the baby, smiling as she set Sage’s hat on her head.
“What would I do without you, kiddo? You are the best big cousin.”
“And the best big sister,” Lacy added.
“I’m CPR certified now,” Embrie said as she turned to Jessie. “I’ll be able to watch your baby one day after she’s born too. I love babies! And I’ll be her cousin. I can’t wait to hold her.”
Jessie’s throat tightened with emotion. “I can’t wait for that either. She’s going to look up to you so much, Embrie.”
“Have you and Uncle Hawk picked out a name for her yet? I have some favorites I could share with you if you want.”
“Embrie… I’m sure they have names that are very special to them,” Lacy said.
“We actually decided to wait until we see her face to officially decide, but I imagine we’ll have to come up with something more permanent than Bee, so I’m all ears for suggestions.”
Embrie’s face fell. “Hmm. I only had cheese-related names ready, because that’s what Mom and Dad like.
” Mae laughed as she handed a cold water bottle to Jessie from the cooler.
“But I can think of some bumblebee related names! Like… Oh! Honey! Or, you could name her after a flower! Like Poppy! Or Lavender! Aunt Lily, Aunt Jessie’s baby and Sage will be cousins, too, right? ”
“They will,” Lily laughed.
“How pretty are Sage and Lavender together?”
“They’re beautiful,” Jessie answered. “Jeepers, Embrie. CPR certified babysitter and baby naming help! How much are you charging for this service?”
Embrie laughed. “The first consultation is free. But then I have to charge because Dad says I’m too smart for my own good and he’ll go broke paying for my Ivy-league education. I’m saving up my money for that.”
“Ladybug, you know Dad and I are going to pay for your college. You don’t need to worry.” Lacy’s face fell.
Embrie shrugged, running over to Lacy and wrapping her arms around her waist. “I know. It’s just fun to joke about.”
“Hi, hello!! Sorry we’re late!” Birdie shoved Beau towards the guys and waved as she walked up to the group.
“Alright, I can’t take it any more! The water is calling to me!
” Emma pulled her caftan off over her head, and revealed a siren-red bikini that made Jessie jealous.
Her own black bikini was revealing, and as she looked around at her friends, she felt a surge of regret at wearing something where her belly would be on full display.
A whistle sounded from across the field and Emma laughed.
“Sebastian can’t resist me in red, even after all this time. ”
Jessie smiled, before faded lines on Emma’s body caught her eye.
“They’re my goddess stripes,” Emma said, and Jessie immediately felt the heat rise in her cheeks.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to look.”
“I’m not ashamed of them, Jessie. I survived something I shouldn’t have.
Someone put those marks on my body against my will, but my body healed them.
Turned them into something beautiful. And I’m proud of that.
I will never get to carry a baby again, but I consider these my own tiger stripes.
I fought to get back to Seb and Addie. I’m glad I get to wear them as a reminder of my strength. ”
“You’re incredible.”
Emma laughed. “Well, maybe that little speech of mine can inspire you to take off that pretty cover and show us all the baby bump. I’m pretty sure the invite out here said we could feel the baby kick. That’s my favorite!”
“I don’t know,” Jessie cringed. “I’m like a whale and all of you look incredible.”
“Sorry. Thought I just heard you insinuating that you don’t look fucking amazing right now?” Mae’s hand landed on Jessie’s arm. “You are literally glowing, from the inside out.”
“And you have the cutest pregnant lady belly I’ve ever seen! Bee’s in there like a little basketball,” Lily laughed.
“God, you have the belly I was hoping I’d have with Cami,” Lacy admitted. “I carried her so low I looked crazy for the last three months of my pregnancy.”
“I think you look beautiful,” Sloane added. “I’ve never been pregnant myself, and I know the toll this pregnancy has taken on you, but you are still so radiant. We’re family. There’s no judgment here. Only acceptance and hype.”
“Exactly! Acceptance, and hype!” Emma cheered. “Take it off. Take it off!”
Jessie laughed, nodding as she grabbed the hem of her dress and pulled it over her head. It was no easy feat, but she managed it with mostly grace, and a bit of overexertion.
“Why were you worried?” Mae tsked. “You look like one hot mama in that bikini!”
“Oh, goodness, girls. Don’t look now, but man-holding-baby-cuteness is heading over this way!” Lacy giggled.
Jessie’s eyes moved from the women to the field, where sure enough, Hawk was walking towards the group with Cami in his arms. Her stomach did a little swoop as Bee rolled.
Hawk looked so natural holding her, tucked close to his chest. She’d even laid her little head down on his shoulder and Jessie felt the tears stinging the back of her eyes.
“He’s going to be such a good dad,” she whispered. He must have read her lips because Hawk winked, his eyes never leaving hers as he placed Cami in Lacy’s open arms.
“Wings was hogging her, so I told him to knock it off and volunteered to bring her over here. Seems like she was getting a bit fussy. Probably ready to nurse.” Hawk stalked towards Jessie, his eyes scanning every inch of her body.
He bent over and kissed her, hard and searing, before palming her belly.
“You look amazing. I’m having a hard time remembering that our friends are around. I just want to take you back to the truck and tear off that bikini with my teeth.”
“And… that’s my cue to get in the water!” Mae grabbed her sunglasses off the picnic table and threaded her arm through a doughnut themed float before taking off towards the spring.
Jessie’s hands came up to rest on Hawk’s chest. “You’re going to get me in trouble,” she huffed. “Besides, you’re supposed to be having time with the boys. And I get to enjoy time with the girls. You promised.”
His lips were on her forehead and then he stepped away. “You’re right. Go enjoy the girls. But tonight…”
Jessie groaned, pressing her thighs together. “It’s not nice to tease me when I’m already feeling frisky.”
Hawk chuckled. “Nausea level?”
“Barely a two. It’s there, but it’s not even a worry on my radar.”
“That’s what I like to hear.” He tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Go have fun with the girls, mama. Today belongs to them. But tonight… Tonight belongs to me.”
“How are you feeling?” Stone’s hand crushed down on Hawk’s shoulder.
“Incredible. I’m ready to start forever with her.
” He’d only checked about ten thousand times that the ring was in the ring box and the box was in the backpack he’d brought with him that day.
All of his friends, and even Jessie’s brothers, had come together to make sure his plan would go off without a hitch.
“To be fair, I think forever for you two started the night I renewed my vows with Lily,” Gunner smirked. “If I’m not mistaken.”
“You are not. It was a great day for so many reasons.”
“Alright. Fuck. We’re happy for you, but that’s our little sister,” Beau groaned.
“Glad you guys got your heads out of your asses and decided to actually support our sister. Not just be macho dicks about things,” Colt grumbled.
“I feel like I poured enough blood, sweat—and even a few tears when I hammered my thumb that one day—out to show how sorry I am for how we handled things.” Hayes held his hand out to Hawk, who took it without hesitation. The shake was strong and genuine.
“There’s no hard feelings from me. I’ll let Jessie know how much help you were getting the house into a livable condition when I take her up there tonight. And things have been better since…”
Shit. Since Lachlan’s stay in the hospital.
“Yeah, man. It sucks that it took Lach almost losing his leg… almost losing his life…for us to get our shit together,” Hayes groaned.
“It’s actually embarrassing,” Beau admitted. “But I’m ready to put it all behind us and just focus on our niece.”
“While we’re speaking of Lach, Jessie wanted me to float an idea by everyone.”
“What’s that?” Nash asked.
“She was thinking of putting together a fundraiser. Having it here at the ranch, centering it around the founding of Silver Springs since that’s next week.”
“That’s short notice,” Gunner grimaced. “But it is good timing. We don’t have training at The Trident next week.”
“Yeah, and I’m still going to be in Texas for a few weeks, so I can pull some strings with vendors depending on how big she’s thinking of making this thing,” Sebastian offered as he plunged his hand into the drink cooler.
“I’ve got a friend who does those bouncy house things for kids at the county fair.” Hayes shrugged. “And Beau, isn’t Lainey doing that catering business now?”
“Yeah, I think she is. I’ll ask Birdie about it, and see if she can help.”
“Awesome. I know it will mean a lot to Jess, and that means a lot to me.” Hawk grabbed the coke Cap handed to him.
“To the start of something amazing. To Hawk and Jessie.” Cap tapped the top of his can to Hawk’s and laughed as the rest of the guys took turns doing the same.
Hawk dropped his shoulder into Stone’s. “It’s still so weird not having you guys at the apartments. Gunner, you and Lily too. I actually miss hearing Sage’s laughter in the hallway.”
“Yeah, but Embrie’s still there giggling up a storm,” Gunner tipped his bottle towards Nash.
“And Cami’s still screaming at the top of her lungs all night long,” Nash sighed.
“I never heard it, Wings,” Hawk admitted. “You don’t have to worry about that.”
“That’s because I paid for the good sound proofing. The last thing we needed was to be able to hear each other all the time.” Seb smiled, before clearing his throat.
“You ever think there’d be a day when we would all sit around talking about our kids like this?” Hawk asked.
“I always hoped,” Nash admitted.
“It’s going to be so weird not being in that building anymore,” he admitted.
“Yeah,” Gage’s hand landed on Hawk’s shoulder. “But you’ll always have your place there. Hell, who knows? Maybe one day, when the kids are all grown, they’ll live there while they’re figuring out life.”
Fuck. That was a really nice thought.