Chapter Twenty Four Vivian
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR: VIVIAN
T wo Months Later
As the mixer spun with a gooey cake mixture, I hummed along with the Christmas carols blaring from the television. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt so much in the Christmas spirit. I liked to think it was because I was pregnant. It was hard to fathom that next year I would be baking my traditional cake for my parents’ Christmas get-together with a baby on my hip.
Of course, the less wholesome part of me equated it to the fact that I had three hot men in my life satiating my every desire. To say I’d spent most of the guys' off time tangled up in the tinsel with the guys would be an understatement.
I’d just shut off the mixture when my doorbell rang, sending a goofy grin curving on my cheeks. I didn’t have to glance at the camera to know who it was.
When I threw open the door, my hockey trio stood on the stoop. “Good morning!” they called in a chorus.
“Good morning to you, too.” Motioning with my hand, I said, “Come inside where it’s warm.”
Theo nodded. “But we’ve got to be back on the road in ten minutes.”
Grayson rolled his eyes. “If you thought he was bossy in the bedroom, wait until you travel with him.”
I laughed as I shooed them inside. “Mm, what smells so fucking good? Theo asked.
“Well, besides you,” Bennett added as he kissed my cheek.
With a laugh, I replied, “I’ve got some Gingerbread cookies in the oven, and I’m about to bake a coconut cake.”
Theo’s eyes rolled back in exaggerated bliss. “That’s it. I’m just going to stay here for Christmas and eat all your goodies.”
Grayson wagged his brows at me. “Viv’s goodies are finger lickin’ good.”
I playfully smacked his arm. “I can’t believe you just made an innuendo with me and Kentucky Fried Chicken.”
Throwing an arm around me, Grayson said, “You know you’re going to miss me.”
As I squeezed him tight, I said, “You’re right. I am going to miss you so much.”
“I’m going to miss decking your halls,” Grayson mused.
While Theo groaned, I couldn’t help giggling. “How long have you been waiting to use that innuendo?”
Grayson shot me an innocent look. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“At least he didn’t say something like he would miss stuffing your turkey,” Theo mused.
Bennett snorted. “Or jingling your bells.”
Tilting my head, I said, “I think it would be more me jingling your bells than you doing mine.”
“True. A clit is only one bell while our balls are two,” Grayson replied.
“You’re impossible.”
His jovial expression turned serious. “I am going to miss you, Vivie Boo.”
I giggled. “That is the worst nickname.”
“Really? I thought it was cute.”
“Think again.”
Grayson grinned. “Okay, I’ll be thinking of a new one on the flight.”
“I’ll look forward to hearing what you come up with.”
“You might be regretting saying that,” Theo replied.
“What time are your flights?”
Before Grayson could respond, Theo said, “Mine’s at two, and his is at one.”
“Which is why it’s insane we’re leaving so early,” Grayson replied.
“I want to make sure we have plenty of time to avoid any issues that might make us miss our flight.”
Furrowing my brows, I glanced at Bennett. “What time is your flight?”
I instantly regretted my question at the pain radiating in Bennett’s eyes. “I’m just their ride since I’m not going home for Christmas.”
“You’re staying here?” At his nod, I asked, “By yourself?”
When Bennett once again nodded, Grayson threw his arm around Bennett’s shoulder. “I told the bastard to come home with me like at Thanksgiving.”
Shaking his head, Bennett replied, “While I appreciate the offer, I’m not takin’ advantage of your family’s hospitality again.”
Grayson snorted. “Like my parents give two shits about hospitality.”
“Well, I do.”
I stepped forward to cup Bennett’s cheek with one of my hands. “If you won’t go with Grayson, then come with me to my family’s get-together.”
“No, I–”
“Nope. Don’t argue. There is no way in hell I’m leaving the potential father of my baby alone on Christmas.”
Bennett’s lips quirked up. “So, basically I’m gettin’ the sympathy vote because of my swimmers?”
While Grayson and Theo laughed, I smacked him playfully. “Even if you weren’t my baby’s potential father, you’re still my–”
“Orgasm donor?” Grayson suggested with a chuckle.
Leave it to him to try and lighten the mood. “I was going to say friend, and someone I care about very much.”
What Bennett couldn’t say was reflected in his eyes. “Thanks, Vivian. I would love to come to Christmas with you.”
Smiling, I popped on my tiptoes to plant a quick kiss on his lips. My action earned a grunt of protest from Theo and Grayson. “Like I’m not going to kiss you both as well.”
“You better,” Theo replied before dragging me against him.
His warm lips covered mine as he began devouring me. I melted against him, my hands fisting the back of his shirt.
“All right. That’s enough. Save some for me,” Grayson protested.
“And me. I barely got anything compared to Theo,” Bennett argued.
I giggled against Theo’s lips. As he squeezed my ass, I jerked away. “Don’t start something you can’t finish.”
He groaned as I extricated myself from his arms. I then went over to Grayson. Like Theo, he ravaged my mouth while his hands slid up and down my curves.
“Okay, my turn,” Bennett interrupted.
Grayson moaned in protest as I tore my lips from his. “He’s going to be here with you for the holidays and can kiss you whenever he wants.”
Bennett wagged his brows. “Lucky me,” he replied before sweeping me into his arms. His kiss wasn’t quite so desperate as Theo and Grayson’s.
“All right, all right. It’s time to go,” Theo grumbled.
When I pulled away, I said to Bennett, “Be here tomorrow at five.”
“I’ll be here.”
“See you then.”
Nodding, I then turned to Theo and Grayson. “You guys have a safe flight and text me when you get there.”
With an impish grin, Grayson said, “You’re sounding more and more like a girlfriend every day.”
“And don’t forget you have a girlfriend while you’re on your own.”
“Not possible,” Theo replied, his expression sending my heart thrumming wildly.
The next day, Bennett arrived at my house at ten to five. As he loaded up all the goodies for me, I realized just how much I could get used to being a girlfriend.
When we pulled into my parent’s driveway, I cut my eyes over to gauge Bennett’s reaction to the twinkling lights and pulsing inflatables that lined the yard. “Wow!” he remarked after putting the SUV in park.
“My dad tends to go a little overboard now that he has grandchildren,” I replied.
He grinned. “Good for him. It’s epic.”
“Like in a Clark Griswold way?”
Laughing, Bennett replied, “Not like that at all.”
“You can be honest. I won’t tell him that you think it looks like Christmas exploded on our lawn.”
Bennett shook his head. “This is exactly what I want when I have my first house. I want to be the house that people hear about and have to drive by.”
“That sounds amazing.”
When I started to open the car door, Bennett stopped me. “So how are we playing this?”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m pretty sure since your family has never met me, they’re going to wonder who I am.”
“Good point.”
“You haven’t told them about the baby yet, right?”
Shaking my head, I replied, “At first, I wanted to wait until I was completely out of the first trimester. But then that passed, and I realized it was close to the holidays.”
With a sheepish grin, I said, “So, I decided not to drop a major bomb on Christmas.”
Bennett smiled. “And that makes total sense as well.”
“Once you meet my parents and see our relationship, it won’t make sense. I mean, we are so close. There’s no reason why I shouldn’t have told them already.”
“Maybe because of the way you conceived the baby?” Bennett suggested with a smile.
I groaned. “Yeah, my parents will so not understand that.”
“Then it makes sense.”
“Oh, it won’t to them. Especially my mother. I swear, she will guilt trip me for months…maybe even years.”
Bennett took my hand. “Viv, this is your life and your baby. You have to do what’s best for you.”
I smiled. “Thank you for saying just what I needed to hear.”
“Well, it’s the truth.”
“And I’ve gotten away with it so far.” Glancing down at my dress, I patted my slight bump. “I mean, I don’t look pregnant, right?”
“Nope.” He wagged his brows. “Well, maybe when you’re naked.”
I laughed. “Good thing we’re not nudists.”
Tilting his head, Bennett said, “Seriously though, you don’t have to introduce me as your boyfriend. We can always tell them the truth that I’m a disowned bisexual from a religiously intolerant family.”
With a gasp, I said, “Absolutely not!”
“Just a suggestion.”
I grabbed his hand in mine. “You are so much more than that.”
“Thanks, Viv.”
“I would be honored to introduce you as my boyfriend.”
“You would?”
Tilting my head, I brought my lips to his. After bestowing a gentle kiss, I pulled back to stare intently into his eyes. A myriad of emotions swirled in them. “I would be honored to be yours, Bennett.”
“You are mine.” He swallowed hard. “The only woman I want.”
“What about the guys?”
“They can have a part of you. I just want you to have a part of me.”
I smiled at him. “I’ll take it.”
“Good.”
After I gave him another quick kiss, I said, “Come on. Let’s go.”
Always the gentleman, Bennett grabbed the basket out of the car. “Be careful on the walkway. It looks icy.”
His concern sent warmth tingling all over me. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Thankfully, I made it to the porch without slipping and taking a tumble. Before I could even knock on the door, my dadthrew it open. “There’s my girl,” he bellowed with a big grin.
Even though it had only been two weeks since I’d seen him, Dad still stretched his arms wide for me. I quickly dove into his waiting embrace. “Hey, Daddy,” I said, as I squeezed him tight.
When I pulled back, he furrowed his brows at me. “There’s something different about you,” he remarked.
As I fought the rising panic, I quickly replied, “It’s my hair. I just got some blonde highlights in it,” I lied.
“Why on earth would you mess with perfection?” he questioned with a smile.
Since I got my auburn hair from him and his mother, I appreciated his backward compliment. “I’ll remember that next time.”
Dad glanced over my shoulder to where Bennett was standing. “And who is this?”
“This is my friend, Bennett.”
Dad’s brown eyes narrowed. “Friend? Like a boy friend?”
“Seriously, Daddy? I’m thirty years old, not thirteen. But yes, Bennett is my boy friend.”
Like the true gentleman he was, Bennett stepped forward and extended his hand. “It’s a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Whitlock.”
“Call me Miles.”
Since I could see the question burning in my dad’s eyes, I decided to put him out of his misery. “Bennett attends Southeastern.”
“Is that right?”
“Yes, sir. I’m a senior.”
“He also plays hockey for the university,” I added.
Dad’s eyes lit up at the mention of hockey. “Is that right?”
“Yes, sir.”
“What position?”
“Left wing.”
“Is that right? I was a defenseman myself.”
Bennett nodded. “Vivian was telling me that.”
“Let me guess. She told you how I dragged her to all the Southeastern games with me and her brother.”
With a grin, Bennett replied, “Something like that.”
“Why don’t you go put those dishes down, and you and I can talk hockey?” Dad suggested.
Bennett’s eyes lit up. “I’d like that, sir.”
Shaking his head, Dad corrected him. “Call me Miles.”
“Okay.”
“Follow me,” I instructed him.
As we weaved our way through the living room to the dining room, I motioned at the table. “Just set those down there.”
Once Bennett’s hands were free, I handed the poinsettia in my hands to him. At his questioning look, I replied, “It’ll mean more if you give it to her.”
“Got it.”
I didn’t have to ask Dad where my mother was. From the moment the first rays of sunlight dawned on Christmas Eve, she was stationed in the kitchen. Over the years, I’d tried reasoning with her to make a few dishes ahead of time, but she would hear nothing of it. She wanted everything to be as fresh as possible.
When I swept into the kitchen, delicious aromas filled my nose. Bennett and I had barely gotten through the doorway when my mother pounced on me. “Why Vivian, you sly thing. You didn’t tell me you were bringing a date.”
I should’ve known my mother would make a big deal out of Bennett’s presence. It was the first Christmas in three or four years that I hadn’t come solo.
As always, Bennett came to my rescue. “It’s my fault, ma’am. I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to make it.” He held out the poinsettia to her. “Merry Christmas.”
Mom beamed as she took the plant from him. “Thank you. And welcome to our home.”
“Considering how much she’s talked about you, it’s a pleasure finally meeting Vivian’s family.”
Oh, he was good. In less than a minute, he had already managed to get into Mom’s good graces. Beaming at Bennett, she held out her hand for him. “I’m Laura.”
“Bennett,” he replied.
“It’s so nice meeting you.” Tilting her head, she asked, “How long have you and Vivian been seeing each other.”
“Mom,” I protested.
Throwing up her hands, Mom said, “What’s wrong with asking that?”
Bennett laughed. “Since the end of September,” he replied diplomatically since that was the first time I saw him.
We were interrupted then by my brother, Walker, sweeping through the back door into the kitchen. “Merry Christmas,” he boomed with a grin that was much like my father’s.
My nephews and niece came barreling in behind him with his wife, Josie, on their heels. “Auntie Viv!” they cried before racing over to me.
As three-year-old Lucas jumped into my arms, he demanded, “Did you get us lots of presents?”
Seven-year-old Landen replied, “Lucas, don’t be rude.”
“I was just curious,” he argued.
“It’s okay,” I replied as I sat him down.
Five-year-old Lila said, “I hope you got me some Paw Patrol.”
“Maybe.”
She grinned. “When can we open presents?”
Her mother walked over to us. “You know the rules. Not until after dinner and after you’ve eaten more than a roll.”
The three of them whined before rushing down the hall to see my dad. “Hello, hello,” I said to Josie.
At the sight of Bennett beside me, she said, “And hello, hello to you both.”
After quickly introducing them, Bennett said, “I better get back to your dad since I promised I would talk hockey with him.”
I laughed. “Don’t think he won’t come searching for you.”
With a little wave, he then went down the hall. When I turned back, I found Josie watching Bennett’s retreating form.“Now that is an interesting development.”
“You have no idea,” I mused, as I went to hug her.
After squeezing me tight, Josie wagged her brows. “Don’t go anywhere. I made a jug of your favorite mulled wine recipe.”
Oh shit. Josie and I were notorious for getting tipsy off mulled wine. Usually, it was sometime between dessert and opening presents. How was I going to get out of this one without outing myself?
To try and get Josie off my tail, I snuck away to the bathroom. It wasn’t like I didn’t actually have to go. According to my motherhood app, this baby might’ve been the size of a kumquat, but it already had my bladder in a vise.
Once I finished in the bathroom, I peeked my head out of the door. When the coast seemed clear, I tried sneaking back to the living room. Just as I started down the hallway, Josie’s voice froze me. “There you are.”
As she came up behind me, I slowly turned around. She thrust the holiday wine goblet at me. “Here you go.”
I stared at the goblet. I had a choice to make. I could go ahead and come clean about why I wouldn’t be drinking, or I could fake it.
I chose to fake it.
Plastering on a smile, I took the goblet from Josie. “Thanks. I’ve been looking forward to this.”
With a grin, she replied, “Please tell me I don’t have to wait until you’re tipsy for you to tell me all about that delicious hunk of man in there.”
I laughed. “His name is Bennett, and we’ve been seeing each other for a few months.”
That part of the story was easy because it was based on truth. There was no way in hell Josie was going to get the deets on the reason why I’d been seeing him was because he was my potential baby daddy after a threesome.
“Good for you. He’s positively delectable. Did I hear Miles say he was a hockey player?”
“Yes, he is.”
With a longing sigh, Josie said, “Why are all hockey players so ridiculously handsome?”
“The bulky padding?” I teasingly suggested.
She gave me a knowing look. “Your piece of heaven doesn’t need any padding.”
“True.” None of my sexy guys needed any padding. They were packing muscles upon muscles all on their own. Just imagining those muscles flexing as they fucked me sent heat blooming to my cheeks and between my legs.
We were interrupted by the pitter-pattering of little feet. Lila wore a thunderous expression. “Mommy, Lucas took my Paw Patrol car and won’t give it back!”
“Uh, uh,” Lucas replied while clutching a car to his chest.
Lila stomped her foot. “That is my car. It’s Skye’s, and it’s pink. You hate pink!”
Josie pinched her eyes shut. “Forget a glass. I’m going to need to just chug straight out of the bottle.”
Sensing she needed a moment, I swept my hands to my hips. “Lucas Whitlock, what would Santa say about you taking your sister’s car?”
The mere mention of Santa sent a stricken expression over Lucas’s face. Without even a glance at his sister, he dropped the car and then sprinted away like he was fleeing the scene of a crime.
Lila gleefully snatched up her car before chasing after Lucas. Josie gave me an appreciative smile. “Thanks, Viv.”
Waving my hand dismissively, I replied, “I figured pulling out the big gun couldn’t hurt.”
“I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: you’re going to be an amazing mom one day.”
A nervous laugh trilled from me at her compliment. “I don’t know about that.”
“Oh, I do. You’ve always had so much more patience than I have. And you’re good on your feet like what you did with Lucas.”
Maybe Josie was right. Maybe I would be a good mother. I mean, if anyone would know, it would be a mom already in the trenches, right?
Of course, I had a sneaking suspicion that if Josie knew I had three potential baby daddies, she might rethink her compliment.
With my glass in hand, I meandered back to the living room to see how Bennett was doing with my dad. Two of my aunts and uncles had arrived along with several of my cousins.
Dad had Bennett in the thick of everyone like they were bosom buddies. At the sight of me, Bennett winked, which made my heart do a funny flip-flop. After making my way over to him, I asked, “How’s it going?”
“Great. Your Dad is seriously amazing. I’ve got to get him tickets to some of our home games.”
“He would love that.”
“What about you?”
“Of course, I’ll come.”
Cocking his head at me, Bennett said, “But will you love it as much as him?”
I gave him a sheepish look. “You know how I feel about hockey.”
“How did you ever end up dating three players?” he teasingly asked.
“Shh,” I hissed as my gaze spun around the room. “Someone will hear you.”
An impish look twinkled in Bennett’s eyes. “I’m pretty sure your grandmother won’t. Your dad introduced me twice, and she’s still calling me Beckett.”
I giggled. “Yes, she’s practically deaf even with hearing aids.”
Dad motioned Bennett over to him. “Gotta go. I’m being summoned.
“I’ll catch you with you later.”
When I turned around, I ran right into Josie. “I came to top you off.” When she saw my full glass, she frowned. “Did you already do a refill?”
Dammit. Why hadn’t I thought to empty my glass in the bathroom sink or toilet so I wouldn’t be conspicuous? “Uh, no. I’ve just been catching up with everyone.”
Josie’s blue eyes narrowed suspiciously on me. “You always multitask drinking and talking.”
I shifted on my feet under the intensity of her stare. “I know. I just did a little pregaming with Bennett back at the house, so I don’t want to overdo it.” With a nervous laugh, I replied, “Nana would kill me if I was plastered and face-planted into the stuffing.”
As Josie continued eyeing me, Mom thankfully came to the rescue. “Okay, everyone, it’s time to eat!”
Once Mom herded us into the dining room, we took our seats. Thankfully, Mom sat Bennett across from me, so he wouldn’t totally be at the mercy of my relatives for conversation.
After we said grace, Dad always liked to give a little toast. Rising out of his chair, he held up his goblet. “Once again, we gather together to celebrate the joyous holiday of our savior’s birth. How blessed we are that we can come together and show our love for one another. I’m grateful that we all have a measure of happiness and health. Merry Christmas.”
All the adults thrust their goblets up. “Merry Christmas,” echoed around the dining room.
As the others started to dig in, Mom grabbed my arm. “Is something wrong with your wine, Vivian?”
“No, it’s fine. Seriously delicious,” I lied.
Mom’s hand fretted with the pearls around her neck. “But you didn’t take a sip for Dad’s toast.”
Shifting nervously in my chair, I replied “I didn’t realize I had to.”
Dad winked. “It’s okay, Viv. It wasn’t one of my better ones.”
I gave him a reassuring smile before shoving the rolls at Mom. “These look delicious.”
With a shriek, Mom dropped the basket of rolls. “Oh my God, Vivian. You’re pregnant, aren’t you?”
The buzzing conversation in the room was immediately silenced by Mom’s declaration. Every pair of eyes shifted to me except for Bennett’s. Across from me, he stared at me with wide eyes as his face paled.
Considering my mother was always one for decorum, especially on the holidays, I could not believe she had just made that declaration. It would’ve been one thing in front of our immediate family, but my aunts and uncles? My cousins who I saw once or twice a year.
Fuck me.
I suppose the only explanation was the idea of her only daughter being pregnant must’ve overwrought her to the extent that she lost all good sense.
Since I knew there wasn’t any way of getting out of this, I grabbed my wine and stood up. “I’d like to add an addendum to Dad’s toast.” Raising my glass with one hand, I brought my hand to my abdomen with the other, “To the next Whitlock grandchild.”
My toast was met with continued shocked silence. With a grin, Bennett grabbed his glass and rose to his feet. “To Vivian’sbaby.”
Dad’s brows furrowed. “Wait, isn’t it your baby?”
As my eyes pleaded with him to go with it, Bennett nodded. “Yes, it’s mine.”
That statement was enough to break the stony silence. Everyone started talking at once. With tears glistening in her eyes, Mom popped out of her chair to hug me. “Oh Vivian, I’m so happy for you, my darling.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
When she pulled back to look at me, she shook her head. “I’m so, so sorry for blurting it out like that. I was just so overwhelmed at the thought that my little girl was going to be a mom.”
“While I know your heart was in the right place, it’s going to take me a little while to get over how you outed me.”
Mom tittered in mortification. “I promise you can use it against me for years to come.”
With a wink, I replied, “Don’t worry I will.”
Dad whistled, getting all of our attention. “All right then. Let’s eat before it gets cold.”
As I sat back down in my chair, my stomach rumbled with longing for my favorite turkey and stuffing combo. But one whiff of the turkey, and I was making a mad dash to the bathroom to puke.
In the end, I guess my secret would’ve come out no matter what.