27. Amberlee
Chapter 27
Amberlee
J eremiah followed me home this morning. While I went upstairs to my apartment to change into clean clothes, he went inside the house to see his daughter. Waking up in his arms after an amazing night of sex was perfection.
Just as I’ve pulled on a clean pair of shorts, there’s a knock at my door. “Amberlee, it’s me,” Maddy’s voice calls from the living room.
“One second. I’m changing, I’ll be right out.” I pull the shirt over my head, then quickly run my fingers through my hair, working out some of the knots before putting it up in a ponytail.
I know Maddy is the reason Ryan changed his mind. He was so pissed and hurt at Jeremiah’s confession, but whether he ever admits it or not, I know he was mad at me too. I kept the secret from him just as much as Jeremiah did.
Stepping into the living room, I don’t know what comes over me, but I take off at a flying leap when I see her, wrapping my arms around her large belly and kiss her cheek.
“I don’t know what you said to him, but thank you.”
She laughs and I suddenly realize I’m squishing the babies.
“Never underestimate the power of the puss,” she blurts before snorting.
“TMI, Maddy, TMI. I don’t want to hear about your vagina.” I’m quiet for a moment and she goes to open her mouth but I cut her off. “Also, add your and my brother's sex life to that list. I definitely don’t need to know about that either. The blatant evidence is that round belly of yours, and my brother’s mini-me running around in the house not even a yard from here.”
“Nah, our lovemaking is for my ears only,” she jokes. “It wasn’t easy, but I did get him to see that there’s no one better for you than Jeremiah. I’m glad the two of you finally confessed your feelings for each other.”
“How did you figure it out when my brother and parents couldn’t?” It’s really been driving me crazy how she saw what I thought was so well hidden.
“Because I have eyes, and other than Ryan and myself, I’ve never seen two people more perfect for each other than you and Jeremiah. But are you ready to date a man in the military?”
I raise my eyebrow in confusion. Why is she asking me this?
“Let me sit down and I’ll explain. That look on your face tells me you're clueless to what I’m asking.”
She waddles over to the couch, lowering herself down. She has to be the cutest pregnant woman in history.
“Fuck me, I’ll be glad when I have these two semen demons. They’re wreaking havoc on my back and my bladder.” She sighs in relief at no longer being on her feet. I move across the room, taking a seat on the couch beside her, as she shifts, angling her body toward me.
“Whatever, you look amazing and the reward will be those two beautiful babies you’ll hold in your arms. Now, why are you questioning if I’m ready to be in a relationship with Jeremiah if you want us to be together so badly? It seems contradictory. “
She smiles, before taking a deep breath, reaching out and taking my hand in hers. “I do want the two of you to be together,” she pauses, her tone full of love, but motherly at the same time. “But I need you to know being a military wife is hard. It’s not all gumdrops and sunshine. While the world is not always at war, it does happen, and they go on peacekeeping missions. A lot of those times, we don’t even know where they’re going or for how long.” She gives my hand a squeeze, smiling sweetly. “I just need you to know that before going any further.” Her voice softens. “I wouldn’t trade this life for anything in the world, but it would have been nice to know ahead of time everything it was going to entail.”
I love her for this. Wanting to make sure being with Jeremiah is something I’m truly ready for. I am. I know she might not understand because it’s still new, still sudden, but I’ve been ready for this—for Jeremiah and for blending our lives together—for a long time.
“Maddy, there’s nothing I want more than Jeremiah. I know being a military spouse isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s not the same, I know, especially compared to you, but I’ve gotten some experience with Ryan being gone and not being able to talk to him. I’ve also got something most people don’t.”
“What’s that?” she asks.
“I have you. Who better than to help me through something like that? Not only are you a spouse, but you’re previous military.”
She opens her arm, as she begins to cry tears of happiness. I slip into her embrace and we both start bawling and laughing at the same time.
“Let’s go see our men,” she announces as she releases me.
I want nothing more than to see my man. That sounds so good to say. My man.
Standing, we head out of my little apartment and down the stairs. Maddy takes longer, the added weight of the babies slowing her down. Joy fills my heart, knowing that I’ll finally be able to walk in the house and embrace and kiss the man I love.
As we step in the house, we can hear the mixture of laughter from the guys and the smaller squeals of the kids. This is what I want. A house full of love, and I know that with Jeremiah and Angel, I can have it.
“Listen to them. They’re as bad as the kids,” Maddy whispers, bumping my shoulder.
“I don’t know, it's kind of sweet.” I enter the kitchen and head straight to Jeremiah, coming up on my toes, kissing him softly on his lips. I know my brother’s in the room, so I don’t want to traumatize him.
“Ugh, is that what I have to look forward to—” Ryan starts before I hear a slap and a large oomph escape him.
Breaking my contact with Jeremiah I look over seeing Ryan doubled over, holding his stomach while Maddy stands at his side grinning.
“Mama punched Daddy,” RJ proudly announces as he pretends to be a boxer at the table, jabbing at an invisible foe.
“My daddy’s smooching your aunt. We can be family if they get married.”
My eyes go wide at Angel’s words.
“That’s what I’m hoping for one day,” Jeremiah whispers in my ear for only us to hear.
A soft moan escapes me, followed by a hum of contentment.
“Amberlee, when do you start work officially?” Ryan asks, no doubt changing the subject from mine and Jeremiah’s new relationship status.
I don’t leave Jeremiah’s arms, only shifting my body so my back is to him. “Teachers report on Monday, so we can begin to set up the classroom and turn in our lesson plans, then students start on Thursday.”
I feel a mix of excitement and nervous about my new job. A small part of me is afraid it will be the same environment I just left, while another piece of me knows it’s the job of my dreams.
“Crap, that reminds me I haven’t done any school shopping for Angel,” Jeremiah exclaims.
“I can help you, if you want? We could go today.”
“I’d love that.” He kisses the side of my face as I turn my head to look at him.
“We can go too, RJ is starting school this year and he’s going to need supplies.” Maddy winks. “We can make it a true family outing. Besides, I want to pick up a few more things for the babies.”
Babies. It’s still crazy knowing my brother is about to be the father to three children.
As I watch them together, Ryan kneeling before Maddy, cradling her belly in his hands, as he talks to his children, I realize it’s what I want. I’m ready for a family of my own. It's what I’ve been missing in my life.
“Okay, let’s get out of here, we can shop and then get some lunch,” Maddy orders in true mother fashion. “Go get your shoes on, kids.” They don’t need to be told twice as they run toward RJ’s bedroom to do just what they were told.
“I’m going to do the same, plus, it’s still a little too fresh seeing the two of you all over each other.” Ryan stands from where he’s kneeling before Maddy and follows after the kids.
Maddy just shakes her head before turning around and starts loading the morning dishes into the dishwasher.
Jeremiah spins me around, taking me by the hand as he pushes off the counter and leads me outside onto the patio. The very one where he told Ryan about us. A small amount of dread surges through me that something bad is about to happen. I know Jeremiah loves me, but I just think of this spot with heartbreak.
“Amberlee, I know we haven’t said it officially, and it seems kind of like we’re teenagers, but I have something to ask.” He smiles at me and I feel my face heat under his attention.
“What is it?” My voice cracks.
“Will you be my girlfriend?”
I nod, my eyes welling up with tears. “Yes, yes a million times, yes.”
It only takes a second and I jump into his arms, wrapping my hands around his neck as I kiss him deeply, like I longed to earlier in the kitchen.
We’re so caught up in the passion of the moment we don’t hear the back door open.
“Ah, shit. Prepare someone for that next time.” Ryan’s deep voice echoes as he makes gagging sounds.
Jeremiah and I both burst out laughing. “Better get used to it man, I’m never going to stop kissing your sister, my new girlfriend.”
“Still got to wrap my head around that. Anyway, just got the message, the mission is canceled, so we won’t be leaving.”
“Fuck yeah!” Jeremiah exclaims in relief.
“This means you’re not leaving me anytime soon?”
“That’s what it means,” Jeremiah replies.
“Okay, well, we’re ready if you are?” Ryan asks, gazing at us as he waits for a reply.
“Give us five more minutes. Oh, and Ryan, you might want to leave unless you want to see me making out with Amberlee.”
I have never seen Ryan move as fast, hearing those words. You’d think he was the Flash.
“Now, where were we?” Jeremiah asks just before his lips crash down on mine.