Chapter 35
Idial his number at the stop light. It rings and goes to voicemail. I hit dial again. It rings until I think it’s gonna go to mail again.
“What?” Alden growls.
“Fuck you,” I spit. “I need your help.”
“Fuck you,” he yells. “With what? I’m not sure I like your life plans. They’re not much fun.”
“You’ll like this one.” I nibble the corner of my mouth waiting for his answer.
He blows out a deep breath. “What is it, Reese?”
“I need you to get Walker to meet me. Will you?” I hold my breath.
“Go on. I’m listening,” he mutters, bringing a smile to my face. I explain my plan, waiting with bated breath to see if he would go for it. “Are you sure? You’re not going to hurt him?”
“Well, yeah. If this works, I plan on breakin’ the bed with him.” I giggle.
“Eww, I don’t care,” he grumbles.
“Are you gonna help me?”
“After I wash my ears out.” He sighs. “About ten?”
“That’s perfect. I need to call Ava and have her get them ready. Love you, Mars Bar.”
“Love you, Reesie Cup.” Alden hangs up and I squeal.
Ava had to pull some strings, but she got me an appointment. I sit in the waiting room, trotting my leg, hoping they don’t call my name before he gets here. A sound at the door makes my heart skip. When Walker saunters through it, it thrums to life.
His eyes flicker around the room, spotting two seats, one beside me and the other across from me. When he glances at me, I pat the seat beside me. I watch his lips part and his brows narrow, marring his beautiful face.
“Please,” I whisper.
He searches my eyes. The glistening must confirm for him that it’s okay. I’m okay. He takes the seat, placing his elbows on his knees. He’s wearing my favorite blue suit. Damn, he’s gorgeous. I squeeze my thighs together.
“Are you all right?”
“Oh, yeah. This is for my ultrasound. Didn’t Alden tell you?” My breath hitches when he turns his gaze to me.
He shakes his head. “No. He said you were here and I might want to come.” I’m gonna kill Alden.
“I’m sorry.”
His eyes flicker to mine. “It’s fine.”
Before I can say anything, they call my name. “Morgan?” Walker’s forehead wrinkles. What was that about? I stand, looking at him.
“Coming?”
“I’ll let you get settled and be in right behind you.” He stands, shoving his hands in his pockets.
“All right.” I guess he wants to give me privacy since I need to undress.
I slide on the table after adorning the gorgeous gown offered to me. A tap on the door draws my attention. “Come in.”
Walker steps through. “Is this okay?” I nod. He’s being so careful not to upset me or overstep.
“Please, don’t be so fearful.” I take a deep breath. “After this, we have a ton to talk about. Can we?”
“I’ll need to cancel my appointments.” He glances at me. “How long?”
“Can you clear it,” I answer with hooded eyes. His flash to mine from his phone. They burn me with pent-up desire.
He studies me, cocking his brow. “Are you sure?”
“Yep,” I breathe.
He stands, sauntering toward me. “I have something I want to give you.” He pulls a paper from his suit pocket. “It’s for the baby.”
I take it from him, opening it. My face goes ashen. My eyes flutter to his as they fill with tears. “Walker?”
“Never too early to save for college.” He shrugs. “I’ve never used it. Mom and Dad divided Sallie’s life insurance money between me and Riley. It’s grown over the years.”
Another knock on the door has him moving away from me. I wipe my face. “Yes?”
The receptionist steps in. “Mr. Pennington, your receipt,” she says handing him several papers. “It’s paid through delivery. Congratulations.” She smiles at us as my mouth hangs open.
“What is that?” I question him, my heart racing.
“I didn’t want you to have to deal with insurance to get the things you need. I took care of it.” He shrugs as I sit there, mouth hanging open. “I apologize if I’ve overstepped.”
“Not at all, Walker.” I shake my head. “How could you? After what I’ve done.”
He steps toward me as the door opens. “Miss Morgan, how are you?” She glances up to see Walker, and there’s the look of appreciation he garners wherever he goes. “This is?”
He offers his hand. “Walker Pennington.”
“The father,” I say making Walker’s head spin. He smiles at me and my stomach flips.
“Wonderful. Let’s see if we can tell you folks when you’re expecting.” She sits down, rolling to me.
Walker comes to the other side of the bed, standing next to me. I rest my hands on my chest. Walker’s eyes flutter from them to my face. I bite my lip. We wait patiently for the sound or a blip on the screen. The faint thrum starts small and grows stronger. “There we go. Sounds good.”
I look up at Walker. He gazes down at me, smiling. “Hang on.” She starts messing with the monitor. I raise my head up. “One second, I’m getting…” My hand goes to mouth, covering it as fear grips me. I feel his hand on my shoulder.
Before I realize it, he’s bending down next to me. “It’s okay, baby. Breathe.” He takes my hand as my heart thrashes against my chest.
“Here we go,” the doctor says. “You’re a little further along, about sixteen weeks. A girl. Congratulations.” My breath hitches. I find Walker’s face as tears spring to my eyes.
He leans his head against mine. “A girl. Thank you.” His hand on mine, he laces our fingers.
“Huh,” the doctor mutters. “Well,” she turns to us, “and a boy.”
My mouth pops open. “The hell you say?”
“Two? Twins?” Walker falls against the wall.
“Indeed. Congratulations.” She stands, handing us pictures of our little blips. “Reese, I’ll see you in four weeks.” When the door closes, I lay there, shocked, until Walker’s face comes into view.
“I love you. That will never change and when you’re ready, I want you, Reese. I need you like air. I love you.” His face is wet with tears.
“I’m so sorry, Walker. I promise to never hurt you again.” He wipes away my tears. “I love you.”
He leans in cautiously. “I feel as though it’s been a hundred years since I’ve tasted you.”
“Please, let me quench your thirst.” I fist his hair, pulling his mouth to mine.
Our tongues meet in a delicious dance of love and lust. Sweeping over one another and caressing as we tangle in a slow, sultry kiss. His lips soft and commanding, he leads me down a path of desire, and my core ignites.
He raises his head. “Let’s go home?”
“Baby, I’m already there.”
I dress in record time, ready to leave with Walker. But I have one more surprise for him. We meander to the parking lot. He opens my door, helping me in. “I’ll follow you.” I pretend to turn my Jeep over and it won’t start. “Oh, no.”
“Ride with me. I hate this old thing anyway.” He helps me from the seat.
“Don’t be hatin’ on my Jeep, Walker.” I bump his shoulder as his phone buzzes.
“Not hatin’ on it, just hating it.” He glares, hitting answer. “Hey, Riley.” He waits. “We’ll be right there.” He pauses, his eyes flicker to me. “Reese is coming with me.” He looks at me expectantly, and I nod.
“What’s up?” I ask.
He shoves the phone in his pocket. “I’m not sure but Mom needs us.” His forehead creases. My stomach knots, thinking what he may do to me when he finds out I’ve set him up.
We hit Highway Seventeen, headed toward Walker’s parents’. “What made you hold on?” I glance over at him.
“What made you lose hope?” He rubs the back of his neck. This man.
“I thought you’d never forgive me for helping my dad.” I shrug.
He runs his hand over his face, pulling off to the side of the road. He slides out, coming around to my side. He slings the door open, and I turn to him. Taking my face in his hands, his lips are on mine. Pulling back, we’re both breathless.
“Reese, love is a collision course at best. There’s no right or wrong way. It’s our way. The path we take to find our hearts counterpoint is just that, our path. I could never not love you, Reese. You’re life. My life. I pray I never know any different.”
My eyes flutter, batting the falling tears away. “I thought you stopped praying?”
“Someone saw fit to give me a reason to start again.” He lays his hand on my belly.
“Y’all have shown me the meaning of life.
You’ve taught me so much, even about myself.
I’ve practiced more control the last few months than ever in my life.
I wanted to make sure I proved I can take care of you. To love you the way you need.”
“Nothing was right until I found you. Nothing’s been right without you.” I brush his lips with mine. “You love me so much more than I deserve.”
He lays his hand on top of mine. My ring is on his little finger, drawing my attention. “When you’re ready, it’s here.”
I search his face, finding nothing but love. “I’m ready.” I kiss him. “Our life.”
He slides the ring on my finger, kissing me slowly. “Let’s get to Mom’s so we can go home.” He smiles, closing the door.
Riley waits by the front door when we pull up. “About damn time.” He hugs Walker, before turning to me. “There’s my girl.”
“Get your hands off her.” Walker punches Riley’s side.
“Walker, she knows. It’s okay.” Riley smirks. “I’m the better of the two but she’ll settle.”
“I don’t think there’s ever been a woman who ‘settled’ for a Pennington.” They laugh.
Walker glances around the room to Riley, Ava, Alden, and Ian. Then to his Mom. “Are you okay?”
“Reese set this up. Let’s ask her.” Cynthia smiles at me.
“Walker beat me to it,” I say, snaking my arm around his waist and laying my left hand on his chest.
We’re passed around with hugs and well wishes. And because everything happens like a collision with us, Walker shares our best news yet.
“May I?” He’s almost giddy. He has the best smile. I wrinkle my nose with a nod. He reaches into his pocket, unfolding the paper. “Would anyone like to see our newest family photo?”
“Yes!” Cynthia bounces.
We exchange a longing glance with coyishly smiles. “We’re not sure if we should get pink or blue for the nursery.” Walker chuckles.
“Well, my gracious, kids, you get the color of the gender.” Cynthia giggles.
“Yeah, that’s the problem,” I say. Walker holds me to his side. My belly tightens deep in my core. “They may each want their own color.” My chest swells until it feels like it may burst. I think my face may break from all the smiling I’ve done today.
“What?” Ava jumps, yelling.
“Wow. That’s just crazy.” Alden laughs and hugs me.
“Dude, did you hit it twice in one night?” Riley cackles.
“Riley Ivan.” Cynthia slaps his thigh. “Congratulations, babies.”
Again, we’re surrounded by our family. We hug as everyone has a turn checking out our little blips. I catch a glimpse of Ian. He’s sitting by himself, watching his family. His hand moves to his eye as I join him. “Would you like to see your grandchildren?”
“Yes, please. I wanted to give Cynthia time.” He wipes his face with a handkerchief. “You don’t know what this means to us. You two girls, you’ve completed our family and filled a gaping hole.”
“I feel the same way.” I lean into his shoulder as we stare at the ultrasound photos.
“Good, cause we’re not giving you back anymore.” He pats my hand.
“She’s not going anywhere, Dad. I’m gonna make sure of it.” Walker leans in, kissing me.