Chapter 23 |
Chapter 24 |
Jeff and I arrived at the club and immediately went to the VIP loft. The silence that took over the loft as we entered the room together was deafening. There was no doubt in anyone’s mind that we were back together the way Jeff had his arm around me claiming me like he always had in the past. I saw a knowing smirk pass across Marco and Steve’s faces. After all these two knew the whole truth all along. They knew Jeff and I had hooked up in Chicago and that he was the father of my baby. Everyone else was shocked because no one could believe Jeff was back, that we were together and I knew they were questioning how he was okay with me being pregnant.
Beth and Amy immediately grabbed me away from Jeff and with authority said “We need to talk” They continued to drag me over to a quiet corner of the loft and we sat down and I started my story back from my Spring Break trip letting them know that I had found Jeff then but I kept everything quiet because I didn’t want my friends to know that I was having random hook ups with Jeff when I found him in Chicago. Then I dropped the big bombshell on them as I said, “Jeff is the father of the baby” I heard both girls gasp and then Beth began laughing. I couldn’t help but to look at her like she had lost her mind. “Um Beth what is so funny?” She laughed a bit longer and then with a huge grin on her face “I should have known all along that he was the father and that’s why you were being so secretive you were trying to protect him.” “Ya but I kept it pretty quiet. Marco and Lance knew obviously because they were with me in Chicago and of course Steve found out because he overheard Lance and I talking one day. I really did try to keep this quiet for so many reasons. Some of the reasons were logical some of them not so much” Both girls kept big goofy grins on their faces as we talked and I could tell they felt like they had their Lacey back. Of course I would never be who I was before getting shot. Soon Jeff came over and said “Ladies, I need to steal my girl from y’all” I could see both of them swoon and their grins got even larger. I am not even sure how that was possible as they let Jeff take me away from them.” “What did you need me for Jeff?” “I just don’t want to be apart from you I want you sitting with me tonight.” I smiled up at him as he led me to where the inner circle was all sitting around a table with a load of drinks on the table. He immediately pulled me into his lap as he sat back down in his chair and his arms snaked around my belly and his chin rested on my shoulder as he began talking to the guys again. I sat there quietly for a while enjoying the feel of being in his arms. I then began listening to their conversation and realized they were talking about an issue with a drug dealer. I listened as they talked about one of the guys who had been dealing for them and that he may possibly be making extra money off of what he was selling. That had me upset because that felt like the guy was disrespecting my family. I guess Jeff must have felt my body tense up because he soon whispered in my ear “calm down Lance and the guys will handle it” Soon the business talk was done and drinking really began around the table. That also meant the gang sluts started hanging around. I don’t know why they had to be let into the loft but they were. Stupid boys and their urges. Although I am not sure really why I was complaining I had turned into just as much a player as any of the guys around the table when Jeff left. One hour later I was bored out of my mind. I can only watch these guys be drunken fools so many times before it becomes old news to me. The girls hanging all over them trying hard to look cute and sexy when they were anything but was getting on my nerves as well. I finally turned to face Jeff and asked, “Can we leave now?” He smiled at me because he knew all to well what was going on in my mind “Yes babe, we can leave.” I moved pretty quickly for a girl who was eight months pregnant as I jumped up and started saying goodbye to my friends and let Jeff lead me out of the club. Jeff drove us back to my house and when made our way to my room or I guess I better start thinking of it as our room. I quickly stripped out of the clothes I wore to the club and put on a pair of pajama pants with a tank top and climbed into bed while I waited for Jeff to shower. Marco had at some point brought Jeff’s stuff over from the hotel and Jeff was not leaving my side until he went back to Chicago in two days to pack up and come home. I felt the bed dip as Jeff climbed into bed next me and all he had on was his boxer shorts and I couldn’t stop myself from perving on his gorgeous body. I saw the smirk cross his face as he noticed I was checking him out. It didn’t bother me though I didn’t care that I had been caught eye raping him. He surprised me though when he laid his head on my belly gently and began rubbing in circles, as he began to talk to our little girl. Two days went by quickly and soon it was time for Jeff and Lance to head out for Chicago. I was not feeling too happy about it. Honestly I didn’t want Jeff out of my sight. I knew he needed to go get his stuff but that didn’t mean I wanted him to leave me. They were only going to be gone twenty-four hours but that was going to be forever. I know I sound like a whiny clingy bitch but deal with it. I blame it on pregnancy hormones. It was soon time for us to head to the airport and I will admit it I was clinging to Jeff. It was pathetic. Marco was driving and Lance sat up front and they seemed to get I needed time with Jeff and kept up their own quiet conversation. I just leaned against Jeff holding on to him afraid to let him go. “Lacey, I promise I am coming back. I love you and I am done fighting it. You mean the world to me.” I looked into his eyes and saw the sincerity in them and I knew he was telling the truth. He loved me and he was coming back. I tilted my head up and gave him a feather light kiss on his lips. He smiled at me and deepened the kiss a bit. I enjoyed the feel of his soft lips against mine. I couldn’t believe the way he still made me feel like a million butterflies were floating in my tummy. Would I ever get over the crazy feelings this guy made me feel? Would it always feel this way with him? I must admit I was almost afraid this feeling would end and I most certainly did not want it to end. Jeff’s lips had somehow made it to my neck; I felt light kisses trailing up and down my jaw line and neck. He nuzzled behind my ear and I let out a soft moan. I didn’t mean to it was just a natural reaction. The perfect moment was almost ruined when I heard my brothers voice “Really? You two are going to that while I am sitting in the same car? Dude remember she is my sister and you’re my best friend not an image I need mentally” This caused Jeff to full out start laughing and I let out a small giggle. “Man its not like you don’t know what we do the evidence is pretty clear when you look at her swollen belly.” I heard a snort come from Lance “Don’t remind me!” This really made me start giggling. My brother the man whore didn’t want to think about his twin sister having sex but he couldn’t deny it. My pregnancy was all the proof anyone needed. I stood in the airport crying as I said goodbye to first Lance then Jeff. I didn’t want to let go of Jeff but slowly and surely I released him from my grip. Marco slung an arm over my shoulder and whispered, “He will be back in two days.” I leaned my head on to Marco as tears continued to stream down my face. I was really beginning to tire of this crying phase I was in, it was totally nerve wracking. Marco and I stood there until the guys were out of sight then he led me slowly back to the car. I sat there looking out the window lost in my own world. I finally heard Marco start the car up and pull out of the lot. I don’t know how long I sat there lost in my thoughts before I felt the car come to a stop and I realized we were in front of a little diner. Marco said “Come on let’s go get some food” I nodded and stepped out of the car. I realized suddenly I was very hungry and was thankful Marco had stopped. The next twenty-four hours seemed to be the slowest moving time in my life. Everyone from my parents to my friends kept me busy. They all knew this separation was bothering me. I know a lot of this was because I still mistrusted Jeff. He really hurt me when he left me and it would take time for the trust to rebuild in our relationship. I was willing to put in the time and effort it took and hoped Jeff was too. I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with Jeff. One would think I was too young to know that but I knew deep down that Jeff was the only one I would ever feel this way for. Marco came looking for me, as it was time to head to the airport and pickup Lance and Jeff. I was beyond excited. I wondered to myself when I had turned into such a wimp. I felt like a little kid as I was practically bouncing in my seat the whole way to the airport. I barely let Marco park before I was jumping out of the car and heading into the airport to wait for Jeff. As I stood waiting I was shifting from one foot to the other constantly in motion I was so excited my man was coming back. I finally saw the familiar figures of my brother and boyfriend walking towards me. This just made my heart rate increase I was so happy. It didn’t take long before I was swept up in Jeff’s arms with us kissing like there was no tomorrow. I didn’t even care that Lance was coughing in the background trying to split us up. I was thankful Marco drug him off. When Jeff slowly set me back on the ground he smiled down at me “I missed you Lacey. Now I am back for good. No more of us being apart” I just wrapped my arms around him in a huge hug “I love you too Jeff and I missed you like crazy. Let’s go home” We arrived back at my house and my parents welcomed the guys back and then we all ate lunch together. I soon found myself yawning. One thing about being pregnant was I got tired very quickly. Jeff noticed my yawns and took my hand and began leading me toward our bedroom. He closed and locked the door behind us as he led me to the bed. He nudged me to lay down which I did and then I felt the bed dip as he lay down next to me. I felt him pull me close to him his arms holding me tightly. He nuzzled into the back of my neck and I felt my self shiver as his breath fanned across me. “Get some rest baby. I know you need it” It wasn’t long before I felt myself drifting into a peaceful sleep. I am not really sure how long we slept but I know that I woke with a start. I was feeling the sharpest pain in my stomach that I have ever felt in my life. In made cramps from a period seem like a walk in the park. Soon it eased off and I felt myself relax. I felt Jeff’s arms still wrapped around me and could hear his even breathing signaling he was still asleep. I laid there for a few more minutes before the sharp pain hit again and this time it cause me to gasp loudly. It was enough that Jeff woke with a start and huskily asked “Are you okay?” I didn’t know how to answer that I think I was having contractions but what did I know this was all new to me. I had no idea what a contraction felt like but, as this one eased off I was pretty sure that was what was going on. “I think I am having some strong contractions” I finally told Jeff. He looked at me with panic clearly on his face and asked, “What do I need to do?” We went in search of my mom and just as I found her in the kitchen another contraction hit me hard. I heard my mom gasp “Oh! You are having contractions. We better call the Doctor.” It wasn’t long before my mom returned from speaking to the doctor and said that we need to head to the hospital so I could be checked out. |
I found myself rushed to the car and Jeff slightly panicked but trying to be calm for me. Dad and Lance were just as bad as Jeff. I just knew I was looking at being in labor about four weeks to soon but it was slowly becoming clear I didn’t have control over the situation. The contractions were coming closer together. I was feeling slightly nervous. I wasn’t ready to have a baby all of a sudden. I knew that was ridiculous as I have been excited ever since I found out I was pregnant. Now I felt unprepared. Jeff was holding my hand in the seat next to me and I noticed he kept glancing at me with the strangest look on his face. I tried smiling at him but my nerves were keeping me from appearing as calm as I wanted to appear.
We made it to the hospital and my mom got me checked in and soon I was ushered back to be examined. Jeff and my mom were the only ones with me as we waited for the doctor to complete her exam. It didn’t take long for her to tell us that she thought I needed to stay in the hospital as I was going into labor and would deliver a baby soon. A sense of panic followed by calm engulfed me as the doctor said those words. Soon I was being transferred to a delivery suite and my Father and Brother joined us in the room. Lance told me he had texted Beth and Amy for me and it wasn’t long before they came barging into my room. We all sat there laughing and talking as contractions began increasing. A couple hours passed and next thing I know the inner circle of the gang is hanging out in my room. The nurse assigned to me was taken by surprise when she came in to check me by the number of people sitting around my room. She asked everyone to step out while she did her check up. Jeff and I were left alone for a few moments and He smiled at me so sweetly “How are you feeling?” he asked. “I am feeling good considering. I am starting to get excited. I can’t wait to hold our little girl for the first time. I love her so much” He was laying beside me and had his arms around me and kissed me softly on the lips “I am so glad that I am back for this. I can almost kick myself because I almost missed this because I was being such an ass.” “It’s all in the past Jeff. We are only looking toward the here and now. We have this second chance to be together and we shouldn’t waste any of it regretting the past.” We tenderly kiss and break apart as we hear the door to my room open. My mom is coming back into the room alone “I sent everyone to the cafeteria for food. I told them they wouldn’t miss anything” I smiled at my mom thankful that I had her support during this time as well. Four hours after entering the hospital I was in full-blown labor. My water had broke and my body was completely prepared for birth. Everyone had been booted to the waiting room except for Jeff and my mom. It was just a matter of time until my little girl would finally be in my arms. The doctor comes into the room and says, “I hear we are ready to deliver a baby finally” “ Yes I can’t wait” I told her as I gritted through yet another contraction. Jeff had been a rock for me during the whole process of labor. I knew then I had been right to give him a second chance. Soon I was pushing and after twenty minutes of pushing I heard the cries of my little girl. Jeff was able to cut the cord and was grinning like a fool as he looked at our little girl and then looked at me. As they were placing my little girl into my arms I smiled down at her and felt tears come to my eyes. I had never been so happy. I noticed that even Jeff was teary eyed and my mother was also crying. Soon I let the nurse take our little girl to clean her up and I was also cleaned up. My mom went out to the waiting room to give everyone the news while Jeff came up and gave me a kiss “Thank you for making me the happiest man in the world” I kissed him hard on the lips and smiled at him “I should be thanking you.” “No I am the one who should be thankful Lacey. I really almost screwed up royally and I am so glad you were willing to take me back” We kissed once again and soon our little girl was brought back into the room to us. Jeff held her for the first time and I had to keep from giggling as he took our little girl from the nurse. I could see that he was scared to death to hold her. However once he had her in his arms his whole body relaxed and a huge grin broke out on his face as he peered down at the beautiful little girl in his arms. I could hear him softly talking to her telling her how much he already loved her. Soon he walked over and sat down on the edge of the bed and I was peering over his shoulder at our sleeping baby and I knew I had a grin that was big and goofy. I was so in love with this little creature. He soon passed her to me and I felt myself relax as I finally had her back in my arms. I was feeling a little possessive over her. “ So are we ready to name our little one” I smiled at Jeff and said “Yes! I want to name her Savanna Leigh.” I saw him smile “That’s a beautiful name for a beautiful girl that looks just like her mother” We sat there staring at our little girl. We were so caught up in looking at Savanna I missed that my parents and Lance had come into the room. Soon Savanna was being passed around to my parents and then her uncle held her for the first time. I will never forget the moment my twin took hold of his niece and he cried and then looked at me and smiled “She is beautiful just like her mother” Lance’s words made me cry because I loved my brother so much and it meant so much to know that he was there for me even though he had not been completely supportive of Jeff and I from the very beginning. Lance then looked at Jeff and spoke “Congratulations man she is beautiful don’t f it up this time yeah?” I giggled at those words from my brother and Jeff replied, “I don’t plan too” Soon my little one was fussing and a nurse came in to help me with feeding my daughter for the first time. It didn’t take long for her to latch on and begin suckling. I felt such deep love for her as I watched her nurse and I could see Jeff watching in awe and was amazed at how the bad boy was showing a soft side that surprised even me. After feeding Savanna we sent word that our friends could come back into my room so that they could meet our daughter. Beth and Amy were play fighting over who got to hold her. Then I saw Steve reach to take her from Amy and was amazed at my tough friend looking at my little girl with such tenderness. “She is amazing Lacey. I think y’all need to lock her up until she is at least thirty guys don’t need to be around her at all” I heard Jeff and Lance agree with him while I laughed at them. They were already turning Savanna into the new mafia princess. Suddenly I felt my spirits lift I could pass the title onto my daughter and one day she could be the one everyone was protecting. As if sensing my thoughts my dad came over to me and said “Forget it Lacey you will always be my princess now we just have a second one” I let my face fall into a pout to tease my dad but then suddenly my dad was hugging me and I was hugging him back and I was happy to be his princess. Two days passed and it was time for us to take Savanna home for the first time. I was ready to be at home, there is nothing relaxing about being in the hospital. Soon we were loading Savanna into her car seat and as I was made to sit in a wheelchair I held Savanna in my lap. Marco was waiting in the front of the hospital for us and Jeff soon took our little girl and was expertly strapping her car seat into the back of the SUV. I wondered how much he practiced that to get it right so quickly. I climbed into the back seat and sat beside my little one. Fussing over her making sure everything was right. I was a little surprised when Jeff climbed into the back and sat on the other side of Savanna. He was going to smother our daughter if I didn’t keep him in check. At the same time my heart swelled with love as I watched him with Savanna thankful he was taking to being a father so easily. He really was a natural. I could see the walls Jeff had built crumbling day by day when he interacted with the baby, Maybe Savanna would help him understand love in a way he never had before. Soon we were pulling up in front of the house and my family was running out. I laughed as the thought crossed my mind that they had been waiting looking at the window for our arrival. My mom soon took Savanna and made her way into the house with her. I smiled as I took Jeff’s hand “I think my mom just kidnapped our little girl” he laughed with me “Yes I think you are right.” We went straight to our bedroom and I flopped myself down on the couch and just felt myself relax completely. I noticed that a bassinet had been set up in the room near our bed and was pleased to see that Jeff had thought to do that. We had decided that for the first six weeks Savanna would stay in out room then we would move her to the nursery I had set up for her next to our room. Soon my mom was bringing Savanna into me and said “I changed her diaper but I think she maybe hungry” I took my little girl and shifted my shirt around and soon Savanna was latched on. Jeff sat there beside me as I nursed with the silliest grin on his face. “I love watching her nurse from you, even though in some ways I am jealous” I laughed at him “You are a perv Jeff.” He laughed and then continued to watch as I nursed. Savanna was soon done and he took her to burp her he wanted to do as much as he could in caring for her so I let him do it. Time flies when you have newborn baby. Two months passed quickly and Savanna was now sleeping in her own bedroom. It was hard for me at first when she went to her nursery I kept looking at the video monitor every five seconds. Jeff was constantly trying to help me chill about it but he was just as nervous at first. We had decided to hire a nanny for our daughter and she slept in a room near our daughter as well. There were plenty of people looking out for the best interest of our little girl. The last two years of my life have been a strange roller coaster ride filled with twists and turns. I knew that each moment was special in its own way even the bad times brought me to where I was today. Everything happened for a reason. I was happy though and wouldn’t trade my life for anything. I was so thankful for Savanna and Jeff. I was thankful for my family and friends. I smiled as Jeff entered our room with a grin on his face “Are you ready to go baby?” My heart melted I love when he is so loving with me. “I finished slipping on my earring and said “Yes” We were going out for the first time since Savanna was born. I wasn’t sure what all Jeff had planned but I knew this was a real date something we had never done before and it made me so happy that he was willing to do all this for me. We made our way out front where his car was waiting for us. He opened my door for me and helped me settle in the seat before closing the door softly and making his way around and hopping in the driver’s seat. Before he pulled off he leaned over and kissed me gently “I love you Lacey” “I love you too” We arrived at a very expensive restaurant set right on the beach a few minutes later. He walked to the hostess and gave his name and soon we were led to a private table sitting outside on a little platform on the sand. Our waitress immediately came and took our drink orders as we scanned the menu deciding what we would have to eat. I was surprised at how nervous I was on this date with Jeff. I mean we sleep together and have a daughter together but I am nervous on my first date with him. It was ironic in a way. Soon we placed our order for food and were enjoying our meal and talking about so many things. I noticed that Jeff was starting to become a little nervous and it made me wonder what was going on in his mind. I finally asked him “What’s going on Jeff your acting weird” He didn’t say anything but began to get out of his seat. I noticed him fumble in a pocket for something then soon he was kneeling in front of me with a box open and extended toward me. I saw a gorgeous diamond solitaire sitting there and my heart rate increased. I was almost giddy with excitement. “Lacey I love you more then words can ever say and I don’t want us to ever be apart again. Please say you will marry me” I almost was at a loss for words as tears welled up I shook my head yes while whispering the words at the same time. Jeff slipped the ring on my finger then leaned up and kissed me deeply. I was so in love with this guy it wasn’t even funny. I couldn’t wait to share the rest of our loves together. |