Expect Me (Rivers Edge Book 3) (17 page)

Josselyn was a trooper the entire day. She never once complained about her feet swelling or her back hurting. She excused herself several times to use the restroom, but other than that, she stuck by my side and helped make all of the important homebuilding decisions. She amazes me.

After we drop the trailer at the building site, grab Josselyn’s car, and stop by the apartment to drop it off there, we head out to my parent’s place for dinner.

It’s a big dinner this week as all of my siblings are here, plus Maddox’s parents and Avery’s best friend, Holly. Mom decided that since the house was so full and the weather is so nice, we’re setting up tables and chairs on the patio out back for a cookout. Avery keeps rubbing Josselyn’s belly and asking hundreds of questions. The girls all seem to be happy and content with their conversations which makes me happy that Josselyn fits in so well with Avery and Erin.

I’m pushing Brooklyn on the swing when Nate comes up and offers me another beer. “Thanks,” I tell him.

“How’s the house coming?” he asks.

“Good. We ordered everything today. I start insulation and drywall tomorrow night and should have that part all done by the time everything else comes in.”

Nate nods his head approvingly. “Sounds like you’re on track.” He takes a long pull of his beer before continuing. “Hey, I took a couple of vacation days at the end of the week and traded my weekend for the next, so I’m off Thursday through Sunday. I thought I’d help you drywall, if you want the help,” he offers.

“I’d love the help. I won’t be able to get there Thursday and Friday until after work, but I’ll be there as soon I can.”

“If you leave me your punch list, I’ll see what I can accomplish while you’re working,” he offers.

“Thanks, Nate. I really appreciate it,” I tell my big brother with a smile. He may not work in construction on a day to day basis, but he grew up in the same house that I did and knows enough to complete just about any project.

“We’ll find a way for you to pay me back someday,” he adds with a cocky smile.

“Oh, I’m sure you’ll think of something,” I say as I give Bean another big push on the swing.

“Watch me, Uncle Nate. I can pump my legs and swing real high!” Brooklyn exclaims as she pumps her legs like I’ve been showing her how to do.

“Excellent job, Bean. I’m proud of you, sugar,” Nate replies with a smile as he watches her pump her little legs with everything she has.

Mom walks out on the patio with Mrs. Jackson and delivers all of the side dishes to the food table. “Okay, gang. I think we’re ready to eat,” she says as Dad sets the platter of hamburgers and hotdogs on the table.

After helping Bean down from the swing, I head over to Josselyn who is loading up her plate with a fully loaded hamburger. I smile at the amount of food she’s squeezing onto that plate in her hand. I reach down and make a quick plate, too, before heading over to one of the round tables.

When everyone is seated, Jake stands up and says, “Can I have everyone’s attention for a quick moment, please?”

I watch as Jake takes a hold of Erin’s hand and pulls her to stand next to him. There’s no hiding the smile on her glowing face, and I find myself holding my breath waiting for the words that I know are about to come out of my oldest brother’s mouth. Words that I never thought I’d hear.

“Erin and I are getting married,” he tells his family with his own big smile but never takes his eyes off of Erin’s smiling face.

Cheers and congratulations erupt around me. Everyone stands up and quickly congratulates the happy couple with hugs and kisses. The girls all dive for Erin’s hand as she flashes them a big sparkling rock. Bean runs up and gives Jake a big hug and kiss and tells him she wants a baby cousin to play with next.

“Well, let us work on getting married first, Bean,” he tells her as he holds her close.

I walk up and slap my brother on the back and give him a not-so-gentle squeeze. “Congrats, Jake. I’m glad you’re finally settling down. Erin’s a great girl and perfect to keep you in line,” I say with a smile.

Jake laughs. “Yeah, that’s practically a full time job in itself. She’s the best, and I can’t imagine spending the rest of my life without her in it,” he says with a longing smile as he watches the girls all fawn over Erin’s ring.

When everyone starts to take a seat and settle down, Maddox stands up. “Can I have everyone’s attention? I want to propose a toast to Jake and Erin. You know, I’ve received a lot of shit -” Maddox says as everyone jumps on him for his language. “Sorry. I mean I’ve received a lot of flak from my best friend here for almost year. So, to see his love for Erin grow over the past year has been fun and entertaining to watch. She won’t put up with his -” he clears his throat before continuing, “Stuff, and she gives him hell as much as she can. I’ve seen a different side of Jake in the past several months and it’s all because of you, Erin. So everyone raise your drink and help me congratulate Jake and Erin. May you have plenty of fights and even more make-ups.”

Everyone cheers as Maddox continues. “Now, if I can steal a moment of Jake and Erin’s spotlight, I have something to add.” Maddox sets his beer down on the table next to Avery’s bottle of water. “If I can offer you a suggestion, Jake and Erin. If you could try to avoid February twenty-seventh as a wedding date, we’d appreciate it,” Maddox says as he pulls Avery to a standing position next to him. “That’s when the next Jackson baby is due,” he says as he smiles and looks deeply into Avery’s sparkling blue eyes.

The tables erupt again as we all absorb the news of the upcoming Stevens wedding and a Jackson baby on the way. Maddox’s mom and our mom both break out in tears as they absorb the news of another grandchild. I can’t help but pull Josselyn against my side as I rub her stomach as I talk to my little sister.

When the hype finally subsides, my dad toasts both Avery, Maddox, and Bean, Jake and Erin, and even throws in a few words for Josselyn and me, too. The air is light and festive and no one seems to care that dinner has been left cold and untouched for the past twenty minutes.

We are a blessed family. The Stevens family is full of rich laughter and unwavering support. I feel lucky to bring my own child into this close-knit family which only seems to be getting bigger and bigger with each passing day. As I lay my hand down on Josselyn’s baby bump, I know that this baby is not only a blessing to me and to Josselyn, but that this family will be a blessing to our son.

At the end of the evening, I take my girl home and make slow, sweet love to her, trying to convey everything that’s in my heart. Though I haven’t said the words yet, I know that I love her and wordlessly show her twice throughout the night. I want to show her how much I love her every day, and I just hope I don’t do something to screw it all up.

*****

It’s another hot, yet beautiful Saturday early evening in Rivers Edge and Josselyn sent me a text message a few minutes ago that she’s bringing Matty out to the house to show him how everything was progressing. I’m standing on the front porch chugging a bottle of water when I see Josselyn’s car pull up the lane. They both hop out and head towards the porch with huge smiles on their faces. I can’t deny the smile on my own face either at the sight of Josselyn in another cute little dress. She’s strikingly beautiful – pregnant or not.

“Hey, Travis,” Matty says as he walks up the stairs. Josselyn follows and steps in front of me. I lean forward and give her a gentle kiss on her sweet lips.

“I’m going to take Matty for a quick tour of the house. Then, he talked me into taking some maternity pictures,” she says as she sticks out her tongue and gives a look of displeasure.

“Really? I think that’s a great idea, Joss,” I say and give Matty an appreciative head nod.

“Come on, Matty. Let’s do the tour so we can get this all over with,” Josselyn says as she leads him through the front door.

I hear her giving a quick tutorial of each room as they go. Matty seems genuinely excited about the house, asking her tons of questions as they go, and just being a general cheerleader for the project. But, honestly, that doesn’t surprise me. Matty is Josselyn’s biggest supporter – well, besides me – and of course he’s going to be excited for her and the house.

After a quick tour, Matty and Josselyn head back out to the car while I return to my task at hand. I’ve been cleaning up the house, moving tools, and getting things situated for more insulation and drywall. I’m surprisingly clean for a Saturday.

Movement out one of the living room windows catches my eye so I take a quick peek out just as Matty and Josselyn walk to the side of the house with the tall prairie grass. Matty has his camera dangling from one hand and one of my white button-down dress shirts still on the hanger in the other hand. What are they up to?

I step out on the front porch and watch Matty do his thing. He has Josselyn standing in the prairie grass, snapping photo after photo of her holding her stomach and smiling at the camera. I’m hypnotized by her smile. It’s beautiful. So full of life and happiness.

I watch as he photographs her standing, sitting, and laying in the grass. She’s wearing a brightly colored sundress that accents the baby bumps and fits her personality to perfection.

After about fifteen minutes, Matty picks up my shirt and opens it up as if hiding Josselyn. I watch, wondering what in the world he’s up to when I realize she’s removing her dress. The shirt Matty’s holding up shield’s Josselyn from view of anyone, but the idea of Josselyn stripping down outside has me a little unnerved.

I head down the steps and start to walk towards them through the tall grass. By the time I reach them, Josselyn is wearing my shirt. She turns around and faces me, pulling the open front of the shirt securely closed.

“What are you doing?” I ask Matty, clearly not understanding his ‘vision’ for this photo shoot.

“Trust me, Travis. I had a vision last night of Josselyn and I want to create it. I think these photos are going to be award winners,” Matty says with a huge smile and gleam in his eyes.

I hesitate, but decide to put my trust in Matty. If Josselyn trusts him, then I need to also. I watch as he positions Josselyn within the tall grass so that her back is towards the sun setting over the tips of the trees, removes her flip flips, and allows the shirt to fall open. I know Matty’s a gay man, but I still don’t like the thought of any man – ANY man – seeing Josselyn naked. My hands ball into fists uncontrollably. I’m edgy, springy, ready to pounce.

“Get ready, Josselyn. We only have a few minutes to capture this before the sun dips below the trees,” he says as he starts to snap photos. “Now, look forward, not at the camera, and give me a serious, thoughtful look.”

As I watch, I can see what he’s doing. The white shirt falls almost to Josselyn’s knees, and even though it’s open, the only thing you can see is the protruding baby bump. Her breasts are actually covered up by the shirt and the grass is tall enough that you really don’t see her panties.

“Oh my gosh! I just got a brilliant idea! Travis, take off your shirt. Now! Fast! Hurry, hurry!” he exclaims with wide, excited eyes.

I raise my eyebrow in question and just stare back at him. Did he just tell me to take off my shirt?

“Seriously, Travis. Hurry up!” he exclaims as he runs to me and starts to rip my t-shirt out of my jeans.

“Wait a minute, Matty,” I start as I take a step backwards.

“We don’t have time. Just trust me. Take off your shirt. Hurry.”

I reach down and quickly remove my shirt. I swear I see Matty fan himself out of the corner of my eye and can hear Josselyn giggle.

“Now your boots,” he says. “Take them off. Quickly.”

So, I take off my work boots as quickly as possible.

“Socks, too,” he adds after I have my boots shucked.

After removing my socks in record time, he grabs my arm and pulls me towards Josselyn. “Travis, please stand right in front of her,” he says.

I stand right in front of Josselyn, staring down at her stunning brown hair and sparkling hazel eyes.

“Look at each other,” Matty directs as I hear the shutter on the camera.

I continue to gaze down into Josselyn’s eyes while Matty does his thing.

“Travis, undo your pants,” Matty says in all seriousness.

“Huh?” I ask and whip my head towards the camera.

“Just do it.
Trust
me,” he urges.

So, I unsnap and unzip my jeans. I’m standing before Josselyn, gazing at her, and I have to admit, this moment is erotic as hell. The sun setting over the trees, her wearing my shirt and practically nothing else, and me wearing only my jeans. Even with my pants undone, they still feel a little snug in the front.

Without even thinking, I reach forward with my right hand and grab a hold of Josselyn’s hip and pull her towards me a half-step. The shirt remains open, but conceals her chest and only exposes her bare baby bump. She reaches forward with her right hand and grabs a hold of the belt loop on the side of my open jeans. Her baby bump is almost touching my stomach. I can feel the electric current soaring through our bodies, zapping my already frazzled nerve endings. I’m lost in her hazel eyes, lost in the moment, lost in the intense feelings I feel pumping through my blood for Josselyn.