“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be a hormonal bitch. I just can’t seem to control it or anything else that’s happening lately. I promise to try not to be so moody. Shopping sounds perfect and at this point, I think it’s a necessity.” We both laugh as Kyle helps me stand up. Probably a good thing I didn’t get these things buttoned. If the button popped, I could have really hurt someone.
“You don’t have to be sorry. This can’t be easy on you. Hell, the all-day morning sickness would kill me alone. I can take it, so if you have to dish it out to make yourself feel better, that’s fine with me. I’m here for you, whatever you need,” he says as he wraps his arms around me. Just when I think there isn’t any possible way to fall harder for this man, I do. He’s always so considerate of my needs. How did I get so lucky?
Kyle insists on cooking me an egg white omelet before we can leave. While I eat, he goes to call Jax to let him know I’ll be in a little later. He makes sure I eat three times a day no matter what. Even when I’m a nauseous wreck, he’s shoving crackers in my face. It really is sweet though, the way he always takes such good care of me. After I’ve eaten enough to satisfy him, we head out to the mall. While we’re driving, he confesses that he told Jax I wouldn’t be in at all today. I should be mad but I’m not. He’s trying to do something nice for me and it’s something I need to do. Besides, most men would be complaining about going to the mall shopping, but not my Kyle. It’s his idea and I should be happy about that, so I will be. I’m going to sit back and enjoy whatever the day has to offer.
He’s been wonderful. Helping me pick out outfits he says look great on me. On top of my overall bitchy mood, I’ve been feeling fat and undesirable lately. Without even realizing he was doing it, he totally changed that for me. I’ve been noticing lots of women, and even a few men checking him out today. Subtlety is definitely not the theme for today. They aren’t even trying to hide it. Not once did he even notice. The whole time, all of his attention has been on me, and it’s just what I needed.
There’s one salesgirl in particular that really pisses me off. I’m not overly jealous. I know my man is hot. I don’t blame other women for looking. That doesn’t bother me at all. I can appreciate a nice looking man. It’s the people that don’t respect the fact that he’s with another woman or that he’s wearing a ring. The ones that think they are entitled to whatever they want and screw whomever gets in their way. And this woman is one of those types. She’s not a woman that’s going to be unnoticed. Tall with long straight blonde hair and a perfect tan, I can admit she’s beautiful, but it’s all fake. From the bleached hair, all the way down to her fake toenails. A Barbie doll is made with less plastic. She doesn’t realize she couldn’t be any farther from Kyle’s type. In her mind, she’s perfect and every man wants what she has to offer. She’s had her eye on us, or I should say Kyle, since we walked through the front doors. We’re looking through a rack of dresses when she slithers up behind us.
“Is there anything I can help you find?” she asks in a sugary sweet voice. I can tell her question is directed to me even though her eyes haven’t left Kyle. My blood pressure rises. I’m still polite even though I really want to punch her in the throat.
“No, thank you. We’re doing just fine.” Kyle’s eyes never leave mine and that doesn’t sit well with blondey. I can see the wheels turning in her head. She’s trying to figure out how to up her game. Then, she does something that absolutely infuriates me. Thinking she’s being sneaky, she tries slipping her number to him. I mean, really! He’s in a maternity store, shopping for clothes with his pregnant wife, and this woman is bold enough to hit on him with me standing right there watching? She’s smiling at him as if this is acceptable behavior. Maybe for some men it is. Not for this one, though. Before I can tear into this bitch, Kyle gives me a wink.
“Let me get this straight. I don’t want a misunderstanding.” He has a mischievous look on his face. What is he up to? “You’re hitting on me? That’s why you’re passing me the phone number, correct?”
“Yes.”
“And exactly who do you think this is?” he asks, motioning to me.
“Does it really matter? I mean look at her and look at me. It’s a no brainer,” she says, matter of fact. Kyle’s jaw starts twitching. He’s pissed.
“You’re right, it’s most definitely a no brainer.” She’s smiling. “You’re no match for my wife. I don’t find you the least bit attractive.” She looks at him completely stunned. I’m sure that’s not something she’s ever heard before. “The fact that you would disrespect my wife so blatantly makes you downright ugly. Can’t you find any single men? You should know better than to try to take something that’s not yours. That just makes you look desperate.” She gasps like someone slugged her right in the gut. “Princess, did I cover it all? There’s ugly and desperate. I know there was something else I was thinking of. What was it? Oh, yeah, I remember. Fake, that’s it. Most guys don’t like ugly, desperate, and fake women.” He turns to me, kisses my forehead, grabs my hand, and leads me out of the store. Just before we get to the door, I turn to look at blondey. She’s still standing in the same place, totally dumbfounded with her mouth gaping open. I can’t stop the giggle that escapes me.
When we reach the courtyard, I am in hysterics. That was amazing. He knocked her right off her pedestal onto her ass.
“I’m sorry that was probably a little harsh, but she really pissed me off. Acting like you weren’t even there. If she were a man, I would’ve kicked her ass.” If this were a cartoon, he’d have smoke billowing out of his ears. Picturing that makes me laugh even harder. “What’s so funny?” he asks, trying to stop his own laughter.
“The look on her face. I bet if you go back, she’s in the same spot trying to figure out how
she
got rejected. She was a bitch. Harsh is what she needed, so don’t apologize. That’s the best smack down I’ve witnessed in a long time.” He could no longer hold his laughter.
The rest of the afternoon is hassle free. We buy my entire pregnancy wardrobe and then some. Kyle also manages to pull me into a couple baby stores. He finds three matching fluffy frog stuffed animals and three onesies that say ‘My dad rocks’. It’s adorable seeing him picking out tiny little baby clothes. If I didn’t tell him no, he would have bought three of everything in the whole store. I don’t want to jinx anything. I know I’m probably being a little ridiculous, but things are just too perfect and that scares me. There’s this nagging feeling I have that something bad is going to happen. The more I try to push it away, the worse it gets. So, I’m just taking everything one day at a time. Enjoying every happy moment I’m given. If something does happen, at least I didn’t waste all of the good times being miserable.
“S
O, HOW’S
it going, daddy?” Paul asks as he walks into my office.
“Pretty good. How were things around here yesterday?”
“The usual. A little slow. What were you up to all day?”
“I took Amber to the mall. None of her clothes fit any more, it was time for maternity clothes.” Holly walks in then. Actually, it’s perfect timing. I have a plan but I am going to need help from Holly, Paul, and the rest of the guys too. The idea came to me yesterday when we got home from the mall. We’d been reading about multiple pregnancies. Something we read said it’s common for a woman carrying triplets to be put on bed rest at some point during her pregnancy. I want to surprise Amber by completing the nursery for her. I know she’s worried about jinxing things, but that’s just her nerves talking. She’ll really love this once it’s finished, plus it will get her more excited. “I’m gonna need some help and it’s the type of thing that’s right up your alley.” I explain everything I want to do to Holly and how I want it to be a surprise.
“This is going to be so much fun! Just leave it all to me. I’ll take care of everything.” She’s so excited she’s almost jumping out of her skin. Within seconds, she’s texting everyone we know and my idea is no longer mine. Oh well. If anyone can make it perfect, Holly can. Becky and Taryn will take Amber to the spa for the weekend. Clark and Marcus are going to paint the nursery the second Amber leaves. Holly, Angel, and I are going to pick out all of the furniture and accessories, then put them all together once we get home. Paul, the lucky bastard, gets to take care of the bar. Once we have everything set up, Paul and Holly go out to open the bar and I start on my mountain of paper work.
“Hey, babe!” I look up and see Amber coming through my office door. Is it two already?
“Hi, princess. How’s your day been?” I ask as she makes herself comfortable on my lap. When I say she makes herself comfortable, I mean she grinds her ass against my cock. Whether or not she did it on purpose, I don’t know. What I do know is that it’s going to be a very long weekend by myself.
“Good. A little strange...Jax brought something up that got me thinking. He thinks with all the time I’ve been taking off and with the babies coming that I should give someone Power of Attorney. Just in case something needs to be done at the center.” It makes sense, but I also get the feeling that Jax is hoping to be the one to get that responsibility. Is that what his end game is? Does he want control of the center? It’s not like it makes a bundle of money.
“Let me guess, he wants you to sign it over to him.”
“It was implied. I had my lawyer draw up the papers for you to have control. If you aren’t available, Holly will be next. It continues down the line of all our friends but Jax is not named. I’m worried he wants my center.”
“I don’t think you’re wrong. Choosing to be careful is a good idea.”
“Are you sure you can’t let Holly out of work this weekend so she can go with us?” she asks with a pout. I feel bad lying to her.
“I wish I could, princess, but you know what it’s like on the weekends.” She sticks out her lower lip. If this wasn’t all for her, I would give in. I always do.
“Okay. The girls are waiting for me. Try not to miss me too much,” she says with a smile and one hell of a kiss.
“How can I not miss you after a kiss like that?” I ask as she gets up from my lap. I quickly catch her and pull her back to me so that she is standing between my legs. I take my hand and rub her belly. I’m anxious for the day that I can feel the babies move. “I love you, princess.” I lower my face to her belly, placing a kiss on it. “I love you guys too. Take care of your mamma. You girls have a good time this weekend.”
“We will. We love you too, babe. See you in a couple days.” After another hot kiss, I walk her out to meet the girls.
As soon as they leave the parking lot, Holly is giving orders. Clark and Marcus are out the door and on the way to paint the nursery. Seeing that we have no idea what sex the babies are, Holly and I chose a pale blue with an off-white trim. That will match the Winnie the Pooh design Amber has her eyes on for the bedding. I figure Holly knows what she’s talking about, I know I don’t have a fucking clue.
“Earth to, Kyle. Let’s get going. The shit’s not gonna put itself together,” Angel jokes.
“Am I keeping you from a hot date or something?”
“Not anymore. Holly made me cancel that already,” he whines.
“Okay McWhiney Ass. I’m ready,” I tease, quickly dodging his fist. Before I can get to the door, Paul stops me. Holly says they’ll wait for me in the truck as I toss her my keys.
“Hey, make sure Holly doesn’t get too crazy, will ya? This baby stuff is a little rough for her,” he says, his voice laced with sadness. It’s none of my business, but they are both my friends and I don’t want to see either of them hurting. Maybe I shouldn’t have Holly helping with this.