Spike (28 page)

“It doesn’t hold a candle to you though.” I feel the blood rush to my cheeks. I should tell her more often how beautiful she is. Surely she knows I think that.

“Aww, you’re so sweet,” she teases and kisses me softly on the lips.

“There’s another reason I brought you out here.”
Time for the big finale
. I move over to the bike and get on.

“Are we having lunch with your grandparents?” she asks. I know she’s adopted my nan as her own and was looking forward to seeing them again, but she doesn’t have a clue what I’ve got planned today. This is going to knock her for six.

“Come on. Get on the back.”

I start the bike, and Eevie gets on behind me. Her thighs squeeze around my thighs, her arms tight around my chest as I ride up the hill.

Stopping at the top, I kill the motor, take Eevie’s hand, and walk over to the prime spot. I watch her eyes light up as she scans over the massive love-heart mowed into the grass in the field below. The heart is dusted with pale yellow wildflowers, and the occasional purple patches of Patterson’s Curse. A green picnic rug is set up in the middle of the heart, with some goodies in a basket: champagne, fruit and cheese and crackers.

She moves her hand over her heart, and opens her mouth. No words come out. It was totally worth the effort, just to see her reaction.

“I-It’s …” she stammers.

“That heart right there,” I interrupt, “is where we’ll build our house.”

“Oh my God … Really?” Her eyes well up with happy tears, and she slips her hands around my waist. I pull her close, brushing the hair from her face.

“Yes. Really.” I kiss her on her forehead, and she returns her focus to the field.

“I love it out here. It’s … perfect.”

“The plans are already approved,” I say proudly.

“What? When did you do all this?”

“I had over two months at home to think, so I put my time to good use. I knew once I was back at work I wouldn’t be able to give it my full attention. We’ll level out the site next week, and then the footings and the slab will be done the week after. I’ve lined up all the trades, and I’ll be doing the joinery with Rob.”

“So how long do you think it’ll be before it’s finished?” she says, but her tone changes, like she’s got something else on her mind. She chews down on the inside of her cheek, and eyes me nervously. Why would she be worried about how long it would take?

“Weather permitting, no more than six months.”

She sighs loudly, and her shoulders drop. “Sounds like perfect timing.”

“Perfect for what?” I frown.

She takes a step back and smooths her hands down her flowing top, over her stomach, that is that little bit rounder. A hesitant smile tickles her soft, pink lips, her eyes sparkling in the sunlight.

“We’ll, um, need the room.”

My heart twitches in my chest, and I drop to my knees in front of her, wrapping my arms around her hips.

“Does this mean …” I glance up at her through my eyelashes. Unable to contain my excitement, I smile. Like I should be committed.

“Yes, we’re having a baby.” A single tear runs down her flushed cheek.

A dad. Holy hell. I’m gonna be a dad. And I’m going to be the best fucking dad there ever was … there for my kid
every
step of the way.

I kiss her stomach, and stand up, squeezing her and lifting her off the ground. I slam my mouth into hers, kissing her with everything I’ve got.

When I put her back down, Eevie pulls her chest back from mine. “Easy, I’m a bit tender.”

“You’re everything I ever wanted, baby, and now we’ll have our
own
family.”

“So you’re okay with it? I know it wasn’t planned.” She looks worried, scared, even. “When we had to go to Griffith for those two days, I … I didn’t have the pill with me …”

“I couldn’t be happier. Are you okay?” I know she’d said she wasn’t ready for kids; not for a long time.

“It was a pretty big shock, but I’m fine. It might sound silly, but I think I’m already in love.”

“When did you find out?”

“Officially today. I knew I was late, but my period had been so out of whack with everything with your dad, and then the accident. I felt a bit out of sorts and did a test last week which was positive, but I didn’t wanna worry you until I was sure. I didn’t want to overreact. I had a blood test a couple of days ago, and saw the doctor this morning.”

“And?”

“The doctor said I’m probably around eight to ten weeks, but the hormone levels are a bit high, so I have to have more blood tests in a week and organise to see an obstetrician.”

“And here I thought you’d put on weight because we weren’t running much anymore. I’ve gotta say, these curves …” I run my hands over her hips. I tug the neck of her top and peek down at her full tits, which I did notice the other day, but didn’t put two and two together. “And these puppies … no wonder you’ve been so bloody horny.”

Eevie laughs softly. A rosy glow spreads over her chest up to her cheeks. She wraps her arms around my back, squeezing my arse. “I think, for good luck, we’d better go down there and christen the plot.”

I shake my head and laugh. “Damn, baby, you’re wearing me out. But I’ll never say no.” I take her small hand in mine, which now bears her engagement ring. I twist the ring around her finger with my thumb as we walk down the hill to the picnic rug

“I packed some champagne, but maybe we can save that for a bit later.”

“Good idea,” she says, her voice filled with mischief.

Eevie tugs my arm and lies back on the rug. I lie beside her and kiss her lips. She throws her leg over my hip, and hooks her hands behind my neck.

I drown in her eyes, if only for a moment. “Did I do good?” I ask, raising an eyebrow. I hope it was everything she ever dreamt of.

“You, Aidan Stone, have completely blown me away. I’m so lucky.” She tugs at my bottom lip with her teeth and wriggles closer, moaning softly into my mouth.

I run my hand under her shirt, and over her bra that seems too tight. I reach around and unhook the clasp, and she sits up and takes off her shirt.

“No, I’m the lucky one,” I say low in my throat, running my hands over her tits.
Damn, they are bigger
. Her nipples harden up into perky-looking raspberries, which I can’t wait to run my tongue over.

“Are these gonna get bigger?” I ask.

She rolls her eyes. “Apparently so.”
Oh man
.

“Are you feeling okay? I mean, have you been sick?”

“I’m fine. Just take your jeans off, huh?”

“Does being bossy come with pregnant territory, too?”

“
Yes
, now hurry,” she growls sexily, as if she might eat me alive. I can’t help but chuckle. If I’ve got another seven or eight months of this to look forward to, I’m going to have to get fitter to keep up.

Eevie slips off her boots, and wiggles her jeans and panties off. I do as I’m told, and take off my jeans, and her fingers busily undo my shirt. I take her arms above her head, and give each of her nipples the attention they’ve been waiting for. She arches her back off the rug, and wraps her bare legs around me.

I position myself between her legs, and she impatiently tilts her hips and presses against me. I sink in deep, feeling her heat, and her need to be close. Eevie doesn’t hold back on those little groans and gasps, sounds that are the best music in the world to me. A small part of me thinks maybe it’s because she’s horny as anything, but I know this woman, and I know our love.

We make love, fast and intense, sharing our passion with the place that will bear witness to it for many years to come. As our hearts recover, the gentle breeze swirls amongst the grass, causing a hum through the field.

We have found our new home.

****

“So when do you wanna get married?” I ask, turning to watch Eevie who is fascinated by watching the clouds floating by.

She shrugs. “I don’t mind, but I don’t want a big thing. Just close family and friends. You know, the people that are important.”

I lean onto my side and brush her hair from her face. “There’s a little church not far from here. My grandparents got married there. It’s kinda old, but I think it’d be cool to get married in the same place.”

Eevie’s beaming smile meets her eyes. “It sounds perfect.”

“Maybe we should do it soon. Before we get too wrapped up with the house.”

“And before I get too big.” I lift up her shirt and run my hands over the firm skin of her belly, which isn’t all that swollen. It just looks like she had a big lunch.

“You’ll look beautiful, no matter how big you are,” I assure her. She smiles brightly, like she desperately needed to hear the words.

“So I guess we’d better tell everyone the good news. I mean, about the wedding and the house. We should wait a while before we say anything about the baby. I hope everything is okay. I’m just worried about having to have more tests. Needles aren’t exactly my thing.”

“Yeah. As much as I want to, we’d better see him for ourselves and make sure everything is okay first.”

“Him?” Eevie says, raising her eyebrows.

“I don’t know, him, her … Whatever the sex, they’ll be tearing around this place on a bike before they can walk.” There’s no doubt about it. If the bub is anything like me, the adrenaline is already pumping through its veins.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

* EEVIE *

I stare at my reflection in the mirror, my long, vintage-lace dress flowing from under the bust. The dress hides my tummy, even if I’ve only got a small bump. We didn’t want questions before we’d had our twelve-week scan, and even though it shouldn’t matter, we didn’t want people to think we were getting married because I’m pregnant—even though Aidan proposed before we knew.

“You look beautiful, darling,” Mum says, putting her warm hands on my shoulders, her head peering around so I can see her reflection in the mirror. She fiddles once again with the wildflowers in my hair, dotted amongst the loose chignon bun.

I turn around to face the mother-of-the-bride in all her glory, looking elegant as ever in a fitted teal green dress. Her blonde hair is tucked up in a loose bun, and her smile tugs straight at my heart. I haven’t seen Mum this happy in forever.

“So do you, Mum,” I say, and pull her into a hug. She squeezes me for that little bit too long and moves back, holding me at arm’s length.

She smiles nervously. “I don’t need to tell you, Genevieve, that today is a special day. I’m proud of you, in more ways than I can count, but today …” She pauses and sniffs. Her blue eyes glisten, and I know she’s about to cry.

“Don’t … don’t cry, Mum. I’ve already had to fix my makeup twice this morning.” I rub up and down her arms, trying to ward off her tears, and mine. I hope she doesn’t cotton on as to why I’ve been so bloody emotional. Or are all brides like this?

“I’m just glad you’ve found someone special. I’ve never seen two people more in love. You two have something truly special … something I never had.” While it’s lovely for her to say, I don’t need another reminder that my father isn’t here today. Whether he would have come or not, I couldn’t go through with ringing him. Not after the way he left, the way he cheated on Mum. Today is about Aidan and I, and people close enough to us to care.

“I’m so happy knowing my daughter will have everything she deserves. A loving husband, a beautiful home, and one day, a family of your own.” Oh God. Does she know I’m pregnant? If she asks me, I won’t be able to lie. I’m done with lies.

A tear slips down my cheek.
Damn it
. “Thanks, Mum,” I whisper, trying to keep it together.

With a soft knock on the door, we both turn around. Cassie, maid-of-honour extraordinaire, comes in and smiles.

“Come on. We’d better not keep Aidan waiting any longer,” she says softly, handing me my bouquet of wildflowers. “Dammit, Eevie. Are you crying again?” she scoffs, and snatches a tissue from the box on the table.

“It’s Mum’s fault this time,” I say, giving Mum a soft smile. I take off my glasses, and Cassie gently dabs the tissue beneath my lashes.

“You’re a wreck today,” she says and shakes her head.

Is she going to see through me, too? I don’t want to tell anyone else yet. If I do, I’ll never get to that church, and I can’t wait another minute to see him: my man.

“I’m a bride, Cassie. Isn’t it expected? Do I look okay, now?” I huff, as she checks me over again.

“You look beautiful. Radiant, even.” She winks.

“Come on, let’s go,” I say. Another second in here and I’ll spill the beans.

We get in the car, and a few minutes later pull up at the front of the old sandstone brick church. The doors to the church are closed, and my brother Chris stands tall in his charcoal-grey suit in front of them.

Mum slips into the church, and Cassie fusses with my dress as I walk closer to the doors. Chris leans in and kisses me on the cheek.

“Oh, boy. Aidan’s gonna be a dribbling mess when he sees you. You look good, Eve,” Chris says, and flashes me a beaming grin.

“You don’t look too bad yourself.” I breathe in and out slowly, trying to tame my wild, beating heart.

“Are you ready?” Cassie asks, lining up in front of me. Chris stands beside me and offers me his arm. I loop my hand through the inside of his elbow, grateful to have him walk me down the aisle.

“I’ve never been more ready.”

****

* AIDAN *

The old, worn floorboards creak beneath my feet as I shuffle around.
Waiting.

Waiting for my one and only love to become my forever. How late is acceptable for a bride? Seriously? I know it’s only been like fifteen minutes, but it’s felt like a lifetime, and I’m sweating like a motherfucker beneath this suit. My tie feels like it’s trying to strangle me. I tug on the inside of the knot with my index finger, trying to work it loose.

“Relax, mate,” Rob says, reminding me that he’s standing beside me.