“I’ve looked everywhere online for a cure for morning sickness. I haven't heard of that,” Aiden says.
“It’s something grandmothers just know,” Grandma says to Aiden, matter-of-factly. Then she turns to me. “I'll bake you a mess of gingersnaps tomorrow. And, you should probably cut out the alcohol.”
“I didn't put alcohol in her drink,” Aiden says quickly.
“So, that's why you were so gung-ho on making them.”
Dawson, Dallas, and Knox join us on the back porch.
“They're all out,” Dallas says.
“Fell asleep during my stirring rendition of The Three Little Pigs,” Knox adds, looking slightly offended.
“Fresh air makes little ones sleep,” Grandma states. “They've had a long day, not to mention, Dawson, yours had a three hour time change. Aiden, would you get the boys some lemonade?”
“No offense, Grandma,” Knox says, “But I had something a little stronger in mind.”
“Oh, it's something stronger. It’ll put you right to sleep too, young man.”
Grandpa stands and grabs Grandma’s hand. “Ma and I are gonna hit the hay. Let you youngins have some fun.”
Aiden and I walk them in the house and give them hugs goodnight.
“Congratulations,” my grandpa whispers to me. Then he hits Aiden on the shoulder and says, “You old dog, you,” and walks off.
“While you make their drinks, I'm gonna look for something to snack on,” I tell Aiden.
He pins me against the counter, putting his hand across my belly. “Do you think we should tell our families sooner?”
“I'm dying to, but I don’t know what to do.”
“My parents are watching my sister's kids this weekend. What if we got everyone together this coming week for dinner? What's your schedule looking like? Back to early morning call times?”
“Yes, we’re finishing up all the indoor scenes. Sex scenes. The emotional stuff.”
“Probably a good thing you're doing them now, before you start showing,” he says, his hand still across my stomach. “I love you and our baby.”
“We love you too.”
Keatyn & Aiden’s home - Asher Vineyards, Sonoma County
DAWSON
Keatyn and Aiden bring some snacks out to the porch along with our drinks.
One sip tells me that this is seriously spiked lemonade.
“Oh, this is gooood,” Knox drawls.
“Gotta love good ol’ Southern hospitality,” Dallas agrees, taking a big sip.
“So, Dawson,” Aiden says, “I hear you and Vanessa have been hooking up.”
“Oh, Van-es-sa. Why have I not hit that yet?” Knox asks.
I want to pick Knox up and pound him against the wall.
I glare at him instead.
He holds his hands up. “Jeez. If looks could kill, I’d be dead. Do you like her or are you just hooking up?”
“Dawson and Vanessa know each other from a long time ago,” Keatyn interjects. “They will be working closely together.”
“Really closely,” Aiden teases.
Keatyn smiles at Aiden, but says to me, “Ignore him. Did the girls decide to sleep in the loft room?”
“Are you kidding? They’re in heaven. It’s like a big camp slumber party with all those bunk beds and sleeping bags. And Harlow, being only seven, hasn’t been allowed to go on sleepovers yet, so she’s thrilled.”
“Ava and Fallon seemed to hit it off,” Dallas says about our oldest daughters.
“They did. It’s nice.”
“Next time they come out, we’ll have to let them tour the kid’s school.”
“I’m sure they would like that. I really appreciate this.” I look around. “Everyone. It means a lot to me.”
“You’ve had a rough couple of years,” Aiden states.
“And we’re glad to hear you’re back in the saddle again,” Dallas drawls. “Camden may or may not have called us and told us you needed to get laid.”
“I don’t really think that’s any of your business,” Keatyn says, chiding them. But then she turns to me. “I don’t care about the sex. How are you feeling about all of this? The job? The house? The girls? About making it permanent? About Vanessa?”
Aiden starts laughing. “In a round about way, she’s asking the same question I did.”
“Fine,” she huffs. “Do you like her?”
“I’ve only known her for a few days but, yes, I do.” And I miss her. “I’m beat. I think I’m going to bed. I’m sure the kids will run us ragged tomorrow.”
Everyone says their goodnights and I go into my room and call her.
“Hey, Vanessa.”
“Hey, yourself,” she says. “All tucked in out in the wilderness?”
“I am. As a matter of fact, I’m lying in a big four-poster bed all alone.”
“I’m taking a bath,” she says, my mind immediately conjuring up naked images of her.
“That’s sexy,” I say. “Are you naked?”
“Uh, yeah?”
I laugh at myself. “I’m sorry. That was about the stupidest thing I’ve ever said. I’m so out of practice when it comes to flirting.”
“Are you trying to flirt with me, Dawson?”