All the parts of me that had melted just moments before were suddenly afire, and growing warmer by the second.
“I think after all your efforts here today, I’m willing to let you do just about anything you’d like to me.”
“And I thought the look on your face when you saw the nursery would be my payoff.” He nuzzled in further, his tongue darting out to taste the skin behind my ear, making my knees wobble. “Looks like the real payoff is going to be the look on your face when I slide inside of you.”
I gasped as his tender licks and kisses turned into bites and nibbles.
“Those are some pretty big promises,” I managed to rasp, my fingers threading through his hair.
I shrieked as he slapped my ass and then pulled away to look me in the eyes.
“Let’s go, Baby. I plan on delivering.”
“If you make me trip and fall at my own baby shower, you’ll officially win the prize for worst sister ever.” Megan led me through my parent’s house, insisting on covering my eyes. She wanted a big reveal moment when I saw the shower decorations, and her enthusiasm convinced me to trust her enough to lead me blind.
“Oh, hush. You’re fine.” We took a few more slow and hesitant steps and then we stopped. “Ok, just keep your eyes covered for one more minute.” I sighed and kept my hands over my eyes. I heard her moving around the room and then she said, with much excitement, “Ok! Open your eyes!”
I blinked away the darkness and my eyes roamed around the room. The first thing I noticed were the hundreds of tiny, sparkling stars hanging from the ceiling throughout the great room. My eyes landed on the banquet table pressed against the far wall and I was taken aback by the three tiered cake sitting in the middle. Each layer was made to look like clouds against a dark sky with more stars adorning it. On top of the cake was a bigger star wrapped in a blanket, laying on a pillow, sleeping on a cloud.
Hanging above the table was a banner that read, “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, We Can’t Wait to Find Out Who You Are.” The theme was obviously stars and clouds, and it was so beautiful.
“Megs, this is incredible,” I said quietly, still trying to take it all in.
“Your sister worked very hard on this for you,” my mom said from behind me. I turned and smiled at her.
“I can tell.” I walked to Megan and wrapped her in a hug. “Thanks, Megan.”
“Anything for you, Fella, and my future niece or nephew,” she said, gently rubbing my belly, which was, honestly, getting a little out of control. She pulled away and ran off to put some finishing touches on something. I pulled out my cell phone to send a picture to Porter. Within half a minute he replied.
Wow. Looks like Megan missed her calling as a party planner.
Right? It’s so beautiful. It’ll all be torn apart by the time you guys are done golfing, so you won’t get to see it in all its glory.
Trust me, I’d rather be there with you than golfing. I hate golfing.
Why did you agree to go? I’m sure Patrick would have found something to do that you enjoyed had you told him.
It’s fine. Patrick likes golfing. Maybe he can teach me how to not suck at it.
Well, you have fun walking around in the sun all afternoon. I’m just going to sit here, open presents, and eat cookies and cake and get even more fat.
Ella, love, eat as much as you’d like. I like all the extra Ella I’ve been able to grab ahold of lately.
I smiled. Even through a text he could still make my blood run quickly. He had been enjoying my new, rounder, lusher body. And I’d been enjoying his enthusiasm for me.
Hmmm. I will, but not for your benefit. Love you. Have fun.
Love you too.
“Is that Porter?” Megan said as she walked past me with a platter of deviled eggs.
“Yeah. He just told me he doesn’t even like golfing. He’s so funny sometimes.” I shook my head, making a mental reminder to tell him how silly the whole thing was.
“Well, they’re probably drinking too, so that should help. But honestly, if he would have told Patrick, he would have come up with another idea.”
“I know,” I waved her worry away. “I think sometimes Porter is so used to just making other people happy, he goes with the flow. It can be really attractive sometimes, to have someone who just wants what you want. But sometimes, it’s like, Porter, what do you want? Ya know?” Megan nodded and walked back into the kitchen as my mother came to sit next to me on the couch.
“Any new developments on the case?” My mother wore her worried eyes. Everyone in my family was worried, and I understood that, but I hated that they looked at me like I was going to break open at any moment. Granted, I had a history of falling into deep bouts of darkness, but I felt stronger in the last few weeks.
“Not much has changed. He can’t make bail, so he is waiting for trial in jail, thank God.”