Taking Chances

His stomach growled again in response and he led me into the kitchen to find the take out menu. I scowled at Brandon when he sat me back on the counter, but ordered our food and handed him the phone when I was done.

“They’ll be here within thirty minutes.”

“Half an hour?” He mused and his eyes heated as he scooted me forward so my bottom was barely on the edge of the counter. My breaths came quicker when he pressed himself against me and moved the collar of his shirt I was wearing to nibble his way from my neck to shoulder. Catching the band of his boxer briefs with my toe, I pushed down and a sound that warmed my body escaped his chest, “That should be enough time.”

22

“Did you get that?” I asked Aubrey as Liam smashed his cake onto his face.

“Oh yeah.” She brought her expensive camera back to her face and leaned her body back as she continued to take shots of him.

Aubrey really was amazing with that camera. Brandon, Liam and I had visited his mom yesterday and Aubrey had been over for di

Brandon wrapped his arm around me and discreetly brushed his hand over my stomach. I was only twelve weeks and I was already showing enough to know my bump was a baby…not a big meal. Hell, it wasn’t even a bump, my whole stomach was already rounding. We’d seen Dr. Lowdry yesterday, and she said it was normal to show quickly after your first pregnancy. Apparently something about your body already knowing what was going to happen, so it responded quicker. All that did was make me frown, I’d been massive by the time Liam was born, if I already had a ridiculously defined baby bump that decided to pop up out of nowhere this last Thursday, I could only imagine what I would look like by the time I delivered this one. So I’d worn a loose shirt last night and today since the parents were still in the dark. We could have told them Monday, but everyone’s emotions were so all over the place with Brandon’s fight and my disappearing act, that we decided it was best to continue with our plan to wait until today.

“Girl.” He whispered softly in my ear as he caressed my belly again.

I turned to plant a kiss on his cheek and whispered back, “Boy.”

Liam screeched and spoke gibberish before shoving more cake in his mouth and hair. Everyone laughed with him and Brandon kissed my neck before going to pick Liam up out of his high chair and bring him over to the sink. That boy was covered in cake and frosting. I took his onesie off and rinsed it off in the sink so all the food was go down the drain instead of the washer, then helped Brandon attempt to wipe him down. We gave up not even two minutes later and Brandon rushed to give him a bath and put him in new clothes. I smiled at my guys when they walked back out, Brandon with a huge smile taking small steps behind Liam who was speed crawling back toward me.

“How’s my birthday boy?” I scrunched my nose at him when he did the same with his somewhat toothy grin.

“Not taking a nap anytime soon, that’s for sure.” Brandon grumbled, but with his dimpled smile and bright eyes I knew he was anything but frustrated. He’d let Liam get away with no naps if he could.

Liam turned and dipped all the way to the side as he reached for someone else, making me almost lose my hold on him and I rolled my eyes as I gave him over to Carter. Of course Liam would be in love with Carter. Since he’d shown up this afternoon, it was the only person he wanted to be with. If I had any doubt that Carter wouldn’t give Kate a chance, that was quickly demolished when they each saw the other hold Liam. Kate had swooned and an hour later Carter’s eyes had taken on a dazed heat when Kate had scooped him up and kissed Liam resulting in a fit of laughter from my son. It wasn’t ten minutes later that Carter asked if he could take Kate on a date this evening.

Opening presents was the cutest, and longest process of the day. Each present took about three minutes to open and then we’d go through the process of getting him to stop eating the wrapping and tissue paper so he could start on the next present. By the end I was exhausted but blissfully happy, and getting more excited by the second now that the extended family was starting to head out. We’d been picking up and cleaning as the party went, so thankfully we were ready to relax with our family by the time Carter and Kate left together.

“What’d he say?” I asked Brandon as I watched Liam play with a big dump truck.

“He asked if I would be okay with him dating my cousin.”

My eyes widened, “He asked you that?”

“Right? I told him it wasn’t my place to say whether or not he could and that she could make her own decisions. So he says, ‘I know, but I know you’re not my biggest fan. And I don’t want to piss you off more than I already have.’”

“Oh. That’s thoughtful, I guess. What’d you say?”

Brandon shrugged and laughed when Liam didn’t understand how the truck had gotten away from him, “I said as long as he treats her well, I didn’t have a problem with it.”

Huh. Brandon really is too nice and forgiving of people.

“I may have also said that if it kept him from going after you...” he trailed off.

I hugged his waist and smiled into his chest. “That sounds more like you, but that’s why I love you. I’m all grimy and covered in cake, I’m going to change really quick.”

“Put on a tight shirt.”

“Is that how you want to tell them? Just show them?”

He smiled and looked back to make sure no one was near us, “Just act like nothing’s different, see how long it takes them. I think it’d be fun Mrs. Taylor, don’t you?”

“I have to agree with you Mr. Taylor. I’ll be right back.”

Changing into a bright blue racer-back stretchy tank, and a clean pair of jeans, I made my way back to the living room and tried to wipe the smile off my face.

“You look amazing Harper.” Brandon pulled me into his arms again and kissed my neck softly. “I’m sorry, I know you get self-conscious, but you pregnant is a breathtaking sight.”

I grabbed each side of his face, and pulled him down to me as I stood on my toes, “Thank you.” I kissed him quickly twice, barely pulling away to look in his eyes, “I love you.”

“And I love you.” Our next kiss was anything but quick.

“Okay you two, get a room.” Dad called from one of the couches.

Blushing, I leaned around Brandon’s side and gri

I was wrong.

It took another hour and a half.

Brandon had even taken Liam from me so he wouldn’t be blocking my stomach, I had gotten up numerous times to get and refill drinks, as well as to go to the bathroom. It took Bree commenting on the color of my shirt for Carrie to gasp and Mom to jump up and literally squeal.

“Oh my God! Oh my God, are you pregnant?! Please tell us you’re pregnant!” Mom rushed over and placed her hands on my rounding stomach.