When she finally stopped the show, I looked into Meagan’s eyes with a stunned expression. “We’re going to have a baby. She’s moving around in there.” I pointed to her belly and said, “Our baby is in there. Growing! Kicking! Hearing my voice!”
“I know!” Meagan replied as she covered her mouth to hold back her laughter.
“I know a way to make her move,” I said as I took her hands and led her to our bedroom.
“What are you doing?”
“Sex! Noah said it makes the baby move more.”
Meagan stopped walking and dropped her mouth open. “So you’re going to use me for sex so you can feel the baby move?”
I gave her a look like she had just said the stupidest thing in the world. “Well yeah. It’s like win-win for me.”
Giving me a sexy smirk, Meagan replied, “If I wasn’t so damn horny all the time I’d tell you to get lost.”
I got lost in not one orgasm, but three. And each time, our daughter jumped all over the place. Much to my delight, I felt our child moving around as I made love to my wife.
My cell phone rang in my pocket as I pulled it out. “It’s Taylor. She came home for the weekend and has been spoiling the hell out of Meagan.”
Noah laughed as he started down the back steps.
“Hey, Tay, what does my beautiful fiancée want now?”
Meagan and I had decided to get married at the house once everything was completed. It only made sense, especially when she ended up being on bed rest. Plus we wouldn’t be able to take the honeymoon I wanted to take her on until my first round of recruit school was over.
“Where are you, Gray?”
“At the house. Noah and I were just walking through before moving day tomorrow. I’m sure Meg wants to get into our own place.”
“Yeah well, moving day is gonna have to wait.”
My heart sunk. “Why? What’s wrong?”
“Meagan is in labor.”
We knew there was a risk of her going into labor early, and honestly I was surprised she made it as long as she did. Her due date was still two weeks away.
“We’re on the way to the hospital.”
“What? You can’t wait for me to get there?”
Taylor said something to her mother before she came back on the phone. “Um, you’re an hour away, Gray. Her contractions are coming fast.”
“How long as she been having them?”
“She said for the last few hours but she wasn’t sure at first if it was false labor or not.”
Fuck!
Taking off running toward my truck, I yelled out to Noah. “Noah! She’s in labor! I’m on my way, Taylor. I’ll meet you guys at the hospital!”
“Wait, Meg wants to talk to you.”
I heard a bunch of noises before I heard her beautiful voice come across the phone. “Hey,” was all she said.
“Hey, baby. You doing okay?”
“Well . . . it’s time I guess, so yeah. I’m doing good.”
Throwing my truck into drive, I hit the gas and peeled out down the driveway.
“Don’t be scared, baby. I’m on my way.”
“Are you spooked?”
With a smile, I shook my head. “If haven’t been yet, I doubt I’m going to anytime soon.”
I could hear Amanda barking orders about helping Meagan walk to the car.
Her voice cracked as she said, “I’m huge, Gray. I look like a whale.”
“No. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look so beautiful. I may have to keep you pregnant all the time because you look so beautiful.”
“The hell with that. I’m done. This is it. If you want more kids, you’re going to have to find a willing woman to carry them and birth them. This girl is done! And the hard part hasn’t even started yet.”
Noah let out a chuckle as he listed to Meagan over the truck speakers. “Meg, I’m on my way. I swear to you, it’s all going to be okay.”
“O-okay. Hey, Gray?”
“Yeah?”
“Mom won’t stop so, will you run and pick me up some orange muffins on your way to the hospital?”
Pressing my lips together to keep from laughing, I simply said, “Sure I will.”
“K. Got. To. Go. Contraction . . . oh . . . hee hee hee hee—”
“Meg? Taylor? Taylor! Shit, the line went dead.”
Pressing down on the gas, I raced to Fredericksburg as fast as I could.
I jumped back into my truck and quickly pulled out and headed to the hospital. “I seriously cannot believe you stopped to get orange muffins when your wife is in labor! What in the hell is wrong with you?”
Widening my eyes, I gave Noah a dazed look. “Have you ever had those damn things? They are amazing!”
Noah shook his head as he stared at me for a few seconds as we headed to the hospital.
“Just pull up and I’ll park.”
“Right! Good thinking.”
Coming to a stop in front of the hospital, I jumped out of the truck, only to have Noah call out my name.
“Gray! Shit dude, it’s still in drive!”
The truck was rolling forward and headed toward another car. “Shit!” Jumping in, I threw it into Park. “Did you call Grace?”
Noah looked at me like I was insane. “Did I act this way when Grace went into labor? Please tell me I didn’t cause I really want to punch you in the face right now.”
Giving him a dirty look, I shot him the finger and said, “Fuck you.”
Racing in through the doors, I jogged up to the front desk to the sweet little old ladies who volunteer. My heart was racing and all I wanted to do was get to Meagan.
“Where is the fire, darlin’?”
With a polite smile, I looked between both women. “My wife. She’s gone into labor. It’s the third floor right?”
“For babies?”
My head pulled back as I looked at them with a baffled look on my face. “No, I’m not looking for the babies. I need to get to Labor and Delivery.”
Shit. Why was I standing here talking to them? We did the tour! I took the tour. The Labor and Delivery was on the second floor.
Taking off, I ran past a few people and headed to the elevators. “Excuse me, oh, sorry! Coming through!”
Hitting the Up button, I stood there and willed the damn thing to move faster.
“You know, I broke my leg trying to get to my wife when she was in labor.”
My eyes looked over to an older man standing next me. He had a cane and looked straight ahead as he spoke. “Boy howdy was my wife mad at me. You know how hard it is to take care of a new baby when you’ve got yourself a broken leg?”
My stomach was in knots as I turned to him. “No sir, I can’t even imagine.”
His eyes met mine. “It’s hard, son. Very hard. So stop acting like the world is ending and get to her in one piece. You ain’t gonna be any use to her with a broken leg.”
I couldn’t help but smile. Nodding, I said, “Yes, sir. No more running.”
When the elevator door opened, the old man walked in first after I motioned for him to. Hitting the second floor first, he then hit the fourth.
We rode in silence before it dinged for my floor, before getting off the elevator, he took a hold of my arm.
“Be sure to have flowers for her. And make sure you tell her how beautiful she is. There is nothing more magical than the woman you love birthin’ your baby.”
My heart warmed as I looked into the eyes of the older man. “I’ll be sure to do just that. Thank you, sir, for the tips.”
He beamed back at me as he nodded and let go of my arm. “Enjoy it. Your life is about to change.”
The doors shut and I stood there for a few moments letting his words settle in. I’d never felt so happy in my entire life as I turned and made my way to my new life.
Meagan
THE MOMENT HE walked into the room, the energy changed. With a smile so breathtaking, I would have fallen to my knees had I been standing up. “Hey,” I
barely said as tears flowed freely from my eyes.
Quickly wiping them away, I let out a frustrated cry and shook my head. “I’m so damn sick of crying!”
Sobs shook my body as Grayson quickly kissed me. “You look beautiful.”
My lower lip jetted out in a pout as I said, “I don’t feel it. I don’t think I can do this.”
Cupping my face in his hands, Grayson looked into my eyes. “Listen to me. You are the strongest person I know. You’ve been through hell with this pregnancy, Meg. Hell, this whole year!”
My hands covered his. “No! This has been the best year of my life. Look at us. We have a house and our world is about to be forever altered.” Lifting a brow, I asked, “You’re not spooked?”
Grayson chuckled. “Not in the least bit.”
My heart felt as if it was going to burst.
“Come on, Meagan. One more push and you’re done!”
Exhaustion swept over my body as I leaned into Grayson. “I can’t do this. I’m so tired.”
Grayson kissed my forehead and held onto my hand. “Baby, one more push, do it for me.”
Looking at him, I shot him a dirty look. “Do it for you? Do it . . . for you? You got me in this position in the first place! You do it if you think it’s so easy . . . oh God another contraction!”
“Push now, Meagan. One good push sweetie and you’re done,” Dr. Johnson said.
Leaning forward, I pulled every ounce of energy I had to push again. The sounds of crying filled the air as I collapsed back against the bed.
Grayson’s face was covered in tears. Turning to me, he cupped my face and kissed me so passionately, I couldn’t help but let out a little whimper.
“You did it! And you looked beautiful the whole time.”
I let out a chuckle as I watched the nurses moving about. Grayson’s eyes followed mine as he took everything in. “Holy crap. I think God’s paying me back for my previous profession.”
Laughing, I shook my head at Grayson. “I think so, stripper boy!”
Two nurses walked up on either side of me as they placed a baby in each of my arms. Grayson leaned over and kissed the baby in my right arm first.
“Welcome to the world, my precious Arabella Marie Bennett.”
Pulling back, he kissed the baby in my left arm. “Welcome to the world, my sweet Charlotte Christine Bennett.”
His eyes lifted as they captured mine. “Are you happy?” I asked.
Nothing but loved filled his eyes as he slowly shook his head.
“I’ve never been so happy in my entire life.” Glancing down to our two baby girls, Grayson’s chin trembled as he fought to hold back his tears. “I promise you, I will forever love and protect you, and I will never leave my three beautiful girls.”
I was quickly brought back to the moment our lives were forever changed.
Dr. Johnson placed the warm gel on my stomach and smiled. “Let’s take a look at your baby shall we?”
I was bubbling over with excitement as Grayson squeezed my hand as I glanced at my mother and Ashley standing behind Grayson. Ashley and James had flown in to meet my parents and she was thrilled when we asked her and my mother to come today.
Turning, I stared back at the monitor as I heard a heartbeat. Then another heartbeat. Then I saw one little heart beating super fast. Then another little heart beating super fast.
“Is that?” Grayson asked as he leaned closer.
My eyes widened as I let out a gasp.
Dr. Johnson giggled. “I thought I heard two heartbeats.” Turning to look at us, she flashed a huge smile. “Looks like y’all need to buy two of everything.”
Ashley, my mother, Grayson and I all said at once. “Twins?”
My mother and Ashley instantly started crying as they hugged each other. I peeked back as I watched Grayson while he stared at the monitor. I couldn’t believe the smile on his face. His blue eyes turned to look into mine.
“Tell me what you’re thinking.”
Grayson chuckled as he bent over and kissed my lips. Pulling back slightly, he said, “I’m thinking I’m so glad I let Gunner talk us into three bedrooms upstairs instead of two!”
“Some crazy couple of years, huh?” I said as Grayson placed his hand on the side of my face.
With a wink and a crooked smile that left me breathless, he rubbed his thumb across my lips. “I have a feeling it’s only gonna get crazier.”
Taylor
WALKING OUT OF the hospital, my phone buzzed. Glancing down at it, I saw it was Jase.
I wasn’t sure if I should be excited or angry he was calling me. At least I knew that meant he was thinking about me. Everything changed between us when we were in Europe last summer. Jase made his choice and now we both had to live with it.
By the time I got to my car, my phone notified me of a text.
Jase: Hey! I just got back from Montana. How is your sister?
I dropped my head back against the seat and let out a frustrated sigh. I was tired of playing games. I’d officially had enough.
Pulling up his name, I hit Jase’s number.
“Taylor,” he said, almost sounding relieved.
“I can’t do this. Not anymore.”
The silence that loomed between us killed me.
“Taylor, I’m so sorry I . . .”
“Just stop. If you don’t want me, Jase, then that’s fine, I get it. But this whole thing with you pretending to be my best friend is not working anymore. I told you I loved you in Europe and you made your decision. I’m not a damn toy you can push and pull whenever you feel like it. So you don’t have some hot, blonde bitch on your arm right now . . . well too bad. I’m not playing second anymore.”
“You were never second, Taylor. Ever! That’s the problem.”
Tears threatened to build in my eyes, but I quickly pushed them away.
“Stop talking in riddles, Jase. Now is not a good time to talk. I have a date I need to go home and get ready for.”
“A date? With who?”
A smirk appeared across my face. I could almost hear the panic in his voice and I loved it. I also hated myself for feeling that way.
“My sister had her twins,” I spattered out to change the subject I had brought up.
“She did!” Excitement filled his voice and for one moment, I wanted to pretend everything was okay. I wanted to pretend Jase really meant it last summer when he whispered in my ear that he loved me. I wanted to pretend he didn’t walk away from me the morning after I gave myself to him in Paris. I wanted to pretend the girl I saw him with that afternoon never existed.
My stomach twisted as the pain of that day returned and punched me right in the chest.
“I um . . . I have to go.”
“Taylor?”
My eyes squeezed shut because I knew what was coming. “Yeah?”
“I love you.”
Slamming my hand over my mouth, I held my sobs in.
“I have to go, Jase.”
Hitting End, I dropped my phone into my lap and let myself cry until I didn’t have the energy to cry anymore.
Look for Taylor and Jase’s story April 2016
Loving You will finish out both the Love Wanted in Texas Series and the Broken Series. It will be a bittersweet end to both series, but a journey I can’t wait to share with y’all.
Thank you to everyone who plays a part in helping me do what I do to get each book out. Without your help, I’m not sure what I would do!
Thank you to Nichole and Christine with Perfectly Publishable. The both of you make me smile, put up with my constant changing schedule, not to mention my numerous moments of . . .”Wait, what am I supposed to be doing?” The two of you are the best.
Thank you to Lauren Abramo with Dystel & Goderich for working tirelessly to get the Love Wanted in Texas Series sold to a UK publisher!
Thank you to Kristin Mayer for being such an amazing friend. I’d be lost without you. Love you Special K.
Thank you to Laura, Ni
kki, and Ana for helping with beta reading. You’re the best!
Darrin and Lauren. Thank you for putting up with my crazy schedule, my mad personalities that change depending on where I’m at in the writing process, and the endless amount of nights I don’t have dinner cooked. You both mean so much to me and I love y’all to the moon and back.
Danielle Bradbery ~ “Friend Zone”
Meagan and Grayson spending the day together as friends only
Tori Kelly ~ “First Heartbreak”
Meagan telling Grayson she has feelings for him and how that scares her
Major Lazer & Ellie Goulding ~ “Powerful”
Grayson dancing for Meagan at the benefit
Hunter Hayes ~ “Invisible”
Meagan telling Grayson about Claire bullying her in college
Beyoncé ~ “ Dance For You”
Meagan dancing for Grayson
Rascal Flatts ~ “Fall Here”
Grayson and Meagan admitting their feelings for one another
Rascal Flatts ~ “Why”
Meagan finding out what happened to Mitchell
Carrie Underwood ~ “Heartbeat”
Grayson and Meagan talking about moving to Texas
Luke Bryan ~ “Fast”
Grayson and Noah at the new house
Thomas Rhett ~ “Die A Happy Man”
Grayson when the twins are born
Colbie Caillat ~“Never Getting Over You”
Epilogue
Kelly Elliott, Chasing You
(Series: Love Wanted in Texas # 5)
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