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“Yoohoo, anybody home,” Emma calls through the front door. Oh! That’s how…sweet Miss Emma has basically been raising Heidi Jo since she’s been born because Colton is a single, working dad.
“In here Emma, come on in.” I hurry out of the kitchen to greet her.
“Sweetheart, it was so nice of you to invite us over for supper tonight.” She says embracing me warmly. “Where’s my boy?” She asks looking around the living room.
“He went to pick up dinner, he should be back shortly. Is Bill coming?”
“Oh sweetie, he’ll be by as soon as he leaves the truck yard. Anything I can help with?”
“Thanks Emma, but everything is ready. We’re just waiting on a few people to arrive, and Colton of course.”
She takes a seat with Heidi Jo on the couch, asking her how her day went at school. Naturally, Heidi Jo has her head stuck in the game she’s playing on her iPod and pays her mamaw no attention, only offering a few ‘yeps’ and ‘nopes’. The doorbell rings and I bounce up to answer it. Savannah and the twins step inside and I immediately tackle Braden to the floor smothering him in kisses.
“Auntie Carly I don’t want your kisses, so leave me alone.” He burst out with laughter. I know you don’t want kisses, Bub, but that’s why you’re getting ‘em. Savannah sits with Emma talking casually while we wait for everyone else to arrive. Ten minutes later, Colton and Luke arrive simultaneously, which I find to be odd and alarming. They walk in together talking like best friends would, which is even stranger.
“Everyone is here but your dad, baby. Should we wait?”
He glances down at his watch, then chuckles, “Hell with it. It’s only six PM, darlin’. Damn bastard won’t leave the truck yard til at least eight. Everyone else is here, so let’s eat and have a good evenin’.”
“Okay, but I’m so excited, do you mind if I present the cake first?” I pout, sticking my lip out for emphasis.
“Darlin’, it’s our day. You can do it anyway you want.” He captures my lips with his, nearly sweeping me off of my feet with a gentle kiss.
“I’ll bring everyone into the dining room, i
f you’ll get the cake.” I toss back over my shoulder before going in search of the rest of the family.
After everyone is seated at the table and their plates are prepared with the finest fried chicken dinner in Williamstown, I cue for Colton to bring in the cake.
“I know that everyone is wondering why I invited you all here for dinner, just outta the blue.” I say looking from each of their faces as Colton places the cake in the center of the table. “We’re having a baby!” We yell in unison. Emma’s hands clutch over her mouth and her eyes well with tears immediately. She jumps up, nearly throwing the table up in the air with her swift movement, and rushes around the table to hug Colton and me. I’m too happy to cry, even the happy tears. Savannah makes her way over to us next, elated for our little family.
“Wait!” Heidi Jo shouts, standing from the dining room chair, flailing her arms over her head. She has everyone’s attention immediately and a smile tips up my lips over yet another dramatic stunt from this little diva. “Did you say baby? Like B-A-B-Y baby?” Colton lifts her up in his arms and swings her around playfully.
“That’s right princess, you’re gonna be a big sister!” She squeals in happiness, her bubbling laughter radiating about the room.
Savannah and Emma ooh and ahh over the two tiered birth announcement cake. Elegantly frosted in a deep ocean blue icing on the bottom, and a bright, hot pink icing for the top layer. Little Monkey Weston is scrolled out in fondant across the front, with cute jungle designs around the sides of the cake. On top, sits the ultrasound picture from earlier today.
A moment I’ll never forget is the look on Colton’s face when Kaylee told him he was the daddy. But the look that stole my heart is when he saw with his own eyes our little monkey. Hearing the baby’s heartbeat made this all so real for the both of us. The love and pride that shown through his eyes captivated my love for him, with a fierce intensity that we can never be stripped of.
Chapter 20
As I watch the smile dance across her beautiful face, bubbling laughter of happiness slippin’ from her lips, I praise God that he gave me half a brain not to give up on this woman. Every prayer I’ve whispered over this last month has been answered and I have never smiled so damn hard in all my life.
The sleepless drunken nights, the anger and hurt that boiled in my veins just weeks ago is a faded memory to me now. I had lost all hope for me and my darlin’, but Luke Ashton refused to let me give up on Carly Jo. A battle of wills; and although he left me in defeat, I’m the victor with my girl in my arms. I know that what Luke and Carly Jo shared was intimate but brief, and he understands his place in her life. I’ll be forever grateful to the bastard for smackin’ me upside my big, dumbass head, and teachin’ me how to be a better man.
“You’ve been quiet all evenin’, man. Need to talk?” Luke asks, as he leans against the wall beside me.
Shakin’ my head, “Nah man, everything’s great. Better than great, actually. I ain’t ever seen her smile so damn much in all my life.” I say watchin’ Carly Jo across the room with her sister, Savannah. They’re sittin’ on the couch talkin’ while the kids run through the house wildly. Momma insisted on cleanin’ up after dinner, so Carly Jo could rest and spend some time with her family.
“I’m real happy for y’all, Weston; and I mean that whole-heartedly.”
“I know you do, Luke. If it weren’t for you bein’ the bigger man, I don’t know that I’d ever forgave her. Thanks for everything.” I shake his hand, but as usual he pulls me into a hug.
“Man, you were just angry and hurt. I understand that. But y’all are right where you belong and that’s what counts. But you remember, I’ll kick your ass if you hurt my beauts. You might own her heart and every breath she breathes, but she still owns a little piece of my heart; and she always will.”
“If I ever hurt her again, screw kickin’ my ass, just blow my damn head off.”
He laughs, clampin’ his hand on my shoulder as he leans in close and whispers, “Deal.” Luke makes his way over to the girls, wigglin’ between Carly Jo and Savannah as he spreads his arms across the back of the couch. Savannah scoots away from him and begins fidgetin’ with her hands nervously while the three of them talk briefly.
