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The look on Jude's face was a surprise. I don’t know what I expected. A squeal of delight? A punch to the arm? But definitely not the stunned silence and wide-eyed shock that greeted me. It was disconcerting, to say the least. I hadn't traveled halfway across the globe for such a less than enthusiastic greeting.
"What's the matter, Jude?" I asked, trying to keep the smirk off my face. "Black lab got your tongue?" I glanced over at Sadie, who watched me with what almost seemed like skepticism in those dark eyes of hers, as if she were just as unsure about my presence as her mom surely was.
She was a sight for sore eyes, standing there in her cozy sweater and jeans, a relaxed ensemble that did nothing to hide her feminine curves. Her usually free-flowing hair was pulled back in a short ponytail, her makeup light and natural.
Seeing her face unframed by those loose waves, I was struck by her natural beauty. Her eyes, as always, were expressive, reflecting the whirl of emotions that was no doubt spinning inside her. Her lips seemed to be tempting me for another round of the kissing I’d so enjoyed with her.
I had to swallow hard, reminding myself that I was not there for a casual visit. There were important things we needed to discuss. But in that moment, all I wanted to do was take in the sight of her, feel the warmth of her in my arms, and revel in the knowledge that I was back where I belonged, in her presence. In her life. And hopefully, in her heart.
Before she could say anything, I decided to take matters into my own hands. Literally. I took a step forward, wrapping her in my arms and pulling her toward me. Her eyes widened even more but she didn't resist. That was a good sign.
I kissed her. Hard. I poured all my frustration, longing, and—dare I say it—love into that kiss. I wanted her to know how much I missed her. How much I needed her.
As I finally pulled away, I looked at her, trying to gauge her reaction. I couldn’t tell whether or not she was glad to see me.
"So," I said, trying to keep my voice casual, "did you miss me?"
As I placed my mouth on hers it was like getting a jolt of electricity right through my system. At first, she didn't respond, and I had a sinking feeling that I'd misjudged the situation. But then her lips were moving, and my body went from zero to sixty in less time than it took me to blink.
Just as things were getting really heated, the sound of a throat clearing from behind caused us to pull apart, and it was like someone poured cold water over my head. I jerked back, peeling myself off Jude and turning toward the sound.
I saw her parents standing there watching the spectacle we'd made with a mix of amusement and surprise. I knew them from the pictures scattered around her home, and the least I could do after such an entrance was to introduce myself.
I released Jude, stepping forward to greet them. I walked up to her dad first, a mirror image of Jude with his sparkling green eyes and the same tinge of stubbornness.
"Tony," I said, extending my hand to him. "Tony Montivais."
“DoctorTony Montivais,” Jude added. “We work together.”
I could see the surprise in his eyes, probably because his daughter hadn't mentioned anything about me to them. His grip was firm, an unspoken challenge that I met with equal strength. Then I turned to her mother. She had the same warm smile as Jude, the same expressive eyes.
"And you must be Jude's mother," I said, extending my hand to her as well. She took it with a curious look, clearly wondering who the hell I was and what I was doing kissing her daughter.
There were some explanations to be made, and I had a feeling that I was in for a long evening. But with Jude by my side, I was ready for anything. Even the infamous meeting with the parents.
The click of the door closing behind me felt a little too final, like a gunshot starting a race I wasn't ready for. Jude moved swiftly, her eyes wide and frantic, trying to steer the conversation away from dangerous waters. Her efforts were futile.
From the corner of my eye, I saw her mother step forward, a friendly glint in her gaze. She looked straight at me, an innocent smile on her lips, but her question hit me like a wrecking ball. "Are you the father?"
My mind came to a grinding halt. Every thought, every sound, every sensation except for the thundering of my heartbeat ceased to exist. My gaze jerked immediately over to Jude, and I watched as a deep blush spread across her cheeks, a crimson flag of truth waving on her face.
"MOM!" Jude squealed, her voice echoing in the silence of the room. She sounded horrified, embarrassed, like a teenager caught sneaking in after staying out past curfew. It was too late for damage control. The cat was out of the bag and running around the room, causing a commotion.
I felt my own face flush, a strange mixture of surprise, confusion, and something else I couldn't quite pinpoint swirling inside me. My world tilted as I looked at Jude, her wide-eyed, deer-in-the-headlights expression mirroring my own internal chaos. I was blindsided, cornered, and utterly lost. All I could do was look at her, trying to find some grounding in her gaze.
I tried to decipher her expression. She looked terrified, the fear dancing in the depths of her eyes. Damn. The last thing I wanted was for her to be afraid of me, of us, of this. I took a step back, needing to put some physical distance between myself and the situation as my mind grappled with the revelation. The room spun around me, but I kept my gaze locked on Jude, the eye of my storm.
I glanced at her parents, their eyes wide with shock, same as mine, only theirs held a glimmer of excitement too. I imagined they had been over the moon a few moments ago, happy at the prospect of a grandchild. Now, they looked as if they were walking on eggshells, unsure of how to react. This wasn’t how I’d planned on meeting her parents for the first time.
I looked back at Jude, her face pale and strained. She opened her mouth to say something, but the words were stuck in her throat. I needed to hear her say it, to confirm what her mother had so bluntly asked, what she had so expressively responded to. Was I about to be a father?
My heart was racing, my mind whirling, but a warm, radiant joy started to spread through me, setting every nerve alight. We were going to have a baby.Ourbaby.
Without thinking, I closed the distance between us and scooped Jude up in a bear hug, her small frame fitting perfectly against me. Pure, unadulterated joy erupted from my chest as I spun us around, the world blurring into a mix of glorious color and light. I felt like I was flying, like I was invincible.
Jude laughed, a soft, melodious sound that filled my heart with joy. She gazed up at me, her beautiful eyes twinkling with tears and excitement. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
I grinned down at her, my chest rumbling with a jubilant laugh. "I'm more than okay, Jude. I'm great. We're having a baby!" I said, the reality sinking in. It felt like a dream, a beautiful, wonderful dream I never wanted to wake up from.
