Badass Boyfriend Pt.4

3

Later on I found myself in the den relaxing with a good romance novel in front of my face. It was snowing outside so I had the fireplace going to keep me warm along with a warm blanket covering my legs. The couch I laid on was soft and inviting. Within minutes of getting comfortable I was out like a light. My hand which was holding my book had gone limp and hung from the couch, letting my book fall to the ground. My head tilted to my right, resting on the soft cushion while my right arm rested on my belly. I was only laying there for a little while before I felt the presence of someone else in the room.

I knew it had to be one of the guys since they were the only ones in the house with me, so I moved around a little bit to make myself more comfortable. I heard a chuckle before he walked up to me and gently moved some of my hair from my face. He then bent down and gently kissed my forehead and then kissed my belly after. Part of me wanted to peek and see which one of them would do something so cute like that, but I kind of liked the mystery of not knowing.

Suddenly, he gently maneuvered his arms under me and lifted me into his arms. I groaned a little and then wrapped my arms around his broad neck. I could already tell who this was by the scent of his cologne. It was the same cologne I had lived with over the last two months and it turned me on…

I opened one eye as he started carrying me upstairs to my room. My guess was dead on, Mark was carrying me up the steps with those strong arms holding me tight. I couldn't help but snuggle into the side of his neck making him tense slightly. He stopped walking at the top of the steps and began whispering to himself.

"Alright…calm down man. This girl is your ex's daughter…and your friend only." He said. "You've got to control yourself…"

I wanted to giggle hearing him fight off his emotions for me, but part of me liked listening to him ramble. When we got to my room, he gently placed me in my bed and tucked me in. He then kissed the side of my head again before turning to leave me in peace.

"Thank you Mark," I said in a sleepy voice.

I heard his footsteps stop for a minute before continuing out the door. I giggled a little and then made myself more comfy before going back to sleep.

Christmas Eve 7:30 pm

"Girl you are so cute with that belly." Serena said as she walked with me to the living room. She had just flown in the previous night and the two of us hadn't left each other's side yet. She reminded me a lot of her brother. They had the same eyes and same hair color, only her hair stretched past her shoulders. She was friendlier than Phil too always making people smile around her.

The two of us sat down on the couch with hot chocolate in our hands. "Thanks girl, but I think she's about ready to come out."

She giggled and touched my belly with her free hand, "Yeah I agree. When do you think she'll come?"

I sighed knowing that she was already a week late. "I have no idea, but I can't wait for her to get here."

"Neither can we," John said as he walked into the room dressed like Santa Clause. He was followed by Mark who looked pissed about being an elf.

Serena and I giggled together as John sat down a bag full of presents.

"Cute guys, real cute," Serena said. "My gosh Kitty where did you find these two?"

I laughed, "Well I told you John is kind of my uncle and Mark is now the ex-husband of my mom."

Her eyes widened, "Wow, well it looks like they have a lot of fun together."

John laughed, "Plenty of it…right Mark."

We roared with laughter when Mark folded his arms and glared at John. "What the hell do you think?"

John laughed, "Oh cheer up big guy. Help me place these gifts under the tree."

Mark rolled his eyes and helped him with the gifts like he asked. I shook my head and took a sip of my hot chocolate before I felt some pain in my lower belly. I placed my hand there and groaned, "Ow…"

"You ok?" Mark quickly asked.

I smiled at him while Serena subtly glanced back and forth at us. "Yeah I'm alright. I think the baby is just moving around."

Mark nodded and then finished helping John with the gifts. Serena smiled at me and then waited for the guys to leave the room before asking me, "Are you two in love?"

The question caught me off guard at first, "Uh…what? Who?"

"You and Mark…I see the way you two look at each other and how alert he is when it comes to you." She said. "He's almost like a protective dog."

I giggled, "Yeah I picked up on that, but I don't think Mark is in love with me. I think he just feels bad because my mother put me through so much shit."

She smiled, "I guess that could be true…but I know love when I see it."

I dropped my gaze from hers, "Well it's tough to say on my part. John and I have been so close for years and he recently revealed his feelings for me."

"Damn girl, you've got men falling head over heels for you." She said. "What is your secret?"

I laughed, "Oh I have no secret trust me…John and I are just compatible with one another."

"And you and Mark aren't?" she questioned. "Come on girlie, I know you can see what I see when Mark looks at you."

I gave it some thought, remembering all the times he truly looked into my eyes." I'll admit I did feel something, but I how can I be with him after he belonged to my mother? It wouldn't be right."

She sighed, "You've got a point there."

"Listen let's just drop it for now. I don't want those two hearing our conversation." I said as I got up to go to my room.

"You turning in for the night?" she asked.

I nodded, "Yeah, I'm not feeling too well."

"Alright honey well I'm sorry if I upset you. I was just telling you what I feel."

I smiled at her, "its ok. I'm not upset with you. Goodnight."

"Goodnight." she said as I went up the steps.

In all honesty I was sort of mad at her for pointing out the very thing I didn't really want to see. I started crying upon getting my room feeling more emotional than normal. I started changing out of my clothes and into my nightgown. I wiped off my wet cheeks and then started brushing my hair in front of my mirror. When I was done, I got up and left my room so I could go to the bathroom. Upon stepping into the hallway, I came face to face with Mark who was on his way to his room.

"Hey, you alright?" he asked.

I nodded and shut my bedroom door behind me. "Just not feeling too good."

He nodded and then sighed, "Listen…I heard your conversation with Serena down there."

I gasped, "You did?"

"Yeah and I want you to know that she's right about me." He said as he rubbed the back of his head. "I do care about you a whole lot…but I really think John is the better choice for you."

I rested my hands on my belly, "Why do you say that?"

He looked at me with a soft smile, "I say that because I believe it. I mean I wouldn't have gone through the trouble to get him here for Christmas if I didn't think he really deserves you."

I dropped my gaze from him as some pain surfaced in my belly. "Well…that really means a lot coming from you Mark."

He smiled and then gently pulled me close to hug me. As soon as his arms wrapped around me, I felt even more pain from inside my belly. I groaned and nearly dropped to my knees in agony.

"What's the matter?" Mark asked as I leaned against my door for support.

I took a deep breath, "I think I'm having contractions."

He nodded and then helped me downstairs to the living room. Once I was seated on the couch he woke up John and then Serena to inform them that I was going into labor. By time he got all of my stuff ready, I had timed my contractions to be 6 minutes apart. Mark carried me to the truck and helped me into the backseat.

John hopped in the back with me along with Serena who sat on my left holding my hand. I kept my breathing going as the pain worsened. I felt as though it was taking forever to get to the hospital. John wiped my head to keep me cool while Mark did his best driving us through the snow storm. We made it to the hospital a little after 9, but I remained in labor until 3 o'clock in the morning. That was when I delivered my beautiful daughter, Gracie, into the world. She was 6 pounds 8 ounces, and had the loudest voice I had ever heard. A tear fell from my eye once they got her all cleaned up and gave her to me to hold. They then let Mark, Serena, and John into the room to see us.

"She's beautiful," Serena said with tears in her eyes. "She's got his eyes."

I nodded and then handed her over to her new Aunt. John then got a turn to hold her and then Mark for last.

"Wow, now this is what I call a Christmas present." Mark said. "Merry Christmas little one,"

I smiled at him as he handed her back to me. That day had to be the happiest moment of my life.