Disclaimer: And again, I am inclined to tell you that I'm not SM.
Thank you very much for all of your lovely reviews , especially Miilla who writes the nicest longest ones and has a wicked Embry imprint story called 'Unwritten', you should check it out....seriously.
I sat cross-legged in the middle of the bed watching the open window with excitement. A half hour had passed since Paul left and in that time I had changed into my PJ shorts and vest top, pulling on my usual knee-high bed socks. I had washed all of my make-up off-which had begun to annoy me-and my hair was scooped back into a high ponytail, a few curled tendrils framing my face. I wasn't worried that he wouldn't come back. His excited smile as he bounded out of the door told me everything I needed to know and I wasn't even feeling slightly drunk anymore, I guess the excitement at the party had gotten to me as well. I shivered as the cool wind blew into my room and I grabbed the blue hoody which was hanging on the back of my arm chair and pulled it over my head, picking at the sleeves as I stared at the dark blue sky which was sprinkled with silver stars.
I jumped at the sound of the tree below my window creaking and my breathing picked up as I heard a grunt. I tensed hoping-but knowing-that it was Paul and I couldn't stop the grin that spread across my face as his head popped up over the window-sill.
"Hey." He whispered and I giggled at how comical the whole situation looked. He beamed at me before swinging his leg over and landing gracefully in-front of me. "Sorry I took long." He said sitting on the edge of my bed and kicking his shoes off before twisting around to lay back-hands behind his head-onto the head-board. "Had to put Georgie to sleep." Patting the space beside him, I shuffled back to sit next to him still cross-legged and faced him putting my right elbow on my right knee and leaning my cheek onto it.
"Why was she still awake?" I asked hoping that it was too pertinent a question.
"They were...arguing again." He sighed closing his eyes, a frown starting to form on his forehead.
"Was she okay?" I felt weirdly protective of Paul's little sister even though I'd only known her for five days. She was such a gentle timid little girl and hearing that she was in a house which seemed so chaotic always made me feel mad. She deserved somewhere peaceful and so did my Paul.
"Yeah, she was just tired." He breathed. He smiled up at me his eyes halfway open and I leaned over to smooth out the worry lines with my finger. As I reached over he snaked his arm around my waist pulling me down so that I was tucked under his arm, my head on his chest.
"Pushy." I commented pouting up at him.
"Some one has to be." He chuckled wrapping both of his arms around me. I bent my knee a little so one of my legs were over his and he gently stroked my face from my temple to my jaw. I snuggled my head into his chest and I draped my right arm over his waist.
"Doing anything this weekend?" He mumbled, his voice slightly quieter.
"Oh my Mum and her boyfriend are coming over tomorrow morning, well..it's, this morning now." I giggled. "Actually, I was wondering if you wanted to come over for dinner this evening?" I titled my head up trying to read his expression.
"To meet your Mum?" Oh crap. I hope I haven't just scared him away.
"Yeah?" It came out more like a question and I tensed up, a little frightened of what he was going to say.
"I'd love to. What time?" He whispered into my ear, tightening his hold on me. He smiled a huge smile down at me and I looked back down, trying to hide my goofy smile. He actually wanted to meet my completely dysfunctional family. Could he be anymore perfect?
"About sevenish. Oh, and Georgie can come round on Sunday if she want to." I said after a minute of comfortable silence.
"I like that you get on so well." He mumbled, his hand rubbing up and down my arm.
"Me too."
I loved how peaceful and relaxing it was snuggled into Paul's side. We were both gazing up at the ceiling and listening to each-others breathing as they each slowed. I never knew relationships could be so simple. It felt weird to think of not having him around and we'd only known each-other for two-weeks. Two weeks. Jesus, it felt so much longer than that but I knew I definitely wasn't ready for anything more..physical. He'd obviously had a lot more experience than me and I was a little intimidated. Sighing, I turned further toward Paul until I was curled around him, feeling his arms wrap around me even tighter.
"Sleep, Bail's." He murmured into my hair and I shivered as his hot breath tickled the top of my head.
"I'm not tired." I replied but my protest was completely over run as a yawn fought itself out of my mouth. I shook my head trying to clear my head and force my eyes open.
"Bailey." He said my voice in such a stern tone that I looked up already expecting the accusation in his eyes. ".sleep." He punctuated each word with a kiss onto the top of my head and I ran my hand up a little higher around his waist. I'd nearly forgotten how much muscle was packed into his 7ft frame and I loved how protected I felt when I was around him and I could feel my eyes begin to close as I drifted of into a gentle slumber.
"I love you so much."
I don't know whether it was a dream or a weird interpretation of one of Paul's snores but I shuffled a little in my sleep and held myself tighter to Paul as I heard the stomach churning words. I fell into a deep sleep with a small smile on my face, dreaming of times when someone would actually say that to me.
****
I was pleasantly surprised when I woke up before Paul. I was glad that I hadn't pulled the covers over me in the night because even with my mini-shorts on I was boiling. He wasn't joking about the whole freaky heat thing. I tried to distract myself by looking up at his annoyingly handsome face (which I got to kiss. HA.) and I watched as he snored lightly his mouth hanging open slightly. I reached up, yanking my arm out from his tight grip and brushed his hair away from his face, smiling as he shuffled at little at my touch and his hold tightened around me again.
"Paul." I whispered kiss in his collar bone lightly. "Paul, we have to get up." He groaned and wiggled around a little.
"Five minutes." He mumbled, not even bothering to open his eyes. I sighed, totally willing to give him his extra few minutes in my bed. I glanced over at my alarm-clock and groaned as the flashing number read: 10:00. Mum will be here in half an hour and all I want to do is go back to sleep in the arms of my perfect boyfriend. Oh, life is tough.
"BAILEY, MUMS EARLY." I froze as I heard Dakotas voice floating toward my door and Paul shot up to sit on my bed his eyes fixed on the door as I was practically seated on his lap. I braced my-self and halted my breathing as the door knob jiggled under her hand. Shit.
"BAILEY OPEN THE DOOR. "She groaned giving my door one more loud knock before she stomped off down the hallway with a huff. Paul sighed loudly underneath me and I relaxed.
"I should get going." He yawned stretching his arms out and away from me. I frowned as the cool air in my room hit my skin but it soon disappeared when he took my face in his hands. "I'll be here at seven alright?" As if he needed to ask. Jesus, he could do anything when he used those big brown eyes on me so early in the morning.
"Yeah." I whispered. I leaned in and softly pressed my lips to his and one of his hands moved from my face to around my waist and he held me tighter to his chest. I was a little worried about the horrid morning breath but mine had never been that bad and he didn't look bothered about it. I gently traced a finger down his face as I kissed him back passionately, not wanting to let go but knowing that I would have to. My other hand was cupped around the back of his neck softly ruffling his hair. I jumped as the door bell sounded from downstairs and he pulled away from me. I pouted, annoyed at the loss of physical contact but he tenderly pecked my lips before placing me on the bed and walking toward the window.
"I'll see you later." He nodded a huge grin on his face and I smiled back so much that it hurt. If only I could wake up every morning with Paul, I'd never be in a bad mood, ever.
"Don't be late." I said trying to sound stern as I pointed a finger at him.
"Yes M'am." He replied with a salute. I snorted at his attempt to sound soldierish and watched in awe as he leapt out of the window with one last smile. I flopped back onto my bed and closed my eyes a huge smirk on my face.
"BAILEY, MUM AND JAMES ARE HERE YOU IDIOT. HURRY UP." I groaned. Why was she so impatient? I did hear the bloody door bell.
"I'M COMING." I yelled back. If it was just Mum who was visiting I would gladly walk don stairs to greet her in my PJ's but Joshua was closer to my age than hers and it made me a little uncomfortable for him to see me in my short shorts. I grabbed a pair of jeans and a simple t-shirt and ran to the bathroom to change. Dabbing on a tad of foundation and blusher I un-locked the door and ran down-stairs, skidding on the wooden floor in eagerness to see Amber, my mum.
"Bailey. Oh it's so good to see you." She cooed embracing me in a tight hug her mahogany hair tickling my cheek.
"Aw, I missed you mum." I breathed in her slightly vanilla scent before she pulled away brushing a strand of hair away from my face.
"You look different." She commented. "Good different." I smiled at her as she sat back down on the sofa and I became aware of everyone else in the room. Joshua was smiling serenely from his spot next to my mum and I smiled back in a way of greeting.
I was slightly surprised when Mum had brought him home that first time. He was ten years younger than her and was in no way ugly. His blonde hair was slightly lighter than mine and he always seemed to have a bit of stubble which seemed to make him look even younger. His bright blue eyes were always bright and aware and I could imagine hundreds of girls drooling over him but some how my mothers soft caring nature and deep caramel eyes. They were hopelessly in love and whilst seeing each other I don't think I've ever heard of one argument between them. I turned to Eva who was sitting in a armchair across from them a huge grin on her face. She loved family occasions and having her sister and niece's in the same room she couldn't be any happy.
"Is it alright if Paul stays for dinner tonight?" I asked wringing my hands together nervously, fully aware that every ones eyes were now focused on me.
"Sure." She nodded the smile never faltering.
"Who's Paul?" Mum turned in her seat to face me and I rested against the arm of Eva's chair figuring out what I could-or should-say. Dakota giggled from her spot on the floor at my ever reddening face.
"Paul is Bailey's boyfriend." She laughed un-abashed with the current situation. Mum's face turned a little sour as this information sunk in and I noticed Josh giving her hand a little squeeze in reassurance.
"You never told me you had a boyfriend." She spoke the last word a little delicately as if she wasn't trying to jinx it.
"He's only been my boyfriend for a week." I protested, hanging my head and picking at my nails wishing they could just change the subject to something less embarrassing, like the weather.
"I guess we're going to have to figure this guy out then Ambs." Josh announced with a smirk from the sofa.
"You don't need to 'figure him out'. Eva knows him already." I retorted using air quotes. He sniggered and leaned his head back on the sofa.
"Paul's a lovely young man." Eva spoke up and I looked at her in shock and awe, pleased that someone had use of a range of vocabulary this early in the morning and was standing up for my Paul. "Helps me out with keeping the garden and pool all clean. A very considerate young man if you ask me." Dakota was nodding and grinning like a chesire cat, watching the tense scene before her.
"Got a great body too," She commented with a grin. Josh snorted quietly at Dakota's lack of shame. I turned to her, my mouth wide open. She had been checking out my boyfriend. Dakota, god's gift to men had been checking out my boyfriend. HA.
"A week and you've already seen his body?" Mum gasped looking at me like I was some tramp which and walked into the house from off the streets.
"There is a beach near here Mum." I replied slightly annoyed that she would just jump to the wrong conclusion.
"Oh yes." She tried to look less worried and if she were okay with the whole thing but I could see her stealing fugitive glances at me for the rest of the morning as everyone chatted about the normal things e.g weather, jobs and homes. God, could we be any more generic? Then I remembered Mum's mysterious secret and I leaned forward looking for a break in the conversation. Eva had just finished telling Mum a house-hold tip on how to rid glass of finger marks when I decided I should ask.
"Mum. What was that secret you were going to tell me?" I asked hoping that it would take the focus off me. I was right. Eva and Dakotas eyes swivelled toward Mum and Joshua. A small smile tugged at each of the mouths and they looked at each-other, adoration shining out of both of them. Josh nodded once a grin breaking out over his features and Mum turned back toward us.
"It's pretty big, so brace yourselves." She breathed holding Josh's hand in her lap and looking over us anxiously. I watched her with baited breath, various situations running through my head. What if they were getting married? Maybe she's moving to Australia. Okay my minds running away with me let's just shut up and listen.
"Joshua and I....are going to be...parents, again." I froze, well I definitely wasn't expecting that. You could have heard a pin drop as we all stared at the both of them expecting some one to burst out laughing and shout 'JOKE'. I held my breath hoping someone would break the awkward silence and Mum looked back at Josh as if asking for help. He sighed heavily and leaned forward clapping his hands together loudly and standing up.
"Well, we are going to..unpack." He announced to us. Eva was the first to re-cover and she jumped up with a squeak her arms around her sister in record time. I could see the happy tears streaming down her face as she tightened her arms around my mum. Mum's eyes hadn't moved though they were still fixed warily on me and Dakota, flickering in between as we sat there frozen trying to digest the new information.
We had a new brother or sister, growing in our mother belly. Yeah they would only be our half sibling but I'd always wanted a younger sister to play dress-up with or a new brother to run around and play hide and seek. I could just imagine their sandy blonde hair and dark chocolate eyes a beautiful combination of their parents who looked so in love. At least they would have a dependable father un-like myself and Dakota, and I couldn't wish for more. They would have a proper family and maybe it would bring as all closer together.
"Oh my god." I screeched at exactly the same time as Dakota ran over to give Mum a hug, practically knocking her off the coach. Everyone's eyes snapped toward me probably taking my outburst as something negative. "I'm going to have a little brother...or sister." I added letting them know I was actually over the moon. A huge grin broke out across Mums face as she realised both of her daughters were happy about the little baby in her belly and Josh chuckled beside her leaning over and giving her shoulder a affectionate squeeze. She stood up, Dakota still hanging from her side and beckoned me over with her free arm. I ran over practically knocking Josh off his feet and wrapping my arms around her waist.
"I'm so happy you're okay with this." She sniffed rubbing both of our backs as we clung to her.
"What did you think we would do?" Kota asked looking up at her with a chuckle, kissing her cheek and then pulling away. I stayed in the secure hug, un-believably happy and watched as Joshua's expression turned from shock to content as Dakota hugged him excitedly. He slowly wrapped his arms around her back and I grinned at him, happy that he felt more like family now.
"Well now... let's stop being all soppy and go shopping for baby clothes." Eva declared moving over to us and throwing an arm around my shoulder as I pulled away from my Mum.
And that was what we did. All five of us, a happily dysfunctional family, moving around Port Angeles picking out yellow romper suits-blue and pink were too generic-and musing on which pram they would choose when the time came. I began to think that the smile would never disappear from my face as I walked through the aisles and knowing that I would see Paul in less than five hours gave me all more reason to be utterly and un-waveringly content.