Stef sat in the passenger seat of an older model Honda Civic with her friend and mentor, Esmeralda Devereaux in the driver seat. Essie was a beautiful mix of gypsy charm with her long dark wavy hair and big brown eyes. Though Essie was older than Stef, they had become best friends over the past few years.
Stef watched the world drift by out the windows and her thoughts returned again to the twins that she had helped. No matter how hard she had tried, she could not stop thinking about them. Especially Phobos. Or was it Deimos? Uggh, which was which? The arrogant, misogynistic, single one. Grrr.
Why couldn't she stop thinking about him?
Because he reminds you of your father. Of your past. Of all of the other men that used and abused you. He is no different. Be grateful you won't ever have to see him again. Forget him and move on.
But, that was easier said than done. There was still a part of her, deep down that wanted to jump into his arms and explore every part of his being. He just didn't feel the same as the men before. And his eyes, they practically haunted her.
Girl, there is seriously something wrong with you!
"Stef. Are you alright?" Essie asked.
Stef looked over at her friend who showed her concern. "Yeah. I just have a lot on my mind. You know?"
"OK, but you know you can vent with me if you need. I am always here for you, and Bill is working hard to sort everything out. You deserve your happiness."
"And I appreciate that." Stef answered.
Essie was an amazing friend. But, Stef was not ready to vent all of these thoughts on her. She didn't even want to voice them and make them into reality. It was crazy for her to feel so much regret over a man that she barely knew and what she did know was way too over the top.
So, Stef hid these emotionally confusing musings behind the wall of her already screwed up life. Essie knew that Stef had been going through a lot, so she did not pry further. It was just assumed that Stef's quiet mood was about the other challenges of her life. And Stef was just fine with letting her assume.
After all, if she was not still obsessing over Mr. tall, dark and intimidating; then she would be obsessing over her train wreck of a life anyway.
Thank God, Stef had Essie.
Eight years ago, Stef was starting pre-med and biology classes in college. Esmeralda Devereaux gave a presentation on being a medically certified midwife.
Her passion really touched Stef. So, Stef approached her about doing an internship with her. Essie was flattered and they worked out the details.
Stef really thought her life was looking up. Essie was an amazing teacher and mentor. She and Stef had become fast friends. Stef had really found a calling and changed her major to Nursing with a certificate in Midwifery.
Stef really loved her work and continued to work with Essie when she returned to her education and start medical school to become an OB-GYN. It was only about eight months prior, that Stef took a break from actively working as a Certified Midwife.
However, for reasons that Stef still did not understand, one of the other students completely ruined her life at the end of the spring semester. Now, she is being investigated for attempt at medical fraud, the medical school refuses to let her continue classes until the investigation is completed, and, of course the licensing board has suspended her certificate to be a practicing midwife. However, the student loans got wind that she is on probation and is now asking for repayment when she has to pay for her first mistake of a lawyer and is now back to working with Essie while only making the salary of an intern.
Life seriously went down the toilet. And Stef was fighting her fears of losing everything that she had fought so hard for.
Essie has been her only support system through it all. Essie still keeps Stef on as an "intern" and lets her help with most of her clients. But, as they are paying for one midwife, Essie can't pay Stef more than that. And not all of her clients are comfortable with an intern being present. So, that makes the funding even more limited.
I need a second job. Stef thought as they pulled up to their newest clients home.
Knocking on the front door of a beautiful Antebellum mansion, Stef looked around at the well kept grounds. One of the interesting perks to being a midwife is that she got to meet lots of interesting women and get to know them on a level that helped them feel comfortable. So, there were lots of house calls.
Though, today, Stef was wondering what this couple does that they make enough for such a house?
"Don't worry, it's just Essie. I've got it." Stef could hear a woman calling from behind the door. A few moments later, the door opened to beautiful woman that looked to be just starting her third trimester.
Essie stepped forward to hug the woman. "Jenna, I would like for you to meet my friend Stephanie. Stephanie, please meet Jenna Theron."
"Nice to meet you. But, please call me Stef." She offered her hand.
Jenna looked at her hand. "It is lovely to meet you as well. Unfortunately, I don't have my gloves on at the moment and I have a thing about being touched by strangers. I hope you understand." Jenna was just an inch or so taller than Stef with long black hair pulled up into a ponytail and large almond shaped, hazel eyes. If it was not for all of the scars and tattoos that showed under her teal colored halter dress, Stef would think she was a model.
Stef frowned. "It will be difficult to be a back up midwife for you if you don't want me to touch you."
"Don't worry." Jenna smiled as she caressed her distended stomach. "We have a few months to get to know one another."
Letting them into the house, Jenna and Essie started to chat about the routine parts of a midwife's appointment at this stage of pregnancy. Things like nutrition, exercise, sleep habits.
The whole house smelled like fresh baked bread. Jenna lead them into the kitchen to sit while they talked. She offered them some warm bread just out of the oven and some lemonade.
"I know, I am not supposed to eat too much bread. I am not trying to trigger gestational diabetes, Essie." Jenna said defensively.
"Really? How many loaves do you have? And the lemonade? How much sugar do you use?" Essie chided.
Jenna set out the plates with bread slices and butter while she poured their glasses. "The lemonade is mostly for anyone visiting. I still mostly drink water or herbal tea flavored with cherries. The bread, I have been sending over to Sanctuary."
That caught Stef's attention. "The biker bar on Ursulines?"
"Yup. That's the one." Jenna smiled.
"Why would you send the bread there?"
Jenna sat down at the breakfast bar next to the two midwives. "They are extended family of mine. I lived there for almost a year while I got my feet under me. I love the whole lot of them dearly." The love on her face was obvious as she talked. "The bread is just a hobby for me. Since I am pregnant, I can't beat into people like I am used to, so pounding dough helps me get some of my frustrations out. Rather than it going to waste, I send it to the bar for the family to eat."
Essie jumped in to explain. "Jenna is former Special Forces. So, she is accustomed to daily combat training. The sudden stop of full contact training has made her a bit antsy."
Stef's mouth formed an O shape as she understood. She guessed the dough would be therapeutic to beat on. Maybe she should learn how to make bread? Get out her own frustrations pretending the dough was Justin's head after her legal meetings.
"I still train, but it is more Tai Chi, meditation, things like that."
The women continued to chat about baby plans as Jenna gave them a tour of the house and lead them upstairs to see the nursery where they could go over the supplies to make sure she was fully stocked. It was Jenna's hope to have the baby at home with family, not in a hospital, so there were specific things that were needed.
The house was beautiful. From the front door, there was a lovely entryway that included a gorgeous dark wood staircase and a two wingback chairs. To the right was the formal dining room and open concept kitchen, obviously the house had been remodeled. To the left of the entry way was the large living room complete with a huge tv and game systems.
Under the stairs though, was a short hallway that connected to two small, odd bedrooms that had no windows, each with their own bathroom and a common half bath from the hallway. That hallway T'ed off at another passageway that lead from the kitchen to the living room and was lined with a wall of windows out to the small gated courtyard that lead to the back yard. It was a beautiful garden area and very secluded, the perfect place to just sit and read. Stef could really get used to a home like this.
Up the staircase, there was a banister that looked over the entryway below with two more wingback chairs. Across the back portion of the home, there were four bedrooms. The two at opposite ends were both designed as master suites. Then in front of the doors of each master suite, was another bedroom that extended over the dining room and living room areas. For a total of eight bedrooms in the home. One of which was set up as an office. Jenna lead them to the farthest corner that stretched over the kitchen and dining room area. That was where her master bedroom was located with her husband, and the room across the hall was set up as the nursery.
It was a beautifully decorated nursery. The furniture was all set in classic styles of dark wood, the walls where a soft blue green that was darker than a turqoise yet lighter than a teal. The decorations were shades of white, brown, turquoise, teal, and green.
"Strange, I just helped two men pick out these same pieces two weeks ago. It really is one of my favorite combinations."
Jenna grinned widely. "Tall, dark and handsome with some attitude issues."
Stef's eyes widened. "No way. Their yours?"
"Oh yeah." Jenna grinned wickedly.
Just as that settled in, Deimos walked into the room with Phobos right behind him. "Hey Darling, I just got a summons to return to work…" He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Stef with Essie. He cocked his head at her, a subtle grin pulled at his lips. "Well hello again."
"You again?" Phobos growled.
Deimos elbowed him in the chest. "Be nice in front of the guests."
"Why? She's infuriating."
"And you're a chauvinistic pig. But, you don't see me jumping down your throat until after you shove your foot in your mouth." She crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows at him.
"Well then maybe you can pull my foot out while you are in there." His brows creased.
Stef face broke out into a look of exaggerated shock. "Did you just admit that you might need a woman's help with something?"
Phobos's eyebrow raised as he very slowly looked Stef over from head to toe. "Baby, there are many things that I could use a woman's help with. I am definitely man enough to admit that."
Stef growled as she tightened the grip on her arms and glowered at him. Though, nothing could hide the blush that flushed across her face instantly.
Jenna and Essie were laughing at the two of them and Deimos wanted to strangle them both.
Jenna finally stepped in between them all and put her hands on her hips. "Oh, this is going to be an interesting few months. Stef is Essies back up coach and will be at the house often as we get closer to the baby's arrival. So, I am sorry Phobos, you are going to have to learn to play nice." She reached up to pull his head down for a chaste kiss on the cheek.
He finally broke his arrogant demeanor and looked a little sheepish when he apologized to Jenna. Not to Stef. Only to Jenna. "I'm sorry. I will try. But, only for you." He kissed her forehead. Then he left for the office grumbling his way down the hall.
"Are you sure that I can't kill him now and save me the headache?" Deimos whined.
Jenna turned to her husband and gave him a passionate kiss. "Go to work before you piss off the wrong people. We will catch up when you get back." Then he left as well.
Then she and Essie started to laugh again. Stef just scowled at them.
"I am sorry." Jenna finally said. "I have never seen someone get under his skin like you have. Pure entertainment, we should sell tickets."
"How can you stand him?"
"Easily. Phobos is rough around the edges, but really is a good man." At least Stef now knew which brother was which. Maybe she should write his name on a paper and use it for target practice on the dart board?