He still took her breath away. He still made her heart race too. One might think that being married now might settle her almost nerves about the sight of her husband, but Lisa felt those butterflies still often when she saw them.
Now, some might say those butterflies were the kicks she was clearly and most definitely now feeling all the time. How stupid of her to not know what that had been until Jack pointed it out.
Some might also say that her feelings of attraction or giddiness or whatever it should be labeled upon the sight of her husband was maybe even those pregnancy hormones of hers flaring up, wanting to 'drag him off' as she'd told Marion and Maggie, but even that urge was fading right now day by day, the bigger and bigger she got.
Still, whatever it was, she was very glad to see him waiting for her at the far end of her stable near her office doorway, Jack, casual but very well, sexy to her, dressed in his best dark jeans, a dark purple shirt she'd bought him for his birthday just weeks ago, waiting there for her, leaning up against the doorframe by her office door. As she made her way to him, not yet waddling but feeling close to it, she smiled and was happy to see that smile returned.
"Why hello, Cowboy," she grinned, Jack walking toward her, and the two meeting in the middle of her stable. "I'm very glad to see you."
"And I'm very happy to see you," he said, leaning down to kiss her. She clasped his forearms, kissing him back and then just grinned up at him. She was professional, yes, and this was her working stable, a multi-million dollar working stable, but she was also very family friendly, family oriented. Her staff had told her they liked seeing her happy, seeing her with Jack, now seeing her 'glowing and pregnant' although she felt anything but. Jack stepped back and winked at her. "Happy Birthday again."
"Thank you," she grinned back at him, looping her arm through his as they started toward her office. She gave a nod to two of her trainers who were walking by, putting up the horses they'd been working with. Jack glanced down at her.
"You're looking very Lisa-like today, and I say that because you've been telling me you don't feel yourself and haven't found much clothing that you like. This suits you," he nodded to her outfit today on her birthday, yes, a very 'Lisa-like' outfit. She'd finally found a line of maternity pants that were stylish-as stylish as maternity pants could be-and fit her. She had on khaki ones today with a white blouse, and she'd even splurged on a navy quilted vest to go over it, telling Jack she felt like the vest helped to hide some of her belly. She'd noted that when she had said that, while she was trying on the outfit, Jack hadn't commented and had looked away. So, she knew that her theory that it kept her from looking bigger was just wishful thinking. At first, she had told Jack she'd just wear some of her normal vests, cardigans, and outerwear and leave them open, but she'd tried that a couple weeks ago, and it had looked absurd. It had looked like someone walking around in clothing that was too small, which was exactly what it was. She wasn't in denial about needing things, but it was more of some sort of omen to her. She just felt that the moment she 'embraced' this pregnancy and started buying maternity things or things for the baby, their world would come crashing down.
So, their mantra still lived true-one day at a time. She'd bought three pairs of pants all the same style, just a khaki, black, and navy pair. She'd bought two pairs of maternity jeans and that was it as far as pants. She really, really was superstitious, which wasn't normally like her, but she just had this gut feeling-NOT the baby kicking this time-that this would end very badly.
"I actually feel like a little like myself," she nodded, as the two now walked hand in hand, arriving at her office door. She put her sunglasses up on her head and shrugged at Jack, "You were right that trying to find maternity clothing that was almost identical to my normal work wear would help."
"What was that?" Jack teased, leaning in toward her with a grin on his face, "Can we record that? I'm sure it will be the only time I'm right about anything." He kissed her head quickly, standing back upright then, respecting her 'boss' status, but neither of them felt the need to be cold or distant from each other at Fairfield. The truth was they were married. Lisa's staff adored her and she them. They adored her partly for her kindness and loving personality all the while being a very good negotiator and businesswoman. She and Jack never wanted to hide their affection when he stopped by her work, and on some level, she felt it made her more approachable at work. Here she was, a happily married and absurdly pregnant mulit-millionaire horse breeder and race horse owner. Her affection towards Jack at work hadn't been a problem yet, and she knew it wouldn't be in the future.
"I know," she rolled her eyes. "It almost hurt to say it, that you are right," she grinned. "Oh gosh," she looked at her watch and grimaced, looking up at Jack. "Here, I thought you were early for Amy's competition, but I'm very late. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to keep you. We will need to get going so we don't miss her jumping."
Jack nodded, "Well, I think it's very sweet of you to put this ahead of your birthday. I know you and Amy have gotten very close, that early morning time you two get to share. She adores you, but who doesn't?"
Lisa smirked, stepping into her office, as she pointed back to Jack, "I can think of several in this town who don't." She sat down in her desk chair to collect her things and instantly groaned, shaking her head.
"You okay?" Jack asked, tilting his head.
"My feet are killing me. You pointed out I look like myself. Remind my pregnant self that wearing my heeled boots is NOT a good idea right now. I really thought it would be okay since I've worn that same pair here forever. That's just what I like to work in, but it's like my feet have gone into revolt."
"I'll give the birthday girl a nice foot massage tonight. Sorry your feet are bothering you, but the doc said they'd start to swell. You need to wear more sensible shoes, Lise, especially with this weather turning. You don't need to be wearing those and slip on the ice when it finally does start snowing."
"I know," she made a face. "I need to find something that is comfortable yet okay for the snow, some basic flats and some simple boots. I'm not able to bend down and tie anything, so they have to be pretty simple and slip on. Whew," she leaned back in her chair and folded her hands over her stomach, "I'm beat."
"You sure you're up for going to Amy's competition? She'd understand."
Lisa shook her head, "No, we're going. I promised I'd go. She's doing so well this year, more confident in her second year of the junior jumping group. Okay," she pushed herself up with a grunt, "let's go. If I sit any longer, I won't get up and will fall asleep."
He moved quickly, as quickly as a 67 year old in good shape could, his small limp present from his arthritis flaring up to help her stand. She patted his arm as her thanks, and the two stepped toward the door together.
"How about this," Jack offered before he continued, "I know getting into the truck is getting harder. Let's take your car."
Lisa's eyes perked up, and she nodded at him, "That would be great on so many levels. Ehh, who knew the way to get out of riding around in your old truck was to get knocked up?" She started to laugh, as did Jack, Jack then shaking his head as they walked hand in hand again outside. She nodded toward her car, parked there by the office, "I know you like to drive, so have at it, Cowboy."
"You don't mind?" Jack raised an eyebrow.
"When have I?" Lisa rolled her eyes. "As much as you huff about this being a Porsche, you do enjoy driving it." He stepped up to her door and opened it for her, shaking his head from side to side.
"Ahh, I'd never admit to that in front of anyone else and would deny it if you told Marion or anyone else I said that, but," he gestured with one finger, "it is pretty fun to drive a sporty, fast car like this down the long stretches of desolate road up here. I can't argue there."
Before she got into the car, she patted his hand on the door with a smirk, "Good. Glad you can tolerate being in my car because I'm serious about your truck not being suitable for a baby."
He groaned but nodded, closing her door for her and not commenting more until he was in the car too, finally looking over at her as he put it into gear, "The truck is special-"
"Well aware," she laughed. "I didn't say you had to get rid of it. I just don't want her riding around in it. Jack, it's not even a double cab, and I don't want a car seat on that bench seat. The thing is so old it wouldn't know what the latch system is for a car seat if it tried."
"Ahh," he glanced at her, nodding, as they drove away, "so you have been looking at car seats. That's good to hear."
"No, no," she shook her head. "I haven't, really. I do know a thing or two, that modern cars and car seats have that latch system to secure the seat. This does," she waved at her car. "I'm guessing the person who invented the latch system is younger than your truck," she laughed, covering her face.
"Well, it seems silly to talk about this when you won't even look at car seats. I'm sure we could put something in my truck."
"It's not a matter IF but a matter of not happening, Cowboy," Lisa shook her head. "Not safe, and no, I've told you I'm not looking at anything-car seats, furniture, other baby gear yet. It's much too soon."
"Lise," Jack sighed, frowning as he glanced at her and met her gaze, "you're six months pregnant, what 24 weeks today. Hon, you are going to have to start making some plans."
"No," she pursed her lips, adamant about it. "I just can't, Jack," she shook her head. "I can't. The thought of buying things now and something happening-"
"Well, when are you planning to do so? I know that it was well, terrifying in the beginning, first the shock of actually being pregnant and then the knowledge that you'd had two miscarriages before and were just waiting for it to happen again. It hasn't. The doc has said that you're so close-"
"So close isn't a healthy baby," she turned toward him, frowning. "Look, with technology these days, I can have things researched and ordered in a week. We both know the cost isn't an issue, not that I'm someone wanting some over the top nursery anyway. Clean lines, simple colors, practical, safe, top of the line," she paused. "I'm not worried about how much any of this will cost, and I know that is a concern for most. I'm concerned about the pain of having all of these wonderful things and then not ever needing them. No, I'm going to wait. I'll look much closer. The baby isn't due until late January. That sounds like something we can do after Christmas, even all the sales then, something to enjoy, the thrill of a good deal at the end of the year."
"So, it's the last week of September now, and you're saying that you're going to wait another three months to start buying baby things?"
"That's what I'm saying," she told him with a nod. "I've approached this as we said, one day at a time. I desperately needed some clothing and did buy a few basics-"
"Few being the optimal word," he eyed her.
"I'm getting by. You know the weather is terrible around Christmas. That sounds like a perfect way to cozy up by the fire. I'll be a blimp because I'm already huge," she gestured to herself. "I know I won't feel like going anywhere or doing anything, not to mention if my feet hurt now, it does almost pain me to think about how badly my feet will hurt in another three or four months, so yes, we can sit by the fire, sip our coffee or tea, enjoy the Christmas tree, and we can research all things baby."
He pointed at her, "I'm holding you to that."
"I'm sure you will."'
"We also haven't gotten any closer on a name other than to veto absurd names we'd never use anyway," Jack stated.
Lisa sighed, but nodded, pursing her lips at him, "I know. I promise I'm not going to wait on that. We have said we'd give her a name. Can we not do that tonight for my birthday? We agreed to make a list and share it."
"Okay," he nodded. "Not for your birthday, fine. I know it's all stressing you out, Lise," he reached over and clasped her hand. "You have a knack for naming horses, but coming up with a name for our daughter has you all in knots."
She grimaced, "I'd hardly think it's the same comparing my naming race horses to naming a little girl."
"Why?" Jack questioned, eyeing her. She started to laugh and closed her mouth.
"Says the man whose longtime companion on the range for all these years is named Paint."
"Paint is a great name for a horse."
"A painted horse," she chuckled. "Yes, you are right. I do have a knack for naming horses. Flame Thrower was a great name for that horse I sold last month that won all those races before we retired him."
"What," he waved at Lisa's stomach, "is she going to be Kicking Beauty?" He held back his smirk, but Lisa caught him looking her way and burst out laughing.
"Kicking Beauty," she put her hand to her mouth and shook her head. "I'm going to remember that, not for her, but maybe my next horse, maybe her first horse."
"See," he squeezed her hand, "I like hearing you plan things like that. That's good, Lise."
She made a face, "It's sometimes easy to say something like that, but to be honest, the reality, thinking ahead," she shook her head again, "scares me."
"Well, I'll keep thinking ahead for both of us. You and Kicking Beauty over there just focus on behaving these next, what 16 weeks."
"Oh my," Lisa looked out the window as Jack turned into the arena the school used for competitions, "wow, a lot of people here today."
"You know how it is, some of these schools they compete against have these ridiculously big fancy teams."
Lisa grinned, "At least Amy's team is well outfitted. If I can't wear nice clothes right now, I'll at least make sure her team does."
Jack parked and looked at her, waving his hand, "Even if you weren't six months pregnant, you'd still have outfitted that team, so don' try to act like you did it because you can't shop for yourself right now. You can," he nodded to encourage her. "You don't want to, plus, you said money wasn't an issue, which I realize, but I think Amy's team probably has the most expensive riding outfits."
Lisa patted Jack's hand as they both started to get out of the car, "Only the best for that granddaughter of yours."
Jack walked around to help Lisa stand up from her seat, smirking at her, "I know you've told her you never are trying to replace Lyndy, which I appreciate, but we both know you're going to be in her life way longer than the three short years Lyndy was and Amy doesn't even remember. You married me, so Granny," he flashed a grin and Lisa groaned, dropping her head as she laughed, "she's our granddaughter. You're quite the special case, a grandmother before you're even a mom," he told her, kissing her cheek as they shut the door and started toward the arena hand in hand.
"That is some twisted family tree we have," she continued to chuckle.
He nodded in agreement, "Way I see it, the most beautiful trees have branches going every which way."
"Oh," Lisa smacked at Jack's arm, "look there's Dan. He does judge a lot of these." The two looked over to see Dan walking toward the arena, from his direction probably reaching the doors about the same time as them. Lisa smoothed down her hair, and Jack took notice of that.
"What? Dan gets the put-together, worried about how she looks Lisa? I'm chopped liver?" He winked at her, making sure she knew he was teasing, and she smacked at his stomach.
"I just am self-conscious about this," she waved at her stomach. "I don't need any smart comments from him," and then she grew quiet, finally adding, "I get plenty from you." He chuckled with a small grin.
"You look beautiful," he leaned over toward her ear. "I just told you that you look very Lisa-like, old," he added with a nod and jumped when she smacked at him. "That's only because it is your birthday, and you are a year older, not to mention that daughter of ours is giving you a run for your money."
"The doctor said I'm not the medical anomaly everyone wants me to be, over 15% of pregnancies are to women in their 40's."
"Yes, you were very happy to hear that. He didn't comment about men my age."
"That's because your body doesn't change and go through all of this!" Lisa gestured as they continued to walk. "You just smile and let everyone see what a stud you are," she started laughing, "while I have the nausea, heartburn, aching feet, and all of that mess."
"Well, I'm sorry," he kissed her cheek again. "I would take it on for you if I could. You're doing great, Lise, and the doc said the same. Said you were in really great health for your age and all."
"Yes," she grinned even more now, squeezing his shoulder. "He did say that," and she thought about that, the 'young, hot doctor,' as she'd told Marion about a few times now, commenting that she was in excellent health, better than many pregnant women 10 years younger. That had her feeling really great, and she really liked this doctor-sadly, she caught herself just staring at him often and not hearing what he had to say. He was really good looking, not that it was something she normally noticed, at least aside from Jack truthfully, but man, her hormones had been a mess, and she'd told Marion young, hot doctors should not be allowed to see pregnant, hormonal women.
"Lise," Jack said quietly, and she blushed, thinking about the doctor again, glancing up at Jack. She smiled, something about her rugged cowboy making her go weak in the knees. The hot doctor had nothing on her cowboy, truthfully. People might call her crazy, but Jack just was the one for her.
"Hmm?"
"Dan," he nodded, and Lisa looked to see Dan had almost intersected them by the door. She nodded.
"Dan, hi," Lisa waved slightly, her other hand in Jack's. "Nice to see you."
"Lisa," he gave her a small nod and stepped up to give her a small embrace. Lisa refused to let go of Jack's hand, and Dan put one arm around her back and pulled her in for a small hug. "I'd heard you were pregnant, what a surprise," he nodded, looking at her stomach.
"Yes, was to us too," she smiled with a small shrug. "Really, after everything, never expected this."
"Me either for you. I was in those appointments and heard the doctor say it wouldn't happen. Jack," he said, finally addressing him with a nod.
"Dan," Jack nodded back.
"Yes," Dan looked from one to the other, "well Jack, must have been quite the shock to you at your age."
"Just taking one day at a time," Jack said, wiping at his mustache, a nervous habit of his. "Life throws a lot of turns, so we're taking this as a good fork in the road."
Dan nodded, looking back at Lisa, waving his hand, "Well, you're looking good, Lisa. You really are. I'm sure this hasn't been easy."
"No," she nodded, "reliving a lot of the pain from the past when we went through all that, but," she let out her breath, "we're hopeful things could work out, cautious, but hopeful. We shall see," she told him, patting at her side.
"When are you due?"
"Ahh, end of January," she made a face, meeting Dan's surprised expression with a chuckle and a nod. "You're forgetting I knew you pretty well, and I know that face. Yes, I'm huge to have so far to go. Six months today."
Dan nodded, "I do hope it is all you want, Lisa, you too Jack, I mean, that having a baby at your age is okay."
Jack held back a grimace with Dan's comment. He wasn't being directly rude but anytime they saw him around, which wasn't a lot-Jack surprisingly more than Lisa, Dan made a dig about Jack's age.
"I'll manage, Dan, even if the baby and I are eating soft foods together," he smirked. "Just glad I can give Lisa this, something she's always wanted, something always just out of reach, out of any hope, as you know."
Lisa looked up at Jack, surprised he would say that, at least inferring this was planned. His words touched her, the truth of them, that yes, this was something she'd always wanted but had put out of her mind, out of her reach. Now, it was becoming more and more of a reality, close to happening, and that had her gasp now, all of that reality hitting her.
"You okay, Lise?" Jack put his hand on her back and looked to her with concern.
"Fine, she's just ahh, kicking," Lisa put her hand on her side.
"Hmm, a girl," Dan nodded. "Well, good luck. I do hope it's a smooth pregnancy for you, Lisa. I'd better get inside. Jack," he pointed toward him, "it's your granddaughter in the competition?"
"That's right," Jack nodded, eyeing Dan.
"Right, your daughter is around Lisa's age, so your wife and daughter are the same age, and now your granddaughter will be older than your baby."
"My idea of a good-looking family tree," Jack said with a shake of his head. "Blooming in all different directions. Lise, let's head inside to speak to Amy before the competition."
"I'm impartial, I promise," Dan nodded, walking alongside them as they stepped up to the door.
"Wouldn't think otherwise," Jack nodded. "Besides, Lisa adores Amy, so I'd think if anything, knowing you care about Lisa, you'd not want to disappoint her, but it's all a non-issue because as you said, you're impartial."
"Yes, well, I need to get to the judging area. Jack, you just take care of yourself, at your age and all," he gave Jack a nod. "Looks like you've got a lot to handle in the next couple decades, oh, and Lisa," he turned to her, "Happy Birthday."
"Ahh, thanks, Dan," she said with a tight smile. Dan walked off, and Lisa tilted her head and frowned up at Jack.
"Well, that was ahh, Dan, somewhat cordial and somewhat snippy."
"Yes, well that pretty much describes all of our interactions with Dan. Oh, did you want me to invite him to your birthday dinner?" Jack flashed a smile and hooked his hand over his shoulder like he was going to turn and follow Dan.
Lisa laughed and swatted at him, "I've already invited him, silly." That had both laughing again, and Jack gestured to the stands.
"Let's go watch the granddaughter jump. Then, we can take the grown daughter and granddaughter to your birthday dinner and follow that up with some time to relax on the couch later and see what the youngest one, Kicking Beauty is up to."
Lisa doubled over laughing at that as she shook her head, "You know what the problem is-"
"I didn't know we had a problem," Jack shook his head as they reached the stands. Before they started up to find seats, Lisa turned and grinned at him.
"When she finally does have a name, we'll probably forget what it is. We've come up with so many absurd ones. Marion is still calling her Poppy. Okay," she threw up her hands, "we'll settle on a name because I can't take any more of your ridiculous suggestions."
