“Yes, I mean, it is with me, but this is about Ellie. ”
“What about her? Is everything okay with her?”
I let out a small laugh. “Would just let me finish? I didn’t tell Ellie about the baby. She’s been so upset with the fact that she has not gotten pregnant yet, and I feel like if I told her then I’d be rubbing it in her face. ”
Sitting down on the bed, Jeff rubbed his hands down his face.
“Fuck. I didn’t even think about how this was going to be for Ellie and Gunner. ” He looked over at me and reached for my hand. “They’re going to be happy for us, baby. You know that right?”
“Yeah, I know that, it’s just. . . I’m so early on in the pregnancy, so I was thinking of waiting to tell everyone until after the wedding. Maybe we could even wait until after New Years? Just… well you know, just in case. ”
“Ari, listen to me. Everything is going to be okay. Please don’t worry about losing the baby. We’re going to do everything we can to make sure this baby is born healthy and happy. You can’t live in a glass box, baby. You’ve gotta live life. As far as telling people, I think you’re right. We need to wait until at least after Christmas. ”
“I love you so much. ”
“I love you, too, baby. Now, eat your breakfast, so we can head up to the ranch house. Gunner is probably pissed that I backed out on helping him and his dad mend a fence this morning. ”
Jeff got up and made his way back out to the kitchen. I could hear him cleaning up as I tried to eat all the food he put on my plate.
When my cell phone went off, I reached over to grab it and then saw a text from Ellie.
Ellie: Happy birthday, bitch! I love you more than life itself. See you soon ?”
Then, I saw Heather and Amanda’s messages. Hmm, I must of missed those earlier. I read both of them and sent off my thank-you’s to each.
Then, I sent another one to Heather: Are you going to be at the party tonight?
Heather: Yes of course! I wouldn’t miss it for the world. S
tudying my ass off. . ugh. Love you.
I finished eating what I could, and then I got up to get dressed. When I walked into the kitchen, Jeff was walking around on his cell phone.
“Can you hear me now? Fucking cell coverage!”
His words reminded me of that day we got stranded when the Jeep wouldn’t start. I had to laugh at the thought. Ah, the memories.
Jeff looked over at me and smiled. “It’s alright, dude. The birthday girl just walked in so I can’t talk anymore. I’ll catch up with you when I get into Austin. ”
“Oh, that was just plain mean,
Jeff. ” Jeff looked me up and down, and the lust in eyes almost made me lose my breath.
“Again, Mr. Johnson?”
“Holy hell, Ari. You look amazing ,baby. I wish I could, but we need to get up to the house. ”
I looked down at what I had on: a white T-shirt tucked into my jeans with my brown belt and cowboy boots.
“What’s so special about this?”
“You look beautiful. Come on!” He reached down and scooped me up.
I let out a scream.
“I can walk to the truck, you know. ”
“Oh, I know, but this way, I get to keep you close to my body,” Jeff said with a wink.