She started doing just that and already sold songs to famous musicians. Hell, the guys had several songs from Andy and we paid her a huge chunk of money for it.
Everything was perfect.
Leslie’s eyes scanned the huge tree and the tons of gifts under it. I went overboard with Andy and she did the same with me. Regardless of that, we had a ton under this tree for our family, I just didn’t realize they’d be coming today.
“You really love her, don’t you?” she asked me, her dark eyes meeting mine in kind. They twinkled with affection, something I never understood until therapy.
“More than anything in the world,” I vowed, thinking of Andy and wanting to carve her into my skin. She was a part of me, visceral, living, something I couldn’t live without.
“I didn’t think I would ever approve of anyone, but you treat her with respect, like a fucking queen, and seeing the way you look at her and how she looks at you, that shit is rare.”
I smiled, thinking of my little demon’s cute facial expressions and how happy she’d be if she was witnessing this conversation.
“This is too emotional,” Mari faux gagged. “Where’s the kitchen?” I pointed toward the east side of the house. She couldn’t miss it. It was the biggest room in our house. She walked off and Les laughed.
“Don’t mind her, she’s a bitter bitch because she’s in love with some dude.”
“Ah.” I nodded, thinking of how grumpy I was when Andy and I were apart. “I understand that.”
She smiled, memories flattering behind her eyelids. “I bet you do.”
Andy
I tried not stressing, seeing the text from Mari, Les, and Tays. But my stomach dropped, seeing the missed calls. Getting dressed quickly into the Mrs. Claus themed jammies, I hurried out to the kitchen.
Immediately hit with the sweet smell of ham, I followed it. In my kitchen, my three best friends sat, chatting... with my Madden.
He smiled in kind at them and it warmed my heart seeing how softened he seemed. A few months ago, this wouldn’t have been happening.
Madden, even now, was so proprietorial over me, but not like my ex once was. His possessiveness came from the caveman part of him. He didn’t control anything but my orgasms.
“Morning, sleepy head,” Madden mused, standing to come over to me. He smelled of cologne, weed, and my release from earlier.
“You didn’t clean your face?” I whispered, alarmed at the scent. It was attractive, knowing he didn’t care, but if anyone hugged him, they’d smell me.
“Badge of honor on my face all day? Absolutely not cleaning your seat until you are ready to sit on it again.”
The difference between him and I was that I whispered out of shame and he was loud, and my best friends laughed in response.
Slapping his chest, my face burned, warm and overwhelmingly uncomfortable. Sex was something we talked about all the time, but Madden was crass.
“See, knowing he gives you orgasms and a face to sit on,” Tays said with a chuckle, “means he’s a good man.”
I rolled my eyes, willing my face to stop heating. They were all dressed in the same jammies as me. We all got matching ones and my heart warmed, seeing them sport them.
My friends and I were never Christmas people, but this year felt so much different and we were celebrating my pregnancy with the whole family.
Tays stood, going over to Madden who seemed to be sampling the food. She slapped his hand and pointed out toward the movie room. “I know Les told you to go away. So, scoot that boot.”
Madden’s shocked eyes peered at me. It took me a moment to realize she’d touched him. Tays’s face fell, as if realizing it too.
“I’m so sorry—” she started, and Madden stopped her.
“It’s really okay, I was just shocked at my lack of reaction.”
A smile took over my face, and Mari’s and Les’s did too. “That’s amazing, baby,” I praised, feeling my heart beat a bit faster.
He came to me, kissing me harshly on the lips, then rested his forehead against mine. “I love you so much, little demon. Hurry with your surprise party so I can go back to fucking my children into you.”
Heat flared over my skin, thinking of earlier and the fact that he didn’t know I’d been pregnant for quite some time now. The girls schooled their faces quickly as he left and as soon as he was gone, their faces mirrored mine with amusement.
“He has no clue?” Tays asked, her voice softer.
“None,” I let out, feeling so happy to be able to give him this gift. They all came in for a hug and we held each other while emotions got the better of me.
“I can’t believe we’re going to be aunties,” Mari cried, her voice as emotional as I felt.
“I can’t believe I’m going to be a mom,” I cried softly, thinking of how six months ago, the thought would have made me sick, but Madden changed that entirely.
“You’re not showing at all, how far along are you?”
“Three months,” I answered, thinking of what Dr. Carlson said. “My doctor said I might not pop until month five or six since it’s my first baby.”
“This is so amazing, good thing, too, since you’ve waited an extra three weeks to tell him,” Les mentioned, rubbing my flat stomach.
“Have you felt a kick?” Mari asked, her face alight with happiness.
“Not yet,” I pouted. “She said I might not until twenty weeks.”
“Soon then,” Mari reassured and I nodded, thinking of that feeling.
As soon as Cars arrived, my heart felt full. They were rocking Christmas-themed sweats and a Ho, Ho, Ho t-shirt.
“Andy!” they yelled, rushing to pick me up. We hugged and they twirled me around. The humor and absolute joy in their expression made my heart so happy.
“I missed you, how have you been?”
They scrunched their nose, letting me know there was a story there, but with the band trailing behind them, I didn’t push.
“Madden is in the theater room,” I offered, pointing toward the west side. “You can’t miss it.” Carrig and Stony went toward there while Cars and Memphis stayed.
“Did you bring what I asked you?” I questioned Cars. They looked at Memphis and he nodded. I didn’t tell Memphis about my pregnancy, but him having this jacket and the way his eyes seemed solemn told me he was hurt from the acknowledgement.
I didn’t want to break his heart. Yeah, I couldn’t place my happiness in the hands of others, but he lost his baby girl and hadn’t recovered.
From Memphis’s coat, he pulled out a tiny jacket that matched Madden’s and handed it to me. “Hand-sewed the patches myself,” he mentioned, his accent thick as emotion clogged his already deep voice. His hair was braided today, away from his eyes, and the sorrow reflecting in his expression pushed me to hug him.
The warmth he offered had me softening. Memphis was only two years older than me, but somehow, with his loss, he seemed so much older.
“Mads is going to die,” Cars crooned, hugging me once more. “I’ll go distract him while y’all set up.”
“I might be a blubbering mess,” I admitted, holding the jacket to my heart. Madden would freak out, that was for certain. Cars kissed my cheek and smiled.