Embracing Us (Embracing Series) (14 page)

“Oh sweets, of course I do. I’m no one to judge you. I have my own secrets as I said before. That’s for another day. Does Liam and Evan know?”

“Liam does…sighs…Evan does not, and Liam doesn’t want me to say anything, he wants to raise the baby as his, even if he’s Evan’s. I can have a test performed now or wait until the baby is born. But he still thinks we shouldn’t. I’m so confused Meg.”

“Okay, first of all Liam is a wonderful man. But he can’t tell you not to have it done, if you feel you should have it done then do so.
If you don’t have it done and Evan never finds out that would be great, but if and when he does, then I’m sure it won’t be pretty. Does Nikki know?”

“I know, that’s what I’m afraid of. She does
, I just told her, and I’m afraid that she will tell Brody, who will tell Evan. So that’s where everything stands. I needed to tell you so I can get some advice from someone who doesn’t know Evan.”

“Babe, the only think I can suggest is that you follow your heart. Are you still in love
with Evan?”

“Thank you, no I’m not. I have
a love for him and always will. But Liam is my life, and I love him more than anything. I’ve hurt them both so much. Evan is actually engaged now.”

“I know you love Liam, you two seem so happy and everything always seems so perfect between the two of you. Was Evan engaged then?”

“I really did have a perfect life. I just saw Evan and well, my hormones started controlling me. I swear, I saw him and I was instantly wet. I know that’s wrong, but that’s how it was. I’ve made a vow to myself that I’m done with him. I will have to see him and his fiancé in a few months at the wedding.”

“Damn, is he that hot? That’s the way it is when I see Kade. Oh the wedding, let me guess he and his woman are also in the wedding party?”

“Yes, he is very attractive. And of course they both are. Nikki and Brody are even moving to where they will be living. So if Greyson is his, then eventually they will know.”

“Greyson? You guys finally picked a name? I love it.”

“Yes, we decided this morning. Okay, let’s go get those pedicures and I’ll be ready for some pretzels.” I say as I give my friend a hug.

My mind always goes back
to the conversations that Evan and I had about children and what Bryn did to him. All the heartache she caused him, aborting his child when he begged her not to. If this baby is his and I don’t tell him, then I’m no better than her. The thought run through my mind, over and over. Should I do this for my husband, so he will be content knowing that Evan can never be a part of the baby’s life. Should I do what I feel is best and tell Evan everything. Either way, I’m screwed, feelings are going to be hurt and hearts will be broken. If the baby is Liam’s then we have nothing to worry about.

We can just move on with our perfect life and put all of this behind us. I don’t want Evan to find out from someone else. I know it will break him. He has moved on from me, and I know he loves Tatum
, but he would never stay away from his child. This baby will be here very soon, six weeks to be exact. And I think I need to do what’s best for us all. I hope I’m making the right decision and that Liam will forgive me for what I’m going to do.

Our baby boy will be
here soon. In less than six weeks. We will be adding another Ellis man to the house. Ashton, AJ, and Kade are all living here. Ashton gave Christa the house, in exchange for all rights to AJ. She will probably sell the house anyways. We found a building for our new company, that Kade, Ashton, and I are opening together. We are starting ‘Ellis Boys Inquisitions.’ I’ve always wanted to work in investigations, when I was in the Army, that’s all I thought about, because Kade and I have been discussing it since we were teens.

We had talked about it a year or so ago and then when Lila, decided to take her little trip. I knew them that it’s what I wanted to do. We decided to also let Kade partner with us at the Wine Venue. So he moved here from Texas and is waiting for his condo to be finished.

We are meeting with the contractors today for the new location. It’s about twenty minutes from home and the Venue. We haven’t broke the news to Uncle Gil that he will be working more hours at the Venue now that Ashton and I both are going full time at the investigation location. Lila loves the idea of me working with the guys. I would love for her to stay at home and not go back to work, but I know she will. She loves working at the firm.

Pulling up in front of
the new building I see Ashton and Kade already waiting for me. I didn’t see the contractor and I thought I was running late. I get out of my truck and walk over to where they are standing.

“Hey, where is the contractor?” I
ask as I look at both of them.

“Hey man, he is in the building. We thought we would wait for you to get here.”
Says Ashton as he pulls me in for a bro hug.

“What the hell took you so long anyways?”
Asks Kade as he gave me a fist bump.

“I was hanging out with Lila, we were hanging baby clothes. You know the baby will be here very soon. I’ll probably take a few weeks off, if that’s okay with the two of you?” I
ask, but hell it’s my company too. They should have no problems with it.

“No worries dude, we got this. We actually have a few new cases that I brought from Texas. That’s if y’all want to work on them with me?”

“Of course we will,” Ashton and I both say in unison. Kade looks at us and laughs. He had that same laugh that Ashton and I have, a deep loud Ellis chuckle.

We
go in to talk to the contractor and get things rolling. The building is fairly large, and we want it to have three offices. We also want a lounge, so if for any reason we needed to bring the kids in with us, they will have a place to play.

“Does all this look okay with the three of you?” Bob, the contractor
, asks as he hands me a set of blue prints. I look at them and look at my cousins, and they agree that it’s perfect.

“Okay, I have a date so
I need to get going.” Says Kade, I knew he and Meg were talking. I just hope he didn’t hurt her, he has a past. Hell, I’m sure she does too.

“A date? With who?
” Ashton asks looking surprised. I know he had to have seen them together.

“
Megan Snow. We’ve been talking a lot lately and I see it going somewhere.” He says with a huge grin.

“That’s great man, she seems like a good woman. Her and Li, have become really good friends.” I say as I shake his hand.

“Let’s grab lunch Liam, my treat.” Says Ashton, I know he wanted to talk about something. He has been through so much lately.

“Okay, you riding with me?”

“Yeah, since Kade left me.” He says laughing.

We walk to the truck
, and decide we were going to Olive Garden, it’s only a few blocks away. Ashton and I wasn’t that close when we were teens, but we have become as close as brothers over the last four years. I would do anything I can to help him out.

“I know that Lila’s due date is soon. I wanted to see what was going on with the DNA situation. Are you going to have it done?”

“No, I don’t want her to. But she wants to. I know it’s wrong that I don’t want it done. I don’t want him taking my baby. He will always be my son, regardless. I just don’t want the test to say that he is Evan’s. I know I sound selfish, but fuck it I will be selfish.”

“You’re not selfish bro, I understand. I would do the same fucking thing. You know that Evan would too. I’m completely on your side and you know that. But dude what if the tables were turned? What if you were him? Wouldn’t you want to know, that she was carrying your child? I’m not saying that she should have it done, but Liam think about the position she is in. Then think about if you were he and what you would do if and when out that another man was raising your child.”

“Goddamn it. When you put it that way you have a point. Why is this shit happing? We had the perfect life, our family was perfect. When I found out about him years ago, I was afraid she would end up running back to him. I just don’t get it though, what the fuck does he give her that I can’t? That’s what infuriates me the most. Knowing that he made her happy, and that he had his fucking shit buried in her. I still think about that shit. Sometimes when we make love, I wonder if she was like that with him. He makes me sick when I think about it.”

“I know man, I honestly don’t know why she done it. She is Lila and we both know she falls fast and loves hard
, no matter what. Just think about what I said. Give it a few days. But he should know man, he really should.”

“I’m glad I can talk to you about this Ashton, it really means a lot to me. I know that we didn’t always see eye to eye, but I’m lucky to have you as not only my cousin, but my friend.”

“Anytime, man. You know, I won’t lie, I was so pissed that she went to you. But, I know that you had always wanted her, and that you would be better for her than I would.”

“Yeah, I’m glad you fucked up.” I say laughing as he gives my arm a little punch.

I wanted to talk to
Liam this morning about possibly calling Evan. I didn’t get the chance, I should have just blurted it out. But he had plans with the guys. I know doing this is the right thing to do if I ever in my life do anything the right way, it will be this.

“Hey bitchbag, how is my favorite pregnant woman?” I
ask as Nik answers her phone.

“Good, to know my bitch of a best friend still loves me. I haven’t heard from you in a while. I’m good, ready to get married before I look like the side of the barn.”

“Speaking of barns when are you moving to the farm?”

“Well, n
ot for months. We’ve already designed the house and picked out the where we want it on the land. I can’t wait for you to come visit. You will love it he- I mean, shit Li, this is awkward.”

“
No, it’s okay! Of course we will come visit you. Nik, I was calling, because I think I should tell Evan everything. Can you give me his number? Do you think I should, just tell him?”

“Of course you should tell him, I think that would be the best thing to do. I will text you his number.”

“Okay, now I just need to tell Liam. I know he is going to be furious. Nik, please tell me I am doing the right thing.”

“Lila Rae, this is the best for all of you. I’ll be there for Greyson’s birth, I promise. Now do what you have to do. I love you.”

“Thanks, love you more.” I say as I hang up the phone. I look down and she has already sent the text, with a number that looks all too familiar. Now I just need to tell my husband.

Me: Hey love, we need to talk. Will you bring me some
noodles on your way home?

Liam: Everything okay? Yes, the Japanese Thai Pan with extra be
an sprouts?

Me: Yes, just need to talk about something. Yep, that and an iced Tea…Please :)

Liam: K, alright. Headed to Noodle & Company now. Love you, baby.

Me: Love you more.

LIAM

Lila wants to talk, I
know just what in the hell she wants to talk about. That damn DNA test. I pull into the parking lot of the noodle place. I bang my hands on my steering wheel a few times. I go in and order her food. I will follow Ashton’s advice, I will have the test done. But she will not call him until after I do. Unless she already has, I hope she wouldn’t do anything without speaking to me first.

I’ve
always known that Lila and I would have a perfect life. There was never no doubt about it. I knew our children would be as beautiful as their mother and that they wouldn’t want for nothing. I never planned on raising another man’s child. A man that loves my wife as much as I do. The thought of it just pisses me off even more. Every time I think of what baby bean looks like I see that jet black hair and brown eyes.

Pulling into our drive way, I open the gate
, and the thoughts that are running through my mind are pissing me off so damn bad. I would give anything to take back the past and not have went to the Army, and begged Li to stay in California. I park my truck in the garage gather my thoughts, and take my sexy pregnant wife some food.

“Hey baby, where the girls? I got them some noodles too.” I ask as I kiss her lips. She
is wearing a white sundress with black polka dots and has her hair in that messy bun on top of her head.

“Hmm, I love you and I missed you. The girls are with Ashton, Kade
, and Megan. They took the three kids for ice cream. I was surprised you didn’t see them leaving. I ask Ashton if he could so you and I can be alone.”

“Oh, I didn’t see them. Is this conversation going to be the dreaded one that I think it is?” I ask praying she would say no.

“Liam, we have to tell Evan. Nikki sent me his number. I can’t keep this from him as much as you want too. It’s not fair to him, or Greyson. I don’t want to hurt you anymore than I already have, but this is the right thing to do and I hope you will understand that it is.”

After running my hands through my hair, I grab her and pull
her close to me as I kiss her forehead. After all these years her scent still takes my breath. I can feel her shaking in my arms. I feel tears on my shirt. As the tears stream down my face I whisper in her ear, “Call him, he has a right to know.” Those eight words leaving my lips hurt more than knowing he fucked my wife.

“Thank you, I hope we are doing the right thing.”

I stand next to my wife, while she makes a phone call to her ex-lover. I can hear the shakiness in her voice. I can see her tears falling. I feel sick, my stomach, my head, and my body. All the thoughts, come rushing through my mine, what if’s come pouring in. I can’t lose her or Greyson. My life is with her and our children, even if he doesn’t have my blood running through his veins.

“Hi, umm, Evan. This is Lila. I need to talk to you, if you
can call me back when you get this message. I would really appreciate it. Thank you and have a good day.”

“So his voicemail?” I ask knowing it was.
The way she is shaking, she would have probably fainted if he had answered. I hope he doesn’t call back.

“Yes, maybe he will call back. I know he is busy with moving and stuff.” She says then suddenly jumps to her defense. “Nikki, told me because they all are having houses built close to the farm, I mean the Martin
’s Farm that is.”

“Lila, it’s okay. Now we just wait for him to call back, we did what we were supposed to do.” I’ve notice she doesn’t blush by the mention of his name anymore. Maybe she doesn’t have the same feelings she had eight months ago, hell
, those feelings should have been gone years ago.

“I’m going to eat, would you join me
? Please.” She asks as she places her hand in mine. She looks up at me and says, “Thank you, I love you more than you will ever know.”

I bend down and kiss her. She looks up at me with tears in her eyes then her lips crash to mine again.
We kiss until we both pull back, licking our lips. I can tell she is still crying. I have no words that I know would comfort her, so I show her how much I love her. I pull her back in my arms and begin kissing her again, I sit her on the counter, and I place small kisses from her cheek, all the way down her neck.

“Hmm, Liam. Please, I need you.” She
begs. I slide my hands up her thighs until I reach her center, and with on tug the lace boy-shorts were on the floor. She is already wet, I love that my kisses turn her on so much. She pulls me closer to her and says, “Touch me please, show me how much you love me.”

“We can’t
, can we, isn’t it too close to your due date?” I ask her. She unzips my pants, freeing my dick from all the pain my zipper was causing. She pulls my pants down my thighs and starts stroking me, she slides back on the counter a little and pulls her dress over her head. He belly is so round and it makes her perky breasts much fuller. Her nipples are so hard. I take one in my mouth as she continues to stroke me.

“Are you sure it’s okay, Li
la?” I ask again, I know we shouldn’t with her being so close to delivering.

“I’m sure, all I want is to fill you inside of me.” The words
haven’t even left her lips all the way, and I’m already inside of her. I’m as gentile as I can be. For the first time in a long time, I feel a closeness that I hadn’t felt for a very long time. With every thrust, she moans louder. “Harder, please, you won’t hurt us.” She’s begging now.

I
give my beautiful wife exactly what she wants, I lay her back on the counter and scoot her ass to the end of it. Her legs are on my shoulders and the sight of her lying on the counter completely nude with me inside of her, makes me even harder. I can feel the penetration, feel her coming undone, and I want to come with her. I give her a couple hard thrust, making her body shake and her moans turn into screams. I know I can’t hold back any longer, I give her one last thrust as I feel every drop of me pouring into her.

“That was amazing, I’m still coming.” The smile on her face, lets me know that she is satisfied
. “Now noodles, I need my food.” She says laughing. I help her up and run and grab a towel to clean her off, then myself. She puts her dress back on and gets her food.

I
can stare at her all day long, she is as beautiful as she was when I met her ten years ago. I run upstairs and put some sweat pants on. I come back down, and she’s sitting at the table staring at me.

“
Look what you do to me, I can’t stop smiling at you. Do you know, I love you more than you will ever know?” She says as she takes another bite of her food.

“
You know, I love you more.” I say as I walk closer to her and kiss her forehead. I look over at her phone that is still on the counter. “So no calls.” I ask.

“Nope, not yet. He will call back, I’m sure. Maybe not though. I know that he is happy and I’m happy so there is nothing for you to worry about Liam. The baby and I aren’t going anywhere.”

“I know, he will have to understand that Greyson is mine regardless.” I seethe.

“He is yours Liam, I can feel it. He has to be. But the test will prove to us he is.” She says with tears in her eyes. I feel like that’s all we have done the last eight months is cry.