Warped (16 page)

CHAPTER THIRTY

AUGUST 2
ND
2014

I’m nervous. It’s not like I haven’t already met Damon’s family and been accepted by them, but knowing we’re sharing the baby news tonight is nerve wracking. Flora believes I can’t conceive naturally, just like I believed, so I’m hoping she can accept our baby without freaking out. Damon has been assuring me there will be no problem.

I wanted to break the news to them in a special way and Damon thought the best way would be with t-shirts. He bought one for himself with two stick figures, one a man and one a pregnant woman, with the words ‘Mission Accomplished’ written across the chest. 

Mine is more personalised. Damon had the scan picture printed on a white tank top with the words ‘Coming January 2015’. It’s sweet and made me cry. Damon laughed, kissed my tears away, and proceeded to take me to orgasmic heights. I forgot all about the shirts then.

It’s a warm August evening, so I’ve got on new maternity short denim shorts, flip flops, and my new tank. My hair is pulled back in a messy knot, with tendrils hanging around my face.

Damon is making us late to the barbeque in the hopes that everyone will be out back when we arrive, so they can all hear the surprise announcement at once. Butterflies take flight in my stomach at that thought. What will they all say? What will they think? Will they be happy? These are just a few of the questions that have been swimming around my head for the last few days.  

Damon comes strolling into the bedroom just as I’m ready to leave. He pauses when he takes in my outfit. His chocolate eyes darken as he slowly drags his gaze over my bare legs. His eyes soften as he looks at my growing baby bump, covered with the scan picture tank top, before moving to linger on my growing bust. When his gaze finally lands on mine, a peaceful expression is gracing his face.

Damon strides over and drops to his knees before me. This has been a routine for him every day since we came back here from my pops’ grave. He seems awed now he’s had time to process being a father.

“Hello, baby,” he speaks softly to my growing bump. “It’s daddy here. I hope mummy is keeping you warm and well fed in there. I can’t wait to meet you.” Tears fill my eyes. The changes in Damon since we reconnected blow me away. He always said he didn’t want children, but it’s clear to see he loves our baby already. “We’re going to surprise your grandparents and uncle tonight by announcing you.” Damon smiles up at me when he sees I have tears streaming down my cheeks. Thank God I chose to go sans make up tonight. Damon grins at me before returning his attention back to my belly.

“Mummy looks super sexy in your scan picture. I might have to bite those shorts off with my teeth later, but that’s nothing you need to know about jellybean.” I slap at Damon’s shoulder when he says this, causing him to bark out a laugh. “Remember, Daddy Rocks!” he says before placing a kiss on my bump. I laugh at him. He’s said this every morning and night to jellybean. He stands, drawing me into his arms. “What’s so funny, Miss Knight?”

“Nothing, Mr. Hunt,” I say innocently, trying to hold back my grin. I fail. “Daddy Rocks!” I try impersonating his deep voice. Damon chuckles then grasps the back of my thighs and hoists me up to wrap my legs around him.

“Daddy most definitely rocks,” he says, pressing his hardening cock into my core. I moan at the contact. My sex drive has been at an all time high recently, and Damon has been taking advantage. Damon laughs at me, knowing I’m suddenly wishing we could just stay home and make love. Unfortunately now is not the time. Damon carries me out the bedroom and downstairs whilst I pepper kisses along his neck. 

****

We pull up to Flora and George’s home twenty minutes late. Everyone should be here now, just waiting for us. Nerves take flight again, freezing me in place. I can’t get out of the car even as Damon opens my door. My body has locked down, refusing to cooperate.

Damon crouches in my peripheral vision but I can’t hear his words. Blood roars in my ears like white noise. My heart takes off in my chest, feeling like it’s going to pound out of me. My breathing picks up as I struggle to gather myself.

“Baby, take deep breaths... that’s right... breathe with me,” he smiles. “You’re okay, beauty, I’m here. I’m right here.” His words penetrate my brain now, helping me calm down. I breathe with him as instructed.

Once my body has calmed, and the nerves settled, I look into Damon’s sable eyes. The milk chocolate brown has flecks of hazelnut with the warmth of a tropical sun. He’s so gorgeous. How did I ever think I would be able to stay immune to his charm? He softly strokes my cheek, staring intensely at me.

“If you don’t want to do this beauty, I’ll get back in the car and we can drive away and eat out. You don’t have to do this. We don’t have to tell them yet if you’re not ready.” His declaration eases my worries. He’s so sure his family will be happy.

I plaster a smile on my face and shake my head. “I’m okay, Damon.” I try to sound sure but I’m not.

I can do this.

“Don’t do that, beauty. You never have to be fake with me,” Damon growls. “If you don’t want to do this, if you’re not ready, we won’t. You never have to do anything you don’t want to.” His words hit me hard.

Damon cups my face in his large, comforting hands. His touch unravels my last defences, breaking me down so he can see straight into my soul. I never feel more connected to Damon than I do when he holds my face and looks deeply into my eyes. He makes me open, splits me wide to see inside.

He means every word he’s saying. I can see it as clear as day shining in his eyes. Flora will be happy, I know that. Deep down, I know she will but it doesn’t stop the fear of them believing the worst. My biggest fear is they will think I’ve trapped Damon with this baby.

Damon searches my eyes, just watching me. He’s happy we’re pregnant. He can’t wait to share our news. He’s sure they’ll be over the moon, that their reaction will be different than his. He came around in the end.

I take a deep, steadying breath and look at Damon. He’s so excited to tell his family about our jellybean, and I can’t take that away from him. I give him a genuine smile this time. As long as Damon is okay with this, why should it matter what anyone else thinks?

“Let’s go share our good news.” His eyes light up, a grin parting his lips. That one look confirms that I’m right to give him this. He looks ecstatic. He leans forward and presses his lips to mine in a soft caress. His eyes remain locked on mine, not wanting to break our connection. He grins against my lips.

“Let’s go share our fantastic news.” The heat of his breath on my mouth and the vibration from his words sends a wave of desire cresting through me, and pleasure curls tightly between my thighs. This is what Damon gives me. He gives me everything, all of him. He gives me
him
.

I climb out of the passenger seat with the help of Damon, but he doesn’t release me once I’m standing. He pulls me along behind him, the excitement spilling out of him like a nuclear blast. His entire being is radiating joy.

We travel around the side of the house, following a path leading to the back garden. I can hear chatter of the Hunts as we round the side of the house. I suck in a breath when the beauty of Flora’s garden hits me.

The garden is huge, full of lush green lawn, and bright colours burst to life all around in flowers. A white stone path leads straight down the garden to a wooden gazebo. The front is open displaying an elegant slate grey eight-chaired dining table and chairs. Three sides have white curtains billowing in the slight breeze, in their own synchronised dance. A black shiny roof protects the furniture inside. A large rectangular pool fills the whole side length of the garden. It’s simply stunning.

Damon walks confidently down the path towards the garden dining area, where his family is sitting, talking and laughing. My hearts speeds up again, but this time with anticipation and hope. We step up the two wooden steps and into the room. The floor, the colour of Damon’s eyes, feels solid under my feet as we walk into the gazebo, and to the seats in the centre of the area.

George and Spencer stand to greet us, shaking hands first with Damon, and then pulling me into a hug. “Happy to see you back together, Els,” Spencer whispers in my ear, giving me a gentle squeeze. I smile up at him.

“Me too, Spence.”

When Spencer releases me I glance over to Flora, who is frozen in her seat. I follow her gaze to Damon’s t-shirt, and watch, waiting for her reaction.

I tighten my grip on Damon’s hand. Totally unaware of his mother’s scrutiny, he turns to me with a frown. His gaze moves to Flora who is as still as the trees behind her that line the bottom of the garden, and we wait with baited breath. Spencer and George notice Damon’s and my attention is on Flora and pause in their conversation to look at her.

Tears fill her eyes as she slowly becomes unglued. She stands, using the table for support. Taking a deep breath, she straightens and gives us a small  watery smile, before making her way over to us.

She stops in front of me, her eyes dropping to my stomach. My body is tense, strained. Flora takes in the picture on the front of my tank top for a whole minute. Tears fall from her blue eyes. I gasp a breath when she pulls me into her arms.

I faintly hear George asking Damon what’s going on, before congratulating him, but my focus is on the petite woman clinging to me. I’m lost in the feeling of her motherly hug. Flora is desperately embracing me, holding me as if she’s scared to let me go.

“Thank you,” she cries, her voice a soft whisper. I swallow past the lump lodged in my throat, not knowing what she’s thanking me for, but knowing she means it with every beat of her heart. The reverential tone and words melt my heart. After a time she steps back to cup my stomach, “Congratulations.”

I smile with tears in my eyes. She places a kiss on my cheek then turns to Damon. Grasping his face, she pulls him nearer to her, making him crouch. Flora grins at him, her azure eyes glistening with joy. The Hunt brothers may get their looks from their father, but that smile is all Flora. Damon chuckles down at her, drawing her into a tight hug. Flora doesn’t release his face, she just continues to share her joy with Damon.

“You’re all excited about shitty diapers, sleepless nights, and no sex? Hell no, you’re all crazy,” Spencer says, making us all laugh. He winks before coming and embracing me. “Congratulations, Ella. You’re everything he needs,” he quietly says. Pulling away with a grin he says loudly, “I guess you are officially off the market now then Els.”

Damon growls before claiming me from Spencer’s grasp. Spence barks out a laugh, holding up his hands in a surrender motion. I laugh at his antics, knowing he was joking. Damon spins me and kisses me possessively. I giggle against his demanding lips and break away.

Damon’s desire-darkened eyes blaze with arousal. My stomach flutters at the hungry look in his eyes, and heat pools low in my belly. My heart thumps against my ribs. I’m almost positive Damon can feel it pounding.

“No wonder your mission was accomplished, D. With the way Ella is looking at you. Fuck me, that’s hot,” Spencer calls. A laugh erupts from deep within, and I fold in half, holding my stomach as I giggle.

When I compose myself enough, I stand and look around the family surrounding me. Each pair of eyes smiles back at me, and for the first time in a long time I feel at peace.

Relief like I’ve never felt before settles inside my heart. I feel it swell until I think it might burst. Joy and contentment swim in my veins. This is where I belong. I’m right where I’m meant to be.

I’m part of a family again.

****

As the evening settles and the night sky darkens, small spotlights are turned on, lighting the room. I’ve filled up on grilled steak and salad. With a side burger. And onions. Did I mention I’m eating for two?

“Let’s hope she looks like Ella,” Spencer muses aloud whilst we let our food settle.

"She?” I question, amused. I raise a brow at him.

“Yep. Think how crazy that will send him.” He nods in Damon’s direction. I look at Damon and see him holding back a smile. “I’m taking her for her first pint. Cool Uncle Spence,” he says proudly. I laugh at him and George chortles across from me.

“That’s if Damon ever lets her out his sight,” George adds. I look at Damon and see him grinning at his dad.

“She won’t want to leave me. I’m gonna be her favourite person. Daddy’s little angel,” Damon answers. My eyes widen as I take in what he’s saying. He’s speaking like he’s thought all this out. He turns and gives me a smile that I’ve only seen him use when he speaks to, and about, jellybean. His face is relaxed with contentment, his eyes shine with happiness, and his smile is soft. “She’s going to look just like her mummy. Stunning,” he declares. My heart melts.

I haven’t really thought about the sex of jellybean, my little miracle. I’ve had too many emotions to really sit and think past each day. From Damon’s words I know he’s thought this out. I lift an eyebrow at him in silent question.

“You can’t tell me you haven’t thought about it?” he questions.

“I haven’t,” I smile. “I can tell you have though.”

“I can see her. She’ll be just like you, beauty.” He strokes my cheek, before bending and kissing just below my ear. “She’ll be a good girl though, not like her naughty mum,” he growls in my ear before sucking on my earlobe. I moan, completely forgetting where we are, and shut my eyes, just enjoying Damon’s touch. He does this to me. He sets me on fire. Spencer chuckling breaks me out of my bubble.