Baby Makes Five (A Multiple Birth Book 1) Read online

  “I’m sorry,” he said looking at her.

  She looked at him for the first time since she got here, “What for?”

  “Everything I guess and for basically attacking you just now.”

  “It’s okay. You aren’t alone. Amanda feels the same way, but I had to see you, to make sure you were okay.”

  “Thanks, I was going to call you. Thanks for being here and last night.”

  “You’re welcome. I’m sorry too, for leaving, not telling you I moved back in with Amanda and for last night."

  “There is no need to be sorry; I should have told you everything. I don’t blame you. We do need to talk, but not here.”

  She nodded and asked, “what were you thinking putting yourself in danger?”

  He looked at her and smiled. “I didn’t think, after that driver hit me and then the other car I was on autopilot. I saved a mother and her child. You would have done the same thing.”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Yes, you would. It's what I love about you.”

  She sat silently digesting his words. “You scared me last night. I thought I lost you. Don’t ever be that reckless again. I am not sure I can survive another scare.”

  “I’ll try not to.”

  “Don’t try, just never do anything like that again,” she sniffed.

  He sat up and held her hands in his, “I am here Miah. I know it could have been worse, but I am here. I don’t have any plans to leave you and the beans anytime soon. Please don’t cry.”

  “I am not crying. It's allergies."

  He laughed, “you are such a bad liar, and you don’t have any allergies.”

  “A gentleman would agree with me.”

  “I know,” he smiled. “So you’re moving back in with me, thanks.”

  “I should never have left in the first place.”

  “You must be really shaken up if you are this agreeable. Don’t get me wrong I am not complaining.”

  She laughed, at least, he was his old self.

  “So why did you leave?”

  She sighed. “I was going to wait until you come back to ask about what I heard. Then I received a text with a picture of you entering a woman's home and…well, I thought…” she shrugged not finishing.

  “Who was the text from?” he asked.

  “I don’t know; the person said a concerned friend.”

  He nodded in thought. He doubted the person was concerned for her well-being. They had accomplished what they had set out to do, make her doubt him.

  “I should get dressed. Bruce will be here to pick us up any minute,” he said sitting up.

  “Would you like me to call the nurse to help you get dressed?” she asked looking at the door.

  He laughed, “no I am a big boy. Thank you though.”

  “Would you like me to leave, keep a look out for Bruce?” she asked nervously as the sheet fell on the ground in front of her.

  “No, not unless you are uncomfortable watching me dress,” he replied amused.

  She looked at him and quickly looked away. Clearing her throat, “Of course not, why would I be?”

  He watched her throat bob up and down as she sat straight on the chair fiddling with her jacket zipper. He smiled so she wasn’t as immune as she’ll like him to think. He grabbed his pants and pulled it on. He was about to pull his shirt on when a wicked thought occurred to him. “Can you help me with my shirt?” he groaned, “my arms hurt, and I don’t want to disturb the dressings on my back,” he lied.

  She looked at the door then him and nodded. He handed her the shirt as she approached him.

  “Thank you, Miah.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” she said helping him into the shirt. She was about to move away when his hand stopped her.

  “Do you mind helping with the buttons?” he asked holding up bandaged hands.

  She nodded and started with the button at his throat, making her way down to the last one. “What, does he think I am made of stone?” she mumbled softly happy to have done the last button.

  “Is something wrong?” he asked innocently.

  “No,” she said unconsciously tucking the tails of his shirt into his pants. He groaned, and she stopped her hands still at the waist of his pants.

  She looked at him, “sorry—”

  He replied by taking her lips. She sighed and melted into him as far as her stomach would allow. He tightened his arms around her softly nibbling her lips before deepening the kiss. He had to control the shot of desire that zapped through him, reminding himself that sex was off limits. He devoured her mouth. It's been months since he kissed her like this.

  His hands moved to cup her full breasts as much as his bandage allows. She moaned in pleasure, tightly holding onto the front of his shirt. He lifted her onto the bed and moved between her legs.

  There were a knock and the door, and the both pulled away from each other breathing fast. He looked at the door to see an embarrassed Bruce standing there. “Hello Bruce, thank you for coming.

  “Morning sir, Miss Miah, it's good to see you.

  “Thank you, Bruce,” she said still not looking at Ash.

  “ I just wanted to let you know I was here. I’ll wait outside.” Bruce said closing the door.

  “I guess that’s our cue to leave. Are you okay?” he asked concern.

  “Yes,” she said clearing her throat. “Let’s go,” she got off the bed and waddled out the door head held high.

  He stood in the room for a minute. He touched his lips, and a smile spread across his face. “She loves me,” he said leaving to catch up with her and Bruce.

  They rode home in silence. He caught her taking glances at him when she thought he wasn’t watching. His day was beginning to look brighter.

  ***

  Miah was out of the car before it came to a complete stop. She walked to the house like the devil was on her heels and made it safely to her room before she slowed down. She headed for the washroom and washed her heated face before collapsing on the bed. She closed her eyes, touching her lips replaying the kiss in her head.

  Had they ever kissed like that before? She didn’t think so. The kiss had been different, more intense than they had ever shared. It was more passionate as if there was something added to it. There was an urgency hunger in the way he greedily took her lips. She groaned at the wet well forming between her thighs. She had forgotten where she was and would have let him took her there if Bruce hadn’t interrupted even though she wasn’t supposed to have sex.

  She was still hot and needed some release but knew a cold shower was her only answer. She sat up and pulled her sweater over her head. She might as well get it over with and see if he has settled in okay. She was about to take her skirt off when there was a knock on her door.

  “Miah, can I come in?” Ash asked at her door.

  She looked at the sweater she had thrown on the ground. She didn’t feel like picking it up, the camisole she was wearing will have to do. She walked to the door and opened it letting him in. She walked back to the bed and sat. “Did you need something?” she asked watching as he stood in front of her.

  “That’s a loaded question don’t you think?” he asked running a hand through his hair. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay. You ran in here as if …about the kiss. I am not sorry I kissed you. If that’s why you ran off—”

  “It’s not. I am not sorry either Ash. Look at us. I am huge, and you are all banged up. We still have things to sort out and the kiss.The kiss was amazing. It blew me away.”

  He grinned, “it was pretty hot, and as you being huge, you're not. You are beautiful Miah. You’re glowing. How can I not be in love with you?" He stopped realizing what he had said.

  She looked up at him, “You’re in love with me?”

  He sat on the bed next to her not saying anything for a minute. He turned to her and held her hand. “Yeah, this isn’t how I wanted to tell you but yes, I am in love with you, I have been for a while. It’s the reas
on I didn’t want to tell you about Wendy. I figure if you knew about her, you wouldn't want to have anything to do with me.”

  “Is that her name, Wendy?”

  He nodded and took a deep breath. “I didn’t have sex with her not before or after you, and that’s the truth, Miah. I received an email from the clinic where I stored my sperm. There were a fire and three of my samples were destroyed and the fourth they think they used on Wendy. They aren’t a hundred percent sure if it’s my sample but wanted me to

  know.”

  “How could they not know?” she asked softly.

  “Apparently, there was some mix up with the new staff member."

  “You could have told me this when you found out. It wasn’t your fault, and it wouldn’t have made a difference how I feel about you.”

  “And how do you feel about me?”

  “You must know I’m in love with you; I told you that when I had my surgery.”

  “I hoped, but I thought that was the anesthesia talking.”

  She laughed, “you think I was that drugged up enough not to know what I was saying?"

  “Yeah, I also remember you were scared as well.”

  “Or perhaps it wasn’t what you wanted to hear at the time. Maybe you wanted to believe I was out of it because you think I couldn’t love you?”

  “Have you been talking to Tom?” he asked.

  “No, but I am not your mother or grandmother,” She said turning to him and holding both his hands in hers. “I love you. I am in love with you. It’s free of charge, and I don’t expect payment for it. I am not going anywhere unless you ask me to, and then, I am not leaving without a fight. There is no more running for either of us Ash. No matter what, I’ll be here for you even if the baby is yours.”

  “Thank you, I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I am happy you’re here with me.”

  “Now that we have this all cleared up, what did you expect to happen when you visited Wendy?"

  “I thought maybe I could convince her to have a DNA test now instead of when the baby was born. She denied.”

  “Good for her, you know how risky that could be. You had no right to ask that of her.”

  “I know, but I wanted to make sure… I wanted—”

  “You have to learn that you can’t always control things, Ash. Life happens. Failure isn’t a bad thing. We learn from our mistakes and get up, move on and hope we make better choices. You need to learn to accept that. You can’t predict everything.”

  “I know. It's hard. I am accustomed to getting what I want and controlling the things in my life.”

  “I know, but there are some things and people you can’t and shouldn’t try to control.”

  “I get that; I am trying. I really am trying.” He said resting his forehead on hers and his hands on her stomach.

  “I know babe, and you are making progress. Everything is going to be all right. We are going to be okay. You just have to have faith and patience. There is always room for another baby to love.”

  “You are an amazing woman you know that?”

  “I’ll like to think that’s why you are with me.”

  “That and more,” he said kissing her.

  “Don’t start something you know we can’t finish,” she warned.

  “There are other ways we can satisfy each other without having sex, want me to show you?” he asked his lips against her throat.

  She nodded.

  ***

  Miah woke up Christmas morning to contractions but put them off as a false alarm. She had been having them on and off for the past week. Twice they had ended up at the hospital only to be told it was Braxton Hicks. She didn’t want to spoil the day. So she went on as if nothing happened and made breakfast.

  They were sitting in front of the Christmas tree cuddled up looking at the twinkling lights. She wished her mother were here and couldn't wait for next year when the babies would be here to enjoy the scene with them.

  Ash cleared his throat and sat up pulling her with him as he did. He got off the couch and kneeled down in front of her.

  “What are you doing?” she asked surprise as her heart leap in her chest.

  “Miah, you’ve turned down my first proposal, which I don’t blame you for doing, but it wasn’t easy for me to ask or accept your rejection—.”

  “Ash, let’s not—.”

  “No, hear me out, please. I need to get this off my chest. I can honestly tell you that at no time did I think I would be asking you to marry me… again. I never thought I would fall in love, but I did, with you. Most of my life I’ve been afraid to make attachments to others, especially women because they always leave or disappoint me.

  “You came into my life and changed that. You show me what it’s like to love and trust someone. It took me a while to learn this, and here I am vulnerable bearing my heart to you. I love you, Miah. I want to spend the rest of my life loving you, getting to know everything about you. My life has been fuller since you came into it.

  “I love you for the wonderful woman you are, not because you are the mother of my unborn babies. They are just the icing on the cake. I would be honoured if you agreed to become my wife, my partner, and my soul mate. You make me believe in happily ever after. I want it all. The white picket fence, the two point five kids and a dog. But only if it’s with you. My life is not complete unless you are in it. You are the only one who can do that. So Miah, will you marry me?”

  “First it’s three maybe four kids and yes, yes I’ll marry you. I love you so much,” she said throwing her arms around his neck crying.

  “I hope those are happy tears,” he teased, kissing her. “Thank you. I promise to spend the rest of our lives making you happy. I will always try to keep a smile on your face.”

  “You already do.”

  “You deserve the best wedding, and you will have it after the babies are born. However, for now, I know how much being married before they get here means to you. I’ve called in a few favours and has everyone standing by. We can get married whenever you want.

  “Now would be a good time,” she said, closing her eyes and breathing deeply.

  “Okay, but we don’t have to rush today. We can do it tomorrow. Let’s enjoy the moment.”

  “Now. I want. To. Do. It. Now,” she gritted squeezing his hand.

  “Alright as you wish, are you okay? it looks like you are in pain,” he asked with concern.

  “That’s because I am, my water just broke. These babies aren’t waiting any longer.”

  He jumped to his feet, “now? But we have three more weeks. Maybe it’s just a false alarm again, are you sure?” he asked pacing the floor.

  He looked as if he was about to pass out. She would have laughed if she wasn’t in so much pain. “Yes! They don’t care. They want out, and it’s not like I can stop them. Get me to the hospital and have your people meet us there. I am not pushing unless we are married, understand?”

  “Yes. Let me get your bag…where is it again? Never mind, I’ll find it and call Dr. Sand. Breathe, remember our classes. Maybe you should sit; that might help. Are you sure you are okay? Breathe In, out, there see—.”

  “Ash, stop—”

  “What is it, what’s wrong?” he rushed to her side.

  “Stop panicking, breathe or you’re going to end up face down on the floor. That won’t do us any good. We still have enough time to get to the hospital,” she said calmly.

  He took a deep breath and exhaled. “Okay, I can… we can do this. I'll get our things.”

  “Yes you do that,” she replied as another contraction hit her. She grabbed her stomach and moaned.

  “Are you sure? That didn't look like you are okay—”

  “ Ash I love you, but now is not the time to start flipping out. We are having three babies here, so if you can get the bags and take me to the hospital, I would be grateful. I am not giving birth at home.” She gritted.

  “Yes,” he said running up the stairs to grab the bag.


  As he was out of sight Miah, sat. She wasn’t ready for them to be born. She wasn’t sure she could do this. She wanted her mother. She would know what to do.

  He came rushing down the stairs and almost tripped on the last one. She laughed holding her stomach.

  “What’s so funny are you okay?” he asked looking at her with concern.

  “You, it’s a treat to see you this flustered and unorganized,” she answered grabbing her stomach as another contraction hit.

  “Okay let’s get you to the hospital,” he said appearing by her side and leading her to the garage. He helped her into the passenger seat before taking his. “James will meet us at the hospital,” he told her backing out of the garage.

  “James?” she asked distracted forcing on her breathing.

  “He’s the judge. He is the one who is going to marry us.”

  She nodded, “How far are we from the hospital?” she asked groaning.

  “Five minutes max. How are you doing?” he asked holding her hand.

  “I feel like three watermelons are trying to escape from my vagina, other than that I am good,” she said crushing his fingers.

  He laughed, “glad you can still joke about it. You can do this babe, just keep breathing. I know it hurts but think of the end game, how wonderful our children are going to be.”

  She nodded, “I am scared,” she whispered.

  “Everything is going to be okay. The babies are big enough nothing is going to happen to you or them,” he said bringing her hand to his lips.

  “How can you be so sure?” she asked softly trying not to panic.

  “Because I have faith, and we saw them a few days ago. We’re almost there sweetie, just a few more minutes.”

  “Ahh, are we there yet? I think I feel a head, and it hurts like hell,” she groaned doubling over.

  He grabbed her hand as he pulled into the hospital entrance. He jumped out and waved the waiting nurse over as he opened her door. “Her contractions are three minutes apart, and she is in a lot of pain,” he updated the nurse.

  The nurse nodded as he helped Miah into the wheelchair. “Dr. Sand is already here after she examines Miah, she will give her something for the pain.”