TANNER*

With minimal noise, Kaysen ushers me inside and closes the door. Away from prying eyes, she pushes me toward her bed; her kiss was both urgent and intense. In our haste, the backs of my legs caught on her bed, sending me sprawling backward with Kaysen falling on top of me.

As much as I would love to make love to her again for the second time today, I know it’s not a good idea. Kaysen needs rest, and she is supposed to be taking it easy. Reluctantly, I end our kiss and Kaysen wines, pouting and batting her eyelashes; her vibrant sky-blue eyes doing crazy things to me, I don’t understand.

My heart skips as I get mesmerized by the pools as her gaze penetrates into my own. It seems as if time has stopped and looking into her eyes; I know that I’ve met my life partner, my soulmate, my everything. I tuck a strand of her thick, long black hair that’s hanging over her shoulder behind her ear and sigh. “You have absolutely no idea what you’re doing to me, or how beautiful you are, do you, baby? I want to make love to you so bad it hurts, baby, but we can’t. We had a close call with Cora last time, remember, and you are supposed to be resting and relaxing. It’s best for us to change and go to sleep.”

Kaysen grins, chuckles, and nods in agreement. Her laughter is heartwarming, deepening my affection for her. “I am aware. It’s just that you are perfect in every way, Tanner. I overheard your conversation with Cora about Michael earlier. The experience was so overwhelming, I cried in the bathroom. You handled everything so well. It was endearing. I’m struggling a lot with pregnancy hormones. Any time I’m around you, I just want to pounce. I’m in need for you to be inside of me all the time when you are near, and I can’t help it.”

She chuckles again as she bends down to peck my lips. “I’ve got to pee and brush my teeth. Get comfortable and I’ll be back,” she says, then gets up, walks over to her dresser, rummages around until she finds some sleeper shorts and a T-shirt; then winks at me as she walks out the door.

***

My alarm sounds on my phone, and I reach up, turning it off before it would wake Kaysen. I wasn’t quick enough because the beautiful minx stirs and starts bucking her plump sculpted ass into my morning wood.

“Shhh, baby,” I whisper in her ear, kissing her cheek. “I need to go home and get ready for work. Go back to sleep, and I’ll see you tonight. I love you, baby,” I say, brushing my lips to Kaysen’s and climbing out of bed.

Last night I had stripped down to my boxer briefs while she had changed into her shorts and t-shirt. We had crawled into bed after she had returned from the bathroom. Throughout the night, I cuddled her, never leaving the comfort of her warm, supple body that had given me the feeling of security and peace. It hadn’t taken long for Kaysen to fall asleep, as I held her from behind and brushed my fingers through her hair.

It was the best sleep I’ve ever had, even surpassing the nights she stayed with me two months ago. I am determined to never let her go.

If, by any chance, she receives a cancer diagnosis, I will spare no expense to find the best doctors to treat her. However, deep down, I have a feeling that she will be alright, just like our babies. 

I pull my clothes on as quiet as possible, gliding down the hall towards the bathroom. After relieving my bladder, I made my way out of the bathroom to be confronted by Nancy. Ah, fuck. Here we go. My eyebrows furrow and I stand my ground, folding my arms on my chest, not speaking a word.

“Follow me, young man,” Nancy hisses quietly, and I follow her to the kitchen. This isn’t gonna go well.

“You stayed the night last night?” Nancy questions me while pouring herself some coffee.

“Of course I did. Kaysen was upset, and I would not leave her that way. We did nothing but sleep, if that’s what you’re worried about. I respect this is your home.” 

“You’re the one Kaysen went home with two nights in a row two months ago, aren’t you, Tanner?” Nancy questions me as she sits next to me at the table.

Not wanting to be an asshole and provoke her judgemental complex further, I keep my mouth shut and nod my head yes. I knew this wouldn’t be good, and I felt it was best to keep my mouth shut. But I didn’t want to lie to Kaysen’s mom, either. It’s not her damn business what we have done in the past. We’re two grown adults.

“My daughter is not a whore. You are not welcome to stay the night again ever unless you two get married. Am I understood? You better make this right, Tanner. Do right by my daughter. Having sex out of wedlock is not something my daughter does, and she will no longer warm your bed until you get married. Am I making myself clear, young man?” 

I’m about to be thirty-one fucking years old. The nerve of this woman. I’m brought back to all the times Kaysen and I have fucked and made love. Including the one time I made love with Kaysen in her bed. That was an oversight on my part. We had been apart from each other for so long and I wasn’t thinking clearly. Neither was Kaysen. This woman is making me feel like a teenager sneaking around from their parents. I have so many things I could say right now, but I decide to keep my mouth shut, giving her a blank stare.

“You have nothing to say, Tanner? My daughter is a good woman. If you leave her as you did two months ago, I’ll make it to where you’re peeing like a woman for the rest of your life. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“Kaysen and I did nothing last night but cuddle and sleep, Mrs. Richardson. I’ll abide by your wishes, but you need to stop treating Kaysen like she’s a rebellious teenager and stop being so strict and rigid towards her. I’m sorry, but I’m going to be late for work. Goodbye, Mrs. Richardson.” I entertained this conversation long enough. With a nod, I rise from my seat and leave.

I need to get Kaysen and Cora out of this house as soon as possible before her mom finds out Kaysen’s pregnant. All hell is about to break loose, and I need to protect Kaysen from all the stress her mother will provoke.

***

I just walked into the office. Today was our last day before closing the office and going on a two-week sabbatical. Everything that had happened between Kaysen and me couldn’t have happened at the best time. Another sign that Kaysen and I are soulmates.

I walk into Blaze’s office for our morning meeting, not surprised at all to see that Connor and Wade aren’t here. Jace and Blaze are here, of course, and I’m ten minutes early, but still. Those two are always late. That’s fine by me, I guess. I just want to get this all over with, because I have a lot on my plate that needs to get sorted.

“Jace, Blaze, how are the babies doing?” I ask, hugging them both and sitting in a seat across from Blaze’s desk.

“As ornery as ever, but everyone is doing well,” Jace says, chuckling and shaking his head.

“Same here. I’m thinking we get this meeting over with and call it a day,” Blaze says, steepling his fingers as he looks up at the clock.

“Sounds like a plan to me. I’ve got to go pick up some paint from Home Depot. I’ve got to start the painting on my house today.”

“I’m lost. What are you talking about? You bought a house out of the blue? You’ve had that same apartment for ten years,” Blaze asks with a quizzical look on his face.

“Kaysen and I found a beautiful rental home yesterday, and we were told that we could paint the house and make it our own,” I say, and Blaze nods his head, grinning.

“That was quick. I guess that’s why you missed work yesterday.” He waves his hands in the air, chuckling. “It’s fine. We have had nothing going on this week anyway, and you finished up all of your paperwork the other day when you returned. I know exactly what it’s like to meet the woman you belong to.”

Gosh, I’m sure I’m red as a strawberry right now. I can feel the heat rising all over my body. Blaze has caught me. He knows exactly where I’m coming from. “Yes,” I croak, and clear my throat. “Kaysen and I had some things pop up, and she needed somewhere to go so she could leave her parents’ place. We hope to be moved in within the next two weeks. Is there any way you two could help me get the house painted? If we all work on it together, it should only take three days?” 

“I don’t see why not. We could leave from here and head that way. Vega and Lyra are going to be thrilled to hear this news,” Jace says, and Blaze nods his head in agreement.

“Well. Connor and Wade are thirty minutes late. Maybe they thought yesterday was our last day. There isn’t anything that we can’t pick up and go over when we return in two weeks, so let’s call it a day,” Blaze says, and we all get up to leave.

***

“Wow, this house is amazing, Tanner,” Jace says, gazing at the open floor plan in front of him.

“You should see the master bedroom and ensuite bathroom. It’s not as beautiful as the houses we have built over the years, but it’ll do for now. I have paid the entire year’s rent, and after…” I trail off. I almost spilled the beans on Kaysen being pregnant. Keeping her pregnancy a secret will not be easy. Especially with my brother and Blaze. We talk to each other about everything.

“Uh… Kaysen and I are hoping to have a house built for us by then,” I recover, walking away.

“We could go over plans after we return to work in a couple of weeks,” Jace says, catching up with me.

“The rehab hospital has a few months to be completed, and then we could jump over and get to work on your home, Tanner,” Blaze says, flanking me on the left.

“It’s no rush; we could always sign another lease if needed,” I explain, leading Jace and Blaze through the home.

“So, where do you want to start?” Jace asks.

“Connor and Wade should be here soon. I texted them before going to Home Depot. Let us start with the bigger rooms first. Like the living, dining, and kitchen areas, and then make our way to the other rooms.” 

“Alright, that sounds like a plan,” Blaze says, walking to the entryway, to separate all the materials so we could prep all the rooms for painting.

***

All five of us worked our asses off until five in the evening, and now I’m headed home. We all got two coats of paint on the walls in the kitchen, dining, and living areas.

Blaze has invited Kaysen and me to bring Cora by to play with Adelaide, so Kaysen would be at my place in thirty minutes so we could head over there.

After arriving back at my place, I ran upstairs to take a shower and get dressed.

I settle down on the couch to relax for a moment and a knock sounds on my door, interrupting my moment of peace. Glancing at my watch, I realize Kaysen’s fifteen minutes early. Chuckling to myself at her eagerness, I make my way towards the door, knowing that she’s just as excited to see me as I am to see her.

Mae’s presence surprises me when I open the door. “Hey Tanner, can I come in for a moment? I won’t be long. I just wanted to come by and say goodbye.” 

“Uh… sure, why not,” I said, opening the door so she could come inside.

Mae goes directly to my couch, plopping herself down like she owns the place. We never spent time here the whole three years we were together. Sometimes, but not really. We stayed at her place.

“I’m not happy with how things ended. I should have apologized sooner for being so pushy. You were upfront with me about how things would go from the beginning. After three years, I thought you’d have a changed your mind. But I kept pushing you for a different outcome. I drove myself nuts, and then you got dragged down too. I should’ve called it quits way before my ultimatum. Tanner, I’m really sorry we both got hurt.”

“Please forgive me, Mae, for letting our relationship go on for so long. I cared for you. I did. But I should have let you go sooner. Hell, I probably shouldn’t have gotten into a relationship with you, to begin with.” 

“Well, I am engaged now, and my fiance got a job promotion and transfer. We are leaving for Japan tomorrow. I wanted to clear the air between us before I left. It wasn’t one of us who was at fault. It was both of us. That last year we were together was hell for each of us.” 

“I don’t know what to say, but I’m glad you came by, Mae. Congratulations on your engagement. I hope the best for you,” I say, just as knocking resounds on my door.

Oh crap, I was so surprised by Mae that I forgot Kaysen would be here soon.

“You have company, and my fiance is waiting for me downstairs, so I’ll leave. I hope you can find happiness someday, Tanner,” Mae says, embracing me. It’s at that moment Kaysen opens the door and walks in with Cora to see Mae and me hugging each other.

Kaysen’s jaw drops, her eyes wide, and I can see tears welling in her eyes. She grabs Cora and bolts.

“Who was that?” I don’t give Mae another moment of my time before sprinting after Kaysen.