Page 45 of Forced Pregnant Mate

For the next few hours, Gina introduces me to the wild world of baking. I’m glad she brought baking trays and cake tins because I had not even thought of it. Seeing her expertly cracking eggs and wielding the electric mixer makes me feel a bit intimidated, but she is so sweet and helpful, I find it easy to learn from her.

“How did you learn all of this?” I say in astonishment as we pull two perfectly baked cakes out of the oven.

“Grandma,” she says simply. “I just hung out in the kitchen with her constantly. She had this great little house out in the woods, and when it snowed, we would just gather around the wood fire and bake. She had no recipe book because she used raw ingredients from her own farm.”

“She sounds wonderful,” I say. There is an ache in my chest now. I never knew any of my grandparents.

There is a slight commotion at the door as Carla lets herself in and hurries down the hall to join us. She’s carrying a ton of bags, as well.

“How much food do you think we’ll need?” she says. Gina laughs.

“Probably not that much.”

“I don’t know, dear,” Carla says, shaking her head. “Your father, Bailey, Jack, Jenks… those boys alone could clean up a whole cow, even in human shape.”

“Mother!” Gina cries, covering her ears.

“Just an expression,” Carla laughs.

While Carla instructs me in the stages of crumbing steak, Gina shows me how to make caramel and glaze the cake. Jenks arrives and sets up decorations and a boom box. Not long after, Bailey and Gina’s dad arrive and head out the back.

“Okay,” Carla says, cleaning up the kitchen with me. “We’ll all head out the back and stay quiet. Just act like it’s an ordinary evening, and you want to go out into the backyard to show him something, then wham! We all jump out.”

“Sounds good,” I reply, hugging her. “Thanks for all this, Carla.”

“Anytime, little dove,” she says, squeezing me tight.

I’m standing in the kitchen trying to look casual when Jack gets home. Everyone even parked their cars further down the street, so he would be completely unaware that the party was waiting for him.

“Hi, babe,” he says, coming into the kitchen. “Did you have a good day?”

“I sure did,” I answer, jumping up to wrap my arms around his neck and give him a big hug. “Hey, can I show you something outside real quick?”

“I was going to invite you to shower with me, but okay,”

I grin and tickle his chest a little. He kisses me, quick but hard. I grab his hand and lead him outside.

We don’t even get off the first step before his family and friends leap out of their hiding places and scream “SURPRISE!” Jack grabs his chest and staggers back, leaning on the wall.

“How dare you frighten an old man this way!” he yells. “You should be ashamed of yourselves.”

Bailey comes over, shaking his head. “Did I ever tell you, this fool is terrified of aging? It’s hilarious.”

I’m giggling now, really feeling like I am part of the family. It’s hard to believe these people truly are what they appear to be—I never knew people could be so loving towards each other.

Jenks spins up the boom box, and people start to dance and mingle. It’s a fairly small crowd, and Jack hangs out with all his friends, loving the food and having a few drinks. He keeps me with him at all times, making me a part of the conversation and introducing me to everyone.

It makes me feel special that he wants me included in everything he does, and that he wants all of his friends to know me. My life with Jack is nothing like what I expected it to be.

After dinner, I bring out my cake and set it in front of Jack.

“Wow. Did you make this?” he asks.

“Well, not really,” I answer bashfully. “Gina did most of the work.”

“Oh, don’t you even!” Gina sings out. “She did it, Jack. I just helped with the recipe.”

Jack looks up at me, his beautiful blue eyes full of emotion. He reaches out and takes my hand.

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