Page 118 of Surprised By Love

I take a seat beside Maureen on the couch, and we watch our family and friends while we chat about wedding locations. We want to have the wedding before I get too huge and, of course, I want Jessica to plan it.

I look over at the bar and see Brandon standing there with a drink in his hand when his eyes go huge. Following his line of sight, I see Jessica coming out of the kitchen with Stewart right behind.

I notice when Jessica sees Brandon for the first time. She stops dead in her tracks and Stewart bumps into her. He kisses her neck and wraps his arms around her waist. They exchange a few words and then Jess takes his hand and heads towards the food.

The kids sit in front of the fireplace, playing. I’m such a lucky girl. Not only am I back home where I belong, but I’m loved by the best man I’ve ever known and I’m going to have the big family I’ve always wanted.

Josh brings me a plate of food and takes the seat beside me. Sloan was adamant he would be the one to cook for the party. Vicki wanted him to be a guest and enjoy it, but he wouldn’t have it and I’m glad. The food is excellent.

When I see Jessica heading toward the bathroom, I excuse myself, and I follow her. I enter the upstairs bathroom and I find Jess with her hands braced on the counter.

“Are you okay?”

She shakes her head. “I don’t know. It’s been twelve years since I saw him. I didn’t know I’d have this kind of reaction.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you he would be here. It slipped my mind. I’m so, so sorry.”

Jess looks at me. “Hey, it’s okay. You’ve had a lot on your mind. You told me he was Josh’s best friend. I should have figured he’d be here.”

“You sure you’re, okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. I need to get used to seeing him around.” She hugs me. “I love you and I’m so happy for you.”

I rejoin the party in the living room, giving Jess a few minutes alone. Josh motions me to join him and he hands me a glass of sparkling apple juice.

“I’d like to make a toast,” he announces, and the room goes quiet.

I automatically look at Jess and see Stewart with his arms possessively around her. Then I look at Brandon, who is watching Jess, and I wonder what’s going on in his head.

“I’d like to thank everyone for coming today, and I want to thank Vicki and Becca for throwing this together.” He leans in and kisses my temple. “We’ve decided the wedding is going to be in May.”

A round of applause breaks out and Josh kisses me tenderly. I pull away and he looks at me with questioning eyes.

I lift my glass. “I’d like to make an announcement of my own. Josh, I know it scared you when you found out I was pregnant, but there is something else I need to tell you.” I pause and study his eyes. “I decided to tell you like this, so we have witnesses, and you don’t run again.” I wink at him, and everyone laughs. “But…” I pause and take a deep breath. “We’re having twins.”

He stares at me and for a minute and I’m second guessing my decision to tell him like this until he takes me in his arms and spins me around. Placing me back on my feet, he plants his lips on mine, dipping me in a scorching kiss.

The room again erupts in hoots and hollers of congratulations. Josh raises me upright and cups my face in his hands. “Have I told you today how beautiful you are and how madly in love with you I am?”

I shake my head, grinning.

“Well, Sam, you are absolutely gorgeous, and I love you so much more than I ever thought possible. I can’t wait to be married to you, join our families together and have babies with you.”

Grinning like the cat who ate the canary. “I never thought I would love someone the way I love you. I can’t wait to be your wife, the mother of our children. I love you Josh.”

“I love you Sam.”

Josh lowers his lips to mine again, and I forget there’s anyone else in the room.

Bonus Epilogue

Jessica

ThelastpersonIexpect to see when I walk out of the kitchen during my sister’s engagement party is Brandon Scott. I hate Brandon Scott. I freeze. He’s standing against the makeshift bar, looking disgustingly handsome.Why in the hell is he here?

I feel a hand on my lower back, and I remember I’m here with my boyfriend, Stewart. He kisses my neck. “Everything okay?” I look back at him and smile. “Yeah, everything’s fine. I saw someone I haven’t seen in years.” He puts his arm around my waist and looks around the room, as if trying to find out who I’m talking about.

He doesn’t have a clue; this is the first time he’s been to my hometown. I had no plans to ask him to come with me this weekend, but when I mentioned I was going out of town, he wanted to know where and when I told him he insisted he come.

---