Page 30 of Intertwined Hearts

I really didn’t know what to think, if I was being honest with myself. Hunter had to wait three months to find out for certain if he was or wasn’t the father of this kid.

“Well, Hunter.” I swallowed hard. “In three months, we’ll deal with it if you’re the father of her baby.”

He let out a loud sigh, held me on each side of my face, and pulled me until his mouth crashed on mine.

“Damn, baby. Really?”

I forced a smile. “Really. I’m not going anywhere. I’d never turn my back on you after everything you’ve done for me. If you’re the father, we’ll make it work together. I love you, Hunter.”

Tears tumbled down his cheeks, and he pulled me back into him, his tongue reaching depths of my mouth he’d never reached before.

“I love you, Jackie.”

Chapter 23

Jackie

I spent some time with Nikki and was amazed how big she had gotten. When she told me she was eight months, I was surprised. She looked like she should have had the baby already. She was ultra-sensitive about her size, so I kept my mouth shut. I thought she looked beautiful, and told her so. She just cried.

Abby was a bundle of energy. I offered to take her for a couple of hours, but Nikki said Sky was on his way over to get her. We agreed I’d get to take her another time. In the meantime, she climbed all over me like a little monkey while Nikki and I continued to talk.

She gave me a lot of shit for keeping myself scarce over the past few months. I convinced her it wasn’t because I didn’t want to see her, but that I wanted to make sure she and Jeff had plenty of time together.

When the doorbell rang, I watched Abby run to the front door while Nikki waddled like a penguin behind her. Tears filled my eyes. I could have looked like that if it hadn’t been for Landon. The memory made me hate him even more.

Abby ran in and threw her arms around my neck and hugged me tight. “Bye, Aunt Jackie.”

“Bye, cutie pie. Have fun with Daddy.” I kissed her cheek, then she darted back to the front door. I waved at Sky.

When Nikki returned and plopped down into her chair, we talked about how things were going with her since being married, and she said it couldn’t be better. She told me Jeff always told her how beautiful he thought she was being pregnant with his child, and how much more attentive he has been. She said he was insisting she hire someone to help around the house and that they had found someone to live with them. She also told me Jeff was going to be home soon so he was around in case she went into labor early or needed anything.

I was very happy for her that everything was working out for the two of them.

“When are you going to tell me that you have begun dating some Romeo?” Nikki asked.

“Soon. One of these days soon, I hope.” I hated lying to Nikki, but Hunter and I still didn’t want to reveal that we’d been seeing each other. We would soon and we knew it, but for right now, we both loved being able to spend time together without assumptions being made by anyone on weddings, kids, or anything else.

After about another hour, I left Nikki’s house and headed out to the mall. Hunter and I had a movie date at my house, and I wanted to surprise him with new lingerie when he arrived. I loved opening the door in my robe with sexy lingerie underneath. Hunter loved it even more. The last movie night, we never watched the movie.

We were taking things one day at a time, not focusing on anything except each other. We didn’t talk about his ex, and we never discussed the baby.

Unfortunately, the same couldn’t be said about my stupid ex. His court appearance was coming up, and I was going to have to testify against him, again. I wasn’t thrilled about it, but he was looking at a much longer sentence this time around. This time, hopefully, I would never have to hear from him or see him again. Hunter was great too. He promised to be with me in court for support, or for whatever I needed.

Hunter and I were perfect together. I loved him more with each passing day.

Chapter 24

Jackie

A few weeks after my visit with Nikki, I got the call I’d been waiting for just before lunch. I became an aunt to a beautiful baby boy in the early hours of the morning. I quickly sent a text to Mandy and Georgia to let them know. Mandy and I decided once we got off of work, we’d go by the hospital together to see Nikki. I sent a text to Hunter to let him know plans had changed, since we were supposed to go to dinner at seven. His reply was delayed. He told me he had changed the reservation to nine o’clock. He was one hundred percent perfection.

It was six o’clock when Mandy and I knocked on Nikki’s hospital door, then walked in to see our friend.

“Hey, Nik, how are you feeling?” I asked. I walked over and gave her a hug. She looked great.

“Hey, Nikki, you look very beautiful,” Mandy said.

“I was beginning to wonder about you two. I’m so happy you both came up,” Nikki said.

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